Little do most beachgoers suspect what lies behind the fence and wall of greenery a few yards away. This 35-acre spread named after the Bonnet lily is a trip back in time to 1921, when artist and collector Frederic Clay Bartlett built a gracious two-story manse in a kind of Caribbean plantation style, filled with art and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, where he wintered with a first, then a second wife (the latter of whom, Evelyn, some of the friendly and talkative volunteer guides even met). The 1[bf]1/4-hour self-guided tour introduces visitors to quirky Floridians, whimsical artwork, lush grounds, and intriguing design. For history buffs, the $30 docent-led tour gives a more in-depth look at the stories of those who lived here. There’s also a $40 VIP tour, with access to normally closed areas, but that’s more than most visitors need, or enjoy, quite frankly.
Fort Lauderdale
Travel Guide
Fort Lauderdale› Attraction
Bonnet House
900 N. Birch Rd. (off Sunrise Blvd.), Fort Lauderdale, FL
Aleksandr Dyskin / Shutterstock
Our Rating
Hours
Tues-Fri 11am-3pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm
Phone
954/563-5393
Prices
Admission to house and grounds $25 adults, $8 kids 6 to 17. Grounds only admission $10
Web site
Bonnet House
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.