Brightline handy shortcut from West Palm to Fort Lauderdale Boat Show: What to know before you go
Whether you're the son of a son of a sailor or a landlubber who just happens to love boats, there's something for everyone at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2023 that is happening Wednesday, Oct. 25 to Sunday, Oct. 29.
And if the fear of having to battle traffic from here to there has kept you from driving to the biggest of all boat shows in the past, there's a new work-around from West Palm Beach that might be worth reconsidering: The Brightline train can get you there.
Spread out over seven locations in the yachting capital of the world, the 64th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show will have over a thousand boats on display along with thousands of exhibitors representing 52 countries.
Owned by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and produced by Informa Markets, it is reported to be the largest in-water boat show in the world.
The event will showcase yachts from some of the world's leading manufacturers including Tiara, Majesty Yachts, Princess Yachts, Sunreef Yachts, Sportsman Boats and more.
It will also include fishing boats, runabouts and cruisers along with marine accessories, fishing equipment, diving accessories and personal watercraft.
The massive, though easily accessible show, will be spread across these locations: the Broward County Convention Center, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Las Olas Marina, Hall of Fame Marina, SuperYacht Village at Pier 66 South, Pier 66 Marina and 17th Street Yacht Basin.
At the BCCC there will be an 'Aquazone,' which will provide an exhibition of must-have water sports and marine products and a 'Kids Corner' where guests can enjoy a family-friendly experience with face paining, marine arts & crafts with The Blue Wild and kids fishing clinics with Captain Don Dingman.
Guests will also get an up-close look at vehicles from FLIBS' proud truck and towing partner, Ford.
More to enjoy than just yachts at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Spread throughout the event will be over 100 food concessions and satellite bars. If you're craving it they've probably got it. Enjoy street tacos, hand-crafted burgers, Greek gyros, woodfired picanha, stone crab claws, calamari, oysters and much more.
Need a tasty beverage to wash down that goodness? Check out the Goslings’ Dark ‘N Stormy Island Bar, Anheuser-Busch Island Beer Garden, Stella Artois Barge, the Island Cocktail Barge and more.
Though the BCCC will serve as the official transportation hub of the event and has over 3,000 parking spots, if you're planning to travel from Orlando, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Aventura or Miami to the event there's another, perhaps more appealing option.
How to take the Brightline to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Brightline trains will allow attendees from Orlando, West Palm Beach, Boca, Aventura and Miami to skip the traffic and parking.
After arriving at the Fort Lauderdale Brightline Station, there is a shuttle that will take guests to a water taxi on the New River. That water taxi can then take boat show attendees to the six marinas and the Broward County Convention Center. There is also the option of taking the water taxi to the Bahia Mar Yachting Center and then hopping on a shuttle to get to the Superyacht Village at Pier 66, Pier 66 Marina, 17th Street Yacht Basin and the BCCC.
In addition to avoiding traffic or parking headaches, people taking the Brightline can get from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale in as little as 35 minutes. Furthermore, Brightline's in-station Mary Mary bars will be serving a specialty drink, the Rumgroni, featuring Havana Club rum, for the duration of the show.
The cost for a one-way ticket leaving from West Palm Beach on Wednesday and Thursday starts at $19 and goes up to $24 Friday through the weekend. Check the Brightline website for more information and to buy tickets.
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2023
What: The world's biggest boat show, featuring more than 1,000 boats
Where: seven locations in Fort Lauderdale including Bahia Mar Yachting Center, 801 Seabreeze Blvd.; Las Olas Marina, 240 E. Las Olas Circle; Hall of Fame Marina, 435 Seabreeze Blvd.; SuperYacht Village at Pier 66 South, 2150 SE 17th St.; Pier 66 Marina, 2301 SE 17th St.; Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Blvd.; and 17th Street Yacht Basin, 1881 SE 17th St.
Parking: There is a park-and-ride service at the Broward County Convention Center for $25 per day. You can also park at the city's various garages and pay those parking rates via app.
When: noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, Friday, Oct. 27, Saturday, Oct. 29; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29.
Cost: one-day adult tickets are $42, two-day adult tickets are $70, one-day child (ages 6 to 15) $16, under 6 free with ticketed adult. There also various VIP packages available.
Information: flibs.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Brightline train from West Palm to Fort Lauderdale boat show info
