Beach, Books & Brunch: The Perfect Recipe for a Girl’s Weekend in Fort Lauderdale

Take me to the beach! I recommend staying in an oceanfront hotel so that you can walk directly to the beach each day. Most luxury hotels provide two beach loungers as part of your stay, so it is easy to walk over, book in hand, and settle in for a relaxing day in the sun.

• Historic Bonnett House: One of the oldest buildings in Fort Lauderdale, this historic home offers daily tours of its rooms and gardens. A must for history buffs.

• Take a walk through “old Florida”: Just off the main strip of luxury hotels on the waterfront, you will find many classic art-deco-inspired hotels and apartments. You’ll be taken back to a simpler time when hotels were tiny and intimate (and cool shades of turquoise and pink).

• Visit a spa for a facial or a scalp treatment: I recently treated myself to a scalp massage and treatment at Headspa Fort Lauderdale and I’m hooked.

• Oceanside Farmers Market (also known as The MKT at Las Olas Oceanside Park): This weekly market is held every Saturday and Sunday. It offers a variety of goods, including fresh produce, artisanal foods, local goods, handmade crafts, and home decor. It is a great way to start the day out in the fresh air.

• Drag Brunch: We’ve frequented the fun and life-affirming Drag Brunch at the W Hotel for a few years now, though there are a variety of other shows available locally.

• See a play at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts: Catch a Broadway-style show, concert, or local performance at this lovely, state-of-the-art venue. We recently saw a hilarious production of Golden Girls-The Laughs Continue.

• Wine + Garden: An easy walk from most hotels, be careful or you might miss this amazing hidden gem. Loads of happy hour specials, wines by the glass, and amazing wood fired-pizza. We visit every time we are in town.

• Takato: This Japanese/Korean fusion restaurant is located at the Conrad. It offers a wide array of sushi and other tasty bites. This happy hour is a nice way to try a little of everything.

• Sunness Supper Club: This new-ish offering to the Fort Lauderdale restaurant scene brings back the swanky and intimate atmosphere of the supper clubs of yesteryear. The food was excellent (mussels, crab cakes, ribs, steak, salmon, pasta, and some very tasty Thai fried rice) and I can’t wait to return to try other items off of the menu.

• Burlock Coast, located inside the Ritz-Carlton: This is another great option for on-the-water dining. My food was great, but I can’t get the key lime pie bar that I had for dessert off of my mind.

• Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery: Known for their signature weekend brunch, this is a must-do if you love bottomless mimosas and bloody marys. Their brunch boards are also famous, featuring eggs bene, bananas foster french toast, potatoes, pancakes, and so much meat!

• Louie Bossi’s Ristorante Bar: End a day of shopping on Los Olas Boulevard with a visit to Louie Bossi’s. Housemade bread and gelato are just the beginning with so many offerings. We like to make a little meal out of the antipasti, savor a flight of wines, and save room for dessert.