Hi,

We will have four hours and forty-five minutes between our Twin Air flight and our connection in the main Fort Lauderdale terminal on our return trip. Is this enough time to leave the airport and if so is there an easy way to leave for dinner and to come back; or would it be better to stay at the airport?

Also, what is the airport like? What types of shops and restaurants are available?

Thank You,
Gem

I love Ft. Lauderdale airport, because it is so "easy". We've started making the just under two hour drive over to fly in and out of there rather than our own nearby Ft. Myers (better connections, usually). But there isn't much there, just a couple of snack bar type restaurants and minimal souveneir type shops and newstands.
I'm usually too nervous about getting back to leave an airport, but you could get a taxi and go somewhere for dinner. It's only 15 minutes or so to a lot of neat places. What time of day is this? And if eating, what kind of food or price?
Are you the ones asking about Mai-Kai, etc. on the way through?

To sparklegem.
Take a cab to Las Olas blvd.
Take a walk .
Stop for a drink at Mangos.
Do not eat at Marks.
Make certain you have the cabs
phone number to call them back.
you have 2 hrs.

Have fun

Eat at Mango's (shades of a TGI Friday's or Ruby Tuesdays) rather than Marks?

Well if you don't appreciate fine dining by one of the top chefs in the country with exquisite service and a good wine list, then yes I guess you're right.

Sorry, in the light of a new day, I fear my post last night comes off a little strong. Let me say I've eaten at Mango's. It's a fun, noisy, jam-packed place. It's not about the food, but about the drinks -- huge tropical drinks are a specialty and the goal of the young crowd seems to be how many they can drink.
So it certainly depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a fine dining experience, you couldn't beat Mark's Las Olas. If you're looking for casual fun where the food is secondary (but you get lots of it) then Mango's is fine.

It just seemed an odd post from captbuzz, as there is no comparison between the two restaurants. Sort of like someone saying, "if you're going to New York don't eat at Grammercy Tavern, but eat at Stage Deli".

Thank you for the replies!

We arrive at 4:30pm and fly out at 8:45.

Does anyone know if it take quite a bit of time coming through customs? If so that would cut even more into our small window of time.

If we did go into town, I would want to visit the Lily Pulitzer store and have dinner. We are not into the TGIF' scene and our time might not allow a fine dinning experience. We value good food over atmosphere possibly some thing ethnic or a diner?

On our way out we are trying to fit in a visit to the Bonnet House; so we will be pretty tight meeting our departing 1pm flight. Do the rental car shuttles deliver to the Twin Air terminal? Is it a lengthy procedure?

Thank you again for all your help!!
Gem

P.S. We are the ones plannig to visit the Mai Kai.

With two hours, I'd go to Hollywood and find a nice little restaurant on the oceanfront Broadwalk ( a thirty foot wide pedestrian and bike walkway on Hollywood Beach) and have a leisurely lunch.

Hollywood is much less crowded than Ft. Lauderdale, less traffic, and prettier beaches.

The airport is only about 5 miles from either beach. BTW, it is the Ft.Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport.

I just remembered a pretty and relaxing fairly large restaurant on the intracoastal called Martha's. Its near the airport. We were taken there for a really nice lunch from the Design Center. Anybody know more about this place? It would be a cool and relaxing place to have dinner without going into town, etc. It's been a few years. Still there?

Thank you for the great tips.
Hollywood sounds like a good idea. I looked at Fodor's recommended restaurants. The Sushi Blues Cafe sounds nice.
Thank you for all great advice!!
Gem

Dear Patrick
With 2-2.5 hrs to spare
Marks is not the place to rush an EXPENSIVE meal.
Had much better for less in NYC.
There is always Cheeburger,Cheeburger.
Thats a joke Patrick.

I think taking a cab to Las Olas is a good idea. There are tons of places to eat and walk around and see what you like. I don't think Mark's is good; Ft. Laud has better choices. You go to Mango's for the atmosphere, not the food; it is Friday's type food. There are lots of other choices. Or you could take a cab to Riverfront, which has shops, restaurants and bars and it's on the New River. There's also Casablanca Cafe on A1A south of Las Olas. Good atmosphere and food.

The Ft. Laud. airport is easy, but the food and shop selection stinks.

There is a "Chili's Too" in the airport, so if you don't make it out, it is an option.

It wasn't my question, but thanks everyone for the suggestions. I know nothing of this airport and hopefully will be in and out of it a couple of times next February.

I'll print it out and take the suggestions. On the way out once, I think I'll go to Hollywood Beach as I love Boardwalks. May look up the Marthas if I have more time going in once. My flights are great times on ATA and from exactly where I want to leave, but they may be no more by then. Airlines are making me nuts.