Killing time in FLL
 

Hi guys,

I have a 3.5 hour layover in FLL next week, just wanted to know if it was enough time to get out and see the beach or whatever one does in Fort Lauderdale and still make the connection. It'd be nice not to have to spend it all in the terminal (no status with any airline... so not even the lounge o.O)

Thanks

Probably with that amount of time the best bet would be to run down to the Hollywood beach boardwalk. It is about 15-20m drive, south Route 1 to Sheridan, East to A1A and park south of the marriot a couple of blocks. Depending on the time of day you can catch a beer and something to eat sitting right on the beach. Heading north to Ft Lauderdale beach would probably take at least 30m and all of the resturants are across A1A not right on the beach

I cannot agree with this at all.

I would suggest a taxi to/from Ft Lauderdale Beach Blvd (A!A) just north of the Harbour Beach area. "Beachplace" which is a big shopping/cafe/bar area would be a good placed to be dropped off. Beachplace is exactly 5 miles from the airport. There are lots of open air cafes in this area, similar to what you would see on Ocean Drive in South Beach. If there is no traffic travel time from the airport would be a 10 minute ride across the 17th st Causeway. However if there was a boat going under the 17th St Causeway bridge at the time of your taxi ride and the bridge were up, then your 10 minute ride could be a 20 minute ride.

Worldspan

Just depends on how close you want to be to the beach and what time it is. Traffic on 1 going to 17 can be a bear depending on the time of day, especially going in the reverse direction. I would not worry about the bridge too much either direction you can find a good time. I spend time on Ft Lauderdale beach or Hollywood beach almost evrey weekend, both are nice. Ft Lauderdale is a slightly younger crowd and the resturants are better but you are not right on the beach. I avoid SoBe completely not my type of party

From what I've read online, they seem to say the this place called the "Riverwalk" is a nice place. But is it close enough to the airport that I can get there, grab a bite and return on time? If not, Beach Place seems like a decent place to spend some time. A little tourist-trappy but hey, better than the gate right?

Thanks for your responses, btw.

Riverwalk is located by Las Olas. Would be ok if you want to engage in little old lady window shopping with your spare time.

Otherwise if you just want to have a cold beer and look out at the Blue Atlantic (e.g. at the open air Hooters atop Beachplace) then I would recommend the latter

Worldspan

Riverwalk is now a ghost town. most of the restaurants have closed.