BeachPlace ideas please

[thinze3]

We are headed to MBP next weekend and would love to hear some of your ideas.

Casual dining & one meal of fine dining.
Live music - family friendly (I'll have two 16 YO girls)
Shopping nearby or drive to.
Site seeing by car or boat.
Everglades tours <<--- really need this one.
Fishing charters - private or party boat - bay or ocean.
Jet ski rentals and other activities.

Concierge -
Is it a full service concierge - can you book and pay for excursions through them?

 

[vacationhopeful]

Water Taxis stop is behind BP on the intercoastal. Can buy the all day ticket on board. Suggest cash.

Everglades Trip - Drive to 10,000 National Park - vendor there sells two boat trips - take both if you have the time. Stop at Everglades City Hotel for lunch and you have DONE more than the $135 per person tour with van pick does from BP.

Billies Swamp Safari - best of the airboat, swamp buggy, animal shows - go early in the AM. Gets HOT, HOT in July in the swamps.

Fine Meal - early dinner just north on A1A and past Lauderdale by the Sea -is Seawatch Restrauant. Go upstairs and get a window view of the ocean. Same food as downstairs, more causal dress, and you are looking over the dunes to see the ocean.

Causal Meal - go north to street before Sunrise Blvd, just past the Bonnet House (a interesting house and great story, even for 16 yos but BRING YOUR OWN WATER - 2-3 bottles per person). Back to eating - Blue Fish Key West - get a table next to the sidewalk. Yes, it is a bar with dining. But my sister & I love it last July 4th with her 3 boys (ate there TWICE for dinner). Get a pitcher of soda and between 4-7PM, it was 1/2 price appetizers - that is all we ate, a rash of appetizers. The teenagers love it and us adults did, too. We got adult stuff (and the boys did try that) and kids got stuff the liked. After dinner go across the street to the Homemade Ice Cream and Popcorn store - best in Ft Lauderdale! This area is like the entire beach area was in 1960 - there are a bunch of bars, tee shirt shops, 24 hr pizza, smoke shops, Kava Cafe, tattoo shops, etc. It is a small quirky area. The Ft Lauderdale Beach Resort timeshare is there along with the newly opened "B Ocean" $400/night hotel.

Have Fun!

 

[kjd]

Just checked out of Beach Place this morning. It's a great place--especially if you enjoy city life. The view from our one bedroom was great. Ocean view from the 7th floor. The place goes all hours of the day with the beach across the street. All kinds of street people to watch. Here's a few ideas that haven't been mentioned.

Two blocks to the south is Las Olas Blvd. A ton of shopping and restaurants and galleries.

Don't miss this if you like lobster. About 1/4 of a block south of Beach Place on Lauderdale Beach Rd there is an outdoor cafe called H20. They have a Maine lobster 1 3/4 lb steamed or broiled, for $19.95. Really good.

We saw Lionel Ritchie last night. Great concert at the Hollywood Hard Rock Casino. Next week Steppenwolf on 6/26, Motley Crue 7/5 and Bill Medley (Righteous Brothers) on 7/7. The Hard Rock also has an open area that has live music and several restaurants.

The parking lot is well organized but will take 2-3 days to figure out the system. You have to enter a public lot to get to the MVCI floors. There are no Marriott markings on the building. There is a sign on the building at the corner of Cortez and Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd. It says Beach Place but it's written in script so it's not easily recognized at first glance. Once you are in the public garage the signs to the lobby floor are pretty good.

Beach Place is a really nice place if you are a city person. The location is ideal and once you know your way around the area there are a lot of things to do.

 

[davemy]

Open your wallet and take them shopping in south beach..lol I have 2 daughters 20 and 16 they always want to go there.

 

[thinze3]

Thanks for the responses thus far - Everglades & parking tips will be helpful.

We have been to South Beach before (from Ocean Pointe), and will most likely will go back this trip. Last time we hung out on the beach, ate along the strip and then left.

 

[kjd]

Everglades activity

Someone previously mentioned the air boat rides. They're fun but expensive for what you're getting. There are several to pick from. They can't really go on national park land. Most of them are on the reservations or privately owned land meant for tourists.

