Fort Lauderdale History Museums & New River Walking Tour

Three museums and a guided walk along the historic heart of Fort Lauderdale

This guided tour of Fort Lauderdale's History Museum, Pioneer House Museum, and 1899 Replica Schoolhouse Museum combines a short video presentation with a walking tour along the New River in downtown. The guide leads you through three separate buildings on the river's banks, then back to the main museum to explore Seminole culture, maritime history, and pioneer exhibits. Children under 7 are free. The route is wheelchair accessible except the second floor of two buildings, where an ADA STORY app lets visitors view exhibits on their own devices.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit three museums and walking tour

• Watch video presentation in main museum
• Take walking tour along New River
• Visit Pioneer House Museum
• Visit 1899 Replica Schoolhouse Museum
• Explore Seminole, maritime, pioneer exhibits

The experience

You start indoors with a short video presentation at the main museum, then step outside for a guided walk along the New River's banks. The guide leads you to the Pioneer House Museum first, then to the 1899 Replica Schoolhouse Museum. Both are separate stops on the same grounds. After visiting those two, you return to the main museum to move through the Seminole culture, maritime history, and pioneer exhibits at your own pace. All three buildings sit on the river in the heart of downtown, so the walking portions are short and the whole experience runs between one and two hours.

The New River location is the real draw here. These three museums cluster on landscaped grounds right where Fort Lauderdale's history began, and the guide's knowledge of the area ties the separate buildings together into one story instead of three isolated stops. If you're new to the city or have a free afternoon between other plans, this tour gives you the layout of downtown and the context for what you're looking at without requiring a car or advance planning.

Wheelchair access covers most of the route, though the second floor of the New River Inn and the King-Cromartie house are not accessible by chair. If you need to see those exhibits, the ADA STORY app (available in multiple languages) lets you view them on your own phone or tablet from the first floor. Children under 7 get in free, and strollers are welcome on the walking portions.

What’s included

• Short video presentation at the main museum.
• guided walking tour along the New River.
• entry to Pioneer House Museum and 1899 Replica Schoolhouse Museum.
• access to Seminole culture, maritime history, and pioneer exhibits in the main museum.
• live guide in English.
• children under 7 enter free.

Information

Lasts 1h–2h, runs every day at 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00, from US$ 15 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 35

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (7 to 17 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 27 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by History Fort Lauderdale

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're spending a free afternoon in downtown Fort Lauderdale and want the city's history explained as you walk: the guide ties the three separate buildings into one story instead of leaving you to figure out what each one means on your own.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 17 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What's inside the three museums on this tour?

The Pioneer House Museum and the 1899 Replica Schoolhouse Museum are separate historic buildings you visit with the guide. The main museum holds the Seminole culture exhibits, maritime history displays, and pioneer artifacts. You explore those on your own after the guided portion ends.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs between one and two hours, including the video presentation, the guided walk to both historic houses, and time to browse the main museum's exhibits afterward.

Is there wheelchair access for all three buildings?

Most of the route is wheelchair accessible. The second floor of the New River Inn and the King-Cromartie house are not accessible by wheelchair, but an ADA STORY app in multiple languages lets you view those exhibits on your own device from the first floor.

Where exactly is this tour located?

All three museums sit on the banks of the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Public transportation options are available nearby if you don't have a car.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the museums?

Transportation to and from the museums is not included in the tour, so you'll need to arrange your own way to the New River location downtown. Once you arrive, the guide meets you at the main museum to begin.