Fort Lauderdale: A Slightly Chaotic Coastal Escape
okay so i landed in fort lauderdale and immediately felt like i’d stepped into a slower version of miami’s cousin who still parties but also naps. the air was thick, not gross-thick, more like that cozy blanket feeling but with humidity. i just checked and it’s 20.5°c there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
i didn’t plan much, just followed my nose (and stomach). first stop: yolo *boca raton for brunch because someone told me the avocado toast there is borderline life-changing. turns out it’s legit. also, the barista had a tattoo of a flamingo doing yoga, which felt very fort lauderdale.
walking around, i noticed the canals are everywhere-like venice but with more boats named “seas the day.” i overheard a local say, “you haven’t lived until you’ve taken a water taxi past million-dollar yachts while eating a cuban sandwich.” so i did exactly that. worth it.
if you get bored, miami and west palm beach are just a short drive away, but honestly? i’d rather stay here and people-watch from a waterfront bar. the crowd is a mix of retirees who still know how to party and young creatives who haven’t decided if they’re moving to nyc yet.
random tip from a drunk guy at the bar: “never trust a hotel without a pool bar.” solid advice.
here’s a map to get your bearings:
and because no travel post is complete without dreamy pics, here’s what the place looks like when it’s not covered in my awkward selfies:
if you’re into quirky museums, check out the international swimming hall of fame. or don’t. i just walked by and took a photo of the sign. same vibe.
for food, las orlas* on las olas boulevard is where the locals actually go-not just tourists. and yes, i’m aware i just contradicted myself by recommending it.
overall, fort lauderdale feels like that friend who’s always down for a beach day but also has a secret stash of board games. low-key perfect.
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