Everglades National Park is headquartered in Everglades City. (after the drug busts about 20 years ago) You can rent kayaks and paddle among the 10,000 islands. They have guides at the park. Otherwise, you could get lost. No need to sign up for an expensive tour at the ts. Just drive to Everglades city and go to either the visitors center or the park. The park is struggling with a number of invasive species unnatural to the park. Burmese Pythons, iguanas, etc.

Lunch at the Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City is nice. The movie "Gone Fishing" with Danny Glover and Joe Pesci was filmed there. They burned the Club down in the movie but it's still there. You also might want to rent the movie after you've been there.

While you in EC stop at the City Market and take some fresh fish back to Lauderdale. They also have a spicy alligator tail that they cook there. It's not bad if you like alligator.

The Clyde Butcher gallery on US 41 is a good place to spend some time. Butcher is a world famous Everglades photographer and displays his work there.

On the outskirts of Naples the National Audubon Society maintains a preserve for birds. It's called Rookery Bay. They have tours of Rookery Bay and there is an amazing amount of birds there. Some of them are endangered and not seen in many parts of the US.

 

[NJN2Mom]

Find dining, spa and entertainment deals

Before traveling, I always checked restaurant.com. But recently I have come to love the deals available on Social Living (http://goo.gl/JgC9d), and Groupon (http://goo.gl/cuVos). Yesterday, I discovered South Florida Dines (http://goo.gl/IlQc0) and found a deal for The Waterway Cafe where we had already made a reservation for our stay at Ocean Pointe next month. We are kayaking from Jupiter Pointe Club & Marina and grilling seafood from Cod & Capers Seafood for half price through Social Living.

 

[pwrshift]

When you enter the public parking lot don't go all the way up to the Marriott section, but park instead on P3 right in front of the elevators to BP...you'll pay $70 for the week instead of $99 to Marriott and find it a lot easier and less crowded, except on weekends.

BP decor is not in the class of other Marriott TS but the location is really what makes this resort...you really don't need a car as everything is just outside on Ocean Blvd. Your teens will love it. They'll love Galleria Mall...a 15 minute walk...and there are 5 great restaurants there too, such as Capital Grille, PF Chang, Truluck's, etc.

Mai Kai is great fun for kids...show and dinner...a 5 minute cab ride. Casablanca is 5 minute walk north...always busy, casual, reasonably priced, and voted No.1. Canyon is great too but get there at 5:30 when they open. Southport is super casual and you can go there by water taxi or a $10 cab. Of course, all the great chains are nearby, Mortons, Ruth's Chris, etc. Plan on doing a lot of walking to lose the pounds you'll gain.

Brian

 

[minoter]

The $98 fee for parking in the secure, guarded and always available area on floors 4 and 5 does not benefit Marriott. That fee is paid to the Association to help offset the annual operating costs of an Association owned multi-floor parking garage.
Eric Minotti

 

[Superchief]

When we were there a few years ago, there was an excellent Greek restaurant a few miles north of BP. The food was excellent. Hopefully, other TUG members can provide the name.

 

[jlepstein1]

When we were there a few years ago, there was an excellent Greek restaurant a few miles north of BP. The food was excellent. Hopefully, other TUG members can provide the name.

It's called Greek Islands and it's fantastic. It is about 3 miles north of BPT, on the right side. It's usually very crowded, so come early. Be sure to try the grilled octopus appetizer.

 

[byebye]

Try Casa D'Angelo for fine dining - great Italian restaurant on Federal just north of Sunset.

We are headed to MBP next weekend and would love to hear some of your ideas.

Casual dining & one meal of fine dining.
Live music - family friendly (I'll have two 16 YO girls)
Shopping nearby or drive to.
Site seeing by car or boat.
Everglades tours <<--- really need this one.
Fishing charters - private or party boat - bay or ocean.
Jet ski rentals and other activities.

Concierge -
Is it a full service concierge - can you book and pay for excursions through them?

 

[pwrshift]

I never went on Everglades boat tour which could be fun, but years ago took the kids to an Everglades park somewhere. We walked through a lot of boardwalk paths for a long time but the only 'animals' we saw were 5" grasshoppers. I felt it was a complete waste of time.

