fort lauderdale historic walking tour

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Visit the Best Historic Sites in Fort Lauderdale

While many visitors set their travel sights on Fort Lauderdale for the sun, sand, and surf, they’ll also find that this destination is one that’s packed with history when you know where to go! The following are a few of the many top historic sites in the area that give modern travelers a great glimpse into the past.

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King-Cromartie House

Located at 229 SW 2 nd Avenue, the King-Cromartie House dates back to 1907 when it was built by Edwin T. King for his family. King was also the constructionist behind Fort Lauderdale’s historic Stranahan House which functioned as the area’s first post office, trading post, and hotel. The King-Cromartie House is considered one of the earliest homes in the modern Fort Lauderdale area. King is also credited with building an area school where his wife taught as well as the New River Inn and the first courthouse established in Fort Lauderdale. A second floor was added to the King-Cromartie House in 1911 when King left the home to his daughter Louise and her new husband Bloxham Cromartie. The King-Cromartie family inhabited the residence until 1968, at which time it was donated to the Junior League of Ft. Lauderdale, who saved it from demolition. It was moved to its current location in 1994 and is currently operated by the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. Visitors can drop by to enjoy tours of the home which is refurbished and outfitted with period clothing and furniture throughout. While many come for the history and to see what early life was like in Fort Lauderdale, others come for the paranormal as this historic site is said to host the ghost of Louise King Cromartie.

Shippey House

Travelers heading to Fort Lauderdale excited to check out as many historic sites as possible will want to be sure to make their way to the Shippey House while they’re in town. Located at 220 SW 3 rd Avenue, the Shippey House is a 1913 residence that was home to Broward County’s second judge. Frederick Beeker Shippey served from 1920 to 1933 when he retired due to illness. He was a prominent member of the Elks Lodge and was passionate about his charitable work aiding disabled children in the area. The home is a testament to the times and was originally slated for demolition in 2008. Fortunately, it was able to be saved and repurposed. After 5 years of renovation, it was reopened to the public in 2016 as the headquarters for Cycle Party Tours , an outdoor recreational company offering sightseeing of the greater Fort Lauderdale house. The home is still set up with beautiful landscaping and an era-specific interior that’s well worth checking out!

Historic Walking Tours

Visitors to Fort Lauderdale who are hoping to learn more about the area’s history while enjoying a comprehensive overview of historic sites alongside a knowledgeable guide can always sign up for a historic area walking tour through the team at History Fort Lauderdale . These tours are typically 2 hours and take groups of 10 and up on a walking journey along the river to see some of the area’s most iconic historical stops. Admission to the tour includes a stroll through the History Museum as well as the Pioneer House Museum and the 1899 Schoolhouse Museum.

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Historical City Walking Tour

A guided walk to see some historical landmarks in Fort Lauderdale

On this guided walking tour, you'll get a history-filled introduction to Fort Lauderdale. After a short video presentation in a museum, you'll visit other local museums, including the New River Inn, the King-Cromartie House and the 1899 Replica Schoolhouse Museum. You'll also hear fascinating stories about the city's Seminole culture, maritime history and pioneers shared by your guide.

What's included

What's not included.

• Souvenir photos (available for purchase)
• Transportation

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Accessible to strollers
• Service animals welcome
• Public transit links nearby

Health & Safety

• Suitable for all fitness levels

Additional information

Children aged 0–6 years can participate for free.

This tour is suitable for wheelchair users with the exception of the second floors at the New River Inn and the King-Cromartie House.

Face masks are required for the entire duration of the tour.

Bring your ticket with you to the attraction.

Be aware that operators may cancel for unforeseen reasons.

You must be 18 years or older, or be accompanied by an adult, to book.

Operated by History Fort Lauderdale

Itinerary information

User ratings, what guests loved most, frequently asked questions, how do i book a ticket.

Select a date and time.

Choose the number of tickets.

Click through to the next page and enter your personal details.

After entering your personal details, select your payment method and enter your payment details.

Once you’ve entered your payment details successfully, you'll be redirected to your ticket page where you can check the status and details of your reservations.

You'll receive a confirmation email once the reservation is confirmed with the attraction operator. This could take some time based on the supplier.

You can view your tickets in your confirmation email or the Booking and Trips section of your account.

When do I pay?

Booking.com collects payment on behalf of the attraction operator when you book your ticket.

How do digital tickets work?

Each digital ticket contains a unique code. This is usually a QR or numerical code, but could be something else and can be found on your ticket or the PDF sent to you.

If your digital ticket contains a barcode or QR code, show it to the staff at the attraction's entrance or ticket collection point for them to scan.

For those with numerical codes, show your ticket to staff for verification.

Can I cancel or modify my tickets?

You’ll need to check the policy on the specific ticket you book. Last-minute bookings might not have free cancellation available.

When will I get my free cancellation refund?

After you cancel, we'll issue a full refund immediately. Depending on your bank or payment provider, it can take 3–10 days to be refunded to your original payment method.

Tickets and prices

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Fort Lauderdale Historical Society Visitor Information Center

• 219 SW 2nd Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
• (954) 463-4431

Historic Fort Lauderdale Tour: Bonnet House Upstairs/Downstairs Tour

While South Florida has become popular in recent decades for its thriving nightlife and entertainment scene, beautiful beaches, and unique wildlife, the South Florida community also contains tremendous historic significance that’s just waiting to be explored and enjoyed. Here in Fort Lauderdale, for example, there are many historic tours throughout the city, including right here at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. In fact, Bonnet House is currently offering guided Upstairs/Downstairs tours, as well as other group and specialty tours throughout the estate.

