Fort Lauderdale, a beachside resort city in Florida, is a great place to live if you enjoy the arts. There is a mix of art galleries, museums, and theaters for you to explore and enjoy. If you want to live close to the art scene, try to find a home near Las Olas Boulevard. You’ll find several art galleries within walking distance of each other, all mixed among restaurants, museums, and cute shops. Of course, you’re only a short distance from cultural experiences no matter where you live in Fort Lauderdale.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Image via Flickr by osseous
If you want to see a play or musical, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is a good choice. It offers theater productions year round, as well as the occasional Broadway show that comes on tour. It is located in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale and it is walking distance to great restaurants. There are many amenities at the Broward Center, such as handicap accessibility, valet parking, and a club level. The club level serves food and beverages during your show.
Additionally, check out “Laffing Matterz,” a dinner theater inside the Broward Center. Tickets include a show and a dinner. Plus, there are several new shows every year, so you can see something new all the time if you live nearby.
Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale has several museums and art galleries throughout the city, but the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale at Nova Southeastern University is one of the local favorites. It has rotating exhibits that feature everything from World War II art to paintings by local artists. That means you get to see something different every time you go. Just check out its website to see what is currently on display. The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale is also located in a cultural district off of Andrews Avenue, so you’ll feel the art scene ambiance inside and out.
Young at Art Children’s Museum
Introduce your kids to the art scene in Fort Lauderdale with a visit to Young at Art Children’s Museum. It offers interactive exhibits and art galleries. Some of the favorite exhibits include WonderScapes, CultureScapes, and ArtScapes. If you find a house nearby the museum, you can enroll your kids in art classes and summer programs. This is a great way to prepare your kids to love the arts.
Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum
Image via Flickr by Cliff
The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum has over 25 Packard motor cars on display from 1909 to 1955. It is a cute museum that only the locals know about. All of the cars are in working order and beautifully restored. There is a small fee to enter the museum, but it is well worth it. You should plan to spend two to three hours exploring all the cars.
Las Olas Boulevard
The number one place in Fort Lauderdale to go if you want to experience the art scene is Las Olas Boulevard, especially at night. Many consider the experience as good as the famous Rodeo Drive. There are shops, restaurants, art galleries, museums, and more. You can spend all day on this street and never run out of things to do or see. It is one of the most happening areas of Fort Lauderdale, so houses in this area retain their value despite economic shifts. That makes it is a great place to live and explore.
African-American Research Library and Cultural Center
Located in a modern building with a sweeping staircase, the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center is a great place to go if you’re interested in African-American history and art. It is technically a library, but there are artifacts on display all around the facility. You can browse thousands of books, look at the art, and find statues and artifacts. Plus, there is no fee to get into the cultural center, so it’s a great place to go if you’ve already spent all your money on Las Olas Boulevard or in one of the other art districts in Fort Lauderdale.
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale: Downtown Arts & Entertainment Center
Image via Flickr by Elvert Barnes
Riverwalk is a scenic shopping district in Fort Lauderdale. There are specialty shops, dining, and many cultural attractions. Buy a house near Riverwalk and you’ll always have a place to go when you’re bored, especially if you enjoy a good Irish pub. Most people enjoy seeing the boats and strolling through the beautiful landscape of Riverwalk. There is also a cruise around the canal, if you’re interested.
Andrews Living Art Studio
If you like supporting aspiring performers, Andrews Living Art Studio is a cute little place to catch a show. New productions are constantly being added to its lineup and it is located in Flagler Arts and Technology Village, one of the newest art districts in Fort Lauderdale. Of course, Andrews Living Art Studio is not just a theater, you can enroll your kids in classes, take them to the gallery, and much more if you live nearby. The goal of this venue is to make the performing arts accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, or any other demographic.
Old Dillard Art and Cultural Museum
Located in Broward County, the Old Dillard Art and Cultural Museum highlights African-American contributions to the art scene in Fort Lauderdale. It is a historical landmark that has featured exhibits and festivals. You can learn about the history of civil rights, explore the art and culture of the African-American population, and see modern-day exhibits. You can spend hours in this museum, and as icing on the cake admission is also free.
As you can see, Fort Lauderdale is a great place to live if you enjoy the arts. Whether you want to spend your day strolling along a picturesque street exploring art galleries or you want to see a live theater production, there are new options every day in Fort Lauderdale. Just find a house near one of the happening art districts and you’ll always have some new cultural experience, whether you’re young or old.