It’s summer, and that can mean you are experiencing house guests who are eager to be entertained, and sometimes forget that your vacation days don’t necessarily correlate with their own. How do you manage to show vacationers a good time while maintaining some sense of order in your own daily routine? What creative ideas can you suggest beyond the obvious day at the beach or cocktails around your pool?
In addition to the usual tourist destinations that abound in South Florida, here are some reliable recommendations from your Seven Isles neighbors:

  • Bonnet House Museum and Gardens: Located just a bike ride away from Seven Isles, the Bonnet House can provide a few hours of touring pleasure for visitors of all ages. History buffs, nature lovers, artists, photographers, orchid fanatics and more can find something special in the Bonnet House buildings and grounds.
  • Las Olas History Treasures: Not to be outdone, the Stranahan House Museum and the Riverside Hotel are each a brisk walk, bike ride, or short drive away from Seven Isles. Stranahan House is the oldest structure in Ft. Lauderdale, and regular tours tell stories of yesteryear. Special events are often held on the grounds. Along the walls of the hotel rooms in the Riverside Hotel, visitors can view nostalgic photos of Las Olas and the Ft Lauderdale area, conveyed through the hotel’s many years of grandeur.
  • Water taxis: Water taxis can show your guests many wonderful sights along the Venice of America. Narrated excursions include historical information as well as fun and interesting information about the mansions and yachts we know and love in Ft. Lauderdale. There are a 10 stops in Ft. Lauderdale, and 1 stop in Hollywood at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort and the Historic Hollywood Boardwalk. The City of Ft Lauderdale also offers a complimentary water trolley that makes 8 stops along the New River route. A water taxi can conveniently be picked up right outside the Stranahan House.
  • Brightline: The Brightline railway offers many special rail car tours themed around different holidays during the calendar year for children and adults alike. Current special rail rides include Bogo and Go, Super Hero Saturdays for kids, power lunches with a chef, and more. The Brightline can be conveniently boarded at 101 NW 2nd Avenue and also provides daily connection to Miami, Ft Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.
  • Airboat tours: For those adventurous guests looking to get a taste of the “Out West Florida”, guests can take one of many air boat tours available off Highway 27. Everglades Tour Airboats offer both group and private tours, as well as faux alligator night hunts.
  • Hunting: Yes, there really is hunting in Florida, including alligators, deer, wild boar, quail, turkey, duck, and even buffalo, but enthusiasts will need to drive a couple of hours north to reach legal hunting lodges.

 
These are just a few of the recommendations made by your Seven Isles neighbors. We’d love to hear from you if you have additional recommendations.
It’s fun to see the headlights of visiting guests in your driveway, and it’s fun to see the tail lights. Once the summertime mosquitoes, afternoon thunderstorms, and houseguests settle down a bit, be sure to plan your own South Florida escapes. Keep in mind that September is around the corner and is a wonderful time of year to take advantage of deeply discounted restaurant and bar prices all along Las Olas. Happy exploring!

HOA

Kathleen Moreo

Seven Isles Website Contributor

Kathleen Moreo is a registered nurse and founder of a successful nationwide education and research company that has supported health care professionals in their professional growth for 26 years. She volunteers as Vice President of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Foundation, dedicated to research, education, and philanthropic work for health care professionals across the US. She is also an editorial board member of 2 international, peer-reviewed health care publications. Kathleen has been a resident of Seven Isles since 2018. kathleenmoreo@gmail.com