Fort Lauderdale is a South Florida city known for its many beautiful beaches and the 300 miles of canal ways that garnered it the "Venice of America." And whether you're into nightlife, arts and culture, the beach, or the food scene, there are things in Fort Lauderdale to do for everyone. From attractions to restaurants to activities, here is a list of things to do the next time you find yourself in Fort Lauderdale.
Water Taxi
Fort Lauderdale got its nickname as the "Venice of America" due to the 300 miles of beautiful Intracoastal Waterway running inland through the city. The Water Taxi is a perfect way to take the scenic route of exploring the city. You can experience the main attractions and even bar and/or restaurant hop while spending all day on the waterways. An all-day pass ($35) allows you to hop on and off of Water Taxis all day, allowing you to visit the different shops and restaurants that make up the city's Hollywood Broadwalk with ease.
In addition to the Water Taxi, you can opt to experience the different waterways, as well as the iconic Millionaires' Row, via yacht, paddleboard, or even by gondola for an authentically Venice-esque type vibe as you sightsee.
Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar
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Get a taste of the spirit of Mexico with the help of a Fort Lauderdale dining staple, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar. Happy hour starts at 4 and lasts until 7 daily, but Rocco's also hosts lively fiestas by way of Bottomless Brunch weekends and Taco & Tequila Tuesdays. The latter allows you to sample different tequilas through their collection of more than 300 tequilas. Taco Tuesdays also allow you to take advantage of their all-you-can-eat tacos special. Aside from stellar tacos, their menu boasts authentic Mexican cuisine like tableside guacamole, elotes, molcajetes, enchiladas, birria tacos, and more.
Archibald's Village Bakery
o have one of the best cinnamon rolls you've ever tasted, stop by the local and tourist favorite Archibald's Village Bakery. The award-winning bakery also has a full coffee menu and was recently crowned #3 in Yelp's Top 100 US Restaurants 2023. You can eat your coffee and food on their patio or go and enjoy them on the Fort Lauderdale Beach, which is conveniently steps away from the cafe.
From their Morning Glory Loaf to breakfast wraps to their lemon-glazed blueberry scones and a chocolate chip cookie that could rival your favorites, a visit here, while you're in Fort Lauderdale is a must.
NSU Art Museum
"Hooray for Hollywood" in the "Picturing Fame" exhibition at NSU Art Museum
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One thing about me is I will find an excuse to go to an art museum, and the NSU Art Museum just so happens to be the one in Fort Lauderdale. It feels like a great way to get a bit of art and culture into what sometimes feels like a food-heavy vacation (I'm not complaining, though!). With over 6,000 art pieces, the works I zeroed in on were from the "Picturing Fame" exhibition and from the Haitian artists that were featured, whose stories of struggle, freedom, and revolution could be felt in the artwork they crafted. This included artists Gérard Fortuné, Roland Dorcely, and Robert Saint-Brice and their collective exhibition titled "Cosmic Mirrors."
I was also partial to the works of Kathia St. Claire featured in the exhibition "Immaterial Being." I loved her use of using linoleum panels to create quilt-like backgrounds that would act as the textured canvas for her paintings. It's a signature technique of the artist that you fall for just as you do her work.
Kathia St. Hilaire, "Our Only Guide to Justice"
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Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale has at least ten wonderful beaches to choose from when deciding to embark on a beach day. The turquoise waters, tall palm trees, and white sand are just three of the reasons to indulge in Fort Lauderdale beaches. Fort Lauderdale Beach has that in the form of four miles of magnificent coastline and is considered one of Florida's best beaches. It's everything that is beautiful, and because of its shallow waters, water activities like swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and diving are popping there.
With the pulse of the city as the beach's backdrop, you can take a break from the sun and heat by getting lost in shopping, cafes, and other forms of entertainment that are conveniently located near the beach.
Pompano Beach
Possibly even more visually breathtaking is Pompano Beach, a beach that has steadily topped best beaches of Fort Lauderdale to visit lists. Named for the prominence of pompano tropical game fish found there, the Pompano Beach has golden shores and is located between the Hillsboro and Fort Lauderdale beaches. The water is warm, and the ocean looks clear, making it a perfect location for water activities like scuba diving, fishing charters, snorkeling, kayaking, jet skiing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and more. If you want to take a break from the water, you can also get lost in a discovery of a series of art installations at Shipwreck Park.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Located across 180 acres along Fort Lauderdale Beach is the city's central park, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. The forest acts as a lush oasis where nature lovers can get their hike on through nature trails. They can also rent pedal boats, kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes. There, people can fish and enjoy other recreational endeavors through biking, jet skis, and more.
Rivertail
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The Wahoo Crudo at Rivertail
Breakwater Hospitality Group
Voted Miami New Times' "Best Restaurant Fort Lauderdale 2020," Rivertail is a chic casual seafood restaurant that offers bold and spectacular flavors through creative dishes. Located on the waterfront, Rivertail serves dishes that are inspired by oyster bars, fish houses, and fine dining restaurants across the globe. Passionfruit Ceviche, Crab Donuts, Mussels Maria, the Seafood Roll, the Snapper, and Wahoo Crudo are just some of the restaurant's mouthwatering creations that stand out and keep diners coming back for more. When looking for the best seafood in Fort Lauderdale, look no further than Rivertail.
