The Riverwalk connects you directly to Fort Lauderdale's arts and entertainment scene. With the Museum of Discovery and Science and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts anchoring one end, you can stroll along the winding waterfront paths, watch yachts drift by, and eventually arrive at Las Olas Boulevard. Stretching a couple of miles along the New River, the Riverwalk offers beautiful city views, shaded parks, and a variety of waterfront cafés and bars. Water taxis and gondolas provide a relaxing way to travel up and down the river, adding to the charm and making it easy to explore the area from the water. read more

See all

Not gonna do an exhausting over dramatic history on The River Walk, just a quick info on the scenic views and entertainment of the immediate and surrounding area. The main issue is the parking. There are really no free spaces but several City of Fort Lauderdale owned and managed lots that are Pay2Park and strictly enforced. The River is beautiful, lined with sailboats which makes it a great place to walk your dog, bike riding and take in the tranquil sights. Chill out in the historic district near the River Walk Linear Park and watch the bridge open for big boats. Not much to do for kids except a few scattered parks. The iconic Himmarshee Street is loaded with bars and restaurants at the west side of The River Walk mostly open after 5pm and the Las Olas strip to the east. read more

See all

I don't know about this. I followed the map provided and it was a walk down a street between motels that ended on Los Olas Blvd which is a fun strip we were going on for dinner anyway, so it worked out, but if this was your sole destination, don't bother. read more

One of the most beautiful and relaxing spots in Fort Lauderdale, perfect for a morning stroll or an evening unwind. I loved being able to walk along the water while enjoying the skyline, boats, and peaceful scenery. It's also super convenient if you want to explore nearby areas like Las Olas for food, shopping, or art. Whether you prefer walking, biking, or hopping on the water taxi, there's always something to see and enjoy. read more

There is a river called New River that cuts right through the middle of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Along New River, there is a nice park called The River Walk that is a great place to go running and jogging. The park is well maintained and you get beautiful views of the waterfront, boats and luxury buildings. Best of all, the River Walk along runs parallel to the main strip of Las Olas Blvd. Therefore, you'll find plenty of shops, stores and restaurants along the way. read more

The River Walk - Active Life Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

See all

The area that is now Ft. Lauderdale Riverwalk has a long history going back to Florida's first people. The Native People named the river Himmarshee which translates to New River. According to legend the Native People fell asleep on dry and rocky land that was transformed into a river by a torrential rainstorm and earthquake. The city of Ft. Lauderdale sprang up around the river. Along the river Native Americans traded goods and brought harvest to the railway. The Riverwalk we know and love today was built in 1986 with a General Obligation Bond that built a linear park on the north and south banks of the New River. I recently parked behind Louie Bossi on Las Olas and picked the Riverwalk from the Riverside Hotel to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Center. The walk is 1.7 mile along the way I had a front row seat to Ft. Lauderdale history, enjoyed good eats, and even enjoy some adventure. My first stop was the Riverside Hotel which was started by two brothers from Chicago in the midst of the Great Depression in 1936. The hotel was designed by Francis Abrue in Spanish Mediterranean style architecture. Next I passed by Laura Ward Plaza alongside the Cheesecake Factory. It is part of the new Tunnel Top Park and a great place to sit and watch the boats on the New River float by. Then on to the Stranahan House built in 1901 as a trading post and converted into a home for Frank and Ivy Stranahan in 1906. It is the oldest surviving building in Broward County. I can't pass it without thinking about how a depressed Frank drowned himself in the river in front of the house in 1929. Next up I had to stop at SALT7 for their pink Christmas decorations. The bar area is beautifully decorated in what they call SALT PINKMAS. They are currently serving holiday cocktails. Near SALT7 you can catch the Carrie B sightseeing cruise. I especially like it at night in December when you can see all of the multi million dollar mansions lit up with their Christmas lights. Near here is the first of several Sailboat sculptures each individually painted and decorated by artists. After crossing under the bridge I arrived T Huizenga Plaza where I was greeted by the chattering of what sounded like hundreds of birds. I looked up and the trees were filled with red masked parakeets. Near the park is Rivertail which offers a weekend brunch. Next up was The Wharf, an event space with food trucks and bars serving more Christmas cocktails. I popped in to check out the decorations and found out it was Saddle Up Sunday by Kiss FM, a country music station. I ended up winning a gift card to the Wharf and a 2 day pass to Tortuga Music Festival in April. Next to the Wharf is Thrive, a large scale art installation of a woman holding her chest open that you can walk through. By this time I was hungry so I stopped at Big Buns for.a burger lunch. From lunch it was over the railroad tracks and on to History Ft. Lauderdale and its collection of historic buildings including the New River Inn. A few steps away is The House on the River, a new restaurant in two historic homes. I next entered Esplanade Park across from the Museum of Discovery and Science. The park has a band shell, restrooms, and monuments. I ended my walk in front of the Performing Arts Center with its Christmas tree which I always used as a backdrop for Christmas pictures of my daughter while she was growing up. I really love the Riverwalk because it has so many interesting things and I have a lot of memories here. There are boats, art, history, attractions, food, and drinks. Parking along the Riverwalk is quite limited so plan on parking a block or two away. Right now the Riverwalk is all dolled up for the holidays so it is even more beautiful than ever. Get ready for the big event this Saturday down the New River, the Winterfest Boat Parade. read more

