So that you’re in Orlando for just a few days, and also you wish to see South Florida too. You are able to do it in a day, and also you don’t even want a rental automotive. How? Take the Brightline prepare from Orlando to any of their South Florida stations: West Palm Seaside, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, or Miami. Then zip again as much as Orlando that night time.
A day in laid-back South Florida is a welcome break from the theme park rounds of Orlando. As a Floridian, I firmly imagine everybody must see this nook of the Sunshine State at the very least as soon as — it’s fantastic right here. And it’s extra accessible than ever with the brand new Orlando prepare route simply opened in September.
The Orlando Brightline station within the morning.
The place do you have to go? It’s a tricky alternative. We picked Fort Lauderdale as a result of it has lots near the station and the seaside not too far-off — loads for a day journey but not overwhelming. Nonetheless, every of the cities has one thing completely different to supply, so see which inserts your pursuits.
When you resolve to take the prepare from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale, this information has every part you want: logistics, concepts for what to see and do once you get there, and tricks to make your journey higher.
Prepared for an journey? Right here’s your full itinerary for a day journey by prepare from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale.
6:30 AM: Park on the Orlando Airport
You might begin sooner should you’re an early riser, but it surely’s not obligatory. The high-speed prepare takes you from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale in simply three hours, and should you comply with this itinerary, you’ll nonetheless get 9 hours in your remaining vacation spot.
I like to recommend permitting at the very least an hour between parking your automotive and boarding the prepare. The Brightline web site outlines the Orlando parking choices fairly clearly:
- You’ll be able to select Parking Storage C on the airport, a mere five-minute stroll from the prepare station. That’s at the moment $24 a day.
- WallyPark, which is off-site and requires a shuttle, comes to simply beneath $15 per day, together with all charges.
- The South Park Place Economic system Lot is a backup if Parking Storage C is full. There’s an airport shuttle that takes you to Terminal C, a couple of 13-minute stroll from the station.
We selected WallyPark to save lots of somewhat money. The tradeoff is that you just’ll want to attend for the shuttle. For us, from pulling into the lot to being dropped off on the Brightline station, which was after the opposite three terminal stops, it took about 35 minutes. However wait occasions and the experience over can fluctuate, so constructing in further time by no means hurts.
7 AM: Arrive on the Orlando Brightline Station
When you’re there, navigating across the station is a breeze. Stroll in, take the escalators up, undergo safety (not the airport-level screening the place you’re shedding footwear and taking out each digital you personal), and also you’re on the prepare platform in minutes.
The Premium lounge at Brightline’s Orlando station.
We had Premium tickets so made positive to save lots of time to benefit from the lounge, scanning the QR code on our telephones for entry. There was a espresso machine and full breakfast laid out, together with:
- Croissant sandwiches
- Bacon
- Exhausting-boiled eggs
- Muffins and bread
- Fruit
- Deli meat and cheese
Breakfast within the Brightline Premium lounge.
The lounge is uncrowded and comfy, a comfy place to chill out earlier than your experience. They’ll announce when the following prepare is coming in, and also you’re proper by the escalator right down to the tracks, so that you don’t want to fret about lacking it.
After they make the announcement, head right down to the platform, board in your coach, and make your option to your assigned seat. Straightforward peasy.
7:30 AM: Journey From Orlando to Fort Lauderdale
Contained in the Brightline prepare from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale.
I’ve performed a good quantity of prepare journey, but it surely’s all been in Europe. I consider trains as a practical option to journey after I’m abroad with out my automotive. I additionally have a tendency to think about them as crowded and never overly clear. However Brightline isn’t like that. It has vast aisles and spacious seats. Every part is clear and fresh-looking.
Restrooms: It’s a three-hour experience, so that is an amenity you’ll in all probability use. These bogs aren’t like all I’ve seen on different trains. They’re handicap accessible (fairly roomy) and touch-free for water, cleaning soap, flushing, and drying. Even the door between coaches opens robotically.
With free wifi and charging stations at your seat and a reasonably quiet experience — although possibly our fellow passengers have been significantly well-mannered — all in all, it’s a pleasing journey.
Using premium makes it much more nice. Do you want snacks? They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner for Premium passengers, relying on the time of day you’re using. I loved my seasonal pumpkin muffin with seltzer (there are grownup drinks too), however I ate mild as a result of I knew lunch in Fort Lauderdale was coming quickly.
For teenagers: There’s a BrightKids Snack Field with a PB&J or cheese sandwich and goldfish crackers, apple slices, and a drink.
10:30 AM: Arrive Fort Lauderdale
Similar to that, you’re right here. Once you step exterior, it’s in all probability just a few levels hotter than Orlando, but it surely simply feels completely different.
Now on to the enjoyable stuff.
