ways to play in 3 hours or less

With sunkissed beaches, outdoor cafes, shopping galore and exciting attractions just minutes away, it's easy to trade airport blues for sunny hues.

Here are some ways to play before your flight home.

LAS OLAS BOULEVARD
Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Take a leisurely stroll, people watch, sip a cappuccino at an outdoor cafe or shop the chic boutiques along Las Olas Boulevard, a sophisticated mile of fashion, art and sidewalk cafes. Stop by Stranahan House, a preserved 1900s house furnished with antiques of the era. Or " follow the red brick road" of Riverwalk, the landscaped park, to the Arts & Entertainment District.  Taxi from Port Everglades: $11-16 for 15-min ride.

RIVERWALK ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
Downtown Fort Lauderdale (954) 468-1541
The heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale is comprised of shopping, dining, waterfront parks, and cultural attractions -- the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Discovery & Science, Florida Grand Opera, Historic Second St., Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, and Stranahan House. All are along brick-lined Riverwalk, a meandering promenade that runs along the New River. The 22-block district includes chic Las Olas Blvd. and Las Olas Riverfront, the entertainment complex. Taxi from Port Everglades: $11-16.

BEACHFRONT PROMENADE
Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard (954) 760-9570
Only two miles north of Port Everglades, you can experience the landscaped beachfront promenade with its signature white wave wall and brick paved path. Across the street, visit Beachplace for casual fun, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Taxi from Port Everglades: $11-16.

BOAT TOURS ALONG INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY & MILLIONAIRE'S ROW
WATER TAXI
(954) 467-6677
Scheduled service from 10am. Closest docks to Port Everglades are stops # 7, (Convention Center / Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina) and stop # 6 (Hyatt Regency Pier 66), both on 17th Street. Additional stops include beach access, restaurants, and attractions. Call for taxi schedule and more information. All-day, unlimited service pass is $13, $7 after 7pm.

RIVERFRONT CRUISES
(954) 463-3440 Las Olas Riverfront
1 1/2-hour sightseeing cruise. Every 2 hrs from 10:30am-6pm. Adults $20, Seniors $18, under 16$10. Taxi from Port Everglades: $11-16 for 15-min ride.

IGFA FISHING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
300 Gulfstream Way, Dania Beach (954) 922-4212
World-class state-of-the-art facility includes seven galleries, an outdoor marina, living wetlands, a theater and indoor/outdoor demonstrations.Open: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-6pm. Adults $8, seniors & children $5.  Taxi from Port Everglades: $11-16 for 15-min ride.

BONNET HOUSE MUSEUM & GARDENS
900 N. Birch Rd., Fort Lauderdale (954) 563-5393
Just about two miles away, nestled between the beach and the Intracostal waterway, is Bonnet House, a 35-acre historical estate that was once home to artists Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett. Learn about Fort Lauderdale's history, art, nature, and a true love story between two artists. Open: Tue-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm, Closed Mon and some holidays. Adults $20, seniors $18, children 6-12 $16. Taxi from Port Everglades: $11-16 for 15-min ride.

SAWGRASS MILLS MALL
12801 West Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise (954) 846-2350
Florida's largest discount and entertainment mall features over 350 designer outlets, specialty shops and restaurants. Don't miss the Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass, a high-end luxury fashion district, including Coach, David Yurman (the first U.S. outlet store), Burberry and Salvatore Ferragamo. Dining scene includes Grand Lux Cafe, Legal Seafoods, PF Chang's and more. Allow at least three hours to experience this shopping mecca. Taxi from Port Everglades: $35 for 30 min. ride.

SWAP SHOP
3291 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale (954)791-7927
The Swap Shop is the largest outdoor/indoor flea market in the U.S., featuring more than 2000 vendors selling new merchandise plus video arcade, plants, carnival rides and farmers market. Open Mon-Thurs 9am-5:30pm, Fri-Sun 8am-6:30pm. Free.  Taxi from Port Everglades: $13-18 for 20-min ride.

THE GALLERIA
2414 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale (954) 564-1015
For more shopping adventure just off of Fort Lauderdale Beach, the Galleria Mall features Neiman-Marcus, Macy's, Dillard's, Red Door Spa, restaurants, nightlife.  Taxi from Port Everglades: $11-16 for 15-min ride.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HOLLYWOOD
Harrison St., Hollywood Blvd. and Young Circle, Hollywood (954) 921-3016
Dining and entertainment in this charming downtown area listed on the National Register of Historic Places is always a pleasure with restaurants, shops, galleries, wine-tastings and free events galore. From family fun at Funtastic Friday every week in Anniversary Park to live music and entertainment at the ArtsPark at Young Circle every Thursday through Sunday, historic Downtown Hollywood is where you want to be. Taxi from Port Everglades: $13-18 for 20-min ride.

HOLLYWOOD BEACH BROADWALK
A1A between Sheridan St. and Hollywood Blvd.
Day or night, rent a bicycle and take a scenic tour along a beautiful oceanfront promenade, without a single car getting in the way. Lounge in a cabana chair, or enjoy a casual seaside dining experience just steps away from the beach. Catch live music almost nightly at the outdoor theater. Hollywood is where you want to beach. Taxi from Port Everglades: $11-16.