Downtown Historical Buildings, Fort Lauderdale

Downtown Historical Buildings (Self Guided), Fort Lauderdale

Downtown Fort Lauderdale is home to three designated historic districts: The Sailboat Bend, The Himmarshee, and The Stranahan House. Each holds a range of houses and buildings from the mid-19th and 20th centuries that together tell the fascinating story of Fort Lauderdale's evolution over the years.

One such notable institution, preserving the city's heritage, is the Fort Lauderdale History Center. It stands as a repository of knowledge and showcases the area's history through exhibitions and artifacts.

The Bryan Building, an architectural gem, adds to the charm of the downtown area. Its elegant design and historic significance make it a sight not to miss for history enthusiasts.

The Woman's Club is another landmark with a storied past. It served as a hub for social and cultural activities in its heyday, representing the vital role women played in shaping the community.

The South Side Cultural Arts Center, formerly South Side School, offers a window into the educational history of Fort Lauderdale. Its transformation into an arts center highlights the city's commitment to preserving and repurposing historic buildings.

The Williams House is a well-preserved example of the city's residential architecture. It stands as a testament to the lifestyles of the past.

The Croissant Park Administration Building, while more recent than some others, contributes to the historical fabric of the area. It showcases modernist architectural elements, a contrast to older structures.

The Sam Gilliam House is yet another noteworthy residence, reflecting the unique architecture of its time and offering a glimpse into the lives of Fort Lauderdale's residents.

Given the condition of these historical gems, it is obvious that locals cherish and protect their heritage. Your visit also can be a meaningful contribution to the legacy of Fort Lauderdale. So, take this self-guided walk to explore historical buildings in downtown Fort Lauderdale and ensure that these treasures remain an integral part of its vibrant cityscape for generations to come.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and j.clark.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Fort Lauderdale

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Downtown Historical Buildings
Guide Location: USA » Fort Lauderdale (See other walking tours in Fort Lauderdale)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk or build your own)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Fort Lauderdale?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Fort Lauderdale Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Fort Lauderdale?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Create Your Own Walk in Fort Lauderdale

Creating your own self-guided walk in Fort Lauderdale is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Fort Lauderdale Downtown Walking Tour

Fort Lauderdale is known for sunshine, water, and a few iconic local stories. Many people connect it with the Spring Break era that put the city in the spotlight, and with the Elbo Room, a legendary beachfront bar made famous by the 1960 film "Where the Boys Are". It’s a place where the day can start with calm water views and end with lively streets full of music and conversation.

... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

Fort Lauderdale Beach Walking Tour

For decades, Fort Lauderdale Beach has been known primarily as a destination for raucous college students to celebrate Spring Break. Today, although a bit calmer and less chaotic than before, this neighborhood still boasts a wealth of opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and enjoyment.

One of the notable local attractions is the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens. This historic estate... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles