Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is a big city mixed with a hint of ocean adventure. The most popular things to do include water sports, exploring hidden natural settings, and enjoying the conveniences of an urban area.

• Lauderdale-by-the-Sea – small beach town with a lively downtown, quiet beaches, and vibrant coral reefs accessible from shore.
• Everglades National Park – Florida’s largest National Park loaded with alligators, tropical birds, and airboat tours.
• Las Olas Boulevard – active downtown strip parallel to the New River with cocktail bars and tasty taquerias.
• Boating – Fort Lauderdale has a boat tour catering to all crowds throughout its 300+ miles of navigable waterways.
• Bonnet House Museum & Gardens – historical beachfront mansion tucked away in a slice of natural coastal landscape.

👉 Explore all things to do in Fort Lauderdale. 

Beachfront resorts, reputable hotels, and privately owned motels provide a blend of options throughout the greater Fort Lauderdale area.

• Hyatt Centric Las Olas – centrally located, high-end hotel in the heart of downtown.
• Beach Aqualina Apartments – a quaint, 40s Florida-style hotel in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.
• Conrad – luxurious beachfront resort in Fort Lauderdale Beach equipped with a spa and rooftop pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

⛱️ Beaches

The main draw to Fort Lauderdale is its 26 miles of sandy beaches each attracting different crowds.

• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park – State Park with hiking trails, playgrounds, cycling loop, and even an oceanfront bar & grill.
• Hollywood Beach Broadwalk – car-free ocean drive along the waterfront in beautiful Hollywood Beach.
• Fort Lauderdale Beach Park – largest public beach in Fort Lauderdale with bathrooms, basketball & volleyball courts, picnic tables, and grills.
• Lauderdale-by-the-Sea – quaint, family-friendly stretch of sand with frequent visits from nesting sea turtles.
• Pompano Beach Park – a newly renovated oceanfront community with tiki bars, playgrounds, and a fishing pier.

🚗 Day Trips

• Miami – the vibrant city known for its nightlife and Latin culture is a mere 20 miles south.
• Jupiter – an emerging destination in Florida with outdoor adventure abound.
• Fort Myers – straight across the Everglades is Fort Myers – a taste of the Midwest right on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
• Key Largo – visit the only natural coral reef in the continental United States down in the Florida Keys.
• West Palm Beach – the culturally significant city boasts museums, high-end shopping, and beautiful beaches.

👉 Read full list of the best day trips from Fort Lauderdale.

🏘️ Neighborhoods

• Las Olas – a downtown district with bars, nightclubs, museums, and the famous dive bars of old Fort Lauderdale.
• Central Beach – main tourist area in town along the crystal blue Atlantic Ocean.
• Victoria Park – oldest neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale with a thick canopy covering historical homes and family-owned apartments.
• Flagler Village – up an coming arts district with trendy breweries, coffee shops, and nightclubs.
• Galt Mile – crowd-less public beaches in a quiet neighborhood on the north end of Fort Lauderdale Beach.

🍸 Bars

• The Wharf – massive open-air bar with food trucks, yard games, and riverfront views in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
• Elbo Room – cash-only, beachfront dive bar established in 1939 with live music and a lively crowd.
• Glitch Arcade Bar – free arcade games, trivia nights, food trucks, and cold drinks at this unique bar in Flagler Village.
• Rosie’s Bar & Grill – quality food and drink on a tropical patio in Fort Lauderdale’s LGBT neighborhood of Wilton Manors.
• The Wilder – classic cocktail bar in the heart of downtown with a leafy terrace and a 3-room lounge.

⛵ Boat Tours

• Jungle Queen – a riverboat tour culminating with a tropical island BBQ, comedy show, and fire juggling.
• Water Taxi – explore the entire city as you hop on and off at your leisure aboard the Water Taxi.
• Paddle Pub – paddle and drink your way up and down the New River with your closest friends.
• Jet Skiing – jet ski on the open ocean or within the Intracoastal Waterway through Millionaire’s Row.
• Sailing – set sail to the Bahamas, Miami, or the Florida Keys aboard one of the many sailing charters in the city.

