Fort Lauderdale is the perfect destination for anyone looking to escape the chill of the Northeast this time of year! I took a last minute trip to Martin County and Fort Lauderdale and created the perfect itinerary so you don’t have to. 

Getting There

Being from New Jersey, I hopped on a flight from Newark Airport and landed in Fort Lauderdale within just a few hours. The best part about a getaway to Florida is that anyone from the Northeast area can wake up and leave the house wearing a winter coat and by lunch time, find themselves in a bathing suit on the beach. 

I got in around 1:00pm, grabbed my rental car from the airport, and made it to my hotel just in time for check-in. 

Where to Stay

AC Fort Lauderdale Beach is a Marriott hotel, which is one of my most trusted hotel brands. This hotel offers beautiful views of the North Atlantic ocean and the intercoastal waterway and it is literally across the street from Fort Lauderdale beach-the most convenient location! 

Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa in Jensen Beach, Florida was recently voted the #3 Top Resort in Florida in the 2024 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, so since I knew I would be in the area, I had to check it out for myself. This place did not disappoint with breathtaking ocean views and resort style amenities-it was a perfect place to unwind. 

Steal my Itinerary

Day 1

After checking in to AC Fort Lauderdale Beach, I grabbed a quick bite to eat for lunch at their pool bar and lounged in the Florida sun. 

After lunch, I took a short 20 minute drive over to MAD Arts Museum which was an amazing, immersive art experience that combined art and technology in a way that I’ve never experienced before. Even if you don’t consider yourself an art person, the interactive exhibits are so engaging that I would definitely recommend a visit. 

I actually found myself pretty caught up at the art museum and stayed longer than expected. By the time I made it back to the hotel, it was time to freshen up and head out to dinner. 

I had dinner at Casablanca Cafe, a Mediterranean restaurant operating out of a residential home that was built during the 1920’s and is located right across the street from the beach. It was such a unique dining experience and the food was excellent-I recommend ordering the Mediterranean dips for an appetizer and surf & turf!

I ended the night relaxing back at the hotel. It’s never a good idea to pack too much into your travel day, so I decided to get a good night’s sleep so I’d be refreshed for Day 2. 

Day 2

I gave myself some time to sleep in, and then headed over to brunch at Moxie’s Fort Lauderdale. I really loved the modern, sexy vibes at this place, and the 2 levels of gorgeous indoor and outdoor space for guests. There were a ton of brunch options that sounded amazing, and we got a few different plates to try. The steak bites, açaí bowl, pancetta & aged white cheddar Benedict, brioche bites, and tuna sushi stack were all to die for! 

I digested during my 15 minute drive to the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, which is such a hidden gem in this area. There are 35 acres that make up the Bonnet House Estate, situated along Fort Lauderdale Beach-who knew? I decided to take a guided tour so that I wouldn’t miss anything. I was able to learn about the history of the estate and tour the beautiful grounds covered in sculptures, greenery, and orchids. 

After getting lost in the gardens for nearly 2 hours, I was ready for a late lunch. I headed to Temple Street Eatery in Fort Lauderdale for a quick bite to eat. They have some amazing Asian fusion street food that’s made fresh everyday. I tried a few different items- the kimchi quesadilla with ropa vieja, wonton tacos, crispy shrimp, mini beef arepas, and their super flavorful spicy miso ramen. I couldn’t pick a favorite!

Then I spent some time exploring the neighborhood before heading over to Seabreeze Blvd. for a sunset catamaran tour. 

The tour started at 4:45 and lasted about 2 hours, so I was able to catch the most beautiful sunset while taking in the sights. I loved getting a closer look at all of the stunning mansions along the coast, while sipping on a cocktail and enjoying the ocean breeze. 

Once my sail was over, I  headed to my dinner reservation at Nubé Rooftop to end a full day of exploring. This is truly an elevated dining experience with delicious bites and unique cocktails. I highly recommend ordering the caviar with whipped manchego, it was a showstopper! We also really enjoyed the short rib empanadas, coconut shrimp 2 ways, and the Caesar salad. 

I hung out here for a while enjoying the rooftop views and then made it back to the hotel to unwind and get some much needed sleep after a busy day. 

Day 3 

On Day 3, my plan was to head out to Martin County to explore a new area of Florida that I had never been to before. I checked out of the AC Fort Lauderdale Beach and started the drive to my next hotel which was about an hour and half away. To break it up, I stopped off at Jet Runway Café for the most unique breakfast experience I’ve ever had! This café has the perfect view of the Banyan airline ramp so I was able to watch flights coming in and out of the airport while enjoying my coffee. I also had their famous fried bread pudding and brunch totchos, which were really good. 

I continued my drive and made it to Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa for early check-in around 2pm. I was so excited to check this place out but I wanted to get into my room and freshen up before another sunset sail. 

I hopped in the rental car and drove to Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage which only took about 15 minutes. I boarded The Resolute at 4:30 and we started our sail out on the St. Lucie River. The crew pointed out local sights and wildlife while I took in another gorgeous sunset. You’re also able to bring food and drinks on the boat.

After the sail I headed to explore downtown Stuart which is the cutest little coastal town. I walked around popping in and out of boutiques for some shopping. I loved The Gypsea Cottage, they had the cutest clothes and accessories here. Then, I walked down Stuart Riverwalk to enjoy the river view and some live music before heading back to the hotel for the night. 

Day 4

After going going going the past few days, I decided to grab breakfast at the hotel for a slow start to the morning. Drift Kitchen and Bar is the perfect spot for oceanfront dining and they have great options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I loved the eggs Benedict!

After breakfast, I made my way over to Savannas Preserve State Park for a guided hike experience with Explore Natural Martin. I’m not big into hiking, but this one is a mostly flat sandy trail so don’t be scared to give it a try. The hike lasted about an hour and I was able to learn so much about the area while taking some amazing photos in nature. 

After my hike, I headed back to the hotel for some well deserved relaxation at the resort pool. I just wanted to unwind and enjoy some of the hotel amenities. The hotel itself is so beautiful, you can choose to spend your whole time there if you want to. 

Then I checked out the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center on Hutchinson Island. I decided to take a guided tour so I wouldn’t miss out on anything. I got to tour beautiful nature trails, see rescued sea turtles, rays on the reef, and a game fish lagoon. It is basically a nature center and eco-museum rolled into one amazing experience. 

I stopped back at the hotel to freshen up before a unique dining experience at Kai Kai Farm. I attended a demonstration dinner where a guest chef prepared the meal using seasonal ingredients from the farm and the South Florida area. It was so cool to get to watch the chef prepare the meal right in front of me, and the food was so fresh and tasty. I arrived here around 5:45 and the entire experience lasted until 9pm. I left there ready to head back to the hotel for bed!

Day 5

I wanted to take advantage of my last day in Florida so I woke up bright and early to spend some time on the beach. I grabbed breakfast at the hotel’s Drift Kitchen and enjoyed it by the pool 

I checked of my hotel by 11, but still had some time before my flight. I drove south to Hobe Sound on Jupiter Island to check out Blowing Rocks Preserve. This is a really unique beach lined with limestone shoreline. If you arrive during high tide, you get to experience a gorgeous landscape with waves crashing through the rocks. I took some great photos here and took in the scenery before getting ready to get back on the road. 

From Hobe Sound, I embarked on my 90 min drive back to Fort Lauderdale airport, dropped off the rental car, and said goodbye to sunny Florida. My flight out was around 7:00 and I was back in Jersey by 10 pm, ready to brave the cold after a nice, relaxing break the cold temperatures.