See all

This is a fun thing to do one afternoon. Tons of shops and dining here and you can catch water taxis to get around as well. I only visited during the day so I'm sure it comes to life a bit more at night but I enjoyed shopping for clothes and shoes and art. There are a lot of art galleries here and you can really find some beautiful and unique items with an edgy FL vibe. read more

Walk by the water feels like Venice, weather is amazing , happy people . Beautiful scenery read more

The River Walk - Night walk by the water - Active Life Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Please note that if you have a small child who is a "runner" or if you like to walk without paying attention, you should stay away from the dock platforms which have steep and sudden drops into the river. We explored this area with my 2.5 year old, but he was in a stroller the whole time. What people love about the river walk is they can sail or boat up to dock and grab a bite to eat at one of the many surrounding restaurants. In terms of food, shopping and fine art, Las Olas is the street you want to explore. We had lunch at The Royal Pig and then walked toward the other end of Las Olas- with a stroller, this walk took us about 10 minutes. We did stop at a couple of galleries (of course with my son still in the Stroller) We found the experience to be similar to state street Santa Barbara back when there were more unique shops and it wasn't totally taken over by large designer stores. There are more cafes and ice-cream shops than I could count, and some really cute hotels right next to Las Olas that have excellent views of the river. I would definitely recommend this place as a stay-cation destination. read more

Visiting from out of town and wanted a nearby run... very pleasantly surprised by this little gem along the River! Only wish it were a bit longer (otherwise 5 stars). I was running on the north side of the river so perhaps across the way is longer. Good stuff. Easy parking. Beautiful scenery and breezy. The trail is a little meandering but kept it interesting! Fun. read more

The River Walk - River walk trail - Active Life Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

I'm from Chicago, I miss Chicago. Chicago has a great Riverwalk, and several areas of Fort Lauderdale's Riverwalk reminded me of home. (Of course Chicago is sans tropical flora :) ) My husband and I took a stroll this evening after he got off work and it was wonderful! No crowds, since it was a weekday evening, and we got to see some beautiful foliage, and a pink evening sky. As others have noted, yes, there are some homeless people along the trail. But they kept to themselves, so just be kind. Can't wait to return! read more

See all

What a beautiful day to experience the River Walk here in Fort Lauderdale. Absolutely stunning views and even better company. The walkway is perfect for walking or riding bike. Saw many families cruising by and others exercising as well as some very interesting iguanas laying around. Perfect for de stressing read more

The River Walk - River pic on the River Walk. - Active Life Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

It's a great place to walk/jog. The views are amazing and you get to take the free water taxi. Not many bars and restaurants but it's a good place just to take a stoll. read more

Must visit when visiting Fort Lauderdale. This was a great day relaxing on the riverwalk. Beautiful scenary , along the walk, restaurants, yachts, condos. There are several options to take to take a water ride. There are several ones you have to pay for that go longer distances. The free one is just as good if you don't need to go from end to end of each water way. The free one leaves every 20 minutes. One stop is at Esplanade Park in the Arts and Sciences district. read more

Enjoyed a walk along the river walk and saw many beautiful yachts pass by. The draw bridge lifts as some are too tall to fit. There are restaurants located there too. Runners run along the walkway too. Saw a couple of huge iguanas out there too! Overall a great place to walk or sit and enjoy lunch. read more

Most reviews give this place 5 stars. I don't get it. Most businesses are vacant/closed. The Briny Irish Pub was the only thing open on a Saturday night. Very cool atmosphere but very average food. The Pirate Republic was across the river. We walked across the bridge to have a drink. The river walk on that side ends before the Pirate Republic. We had to walk away from the river and through a neighborhood to find it. A water taxi across would be faster and easier. The best part of the river walk is the water taxi. The water shuttle is free but only takes you up a short part of the river. The water taxi is $15 pp after 5:00. You could spend 3 hours touring the river. The guide gives you information about the yachts and mansions along the way. It is hop on/off so you can stop and the various locations with shops and pubs. The water taxi is worth the trip. If we hadn't done that, I would have bee extremely disappointed. read more

The River Walk - Active Life Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

I just moved 13 minute walk from here! Wow I never want to leave I go to the walk to seek peace community and connect with international travelers and the homeless ! The free river taxi is a joy with great staff an amazing area ! Looking forward to Jazz Brunch this Sunday oh did I mention they have a clean accessible bathroom open late? read more

Wow, we visited Fort Lauderdale very much looking forward to walking the famous river walk. What a disappointment! For someone who had not been to Fort Lauderdale before, the river walk was a strong indication that Fort Lauderdale has suffered horribly during the recession, and it's probably well past its prime. Vacant buildings, businesses that are out of business, empty store fronts - that is the river walk. For all its natural beauty of the canals and the yachts on the water (a strange contrast to the struggling businesses) it is depressing and not worth the $3 parking. read more

Beautiful and relaxing place, you can walk, bike, jog or take the watertaxi along the Riverwalk and enjoy the beauty of the scenery. Theatres, museums, restaurants, shops and lots of charming people. It's a must if you're visiting Fort Lauderdale read more