A view of trees and water from the balcony.

WINTER FUN IN FLORIDA SUN 


| Your Fort Lauderdale/Wilton Manors holiday awaits. 

By Bill Malcolm 

Consider a winter getaway to Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors (The Island City which is surrounded by Fort Lauderdale, Florida). The weather is usually perfect: highs in the low 80s and rain-free. There is so much to do and if you stay right in Wilton Manors, you will not need a car. 

WHAT TO DO  

Besides hanging out at Sebastian Beach, there is lots of other stuff to do. 

Hike the boardwalk and enjoy the red mangrove swamp in Colohatchee Park Wilton Manors. I took the electric shuttle there — known as the Circuit Rideshare service — for just $2. Download the app and book your ride. It’s like an UBER but you share a ride using a cute multi-passenger vehicle. The drivers work for tips so be sure and give them one. RideCircuit.com/FortLauderdale.  

Join the Frontrunners for a walk or run. They meet Sundays at 5 p.m. at the Pride Center in Equality Park in Wilton Manors (and also Wednesdays in Holiday Park and Saturday mornings). FRWFL.org. 

Pick up some sexy underwear at the Pride Factory clothing store located at 2282 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors.  

See the shark exhibit at the Frost Science Museum. 

Walk along the Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale. 

The new Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in nearby Hollywood features live sports betting and games such as craps and roulette. It also features restaurants and a guitar shaped hotel. 

The Wilton Manors Library has shared computers and is perfect for teleworkers working out of their Wilton Manors office.  

Download the Seek App and get to know the flora and fauna. Green iguanas are a startling site as are the colorful ducks that walk around the neighborhoods. The various kinds of palms are interesting. With a subtropical climate, you will find flowers not seen elsewhere in the United States.  

Take the Brightline Train to Miami. The super-fast first gets you there in just 30 minutes. You can even buy a snack on board. The train also goes north to Orlando Airport. There is nothing else like it in the U.S. GoBrightLine.com. 

NIGHTLIFE 

Most of the bars are close to each other on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. There must be fifteen bars within steps of each other on both sides of Wilton Manors Drive. Check them out while in town.  

Hunters Wilton Manors is my first stop. There is something going on every night. And yes, this club has same owner as the one in Palm Springs. 2232-2238 Wilton Drive. 

The LIT was just voted the best bar for lesbians. 2440 Wilton Drive.  

You will find the leather crowd at the Eagle in Wilton Manors. 2209 Wilton Drive. 

Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar (of P-Town fame) is a lot of fun. 2266 Wilton Manor 

Johnson’s has dancers and a happy hour from 5 ’til 8 p.m. 2340 Wilton Drive. 

The new NoManors Bar is a lot of fun. 2246 Wilton Drive. 

WHERE AND WHAT TO EAT 

Enjoy a burger at Rosie’s Bar and Grill. The popular hangout is a necessary stop. 2449 Wilton Drive. 

Pub on the Drive also has great food and a brunch Saturdays and Sundays. 2271 Wilton Manor Drive.  

Since I travel by myself, I prefer getting food to go at grocery stores. The Publix Market, Florida’s iconic grocery store, can be found at 2633 N. Dixie Highway. Try the hot food bar, which features southern classics. Pick up some Jaymar brand super sweet Florida strawberries for breakfast or a snack. Get cash at their Presto! ATM which features no surcharge for many users with accounts at a credit union. 

The new Sprouts Market is another option. They, too, have made-to-order sandwiches and other items. 

WHERE TO STAY  

The new Wilton River Suites is right on the river and is walkable to and from the bars in Wilton Manors. Check out a bike or kayak during your stay. You get your own apartment, some of which have two bathrooms. They also feature an onsite gym and pool. WiltonSuites.com. 

Men will like the even closer in Calypso Inn, which features a small pool. The tropical outdoor gardens are impressive, and it is just two blocks to the bars in Wilton Manors. Tell Wes, the owner, I sent you. CalypsoInnWiltonManors.com. 

I have also stayed at the Home2Suites By Hilton in the Flagler Arts Village District. The newer hotel is handy to the Riverwalk and downtown. Hilton.com/en/hotels/fllhtht-home2-suites-fort-lauderdale-downtown/ 

 

GETTING THERE 

I took Southwest Airlines without incident to and from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Then you can UBER your way to the hotel or take the #1 Bus to the #50 Bus to get to Wilton Manors. Details at Broward County Transit (Broward.org). The Tri Rail (Tri-Rail.com) runs from the airport to the city. Tri Rail also runs from Miami International Airport, as well. Skip the traffic and parking headaches and UBER or take transit. And if you stay in Wilton Manors, you can walk everywhere.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

OUT SFL carries my column and is a newspaper and a magazine. Pick up a copy of either or find them at OUTSFL.com.  

HOTSpots! Florida is another gay tabloid and also a reliable source of current goings-on. You can read them on line at HOTSpotsMagazine.com. 

The monthly OutClique Magazine also has lots of ideas of what to do while in town. 

Special recognition to Richard Gray for his travel tips. Richard is the Senior Vice President of Inclusion and Accessibility for Visit Lauderdale who single handedly transformed Fort Lauderdale into the most welcoming LGBTQ+ city on the planet. 

“Everyone Under the Sun†is their motto. Fort Lauderdale wrote the book on how to promote your city. 

You owe yourself a visit.  

Bill Malcolm’s syndicated LGBTQ travel country is carried by LGBTQ publications throughout North America.  

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