Glitch Bar
Any excuse to tap into your inner child and play games while you drink is an excuse with my name on it. The Glitch Bar in Fort Lauderdale is a popular arcade bar located in the MASS District of the city. With an entry fee that is the cost of a drink, Glitch Bar offers free play on pinball and old-school arcade games like the beloved Donkey Kong and Pac-Man. They also have weekend DJs and host trivia nights.
Tufting House
Color outside of the lines with a rug tufting experience to remember. Rug tufting has been rising in popularity thanks to the wonderful world of TikTok, and at Tufting House, I was able to learn a new skill and expand my creativity in a major way. Among other services and private classes, Tufting House also offers a custom rug tufting opportunity where you can create your own mini rug to sketch, tuft, and take home. You can go as a group or even make a date or solo date for yourself. I would have never thought to spend a few hours firmly tufting my rug creation, but it's a therapeutic creative outlet I'll never forget.
Sistrunk Marketplace
With diverse cuisine options that would pique any foodie's interest, Sistrunk Marketplace is a culinary hub that can satisfy any palette. Sistrunk Marketplace is a one-part food hall, one-part brewery, one-part marketplace, and all parts a spot you must hit up if you're in Fort Lauderdale. Among the wide array of different food options the food dining hall offers, the restaurants include authentic Italian food by way of Mari's Kitchen Italian Market, vegan and Hawaiian poke by way of Poke OG, southern food by way of Nellie's Southern Table, and even Korean food by way of Perillas Korean Kitchen.
The Sistrunk Marketplace is also home to the brewery Dream State and the on-site microbrewery provides craft ales, and beers that are imported as well as local.
W Fort Lauderdale
The entrance to the AWAY Spa at the W Fort Lauderdale
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With the tranquil respite of their AWAY Spa, the sparkling pool with its transparent walls, and an overall nod to luxury, the W Fort Lauderdale hotel has to be a stop on your list while in Fort Lauderdale one way or another. Spend a day or two getting acquainted with their amenities, book that 50-minute Go Deep massage, lay out in the sun or shade while lounging by the pool, and bask in the oceanfront views of Fort Lauderdale Beach.
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Anyway, one of them was recently expressing in the chat that, although, according to her doctor, her hormone levels seemed to be fine, she felt like certain perimenopause symptoms were telling her otherwise. She’s probably right because the reality is you can be in a state of perimenopause — the transitional phase that comes right before menopause — anywhere from 4-10 years (keep in mind that the average age for entering menopause is 51).
And so, after hearing about some of what she was experiencing and recommending things like evening primrose oil and raspberry leaf tea, it reminded me that I should also pen an article on seed cycling — a practice that is gaining more traction when it comes to all-natural ways of keeping certain hormones in balance.
If you’re curious about what seed cycling is all about, I’ve got a few details that may interest you — and might provide you with some perimenopausal relief — below.
What Is Seed Cycling and Why Is It Becoming More Popular?
GiphyProbably the easiest way to define seed cycling is it’s all about consuming certain seeds during certain times of the month in order to balance out your hormones — well, not only balance hormones but boost fertility and also decrease symptoms that are directly related to menopause.
The thought process of seed cycling is if you consume certain seeds during the first half of your menstrual cycle, it will help to balance out your estrogen levels; then if you consume certain seeds during the other half of your menstrual cycle, it will balance out your progesterone levels.
So, which seeds are you supposed to take?
Flax and pumpkin seeds during the first 14 days of your cycle and then sesame and sunflower seeds during the last 14 days. And what if your period isn’t on a 28-day cycle? Well, then what you would do is take flax and pumpkin seeds during your follicular phase (the first day that you start your period through the day that you ovulate) and sesame and sunflower seeds during your luteal phase (the time that happens right after your ovulate and ends once your period starts). And why these seeds in particular? Were they just pulled out of thin air? Nope.
Flaxseeds contain phytoestrogenswhich is a form of plant-based estrogen. Estrogen is low at the beginning of your menstrual cycle, so phytoestrogens can help your body build up your uterine lining. When you are going through the latter stages of perimenopause/menopause, estrogen levels can significantly decrease; phytoestrogens can help to bring your levels back up. That said, as far as periods are concerned, flaxseeds can help to regulate your cycle (which can also make it easier for you to conceive, if that is something that you are trying to do). As far as perimenopause and menopause are concerned, they can help to make their symptoms more bearable.
Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of magnesium and manganese which help to ease PMS symptoms and reduce menstrual discomfort. When it comes to perimenopause and menopause, magnesium can reduce anxiety and depression and help you to sleep better which can reduce symptoms that are associated with both conditions. And manganese? Manganese helps to regulate blood levels and improve bone density. Pumpkin seeds also contain a considerable amount of zinc that helps to regulate hormones. Fertility-wise, pumpkin seeds can increase testosterone levels and they can help you to have a healthier pregnancy.
