Idlewyld Guide GLEN PRIMAK GROUP SERHANT.

Things to do

Things to Do Near Idlewyld, Fort Lauderdale

By Glen Primak, GLEN PRIMAK GROUP · Updated

Idlewyld sits on the south side of East Las Olas Boulevard at the Intracoastal, between the Las Olas shopping and dining corridor to the west and Fort Lauderdale Beach across the Las Olas bridge to the east. Distances and drive times vary by street, so check a map for your exact address.

Coming up

  • Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: October 28 – November 1, 2026. The show’s venues include the Bahia Mar Yachting Center (801 Seabreeze Blvd), across the Intracoastal from Idlewyld. Expect heavy boat and road traffic, plus temporary waterway restrictions announced in Coast Guard notices. Show details →

In the neighborhood

  • Fourth of July parade: the Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations describes Idlewyld’s neighborhood parade as a tradition of nearly 50 years. Check with the Idlewyld Improvement Association for each year’s plans.

Dining & shopping

  • Las Olas Boulevard: restaurants, galleries and shops west of the Intracoastal. lasolasboulevard.com

Glen’s local favorites

A few places Glen Primak returns to near Idlewyld. These are personal picks, not paid placements; check each restaurant’s site for hours and reservations.

  • Chima Steakhouse: a Brazilian steakhouse at 2400 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, on Las Olas just west of the Intracoastal. chimasteakhouse.com
  • Earls Kitchen + Bar (Las Olas): at 1002 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, on the Las Olas dining corridor. earls.ca
  • Takato: a Japanese–Korean restaurant at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, 551 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, on the beach side of the Intracoastal. takatorestaurant.com

Beach & outdoors

  • Fort Lauderdale Beach: across the East Las Olas bridge.
  • Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: a state park between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal at 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd. Hours, fees and closures change, so check floridastateparks.org before you go.
  • On the water: a sandbar day, fishing offshore from Port Everglades, or a run up the ICW. See the boating guide →

Culture

  • Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: a historic estate and gardens on the barrier island. bonnethouse.org
Apart from Glen's favorites above, this list is a starting point, not an endorsement. Event dates and venue details change, so confirm with each organizer. Have a favorite local spot to suggest? Tell us.

Sources

  1. Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show — 2026 dates and locations — FLIBS (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
  2. Las Olas Boulevard — Las Olas Association (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
  3. Chima Steakhouse, Fort Lauderdale (address) — Chima Steakhouse (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
  4. Earls Las Olas (Fort Lauderdale) (address) — Earls Kitchen + Bar (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
  5. Takato at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach (address) — Takato (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
  6. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens — Bonnet House (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
  7. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (hours, fees, closures) — Florida State Parks (Florida DEP) (accessed Oct 24, 2026)
  8. Idlewyld's Annual 4th of July Parade (Council Corner, June 2026) — Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations (accessed Oct 24, 2026)