10:45 AM: Go to a Museum
The station is a nine-minute stroll from the Museum of Science and Discovery and an 11-minute stroll to the NSU Artwork Museum.
The science museum is nice for households. It has over 20 STEM-focused reveals, one designed particularly for ages 6 and beneath. On the weekends, don’t miss their particular occasions (that they had make-your-own slime the weekend we have been on the town) included with admission.
The artwork museum is finest for preteens and up, although youthful youngsters will benefit from the vibrant visuals and number of art work. The reveals are at all times altering, so should you return to Fort Lauderdale, you’ll wish to verify them out once more.
A putting blue portray on show on the NSU Artwork Museum.
From both museum, you possibly can take a detour down the Riverwalk as you mosey over to the world-famous Las Olas Boulevard. This urban-chic road is spilling over with sidewalk cafes, boutiques, artwork galleries, and murals. You’re spoiled for alternative on the subject of eating, so I’ll make it straightforward for you…
12 PM: Lunch at Java & Jam
With indoor and outside seating, the latter sporting numerous greenery and pull-down curtains for shade, Java & Jam is the place to go for a weekend brunch that may’t be beat. You’ve obtained breakfast all day should you’re feeling extra eggs benedict and banana bread French toast (with mango compote, maple syrup, vanilla whipped cream, and coconut butter — drooling but?) or lunchtime fare like burgers and salads.
I needed to order about seven issues however finally selected:
- Grilled cheese and housemade tomato bisque, correctly known as a soupwich as a result of you understand the place that three-cheesy sourdough is getting dunked
- An arugula salad with a most astonishing checklist of toppings that included hummus, pecorino, grapes, grape tomatoes, bacon, a wonderfully poached egg, and a lemon and olive oil dressing
Arugula and hummus salad with a glass of rosemary hibiscus lemonade at Java Jam.
The bisque was simply the perfect tomato soup I’ve ever had, and the grilled cheese was scrumptious — not a bit greasy as so typically occurs. However the salad type of stole the present. The grapes have been halved so you bought simply the best sweetness in each chunk, complementing the salty bacon and cheese. The hummus wasn’t a hunk on high however relatively unfold all through, and I’m right here to inform you that that is how we should always all be dressing our salads. It was much more refreshing with a glass of their seasonal rosemary hibiscus lemonade.
Because the title suggests, Java & Jam is aware of espresso. I’d learn concerning the crème brûlée cappuccino from a number of critiques and knew I needed to order one. Breaking via the sugar crust into the vanilla and caramel cappuccino was deeply satisfying, however the churro iced latte with Cinnamon Toast Crunch milk turned out to be my favourite. In addition they have a lineup of seasonal drinks, so for our fall journey, we tried the peppermint white chocolate matcha latte (my husband’s favourite, although he usually doesn’t take care of matcha) and a gingerbread latte, indulgent with whipped cream and a half-submerged gingersnap.
Creme brulee cappuccino on the left, gingerbread latte within the heart, and the peppermint matcha and churro latte to the best at Java Jam.
You may also improve to make any drink “soiled” or select one in every of their cocktails just like the housemade bloody mary or possibly a seasonal spiked eggnog chai. With pleasant service, a chill ambiance, and next-level meals and drinks, Java & Jam is a must-do when you’re in Fort Lauderdale.
1 PM: Head to Fort Lauderdale Seaside
Fort Lauderdale Seaside isn’t far-off, and should you come to South Florida with out seeing the seaside, have been you actually right here?
It’s solely quarter-hour away by automotive, about half-hour by bus, or an hour and quarter-hour should you select to stroll. I like to recommend grabbing an Uber. This set us again $15 and was handy, however you possibly can at all times take Bus 11 down Las Olas to save lots of a couple of dollars. A one-way fare is barely $2 for adults and $1 for youths 18 and youthful. Simply obtain the Broward County Transit app prematurely so you should buy your ticket on-line if wanted.
1:30 PM: Loosen up on the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Seaside Resort
Do you know you will get a day cross for sure resorts to benefit from their facilities with no need to e book a keep? It’s good on your Fort Lauderdale day journey.
A secluded space just a few steps down from the pool deck on the Hilton resort.
Spend the afternoon residing your finest resort life on the luxurious Hilton Fort Lauderdale Seaside Resort. The sixth-floor wraparound pool deck is designed like a cruise ship with a view of nothing however that good blue ocean as you look out. And there was a cruise ship vibe, from a DJ spinning tunes on the weekend to us slurping icy candy drinks from a coconut.
Hilton Fort Lauderdale Seaside Resort pool deck.
You’ll be able to e book your day cross on-line at ResortPass. It consists of beachfront entry and a 20% low cost at their full-service spa, however we spent the day lounging on the solar deck with the heated pool and sizzling tub. It was particularly enjoyable in our cabana. Cabanas are a splurge however not a foul worth for households since they accommodate as much as 4 or six folks. You get a fridge stocked with water, a cable TV, cozy seating, an outlet to cost your gadgets, and solar cowl. It’s mainly your personal non-public retreat for the day.