Sesame seeds also have phytoestrogens in them; however, the reason why sesame seeds are recommended for seed cycling is because the zinc, selenium, vitamin E, and fatty acids in them are what help to give your progesterone levels a boost during the second half of your menstrual cycle. Progesterone not only creates a healthy uterine lining, if an egg isn’t fertilized, but it also helps your body to shed the lining. When it comes to perimenopause/menopause, progesterone is needed because it can help reduce the impact of hot flashes and menopause-related insomnia. When it comes to conceiving, sesame seeds can help to reduce inflammation and boost your immunity — making it easier for your body to get pregnant.
Sunflower seeds are loaded with vitamin Eand that alone makes them great when it comes to your menstrual cycle and dealing with perimenopause and menopause-related symptoms. That’s because vitamin E helps to reduce period discomfort and, if you happen to have heavy cycles, it can help to decrease the amount of blood that you lose during your cycle as well. For those dealing with perimenopause and menopause, vitamin E helps to bring relief to symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Sunflower seeds can also aid in fertility, thanks to the fatty acids in them that can make it easier to conceive.
So, as you can see, there is a method to the madness when it comes to the seeds that are selected for seed cycling. Okay, but how do you actually incorporate seed cycling into your lifestyle? Good question.
How to Do Seed Cycling in Order to Receive the Most Optimal Results
GiphyIf you want to try seed cycling in order to see if it helps you and your hormones out, this is what you will need to do:
During days 1-14 (again, your follicular phase), you will need to take one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds and one tablespoon of ground pumpkin seeds.
During days 15-28 (again, your luteal phase), you will need to take one tablespoon of ground sesame seeds and one tablespoon of ground sunflower seeds.
The strategy here is if you do this consistently for 3-4 months, you should start to see an improvement when it comes to the imbalance of your hormones. It should also go on record that some health experts recommend adding 1200-1500 mg EPA/DHA to the follicular phase of seed cycling and evening primrose oil to the luteal phase. That’s because EPA/DHA are fatty acids that help to reduce bodily inflammation and evening primrose oil helps to decrease PMS symptoms as well as hot flashes.
As far as side effects go, there currently aren’t any drastic ones that have been reported. The main thing to keep in mind is that you may experience some gas, bloating, or changes in your bowel movement patterns for a moment. That’s because certain seeds are filled with fiber.
How These Seeds Will Benefit Your Health Regardless
GiphyNow that you know more of what seed cycling is all about, you might be wondering if it’s truly worth your while. The truth is that research is still being conducted which means that there are articles out in cyberspace that tend to Elmo shrug seed cycling more than anything else. My two cents? I mean, the fact that the four seeds listed have other health benefits, if you’re someone who prefers to take all-natural approaches to your health, it can’t hurt to up your intake of flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds anyway. Here are a few (additional) reasons why.
Flaxseeds. Aside from the fact that flaxseeds are a beneficial source of fiber and protein, they are also good for you because they are rich in omega-3s (which reduce inflammation and decrease cholesterol levels), they can help to keep your blood sugar levels in check, they are good at assisting with weight management and they can strengthen your digestive system.
Pumpkin seeds. If you’re currently trying to eat less meat yet you don’t want to do it at the sacrifice of your daily protein needs, pumpkin seeds are the answer to your prayers. They are off-the-charts when it comes to how much protein is in them (almost nine grams per serving), plus they contain a solid amount of copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and antioxidants. If you want to improve your bladder health, pumpkin seeds can help to make that happen. If you want a stronger heart, pumpkin seeds offer support in that department.
Something else to keep in mind is, that since pumpkin seeds have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-ulcerative properties in them, they can also help your body to heal from minor issues and wounds faster — which is always a good thing.
Sesame seeds. If you are looking to get more fiber and protein in, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, keep your bones in good shape, uptick your vitamin B intake, and/or strengthen your immune system, these are the areas where sesame seeds can be of great assistance. Something else that’s cool about sesame seeds is they have a reputation for helping to keep your liver and kidneys in peak condition as well.
Sunflower seeds. As far as snacking goes, probably the most popular seeds (on this list, anyway) are sunflower seeds. If they are something that you enjoy indulging in, you can feel good about that since they contain properties that fight cancer, help to regulate your thyroid, assist with preventing muscle cramps, provide you an energy boost, reduce your blood sugar levels, and make your gut (where 80 percent of your immunity resides) healthier.
Hmph. Looks to me that if you take these seeds in, your health is only going to improve — if that includes when it comes to your hormones, then that is just a bonus.
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Now that you know more about seed cycling, of course, it is totally up to you if you want to give it a shot. Again, though — since all of these seeds are good for you, what do you have to lose in trying it?
I don’t see one damn thing, y’all. Not one.
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