25 Hidden Gems in Greater Fort Lauderdale You Need to See to Believe

This Las Olas Boulevard florist shop does more than create extravagant bouquets. Family-owned and operated since 1976, Ann’s invites you to walk amongst the flowers while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee. Looking for the perfect gift? Explore the gift store for home goods, greeting cards, and other unique finds. As the sun sets, meet your friends on the patio for a cocktail, as you groove to live music from a rotating set of local artists. annsfloristlasolas.com

Since its inception in 2014, Blue Jean Blues has become South Florida’s premier jazz and blues destination, attracting locals and out-of-town visitors alike! There’s live music seven days a week, with performances from some of the most talented acts in the region. If you’re especially feeling the music, listen to your hips and take them up to the stage area to dance along to the saxophone, guitar, drums, and smooth vocals of that night’s band. bluejeanblues.live

Get a taste of local history at Broward County’s oldest restaurant - Cap’s Place. Serving fresh seafood for over 95 years, this Lighthouse Point gem has entertained both the famous and infamous, including Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Al Capone, and Mariah Carey among its revered guests. Listed as a historical site on the National Register of Historic Places, this is a must-visit restaurant for anyone exploring the Gold Coast. capsplace.com

What’s better than a tiki bar? A floating tiki bar. Hop aboard Cruisin’ Tiki for a bar on the move, where you can enjoy cocktails while exploring Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful waterways. Opt for a sunset cruise, dock at a sandbar for swimming, enjoy jazz aboard a specialty cruise, or choose the time and duration that works for your crew. cruisintikisfortlauderdale.com

If you’ve watched every episode of “Blown Away” on Netflix, then Hollywood Hot Glass is calling your name. In fact, the creator of the studio, Brenna Baker, competed on season three of the show! Through their iconic Hot Glass Class Program, you can create your very own work of art with the help of a skilled instructor. Additionally, the studio’s Cremation Creations program offers the opportunity to commemorate and memorialize the life of your loved one or pet in glass for you to cherish forever. hollywoodhotglass.com

A Dania Beach staple since 1956, Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant is known for slinging mile-long hot dogs, half-pound burgers, and massive sundaes, like their infamous Original Kitchen Sink®. Adorned with lit sparklers to announce its arrival, the dessert’s list of ingredients may be larger than your stomach: 1 pound of ice cream per person, bananas, homemade whipped cream, mixed nuts, and cherries, all served in a literal kitchen sink. jaxsonsicecream.com

By day, Jet Runway Cafe is a bustling eatery where you can enjoy your favorite dishes while watching planes take off and touch down on the runway at Fort Lauderdale’s Executive Airport. By night, this upscale cafe becomes an elite private event venue. No matter how you find yourself at Jet Runway Cafe, you’re guaranteed a magical experience. jetrunwaycafe.com

An award-winning speakeasy with an extensive whiskey and tequila collection, this reservation-only spot in Flagler Village is part cocktail bar, part kitchen, and all class. Shake the brass hand at the door for entry and immerse yourself in a world of pure Americana. mamahanks.com 

The city of Davie is known for its cowboy culture, making it the perfect location for Marando Farms. In addition to riding lessons and trail rides, this family-owned business offers pony and hay rides for little ones on weekends. You can support local farmers with the ranch’s farm-to-table restaurant or its farmers market selling locally-grown produce. Plus, the ranch petting zoo, where rescued animals have been given a second chance, is a must for animal lovers. Don’t forget to check Marando’s calendar for upcoming festivals and events, as there’s always something new to enjoy! marandoranch.com

Take a trip back in time to Broward County’s first school building, the Old Davie School. As settlers made their way west, there was a greater need for a school, and the building was erected in 1918, welcoming 90 students. Over the years, it’s served as a town hall, dance hall, Broward County School Board office space, and shelter during floods and hurricanes. Today, the Old Davie School invites visitors to experience South Florida’s agricultural past, and its economically diverse region. With artifacts, photographs, articles and maps, a visit to the museum allows visitors to experience the vibrant history that shaped this community. olddavieschool.org

Open since 1978, owner William Chrisant has amassed an impressive collection of nearly 30,000 books, some dating back hundreds of years. In this magical store with shelves reaching the ceiling, bibliophiles will find first editions of great literature, children’s reads, contemporary novels, and books covering practically every topic you can imagine. While you’re there, make sure to say ‘hello’ to the friendly bookstore cat. oldfloridabookshop.com

Records may be back in style, but for many, it’s a trend that never left. Radio-Active Records, an independently owned and operated music shop in Fort Lauderdale, has been serving the South Florida community since 1995. Offering vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and even some 8-tracks, this full-service music shop frequently hosts live performances by local and out-of-town musicians, book signings, meet & greets, and more! radio-active-records.com

Step inside Oakland Park’s Rebel Wine Bar, a cozy Art Deco-inspired space welcoming lovers of wine, art, and culture. In addition to a great selection of approachable wines, Rebel offers a variety of different experiences, from private events to wine tastings to paint and sip classes. This one-of-a-kind venue also hosts numerous art galleries in collaboration with the non-profit ArtsUnited. rebelwinebar.com

