Ron Gardner Aircraft Observation Area

As

a year ago •

This place is the absolute GOAT! Located on the west end of the fort Lauderdale international airport, this is a large parking lot with a squawk box! This loudspeaker plays the air traffic control audio between the tower and the aircraft arriving and departing the airport. There are no amenities, except for two trash cans, but it is an amazing place to take a break and is open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. I have even turned it into a date night with the wife and brought a picnic meal and sat in the back of the truck and listened and watched the planes come and go. Hats off to Broward county municipal services, as they patrol the area on a regular basis and keep the place nice and clean and make sure the audio is always running! It's a nice quiet place to hang out and brings out the best of the kids in all of us! If you have kids that like to watch airplanes this is the place to do it it's safe with a great view of the northern runways and all the traffic coming and going from the southern set of runways is still visible. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT COME HERE YOU DON'T HAVE THE PUREST OF INTENTIONS! THERE ARE REGULAR PATROLS BY OFFICIAL POLICE! AND YOU CERTAINLY WOULDN'T WANT TO SPOIL IT FOR ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE THAT JUST WANT TO ENJOY A SAFE PLACE TO WATCH SOME PLANES COME AND GO!

John Fusaro

4 months ago •

Upclose and personal. The aircraft pass close to the observation area. Sometimes, the pilot will wave to you. NO amenities, just a parking lot and no cover. Can get hot.

Perks Advisor

3 years ago •

If you enjoy the smell of jet fuel this is your place. Your have a Birdseye view at the end of the runway. This is good for watching the planes begin their takeoff. Most planes landing will still be the the air as they pass the observation area. It is too bad such a good view does not have some seats or an elevated stage to allow all the plane spotters to watch more comfortably. Otherwise, it is it a fun watch.

Michael S.

3 years ago •

Love this place. My son and I take the pick-up and use the bed as a bench. We'll spend an hour or so here just watching the aircraft land and take off. There are two lots to park, in is paved, and one is gravel. The airport also provides a loudspeaker of the air traffic so you can listen in as you watch. Makes for a great afternoon!

Leonela Hodge

2 months ago •

Amazing place. Came here with my babies and we had a great time. ♡ they loved it. Nostalgic for me as a former flight attendant but I’d rather be down here with them looking up than up there missing them down here.