Our non-public cabana on the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Seaside Resort.
Once you’re hungry, simply decide up a menu from Ilios and browse the choices. The Mediterranean-inspired restaurant had every part from shakshuka and waldorf salad to wings and burgers. I attempted the slider trio to pattern their cheeseburger, lobster sandwich, and fried rooster on a candy waffle biscuit. The lobster was the perfect, however lobster’s at all times laborious to beat. There’s additionally a child’s menu. Meals and drinks are delivered proper to your cabana or lounge chair (because the case could also be) so you possibly can get pleasure from your meal poolside.
Sliders from Ilios served poolside.
6:45 PM: Return to the Fort Lauderdale Brightline Station
When you depart the resort by 6:45 p.m., try to be on the prepare station round 7. Relying on the time of yr, you would possibly catch sundown from the pool deck earlier than you go. (Positive, you’re dealing with east, however the orange-pink glow suffuses the entire horizon.)
For each of our rides, we discovered that attending to the station half-hour earlier than departure allowed loads of time for the safety verify and a fast go to to the toilet. Boarding closes 5 minutes earlier than the prepare leaves, so that you don’t wish to reduce it too shut, and your Uber driver would possibly get confused on the place to select you up as ours did, so construct in a while for that.
The Good Lounge on the Fort Lauderdale Brightline station.
The Good lounge doesn’t have the perks of the Premium lounge (no free drinks and meals right here), but it surely’s nonetheless a pleasant place to chill out, and the bar is correct there if you wish to order one thing.
7:30 PM: Journey the Prepare Again to Orlando
Plug in your telephone to cost and flick thru the images and movies out of your Fort Lauderdale day journey. Or simply chill out. The experience goes by surprisingly quick.
I had a Good ticket on the best way again, which labored out nicely since I didn’t get there early sufficient to benefit from the lounge. The seats are two inches smaller than in Premium — 19 as an alternative of 21. I can’t say I truthfully observed the distinction. After all, I didn’t occur to have somebody subsequent to me on the experience again as our coach wasn’t full.
I didn’t get the dinner that I might have had with a Premium ticket, however I used to be full from a day of consuming, so I didn’t thoughts. It was a fast and seamless experience again.
10:30 PM: Arrive in Orlando
Vivid inside however darkish exterior after we obtained again to the Orlando station.
You made it! Congratulations on a profitable day journey by prepare from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale.
You might get in later, however when you have youngsters and must get again to the lodge, it is a good finish time. When you parked at WallyPark, simply textual content “SHUTTLE” to the quantity they supply, and the motive force will decide you up proper exterior the station.
In contrast to within the morning, we had zero wait. The shuttle occurred to be leaving the final terminal at simply the best time, and we walked out to search out it ready for us. We have been dropped off at our automotive round 20 minutes later.
Remaining Ideas for Your South Florida Day Journey
Right here’s a roundup of some ideas which may make your journey higher and some logistics you must know earlier than you go.
- Construct in further time to catch your prepare, however don’t panic. Brightline trains board about 10 minutes earlier than departure. Each occasions I used to be headed to the station, I used to be apprehensive I used to be slicing it shut as a result of I believe when it comes to air journey, however I used to be at all times on the platform as quickly as they introduced boarding was open. Above I used rounded occasions like 7:30 for comfort, however trains depart at occasions like 6:38 and seven:21. Be aware of the time in your ticket and present up at the very least quarter-hour earlier than departure.
- Get pleasure from BrightLine perks for households. BrightLine presents a reduction on group purchases for 4 or extra folks, a youngsters zone at every station, and half off Good tickets for ages 2-12.
- Plan for snacks. Brightline means that you can deliver meals and non-alcoholic drinks on board, so that you’re welcome to picnic on the best way. Most individuals appear to deliver or buy snacks. It makes the journey somewhat extra enjoyable, and it’s a perk of prepare journey value having fun with. Everyone knows how consuming within the automotive is a large number.
- Get a free Uber experience. You probably have a Premium ticket, you possibly can e book a complimentary Uber experience from any South Florida station to a vacation spot inside a five-mile radius. The Hilton resort we visited was solely 4.2 miles from the station, so you would head straight there and save on transit a technique.
- Carry sunscreen. That is South Florida, in spite of everything. Nonetheless, the resort had sunscreen, so should you received’t be doing a lot strolling, it may very well be one much less factor to pack.
- Drink water, however don’t deliver a ton. We packed 4 waters like we have been going mountain climbing in some distant village. The station had a water refill dispenser, the eating places had loads of water, the resort had water — I might have favored to hold much less water.
So what do you assume? Would you do it? Be a part of the dialog on Fb and tell us!
