Miami and Fort Lauderdale are now much closer with the new high-speed Brightline train service, which debuted last May. Travel time is just under 30 minutes, plus it’s easy, convenient, stress-free (you don’t have to worry about traffic!) and allows you to be productive– WiFi is complimentary all throughout the train, and there are power sockets and USBs to charge your electronics on each seat.
One-way fares range from $10-15 (Smart Service: snack and drinks options for purchase), $15-20 (Smart Plus Service: one complimentary onboard snack and beverage, including wine, beer or spirits), and $30 (Select Service aka First Class–the granddaddy of them all! See below.)
I need to tell you about the Select Service class. Food and drink enjoyment starts at the lounge while you’re waiting to board and continues on the platform (yup before boarding!),where there’s another bar offering an array of champagne, wine, beer, sparkling and still water, calling your name. On the train you are treated to the same food and drink selection from your 21-inch wide seats. And in case you decided to hold off, you’ll have a final opportunity to choose from the same offerings on the arrival platform! *Brightline also goes all the way to West Palm Beach (approximately 1.5 hours travel time from Miami; and from Fort Lauderdale, for an additional 44 minutes. Train fares apply.)
Now that we’re in Fort Lauderdale, let’s begin our adventure. *Note that you can do ALL of this in a day– and arrive back in Miami in time for dinner!
FAT Village
While Miami has Wynwood, Fort Lauderdale has FATVillage, a four-block community of artists and designers. (FAT stands for Flagler Arts Technology.) The wall artworks that line the area are fun and unique– my current favorite is the one of Mario and Luigi. While you’re there, don’t forget to stop by for coffee (or a drink) at C&I Studios’ Next Door. (It’s literally called Next Door– Brew Urban Coffee during the day and Drink Next Door at night!) It’s a super cool creative space. PS FATVillage holds their ArtWalk on the last Saturday of every month (except for the month of December), with open galleries showcasing new art exhibits, local artists selling their wares, and lots of food and entertainment!
Broward Center for The Performing Arts
The fact that Hamilton chose the Broward Center for the Performing Arts— one of the top 10 most visited theaters in the world– for its South Florida run from December 18 to January 20 is reason enough to visit. Then there’s Phantom of the Opera (October 10 to 21) and The King and I (November 20 to December 2). They’ve also just launched their new Jet Blue Flight Deck on the Club Level, where patrons can enjoy performances from extra roomy theater seats or from the windows inside the lounge, while enjoying food and drinks. There is the option to arrive by boat (after all, Fort Lauderdale is home to the largest boat show in the world, coming soon in November— did you know that?) and you can also enjoy a terrace dinner at Marti’s New River Bistro overlooking the water, before the show.
There is also the option to arrive by boat (after all, Fort Lauderdale is home to the largest boat show in the world, coming soon in October— did you know that?) and you can also enjoy a terrace dinner at Marti’s New River Bistro overlooking the water, before the show.
View from onstage– a behind the scenes peek in to what it looks like for performers at Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Au Rene Theater (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas Boulevard is Fort Lauderdale’s most popular thoroughfare for restaurants, bars and boutiques. From The Floridian and Louie Bossi, to Etaru (the latest brainchild of Zuma’s Rainer Becker), you’re sure to find something to your liking. You can also give into your sweet tooth at Hoffman’s, which has been serving handcrafted chocolates and sweets for over 40 years. And if you you would like a little bit of history, you can visit the Stranahan House Museum, the former home of Frank and Ivy Stranahan, the founding family of Fort Lauderdale, located just off Las Olas.
What a great way to spend the day right? xx
Special thanks to Schwartz Media and The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