Going to Regina’s Farm is like being invited to your Brazilian friend’s backyard BBQ. Located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, the home cook opens her small urban farm to diners, presenting an authentic Brazilian dinner inspired by her home state of Minas Gerais. Dinner starts with a variety of soups, followed by traditional entrees and decadent desserts. A tried and true crowd-pleaser is her famous pão de queijo, or cheese bread. It’s important to note that these highly in-demand dinners are booked months in advance, so make a reservation as soon as possible. reginasfarm.com

With more than 300 miles of canals snaking through the city, it’s no wonder Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America. So it’s only fitting that one experiences the city’s breathtaking waterways with Riverfront Gondola Tours. Grab five of your nearest and dearest for a 1.5-hour guided tour with your very own gondolier. Or schedule a romantic dinner cruise for you and your sweetie. No matter how you choose to explore, this is one tour you won’t soon forget. riverfrontgondolatours.com

Across the street from the NSU Art Museum in downtown Fort Lauderdale is the towering Hyatt Centric Las Olas — as well as the top secret Rm. 901. More than a hotel room, it’s a reservations-only speakeasy that harkens back to the days of Prohibition. Step into a bygone era where sultry lighting, plush furnishings, antique carpets, retro-style lamps, and vintage artwork and artifacts await. Plus, a wide array of cocktails to indulge in, along with a menu of gourmet bites from award-winning Chef Greg McGowan. roomnine01.com

A small space offering small production wines — the name says it all. But what it’s lacking in size, the Small Wine Shop makes up for in taste. The intimate wine shop in Flagler Village has a collection of hand-selected wines, focusing on wineries that create natural, organic, and biodynamic pours. There are also two wine clubs to join: Daytrippin’ taps into old favorites with an interesting twist, while Wanderlust takes oenophiles on a journey around the globe. Be sure to check the (not-so-small) calendar of events, which features movie nights, workshops, and bar takeovers. smallwineshop.com

Greater Fort Lauderdale has no shortage of cultural institutions, but one of its greatest treasures is the Stonewall National Museum and Archives (SNMA) next to Holiday Park. One of the largest LGBT+ archives and libraries in the United States, SNMA is a safe, welcoming place that inspires and promotes understanding through collecting, preserving, and sharing the proud culture of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and their significant role in U.S. society. In addition to its ever-growing archive, SNMA also presents year-round exhibits centered on LGBT+ themes, including author presentations, films, panel discussions, and other events. stonewall-museum.org

Tate’s got its start in 1993 when owner Tate Ottati opened the Lauderhill comic book store at just 17. Today, the 10,000-square-foot business is a mecca for all things comics, manga, graphic novels, figures, and toys. On display is also a rotating collection of artwork through Tate’s Comics gallery arm, Bear and Bird. If you’re on the hunt for comics, new, old, or niche, this is the place for you. tatescomics.com

Follow the siren’s call to the B Ocean Hotel’s Wreck Bar, where mermaids have been swimming past the bar’s portholes since the 1950s. The windows here peek into the hotel’s swimming pool, and weekly mermaid shows entertain guests both young and old. Guests can revel in an Aqua Burlesque Show, an Aquamen Burlesque Show, or a Mermaids & Mimosas show for brunch. boceanresort.com

Take your day to new heights with the Tigertail Aerial Challenge O-course. Lovingly referred to as “TACO,” this aerial ropes adventure in Dania Beach features three interconnected 46-foot towers, two distinct levels, and plenty of fun! With 10 different “high ropes” challenges, a 40-foot QuickFlite freefall, two climbing walls with four different routes, and hundreds of ground-level team-building activities, Tigertail’s Aerial Challenge O-course is the most exciting aerial experience in South Florida! tigertaillake.com

Get nostalgic at this Wilton Manors candy shop that sells your favorite treats from yesteryear. Inside, there’s a collection of more than 13,000 candies, sweets, classic toys, and collectibles, as well as thousands of greeting cards. Open since 2005, the local favorite has imported candies from around the world, bulk candy, dozens of chocolate-covered candies, 90 dark chocolate bars (even 100% cocoa!), and American treats you may not have seen in your regular store for decades — think Junket, My T Fine, Jiffy Pop, Sanders Candy, Sun Drop soda, Cheerwine, RC Cola, Moxie, and more. tothemoonmarketplace.com

At nearly 29 acres, Welleby Park is one of the largest (and most popular) parks in Sunrise. After a recent expansion, this dog-friendly park now offers year-round recreational opportunities for everyone under the sun. Dog lovers can enjoy Pawgrass at Welleby Park - Sunrise’s first municipal dog park, while kiddos will love the new playground, nature-themed splash pad, and safety town play/learn area. Plus, with a 1.23-mile walking path and 11 picnic pavilions, there’s always a good time to visit!

Just blocks away from Fort Lauderdale beach is the hidden wine bar, a completely outdoor dining space in a garden setting. The intimate restaurant’s menu offers Italian fare, including Neapolitan-style pizzas, as well as a healthy offering of boutique wines. Lunch or dinner is enjoyed underneath a canopy of trees outfitted with strings of lights. If you have room for dessert, order the s’mores, which are enjoyed at the firepits. wineandgarden.com

Whatever you’re craving, bets are you’ll find it at Hollywood’s favorite hotspot, Yellow Green Farmers Market. This dynamic outdoor venue houses hundreds of stalls, with vendors selling a variety of foods, clothing, home goods, jewelry, plants, dog treats, beauty products, and more. Bands play from the cover of a chicken hut, and full bars throughout the market can quench your thirst even on the hottest of days. ygfarmersmarket.com