More eateries: On 17th there's a mall area called Southport next to the Renaissance Hotel where there are some nice restaurants, not too expensive...Bravo for italian and Bimini Boatworks are two of them...the Southport Raw Bar mentioned above is nearby. Also nearby is 15th Street Fisheries, a bit touristry but good food with a real old Florida look with great boat views and kids menu...at the very least its a good first time visit place. Another on the intracoastal fun restaurant with incredible burgers a short 5 minute drive north of BP is Shooter's...you can sit outside right beside big boats coming in for dinner...it's also a water taxi stop. My selection for the best Italian in Laud is Primavera...a 15 minute drive to Oakland Blvd. I love Ft Laud for all the eateries...you could live here year round and go to a different great restaurant every night. Terrible place to go on a diet.

Brian

 

[thinze3]

Thank for the tips. Later in the week I will print this and take it with me.

KJD - No air boats in the park at all? Do you really nedd to go into the park to actuall tour the Everglades?

Brain - Even the 'casual' dining you mention is a bit pricey. Mai Kai looks like fun.

Greek food, Italian food - starting to sound yummy.

Is there a grocery store nearby or should we stop down the road on the way from the airport?

 

[vacationhopeful]

Franco and Vinnies - Good Italian near BPT - Sunrise Blvd just before the intercoastal bridge on the ocean side (southeast). Open 4-10:30 daily - does a real flat crust pizza, but has very good Italian - fresh fish, good veal, and sauce. If you drive, turn at the light with the 7-11 and drive down the alley. Parking is shared with La Cantina (mexican) next door. Can exit onto the EAST bound Sunrise Blvd to go back to BPT, but can't turn into the parking lot off Sunrise (divided roadway).

La Cantina has decent Mexican, but seems expensive unless it is Harry Hour and everyone is over 21 and is required to be sitting at the bar - half price appetitizers, $1 off drinks.

 

[pwrshift]

Re groceries. If you can't find it at the huge CVS in the BP complex there's Publix and Win Dixie on 17 th at Southport area or Sunrise past N. Federal, but not walking distance. I guess big inventory stores like this are a little afraid of beachfront storm potentials or the cost of parking space so you'll have a 10 minute drive to one...or stop on the way to BP. There are many....some may deliver.

Generally I don't find the restaurants in Ft Laud expensive, but that's a relative term in a touristy area. Casual doesn't always mean inexpensive.

Mai Kai has a price fixed menu they don't always give you if you don't ask...it's less confusing than their huge menu and less money. Food is good. Tip...if you don't like the seats they give you for the dinner show, just tell them that you'll try to come another night and they might put you next to the stage instead of letting you go. And allow at least an hour to eat before the show and a little time after to explore their gardens.

Brian

 

[kjd]

Everglades tours--No you don't have to go inside the National Park to see wildlife. Some people stop their cars to look at alligators in the canals on US41. You can go to a place called Shark Valley that has walking paths etc. I think you can even rent bycycles there. Alligators are all over the place so I don't think you'll have any trouble seeing them. They took a 7 footer out of my neighbor's garage Sunday. He left his garage door and the alligator just walked in to look around.

The National Park does have kayak tours of the 10,000 islands. There are also are several private companies that also have tours. The air boat companies go on the canals or on their own private land. I don't recommend any of them because we don't use them but I've heard some of them are good. Eco-tourism is a big thing here and I'm sure someone at the BP can give you some ideas. I have an example of one of the Kayak tours. I make no recommendation but it is an example of what you can expect from most of them. One last thing. The mosquitos are really bad here right now. I'm not sure why because we're in the middle of a drought. It's ok to be outside here but I suggest a good insect repellent especially in the Everglades.

Description
Beginning in Goodland, this tour will explore 12 of the 10,000 Islands. Duck into tunnels, watch Roseate Spoonbills feeding and dolphin playing. Learn about the mighty Calusa Indians who inhabited these islands as you weave your way to the Gulf. Tour includes brief paddling instruction and all equipment. Limited to 7 participants. Pre-Registration required: 239-293-6232 or www.upacreekkayak.com. Detailed instructions will follow in confirmation email. .
Event details
Place: Goodland County Boat Park
Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Time: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Cost: $50
Age Limit: 12+
Categories: Outdoor, Environment, Nature, Tours