Fort Lauderdale (Las Olas Boulevard and Beach)

Fort Lauderdale, in Broward County, Florida, is about 28 miles (45 km) north of Miami and is the easiest beach-and-boulevard day trip from the city. The Brightline train runs from MiamiCentral (600 NW 1st Ave) to Fort Lauderdale station (101 NW 2nd Ave) in about 30 to 40 minutes, with fares of roughly $12 to $17 one way. Tri-Rail is a cheaper but slower alternative, and driving takes 45 to 75 minutes depending on I-95 traffic. From the station, a short rideshare or the free Sun Trolley reaches Las Olas Boulevard, a tree-lined street of boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants stretching east toward the Intracoastal Waterway and the beach. At the eastern end, Fort Lauderdale Beach offers a wide sandy shoreline backed by a promenade with a wavy sea wall, lifeguard stations and casual beach bars. Other options include the Water Taxi, with a day pass of about $35, a boat cruise through the residential canals that earned the city the nickname 'Venice of America', and the Stranahan House, the city's oldest surviving structure. A natural one-day arc begins with a morning Brightline departure, brunch or coffee on Las Olas, gallery browsing and shopping before noon, a lunch of seafood or Cuban food, then an afternoon on the beach or a canal cruise, finishing with dinner on Las Olas and a train back to Miami in the evening. The weather is warm year-round, with December to April the driest period, while summer brings afternoon thunderstorms. Parking on Las Olas and at the beach costs about $15 to $30, which makes the train a good option. The tourist office can be reached at 954-765-4466, and Brightline schedules are published at gobrightline.com. Return trains run until late evening, but checking the last departure is wise.