👉 Read full list of best Fort Lauderdale boat tours.

🍸 Museums & Culture

• NSU Art Museum – a beautiful art gallery on Las Olas Boulevard with rotating exhibits and Latin influence.
• Museum of Science & Discovery – geared towards children, the museum is the perfect way to spend a rainy day for families.
• Stranahan House – the longest standing structure in Fort Lauderdale is now shadowed by skyscrapers.
• Broward Center for the Performing Arts – concerts, plays, and dances all take place in this classical theatre.
• Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum – an interesting exploration of the firefighting days of old.

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

With a year-round tropical climate, there’s no bad time to visit Fort Lauderdale. However, each season does come with its pros and cons.

• 🍂 Spring –  the best, yet busiest (thus most expensive), time to visit. The temperatures are perfect, the skies are clear, and the seas are calm.
• 🌞 Winter –  generally stays warm but a cold spell or two can pass through for a week at a time.
• ❄️ Summer –  hot and humid with daily afternoon showers. Morning’s are pleasant for boating and beaching.
• 🌼 Fall – Weather is amazing, but it’s the heart of hurricane season – airfare may be cheap but it’s a roll of the dice.

👉 Read full guide to when to visit Fort Lauderdale.

🚌 Getting Around

Public transit isn’t geared to visitors but other, unique ways are available to get around Fort Lauderdale.

• 🚶‍♀️ Walking – each neighborhood is walkable within itself (i.e downtown, the beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea). However, you won’t want to walk from one to the other.
• 🚗 Driving – recommended to maximize your time but you’ll pay a lot for parking.
• 🚇 Public Transit – used by locals commuting into the city. Not recommended for tourists.
• 📲 Ride Share – Uber and Lyft are affordable means to get around.
• 🚴‍♀️ Biking – Broward BCycle stations are scattered throughout the city and are unlockable via phone.
• 🛥️ Boating – a day pass with the Water Taxi will get you around town in a unique way.
• 🚄 Train – the Brightline is America’s only eco-friendly, high-speed railway traveling between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

👉 Tips & Things to Know

• 🌧️ Don’t Mind the Rain – the forecast will call for thunderstorms every day during the summer but in reality, it usually holds off or lasts a short time.
• ☀️ Wear Sun Protection – the tropical sun is no joke so cover up and use plenty of sunscreen.
• 🌊 Check Wind Speed – if boating, windy days are miserable on the water. Plan accordingly.
• 🌆 Explore Nearby Areas – surrounding cities like Pompano Beach, Dania Beach, Davie, and Hollywood are worthy of exploration.
• 🌞Beat the Heat Early – temperatures are the coolest early in the day if you’re seeking outdoor exercise while visiting.

🧳 What to Pack

• 🧴 Reef-friendly Sunscreen – our waters are covered in coral reefs right near shore. Reef-friendly sunscreen helps protect them.
• 👡 Flip-Flops – sandy toes are but one flick of the foot away.
• 🎒 Dry Bag – with water sports likely on your itinerary, a dry bag backpack is useful to keep your valuables dry.
• 🕶️ Sunglasses – the sun always shines bright in South Florida.
• 👕 UPF Clothing – clothing with a high UPF rating can save your skin from the intense sun.

🤓 Facts & Info

• Census Population (2020) – 183,109 (Fort Lauderdale city), 6.17 million (Miami-metro area)
• Time Zone – Eastern Time (UTC -5:00 / UTC -4:00 during daylight savings)
• Area Codes – 954 & 754
• Airports – Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Nickname – Venice of America; Yachting Capital of the World
• State – Florida
• Country – United States of America

💵 Costs & Budgeting

• 3 Star Hotel Room – $120 – $300 /night
• 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $80 – $200 /night
• Rental Car – $100+ /day
• Public Transit Ticket – ~$5 ($10 to airport from center)
• RideShare from Downtown to Airport – $15 – $20
• Take Out Meal for Two – $20 – $40
• Sit Down Dinner for Two – $70 – $200
• Draft Beer – $5 – $10