Get Your Shop on in Greater Fort Lauderdale

If you think Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is all sun, sand and surf, you may be in for a surprise when you visit. It’s also known as a renowned shopping destination, with stores and outlets beckoning to tourists and residents alike to find both major mainstream and local retailers offering everything for every taste at every price point. Read on to learn more about these off-the-ocean wonders.

Sawgrass Mills

Spanning some 55 acres, Sawgrass Mills is Florida’s second-largest mall and the eleventh biggest in the United States. As impressive as its breadth might be, much of what makes it so alluring is its Mediterranean architectural influences and open-air design, which includes lush palm trees waving in the warm south Florida breezes.

Sawgrass Mills hosts 350 stores that cater to nearly every shopper’s desires, including brand-name clothing at the upscale Ralph Lauren, Polo, Armani, Burberry and Hugo Boss boutiques and the likes of T.J.Maxx and H&M. Other stores to keep an eye out for include Adidas Factory Store, Aeropostale, Babycottons, Bloomingdales and Booka-A-Million. A plethora of others can be found on the mall’s online store directory.

Although not a traditional outlet mall, bargains are aplenty at Sawgrass Mills, including discounts of up to 70percent off certain items at most stores. Additionally, keep an eye out for “clearance” signs, which translate to amazingly cheap prices.

Hoofing it around Sawgrass Mills—and looking for all of the great deals that can be had—may make you hungry, thirsty or both. But not to worry. Restaurants of myriad type abound, ranging from the Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro, Texas de Brazil, the Mojito Bar Tropical Eats & Latin Beats and the ever-popular Rainforest Café.

Sawgrass Mills, 12801 W Sunrise Blvd. Sunrise, FL 33323-4020 (954) 846-2350

simon.com/mall/sawgrass-mills

Las Olas Boulevard

Located in the vibrant heart of Fort Lauderdale, Los Olas Boulevard is at the epicenter of everything shopping and noshing in the city. Whether fashion boutiques or art galleries are your thing, you’ll find them, as well as a host other familiarly named and locally owned eclectic shops and a huge diversity of restaurants, here. Indeed,Las Olas Boulevard has such a wide range of delightful stores, boutiques and galleries that it’s become a must-return destination.

On the shopping front, check out stores such as Lilly Pulitzer, a cheerily bountiful boutique of the titular designer’s chic women-focused printed resort and beachwear; Quiet Storm Surf Shop offers unique saltwater-inspired apparel and accessories for not only surfers, but also fishing enthusiasts and laid-back ocean lovers; COOMI, which designs and makes singularly creative jewelry that appeal to everyone; and New River Fine Art, which offers both original works and prints from a variety of art movements and eras, and known and emerging artists.

Also make sure to check out Las Olas Boulevard’s crazily diverse dining scene. From Brazilian to Peruvian to New Orleans-style to Cuban to Middle Eastern to American burgers and barbeque, it has it all.  So, no matter your or your companions’ culinary desires, it’s certain no one will go hungry.

Given Las Olas Boulevard’s amazing shopping opportunities and dining venues, it’s no wonder so many people eagerly return.

Las Olas Association, Inc., 811 East Las Olas Boulevard, P.O. Box 30013, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33303 (954) 258-8382

lasolasboulevard.com

Gulfstream Park

One would think a thoroughbred-horse racing and an entertainment destination would be a strange place to shop. But Gulfstream Park shrugs that off, as if saying, “Sure, we offer horse racing and a casino gambling, but we’re a lot more than that,” which is amazingly true.

The racetrack itself features a four-story clubhouse that encompasses a bevy of attractions, such as restaurants, bars, a casino, luxury suites and an 800-seat theater. That’s all cool in itself, but there’s much more than that, especially in the shopping space.

Indeed, one can shop in a number of categories, including fashion (Allure Showroom, Envy), specialties (Color Me Mine, Royal Cigars), art galleries (Alex Kay Gallery, Zero Empty Spaces), home furnishings and housewares (Bang & Olufsen, West Elm) and health and beauty (Ideal Image, Venetian Nail Spa). Notably, the shops mentioned here are mere examples. Gulfstream Park of course offers many more than those, including the Gulfstream Park’s very own horse-racing themed Gulfstream Park Gift Shop.

