Fort Lauderdale: Riverwalk Audio Tour & Downtown Walk

Summary

Las Olas Riverwalk stroll with stories art and old houses

You’ll set your own pace along Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Riverwalk with an audio guide that shares local stories as you go. Pause for river views or coffee, learn about historic houses like Stranahan House, and explore art spots and parks whenever you feel like it. This tour lets you wander freely — you might even find yourself lingering longer than planned.

What’s the experience like?

I started the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk audio tour mostly out of curiosity — I’d walked Las Olas before, but never really paid attention to what was around me. The voice in my headphones had this easy way of pointing things out, like a local friend who’s both patient and a little bit nerdy about history. At Esplanade Park, there was this breeze coming off the New River that carried a hint of salt and sunscreen, even though the beach was still a couple miles away. I stopped for coffee from a sidewalk cart and sat on a bench just listening to boats thrum past. You don’t rush this kind of thing; nobody seemed to mind if I lingered.

The audio nudged me along — “Hey, check out that sculpture” (the Thrive Sculpture is way bigger than it looks in photos), or “Here’s why this old house matters.” The Stranahan House made me pause longer than I expected. There’s something about seeing Florida’s oldest building wedged between all these glass towers that makes you think about time differently. A couple of locals were arguing cheerfully over whether the King-Cromartie House is actually haunted or just creaky; I didn’t see any ghosts, but I did get goosebumps reading the plaque outside. The commentary kicked in right as I was wondering what happened here before all the yachts showed up.

I liked that the Riverwalk audio tour let me wander off-track without losing my place — the GPS just waited for me to get close again before picking up the story. At one point, I got distracted by murals near NSU Art Museum (they’re bold, not subtle), and ended up people-watching outside a cafe for half an hour. Nobody hurried me along; even the app seemed fine with it. By the end, I’d learned more random facts than I’ll ever need (who knew commemorative bricks could be so political?), but mostly I just felt weirdly connected to downtown Fort Lauderdale in a way I hadn’t before.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk highlights

• Start tour along riverfront
• Pass Broward Center for Performing Arts
• Walk through Esplanade Park
• Visit Museum of Discovery & Science
• Learn about New River's name
• See historic buildings at History Fort Lauderdale
• View New River Inn architecture
• Discover King-Cromartie House history
• Explore Philemon Nathaniel Bryan House
• Visit Hoch Heritage Center
• See World Trade Center rail monument
• Walk through Thrive Sculpture archway
• Stop at The Historic Downtowner
• Pass NSU Art Museum
• Visit unique satellite campus
• View New River Yacht Club Apartments
• Notice commemorative bricks and banners
• Walk through Cigarette Park
• Explore Rio Vista neighborhood
• Visit Historic Stranahan House Museum
• See Ward Plaza
• Walk along Las Olas Boulevard
• Reach Las Olas Beach
• Pass Wayne Huizenga Plaza
• Complete audio tour

Top questions

How long does the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk audio tour take?

The route takes about 1–1.5 hours if you don’t stop much, but you can go at your own pace and pause anywhere.

Is the Riverwalk audio tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on this walking tour are wheelchair accessible.

Can I use public transportation to reach the starting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby.

Does the audio guide work without internet connection?

Yes, once downloaded on WiFi before starting, no signal or data is required during the tour.

What attractions are included on this self-guided walk?

You’ll pass Esplanade Park, Stranahan House Museum, Hoch Heritage Center, NSU Art Museum, Thrive Sculpture, Las Olas Boulevard and more.

Can infants or small children join this walking tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller along the route.

How does the commentary play during the tour?

The app uses GPS so commentary automatically plays when you approach each point of interest.

Do I have to follow a set schedule or date?

No schedule — once purchased, you can do the tour anytime and take as long as you like.

What’s included

Your day includes unlimited access to the self-guided Riverwalk audio tour on your chosen device (or devices), automatic commentary triggered by GPS as you approach each spot along Las Olas Boulevard and downtown Fort Lauderdale landmarks, plus customer service support if needed — all with no time limits or required booking date. Just download ahead on WiFi and start whenever you’re ready.