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Riverwalk is ideal for walks & Instagram photo ops

Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk offers a delightful stretch along the New River for sightseeing, photography and romantic walks. 

Riverwalk runs along the river from about Southwest Fifth Street east toward Federal Highway, incorporating Esplanade Park.  It also serves as a scenic venue for food festivals and live jazz. 

Photo/Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Riverwalk Photography Tips

Jason Leidy, who’s with Middle River Arts Photography and is director of photography for Go Riverwalk magazine, offered information about his favorite places for snapshots and sightseeing on Riverwalk.

“There’s a bunch of great photo moments on the Riverwalk. On the North Side, the view from the Broward Center steps looking east is tough to beat.  There’s… an oversized Adirondak chair just east of Esplanade Park that makes for a good sense of place.

“I also love the view from the landing at the West side of the Railroad tracks. You’re at a good height to take in the History District. Heading further East is one of the most Instagrammed public works of art in Fort Lauderdale. “Thrive” by artist Daniel Popper is on display at the breezeway of Society Las Olas.

“On the south side of the Riverwalk, some highlights include the view from Stranahan Landing. Looking north across the New River you can see one of the oldest buildings in Fort Lauderdale, the Stranahan House Museum. The views looking west from Smoker Park are another stunning point of view on the canyon of buildings along the river. Moving West, I’m partial to the floating docks in front of the Downtowner. The restaurant has history and a often overlooked alley to it’s East winds through some fun little courtyard moments. Walking the entire length of the North and South Side of the Riverwalk is always different.”

Photo/Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Rentals & Tours

  • Phone or email to verify when vendor is open
  • Riverwalk Recreation offers kayak, standup paddle board & bicycle rentals, and various tours
  • 220 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale 954-526-5159 or info@riverwalkactivities.com

Festivals & Events on Riverwalk

Riverwalk Jazz Brunch

Photo/Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Jazz Brunch on Riverwalk, features live entertainment from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the first Sundays of the month at different points along the New River. If you’d like to nibble, pack your own picnic or purchase food from area restaurant vendors. Feel free to bring portable seats or blankets. Leashed pets are permitted. Parking fees apply. Check out directions and a parking map from the City of Fort Lauderdale. For information, call 954-828-5363 or visit the website

Upcoming events at Riverwalk

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Riverwalk Fall Festival in Fort Lauderdale

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Esplanade Park

Parking

Parking is usually about $3 or $4 an hour.

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Photo: Deposit Photos, Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk

Free & inexpensive things to do this weekend in South Florida

More free and cheap entertainment this week

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

Tamarac Farmers Market

9:00 am to 12:00 am | FREE | Veterans Park

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Hispanic Heritage market & entertainment in Fort Lauderdale

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Las Olas Oceanside Park

Dream car classic in Hollywood

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Hollywood

Free live music at Jazz Brunch in Fort Lauderdale

11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk

Sight & Sound Deep Cuts

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm | $5.00 | Bill Cosford Cinema

Bluegrass festival and acoustic jam

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Greynolds Park

Celebrate Latin food & culture, Wynwood

1:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Smorgasburg Miami, Wynwood

Family Sundays at Dania Pointe

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Dania Pointe

Zun Zun Children's Festival

2:00 pm | FREE | Miami-Dade County Auditorium

Tropical Sundays Live Music

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series

6:00 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Ocean Drive Promenade, Miami Beach

Free music at Gulfstream in Hallandale

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Gulfstream Park Village

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood beach bandshell

Live Music at VIVO Dolphin Mall

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dolphin Mall

Comedy Night at Nightlife Brewing Co.

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Nightlife Brewing Co., Miami-Dade

Salsa dance class

9:00 pm | FREE | Ball & Chain

 

Patti Roth

About Patti Roth

Patti Roth, the editor of Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap, scouts out state and national deals, discounts and coupons for our readers, finding the real deals and presenting them in an easy-to-read format. A veteran newspaper and magazine writer and a longtime South Florida resident, she has written for The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel and Life, E Environmental Magazine, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, US Architecture and Earth911.com. Send your cheap tips to her at info@fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com.

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