One of the biggest attractions in Fort Lauderdale isn’t the beach and it isn’t Spring Break.

It’s Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, a historic plantation style home that will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of its being built in just three years.

Bonnet House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a Fort Lauderdale Landmark, offers something for everybody. Located on 36 acres, the estate was once the winter retreat of the notable Birch/Bartlett family.

In fact, Bonnet House was designed by Frederic Clay Bartlett and was built in 1920, shortly after World War I and just before the start of the Roaring ’20s.

Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale – Part Art Museum, Part World-Class Garden

Through the years, Bonnet House has seen its share of history — some quite notorious! — and all of which is wonderfully illustrated throughout the tour.

One of the things that make Bonnet House so popular among tourists is that it offers something to do both indoors and outdoors.

Guests can view its massive collection of art treasures and historic collectibles while enjoying the cool air-conditioned comfort of the home’s massive rooms and hallways.

Or you can slip outside and roam Bonnet House’s impressive gardens, which feature tropical plants, wildlife, and many elaborate water fountains.

Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale – A Photogenic Gem

When visiting Bonnet House, make sure to bring your camera. Given its location amid the commercial shops and stores of Fort Lauderdale’s main drag on Birch Road and the white sand beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, there’s a photo opportunity practically around every corner.

Bonnet House offers the ideal outing for large groups. It’s parking lot and driveway are designed to accommodate tour buses and its interior and exterior grounds are large enough that you can mingle for hours and never run into the same people from your group twice.