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All the United States Florida Fort Lauderdale

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Fort Lauderdale

4 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Updated August 3, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Fort Lauderdale

The Mai-Kai’s roadside sign.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Mai-Kai Restaurant

When you can't get to the Pacific, just go to Florida.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Leslie Nielsen's Gravesite

A self-explanatory attraction allows fans to respectfully remember and honor a comedy legend.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

'Thrive'

This concrete sculpture features a woman opening her heart to showcase a beautiful fern.
Back of one of the drive-in theater screens with a flea market vendor set up.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Swap Shop and Thunderbird Drive-In Theater

This liminal destination combines creaky carnival rides, a classic car museum, and luck-of-the-draw flea market finds surrounded by dust and drive-in movie screens.
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!

Hollywood, Florida

Old Ghosts of Hollywood

An oddity shop inspired by the history of the circus.
7 miles from Fort Lauderdale
Permanently Closed
The East Coast Troll lurks beneath the bridge!

Pompano Beach, Florida

The East Coast Troll

A tiny twin to Seattle's Fremont troll hides from the Florida sun under the Atlantic Boulevard drawbridge.
8 miles from Fort Lauderdale
Pegasus crushes a dragon beneath his hooves.

Hallandale Beach, Florida

Pegasus and Dragon

The behemoth beasts engaged in an epic battle is the second-tallest statue in the contiguous United States.
9 miles from Fort Lauderdale

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Fort Lauderdale

The Mai-Kai’s roadside sign.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Mai-Kai Restaurant

When you can't get to the Pacific, just go to Florida.
In partnership with KAYAK

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. dylansko
    1
  2. hcshannonart
    1
  3. dibbiejane
    1
  4. Richartruddie
    1
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Add an unusual place to Fort Lauderdale.

Places Edited

  1. jlord7
    2
  2. wherearewedude
    2
  3. Collector of Experiences
    2
  4. bryanr115
    1
  5. Gerard Nolan
    1
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Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. wherearewedude
    4
  2. kelfletcher
    4
  3. Collector of Experiences
    4
  4. gerriepatdu
    4
  5. cr8185
    4
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Visit a place in Fort Lauderdale.

Recent Fort Lauderdale Activity

  • cryptidcreepscreations

    wants to go to Mai-Kai Restaurant

  • cryptidcreepscreations

    wants to go to 'Thrive'

  • foxycuddles

    wants to go to Swap Shop and Thunderbird Drive-In Theater

  • timeckert1990

    has been to Leslie Nielsen's Gravesite

  • murphycintron

    wants to go to Swap Shop and Thunderbird Drive-In Theater

Stories About Fort Lauderdale

Welcome to a thoroughly 21st-century ark.

The Coral Ark That Hopes to Save Florida’s Ailing Reefs

As a mysterious disease sweeps across the region, dry land might be the last best hope for survival.
by Sabrina Imbler
February 12, 2020

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