On the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from January through April, Bonnet House will be hosting guided Upstairs/Downstairs tours from 2pm-4pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a VIP tour of the main house that includes a sneak peek inside areas that are typically closed, including Evelyn and Frederic Bartlett’s private living quarters. These tours are led in groups of ten by our seasoned docents and will be offered for $35 per person. Limited reservations are available, and pre-registration is required.

On the second Tuesday of each month from January through April, Bonnet House will also offer guided tours of our Orchid Greenhouse from 11am-12pm. Guests on these group tours will have the chance to participate in a VIP experience of the Orchid Greenhouses and Orchid Display House. This tour will also feature areas that are closed to the general public. These tours are offered for $20 per person, and are led in groups of 15 to allow for questions and discussion. Limited reservations are available, and pre registration is required.

Bonnet House also offers guided group tours of the Main House and gardens throughout the entire year. Tours of the Main House and specialized tours of the grounds are available to groups of 15 or more Tuesday-Sunday throughout the year. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the historic home and learn about the significance of the Birch/Bartlett family, and discover the charm and whimsy of this beautiful beachfront estate. Tours are also available to experience our expansive gardens and nature trail. On these tours, docents will describe the various species of native and landscaped plants, and highlight the many ecosystems featured in this 35-acre coastal wilderness.

We hope that you will join us at Bonnet House for one of our many group tour opportunities. The South Florida community has a fascinating history, and we could not be more proud to share the legacy of the Bartlett’s with our guests. To learn more, or book your tour, click here , or call (954) 703-2606 to reserve your space.

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• Pingback: Bonnet House special tour: We take you inside rarely seen second floor of

I would like to reserve for a party of two(2) Wenesday January 25th 2023 for the UPSTAIRS/DOWNSTAIRS.

• Pingback: Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale offers special upstairs tour - Florida Digital News

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Bonnet House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 65-0161955. Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council. Support for the educational programs is provided in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

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DONATE to History Fort Lauderdale

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EDUCATION | FIELD TRIPS

Learn how to become the makers of your own history!

Plan a field trip to the History Fort Lauderdale and experience our various interactive educational programs! History Fort Lauderdale offers programs dedicated to the history of Broward County and Fort Lauderdale where students will be able to understand our rich cultural past through interactive modules. Interested in science? History Fort Lauderdale offers several science based hands on programs where students discover how history and science can be entwined during the learning experience. If you decide to join us at History Fort Lauderdale, each field trip participates in a tour of the main History Museum, the Pioneer House Museum, and the 1899 Schoolhouse Museum as well as the program(s) of your choice.

All Educational Programs meet Florida State Standards

Use Supplemental Arts and Sciences Program Funding: https://www.browardschools.com/Page/65721

Hispanic Heritage: Grades 6th – 12th Students will engage and explore some of the primary source materials describing social and political circumstances surrounding the first European settlements in North America – right here in Florida – during the early 1500’s. This experiential adventure will capture the attention and interest of students and staff alike. Using interactive and inquiry-based learning methods, a visit with to History Fort Lauderdale is sure to open up a world of interest in the art and science prevalent at the time of our earliest Spanish speaking arrivals.

CSI New River: Grades 6th – 12th Explore a modern look at the Cooley incident on the New River through a forensic anthropologist and bio-archaeologist lens. Examine the events that led to the death of William Cooley’s family and their tutor Joseph Flinton. Learn how a forensic team would determine the cause of death among the Cooley family by the skeletal markers which are left behind for archaeologists to find. Discover how a CSI team collects and interprets evidence as well as how evidence is used in criminal cases.

Archaeology on the River: Grades 4th – 12th Students experience an interactive study on the pre-historic and historic archaeology of South Florida and the New River. They examine a South Florida archaeology site after participating in an overview of anthropology and archaeology. This is followed by an interactive simulated archaeology dig before working in teams to determine outcomes from analysis of the archaeological data.

Policies/Fees 

• The base program fee is $7.00 per student and $10.00 per parent/chaperone. There is no charge for school personnel.
• Groups are encouraged to send 50% of the payment at the time of reservation.
• Payments can be made by cash, check (made out to the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Inc.) or credit card.
• It is recommended that groups of more than 50 students be split between two or more days.The program lasts approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
• Please arrive at the scheduled time.
• Please check in at the New River Inn located at 231 Southwest Second Ave.
• Cancellation policy: 72 hours notice is greatly appreciated.
• Suggestion: Pack a brown bag lunch for eating on the picnic tables near the New River. Some groups like to pack a pot-luck style lunch.
• The 1899 Replica School House is handicapped accessible, but the New River Inn Museum’s second floor and the King-Cromartie House are not.

Complete the contact form below and Ms. Ellery Andrews will get back to you for details. Contact Information: Ellery Andrews 954-271-3797 ext: 105

To purchase admission or RSVP for a tour visit us at:

231 SW 2nd Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

954-463-4431

[email protected]

MUSEUM OPERATING HOURS

7 Days a Week 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Guided Tours

Docent guided tours – daily at 1, 2 & 3 pm Walking tours – available upon special request

FREE admission to individuals and families presenting a SNAP EBT card and a valid form of photo ID.