About Las Olas
One of the easiest ways to visit is by limousines to Fort Lauderdale airport – and there are domestic and international flights daily. It is also close to the Port Lauderdale cruise port, which is one of the busiest ports in the world. The airport offers many amenities, including shopping and restaurants, which is why people choose to fly into the locale. Top restaurants include Johnny V as well as Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, which are both known for being stylish and have lively happy hours.

Only incorporated as a city in 1911, Ft. Lauderdale has become a major player in the economic well-being of the whole state of Florida. From fun-in-the-sun, to a vibrant nightlife and entertainment industry, Downtown Ft. Lauderdale is a busy place.

If the beach is your interest, there are too many hotels and restaurants to name. As for right there on the coastline and on A1A, one may stay at the Alhambra Beach resort, the Atlantic Hotel and Spa or the Hilton at the Ft. Lauderdale Marina. If you’re more of a landlubber, then hotels such as the Riverside on Las Olas or the Hampton Inn near Las Olas are good places to start. The Riverside is a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown that boasts of 220 rooms and two trendy restaurants: the Indigo and the Wild Sea Oyster Bar and Grille. The latter offers a seasonally fresh raw bar and one-of-a-kind sustainable entrees, as well as a lounge with skilled mixologists.

Las Olas Hotels
Several hotels exist throughout Las Olas for people to choose from. This includes Riverside Hotel, which is directly on E. Las Olas Boulevard, and features an oyster bar along with a sundeck that overlooks the river. There is also the Hampton Inn Fort Lauderdale, which is downtown and close to Las Olas. There’s a hot breakfast served daily and you can get a free seaport shuttle.

Other hotels can be found throughout the downtown area of Fort Lauderdale, but can be a little bit of a distance from the Las Olas area itself. This could require added transportation to visit the attractions.

Attractions in Las Olas
Las Olas is commonly referred to as Las Olas Boulevard and that is because of where it is situated. It is a hot spot within the city, offering a scene of fashion, food, and art. There are many waterside restaurants in the area and you have the ability to visit them by foot or by pulling your boat up to the dock.

There are art galleries to tour, a location for you to make your own chocolate, and a lot of shopping. You will find jewelry stores and boutiques along the main strip and depending upon the time of year, there are also movies shown out on the lawn. The Las Olas Art Fair is also an option to explore and this takes place twice a year.

Just walk out the door if you’re staying at the Riverside or right down the block from the Hampton, and you will find yourself on the famed Las Olas Boulevard. Take a walk down the tastefully lit, tree-lined street and the variety of shops, ranging from antiques to boutique clothing, and you will be boosted by the nearby sea air. Anchor stores on Las Olas include Chico’s, American Soul, Grand Central Stationary, Havana Republic Cigar Depot, and Tommy Bahama.

Crossing over US1 in the westward direction, one finds downtown Ft. Lauderdale proper, a small but cosmopolitan mecca of commerce. Besides the vast infrastructure of the city and county administration, such as the school and justice departments, one also finds an array of fine dining. Among a bevy of fancy and pricey restaurants, one may choose the unique and magical Downtowner Saloon and Steakhouse. While you are eating seared ahi tuna or crab cakes with onion rings, you will also be viewing an endless parade of boats and yachts with the backdrop of the downtown skyline. Also at the Downtowner, live music and trivia game nights enliven the already lively crowd.

Two historical attractions of note in easy distance of both downtown and Las Olas are the Bonnet House and the Stranahan House Museum. The former, once featured on "The Amazing Race," is a 1920’s era plantation home featuring both lush and verdant gardens, and art-filled interior, and whimsical décor and architecture. The Stranahan House, right there on the New River running through downtown Ft. Lauderdale, was built in 1901 and contains artifacts and objects of note pertaining to the development of the city. Tours, special events and a gift shop are all part and parcel to this attraction.