Audio Guide: Fort Lauderdale Downtown Walking Tour (Self Guided), Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk is a one-mile pedestrian promenade that follows the New River through downtown Fort Lauderdale. It’s a place where water, green spaces, and city life come together, offering an easy way to explore the area on foot. Although the full length can be walked in less than 30 minutes, most visitors take their time, stopping often to enjoy the views and nearby attractions.

As you walk along the path, keep the river on one side and the city on the other. Look across the water to watch boats pass through the canal, from small kayaks to larger yachts and water taxis. Notice how the scenery changes as you move—quiet stretches with trees and benches give way to busier sections near restaurants, museums, and parks. The path is flat and well marked, making it easy to walk at a relaxed pace.

Along the way, pay attention to the different Riverwalk district parks you pass. Some areas invite you to stay active, with outdoor exercise stations, while others are better suited for a break. You’ll find parks with play equipment for children, as well as calmer spots with seating and chess tables where you can pause and rest. There are also chances to rent a kayak, join a yoga session, or stop for photos, especially where the river bends and opens up wider views.

The Riverwalk can be enjoyed both during the day and at night, thanks to its lighting and open layout. Nearby streets offer plenty of places to eat, shop, or continue exploring, including historic sites and cultural attractions close to the river.

History Fort Lauderdale is a walk-through history site that feels more like a small historic neighborhood than a single museum building. Located along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the site brings together several preserved structures that show how the city developed over time. It’s an easy place to explore at a relaxed pace and works well even if you only have a short visit planned.

As the walk begins, look to your left for the Schoolhouse Museum, the first stop on the route. This modest building offers a simple introduction to early education in South Florida and helps set the tone for the rest of the visit. From here, continue straight ahead to the main museum building, the Museum of History – New River Inn. Housed in Broward County’s oldest hotel, built in 1905, this is the centerpiece of the site. Inside, take time to explore exhibits on archaeology, Seminole culture, fashion, and military history, which together provide a broad overview of the region and its people.

When you exit the New River Inn, continue walking and look again to your left for the King-Cromartie House, also known as the Pioneer House Museum. Constructed by pioneer farmer and builder Ed King using local pine and salvaged ship timbers, the house gives a close-up look at daily life in early Fort Lauderdale. Inside, notice the period furnishings, historic clothing, and collections of antique dolls and toys. Continue past the pavilion, an open space often used for exhibits and events, then stop at the Philemon Bryan House, one of the area’s oldest surviving residences and an important early settler home.

The site concludes at the Hoch Research Library, the foremost history center in South Florida. This working research facility houses an extensive collection, including newspaper clippings from 1910 to the present, more than 400,000 historic photographs, maps, and architectural blueprints. Genealogists, authors, and other professionals work here daily, making it a unique place to see history being actively studied and preserved.

The Bryan Building is one of downtown Fort Lauderdale’s oldest surviving commercial structures. Built by Thomas Bryan and completed in 1914, the building stands in what was once the heart of the city’s business district. At a time when Fort Lauderdale was still taking shape, this structure played a central role in everyday civic and economic life.

Over the years, the Bryan Building served several key functions. It housed a U.S. Post Office, making it a vital point of communication for residents and businesses, and it was also home to the Fort Lauderdale Bank, reflecting the city’s growing financial activity. At different periods, the building operated as a hotel as well, offering lodging in a busy area close to the river and commercial streets. These changing uses show how the building adapted to the needs of a developing town.

Today, the Bryan Building is valued for its historical significance rather than its original functions. Its preservation helps illustrate how Fort Lauderdale evolved beyond a small settlement into an organized commercial center. In recognition of its importance, the Bryan Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. It makes a worthwhile stop for visitors interested in seeing where the city’s early business, banking, and public services once came together.

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale is one of South Florida’s most respected art institutions, known for its strong focus on modern and contemporary works. Located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the museum is part of Nova Southeastern University and offers a concentrated, well-curated experience that stands out from the city’s outdoor attractions.

The museum is especially recognized for its collections of postwar and contemporary art, with notable strengths in Latin American, Cuban, and Caribbean works, as well as European movements such as CoBrA. Its galleries regularly host rotating exhibitions that explore social themes, artistic movements, and individual artists in depth. This changing exhibition schedule means the museum often feels different from one visit to the next.

Beyond the artwork itself, the museum’s design adds to the experience. The building was designed by renowned modernist architect Edward Larrabee Barnes, and its clean lines, controlled lighting, and quiet layout are meant to keep attention on the art. Inside, the galleries feel spacious and deliberate, allowing visitors to focus closely on individual pieces, installations, and exhibition themes without distraction.

Stranahan House is the oldest surviving structure in Fort Lauderdale and one of the city’s most important historic landmarks. Built in 1901 along the New River, the house offers a direct look into the early days of the settlement, long before Fort Lauderdale became a modern waterfront city.

The house was built by Frank Stranahan, often referred to as Fort Lauderdale’s founding father, and his wife Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, a schoolteacher and community leader. Frank arrived in the area in 1893 and built a successful trading business with local settlers and the Seminole people. Ivy came to the settlement in 1899 as its first schoolteacher, and the two married in 1900.

Over the years, the building served many purposes, including a trading post, post office, town hall, and family home. Its location along the river made it a natural center of daily life, commerce, and communication for early residents.

Inside, the rooms are furnished to reflect different periods of the house’s long history. As you move through the space, you’ll see how the Stranahans lived and worked, with details that show how closely daily life was tied to the river and the surrounding environment. Exhibits also highlight Ivy Stranahan’s role in education and her advocacy for Native American rights, adding an important social perspective to the site’s history.

Today, the Stranahan House is preserved as a museum and stands in clear contrast to the modern buildings around it. Its wooden structure, simple design, and riverside setting help visitors understand how Fort Lauderdale began and how much it has changed since the early 20th century. A visit here provides a strong sense of the city’s origins and the people who shaped its earliest chapters.

Las Olas Boulevard stretches between downtown Fort Lauderdale and the beach and has long served as one of the city’s main corridors. As you move along the street, keep in mind that this route was first laid out in 1917 as a simple path to the ocean. After World War II, it developed into the city’s primary commercial district. Several well-known figures once lived along or near the boulevard, including Sonny Bono and Cher, as well as Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz, adding to its long-standing appeal.

As you continue, pay attention to how easy the street is to explore on foot. Look along both sides and notice the variety of storefronts, including art galleries, boutiques, jewelry shops, gift stores, and specialty retailers. Some buildings reflect earlier architectural styles, while others are clearly modern. This mix gives the boulevard a layered look that mirrors Fort Lauderdale’s gradual growth over time.

While walking, notice how much of the street is centered around food and social spaces. Restaurants appear frequently, ranging from casual cafés to more upscale dining spots. Menus cover a wide range of cuisines, including pub-style food, sushi, vegan options, smoothies, and fine dining. Central and South American influences are common, alongside Indian, Middle Eastern, Greek, and Italian choices. As the day turns into evening, listen for music and watch how the street becomes even more active.

The Boulevard stands out because it has grown alongside the city itself. Its long layout, mix of businesses, and steady foot traffic reflect how Fort Lauderdale shifted from a small coastal town into a modern urban destination. Time spent here offers a clear picture of how daily life, commerce, and leisure intersect in the city.