The dining scene at the venue is similarly brimming over. Options include fine dining (Ten Palms, Texas de Brazil), casual dining (Derby Grill, Belly Fish), quick bites (Tito’s Raw Bar, Silks Provisions), trackside (Christine Lee’s, Char #3), and bars and lounges (Strike 10, Breezeway Bar.)

Given everything it has to offer, Gulfstream Park is definitely worth a visit. In fact, it’s a safe bet.

Gulfstream Park, 901 S. Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009, (954) 454-7000

gulfstreampark.com

Dania Point

If you’re waiting to embark on a cruise ship at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and have some time to kill, what’re you going to do? Play tidily-winks with the kids? People watch while you’re sitting on your luggage? Gripe about the news because, well, it’s the news?

Sure, you could absolutely do all of those things, but you’d be much better off checking out Dania Pointe. It has everything you need to fill up some spare time and more, including, of course, shopping. You won’t find a Dollar General there, but instead stores like Aerie, Anthropologie, the Luggage Flip Flop Zone, a Nike Clearance Store, Sephora, Sugarboo & Co., and Tommy Bahama. An eclectic bunch, that is.

And while you’re at Dania Pointe, you’d be remiss if you didn’t catch a bite, a libation or both. Try 14 North, for example, for a frozen daiquiri, Cooper’s Hawk for a contemporary American dish, a fine wine and gourmet to-go food, CT Cantina & Taqueria for a Mexican street food-inspired dish, Dickey’s Barbeque Pit for some, well, barbeque, or PDQ for a chicken sandwich or tenders. Heck, there’s even a Burger King at Dania Pointe if you’re so inclined.

When you’re finished there, head back to the port to board your cruise (or if not a cruise, to wherever you’re going), no tidily-winks, people watching or news griping necessary.

Dania Pointe, 139 S Compass Way, Dania Beach, FL 33004 (954) 998-4773

daniapointe.com

Farmers Markets

There are few things better than the farm-fresh foods you can find at farmers markets, especially those around Fort Lauderdale, which are open year round. Recently picked and never frozen, the finds at these markets are sure to keep you healthy, invigorated and ready for the day. But locally sourced foods aren’t the only goodies you’ll find at them, with fresh coffee, tropical plants, crafts and gifts also being on the menu.

With that in mind, make sure to check out any or all these carefully curated Greater Fort Lauderdale famers’ markets. You might be surprised by what you find.

The 600-plus vendors at the Yellow Green Farmers Market, for instance, not only offers fresh produce, local herbs and jellies, and artisanal bread and cheese, but also live music, yoga, art and dance classes.

The Flamingo Road Nursery Farmers Market is similarly diverse, with the indoor market showcasing seasonal produce grown by local farmers, as well as herbs, lettuce, and tomatoes coming directly from the market’s on-site hydroponic greenhouse. Also available are Amish jams and jellies, fresh-baked banana bread, fresh-squeezed juices, handcrafted smoothies and paninis. Family-friendly events also take place during the market’s operating hours.

Although all of these farmers markets dish up fresh goods, each has its own unique character, whether it’s focused on meat, egg and dairy products; health-related products and services; or an eclectic mix of teas, pickles, barbecue, Indian food, ceviche and soaps. This makes every one of these markets worth a visit, because you never know what you’re going to discover.

Las Olas Oceanside Park Farmers, Antiques and Artisan Market

Yellow Green Farmers Market

Coconut Creek Farmers Market

City of Parkland Farmers Market

Farmers Market at The Shops at Pembroke Gardens

Plantation Farmers Market

Tamarac Community Farmers Market

Flamingo Road Nursery Farmers Market

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Farmers Market

Green Market Pompano Beach

Southwest Ranches Farmers Market

New River Open Air Market

Follow the links above for more information, including locations, hours, contact information, and available goods, services and events.

EAT, SHOP, ENJOY, LIVE and STAY!