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Fort Lauderdale Travel Guide

Best neighborhoods, things to do, and when to visit

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale threads more than 300 miles of navigable canals through a grid of low-rise neighborhoods, so water taxis often make more sense than cars. Las Olas Boulevard runs from downtown galleries to a beachfront promenade where winter days hover near 76°F (24°C).

Canal cruising · Beach days · Boating culture

  • Airport

    Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, just south of downtown

  • Language

    English, with Spanish widely spoken

  • Currency

    US dollar (USD, $); cards accepted almost everywhere

  • Ideal trip length

    Four to five days, longer for beach time

Best time to visit Fort Lauderdale

November – April

Average temperature

61-83°F (16-28°C), Dry, sunny days with mild nights and the year's lowest rainfall totals.

Crowd Level

High

Reason To Visit

Between November and April, highs settle near 76-83°F (24-28°C) and rain stays light, so beach days, canal cruises, and outdoor dining rarely get interrupted.

Fall event

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach

Things to do

Swim at Fort Lauderdale Beach, paddle the canals by kayak, and walk the Riverwalk to Las Olas Boulevard for galleries and sidewalk cafes.

Popular events

Spring

Tortuga Music Festival, Fort Lauderdale Air Show, Las Olas Wine and Food Festival

Summer

Fourth of July Spectacular, Fort Lauderdale Pride Month Events

Fall

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Las Olas Art Fair

Winter

Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival

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Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale

Canal-side islands, beach blocks and walkable in-town pockets across Fort Lauderdale

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Las Olas Isles

Waterfront, Upscale

Finger islands ringed by canals and docked boats, a short walk from the shops on Las Olas Boulevard.

Known for

Canal homes and boat docks near Las Olas shops

Things to do nearby

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Fort Lauderdale Beach

Nearby neighborhoods

Victoria Park, Rio Vista, Colee Hammock

Lauderdale Beach

Beachy, Relaxed

An oceanfront pocket where sand and the beachfront promenade sit within a few blocks of your door.

Known for

Walk-to-sand stays along the Atlantic

Things to do nearby

Fort Lauderdale Beach, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Nearby neighborhoods

Central Beach, Idlewyld, Las Olas Isles

Victoria Park

Leafy, Residential

Tree-shaded streets of older homes just inland, close to downtown and the Las Olas corridor.

Known for

Quiet residential streets near downtown

Things to do nearby

Holiday Park, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Nearby neighborhoods

Flagler Heights, Colee Hammock, Las Olas Isles

Flagler Heights

Urban, Artsy

A downtown-edge district of galleries and apartments, handy for walking to Riverwalk and the arts venues.

Known for

Gallery walks and downtown apartment living

Things to do nearby

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Nearby neighborhoods

Victoria Park, Progresso Village

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Low-key, Seaside

A small beach town north of the city, built around a fishing pier and low-rise streets.

Known for

Pier, shore snorkeling and small-town pace

Things to do nearby

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Nearby neighborhoods

Sea Ranch Lakes, Imperial Point

Wilton Manors

Social, Walkable

A compact city just inland, with a main-street strip of restaurants and nightlife along Wilton Drive.

Known for

Wilton Drive dining and nightlife

Things to do nearby

Richardson Historic Park & Nature Preserve, Middle River

Nearby neighborhoods

Oakland Park, Flagler Heights, Victoria Park

Must see places in Fort Lauderdale

Beach days, riverfront strolls, and museums along Fort Lauderdale's New River and A1A

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Fort Lauderdale Beach

BeachFree

A wide stretch of sand with a beachfront promenade, water sports, and dining nearby.

Neighborhood

Central Beach

Things to do nearby

Las Olas Oceanside Park

Time needed

2-4 hours

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Riverfront parkFree

A shaded promenade along the New River, linking parks, museums, and waterside dining.

Things to do nearby

Museum of Discovery and Science, Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Time needed

1-2 hours

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

Historic estate$$

A waterfront home where art and playful architecture meet several coastal ecosystems.

Neighborhood

Central Beach

Things to do nearby

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale Beach

Time needed

1-2 hours

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

State park$

Nature trails and lagoon rentals sit within walking distance of the beach across A1A.

Neighborhood

Central Beach

Things to do nearby

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Fort Lauderdale Beach

Time needed

2-3 hours

Museum of Discovery and Science

Science museum$$

Hands-on exhibits, live animal encounters, and an IMAX screen fill this downtown museum.

Things to do nearby

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Time needed

2-3 hours

Jungle Queen Riverboat

Boat tour$$

A classic riverboat cruise with scenic tours, dinner service, and live entertainment.

Neighborhood

Central Beach

Things to do nearby

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Time needed

3-4 hours

Historic Stranahan House Museum

Historic house$

Built in 1901, Broward County's oldest surviving building tells the city's early story.

Things to do nearby

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Time needed

1 hour

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

Art museum$$

A modernist building downtown with contemporary collections and rotating exhibitions.

Things to do nearby

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Historic Stranahan House Museum

Time needed

1-2 hours

Local recommendations by Airbnb hosts in Fort Lauderdale

The spots Fort Lauderdale hosts send guests to - and the tips they pass along

Las Olas Beach

  • Spend the day swimming, sunbathing, or playing volleyball on the soft white sand and clear waters.
  • Try water activities like jet skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding, surfing, snorkeling, sailing, or scuba diving.
  • Bring a towel and sunscreen and plan to make a full beach day of it.
  • Take advantage of free public beach access, restrooms, showers, splash pad, amphitheater, and metered parking nearby.
Mentioned by 200 local hosts
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Sebastian Street Beach

  • Spend a laid-back day on this relaxed, clean, social, LGBTQ+ friendly beach with soft sand and calm water.
  • Expect a calm yet lively atmosphere with a diverse mix of locals, LGBTQ+ visitors, families, and travelers.
  • Consider using ride shares instead of driving, as traffic and paid parking can be less convenient.
  • Enjoy nearby bars, restaurants, and shops within walking distance for food, drinks, and browsing after beach time.
Mentioned by 70 local hosts
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Chase Stadium

  • Catch an Inter Miami CF match at Chase Stadium, home of the local MLS club.
  • Visit during MLS season, February through October, to experience matches and events at the stadium.
  • Book tickets as far in advance as possible; demand to see Inter Miami and Messi can be extremely high.
  • Enjoy the passionate, colorful Latin atmosphere that makes Inter Miami home games feel unique in American soccer.
Mentioned by 99 local hosts
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Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

  • Stroll the scenic Riverwalk along the New River, watching boats and yachts glide by.
  • Walk the mile-long Riverwalk between Stranahan House and Broward Center, passing Las Olas Boulevard and Himmarshee Street.
  • Stop at The Wharf for music, eats, and cocktails, then walk through the “Thrive” sculpture’s plant-filled archway.
Mentioned by 218 local hosts
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Holiday Park

  • Explore wide-open green spaces with jogging trails, sports fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas for relaxed outdoor time.
  • Take advantage of the many sports options, including football, basketball, roller hockey, volleyball, racquetball, and pickleball.
  • Visit the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center for clay courts, where you can pay to play and enjoy events.
  • Bring your dog to enjoy the designated dog park area alongside your own walk or workout.
  • Plan workouts using the gym, walking trails, open play areas, and fitness stations throughout the park.
Mentioned by 94 local hosts
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Jungle Queen Riverboat

  • Choose between a 90-minute sightseeing cruise or a river cruise with island adventure and BBQ dinner on Jungle Queen.
  • Cruise the New River and Intracoastal Waterway to see waterfront mansions, mega yachts, and Millionaire’s Row with narrated commentary.
  • Enjoy an all-you-can-eat BBQ ribs and chicken dinner on a private tropical isle, paired with a variety show and fire dancing.
  • Book tickets in advance, as the BBQ dinner and variety show package is described as selling out.
  • Use the tour to learn about Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway, local history, and some notable area residents from onboard commentary.
Mentioned by 910 local hosts
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Places to eat and drink in Fort Lauderdale

Waterfront seafood, self-serve taprooms, and rooftop cocktails across Fort Lauderdale.

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Coconuts

Seafood$$

Waterfront kitchen on the Intracoastal known for conch fritters and grouper sandwiches.

Highlights

conch fritters

Why do locals love it

Boats tie up alongside the deck while you work through a plate of fritters.

Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant

Raw Bar$$

Long-running shack for oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, and steamed clams by the water.

Highlights

Oyster bar

Why do locals love it

Paper-covered tables and shellfish buckets keep the setting straightforward.

Casablanca Cafe

Mediterranean$$

Mediterranean plates served in a 1920s house facing the beach along A1A.

Highlights

Ocean views, live piano

Why do locals love it

The porch looks straight across the road to the sand and the water beyond.

Rustic Inn Crabhouse

Seafood$$$

Garlic crabs cracked with wooden mallets, a Fort Lauderdale ritual since 1955.

Highlights

Garlic crabs

Why do locals love it

You crack your own crabs at tables lined with newspaper.

Lester's Diner

Diner$

Round-the-clock diner pouring coffee in oversized cups since 1968.

Highlights

Open 24 hours, 14-ounce coffee cups

Why do locals love it

Pancakes and pie arrive at any hour, including well past midnight.

Steak 954

Steakhouse$$$$

Oceanfront steakhouse pairing dry-aged cuts with raw-bar plates and Florida fish.

Highlights

Ocean views, jellyfish aquarium

Why do locals love it

Floor-to-ceiling glass frames the Atlantic beside the dining room.

Gulf Stream Brewing

Brewpub$$

Neighborhood brewery pouring house beer alongside pizzas from the kitchen.

Highlights

Craft beer, artisanal pizzas

Why do locals love it

Game nights fill the taproom without crowding out the pizza.

15th Street Fisheries

Seafood$$$

Waterfront seafood spot with both indoor rooms and outdoor tables.

Highlights

Tarpon feeding, water taxi access

Why do locals love it

You can arrive by water taxi and eat outdoors by the water.

Explore Fort Lauderdale: The best travel itineraries

Three routes through Fort Lauderdale, from a single day along the beach to a week spanning the New River, state parks and Hollywood.

  • Experienced Airbnb hosts in Fort Lauderdale

    3,510+

  • Places to stay in Fort Lauderdale

    7,390+

  • Things to do in Fort Lauderdale

    810+

  • Verified guest reviews in Fort Lauderdale

    337,330+

1 Day trip

One day that pairs the sand along A1A with the New River downtown, ending on a riverboat and a waterfront deck.

3 Day trip

Beach mornings, a downtown arts day and a run south to the piers and Broadwalk, with seafood decks and a late-night diner along the way.

Morning

Out on the pier

Mornings are quietest for fishing and photos.

Afternoon

Broadwalk stroll

The splash pad park makes a good midday cooldown.

Evening

Burgers on the Intracoastal

Cash-friendly and casual; seating is first come.

5-7 Day trip

A week that moves from beach parks and downtown museums to Wilton Drive, a Dania pier and a match at Chase Stadium, with oysters and Cuban plates in between.

Morning

Kayaks and dunes

Rentals depend on weather and tide.

Afternoon

Pier views

Bring a hat; there is little shade out there.

Evening

Oysters at the counter

Counter seats turn over quickly at dinner.

Morning

Trails and disc golf

Picnic tables sit near the parking area.

Afternoon

Karts and arcade

A good backup plan when rain rolls in.

Evening

Match night, then the water

Confirm kickoff time before heading over.

  • Family travel

    Snorkel the Anglin's Pier reef, meet manatees at Museum of Discovery and Science, then picnic at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.

  • Couple travel

    Stroll the Bonnet House gardens, share dinner in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and watch the sunset from Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.

  • Solo travel

    Walk the Riverwalk to Las Olas Boulevard, then browse NSU Art Museum before a water taxi ride along the New River.

How to get around Fort Lauderdale

  • Metro and train

    There is no local metro. Regional trains serve South Florida, with separate stations downtown and inland, so check the operator for stops and connections.

  • Bus

    County buses cover the beach, downtown, and nearby cities, and a free downtown shuttle loops key blocks. Check the operator site for current routes.

  • Rental car

    Bridges over the New River and the Intracoastal open for boat traffic, so allow extra time. Beach parking is mostly in paid garages and lots.

  • Walking

    The terrain is flat, and a beachfront promenade runs along the sand. Carry water and shade, since summer afternoons often reach 90°F (32°C).

Generated with AI and may contain mistakes. Sources include third-party travel data and Airbnb data from listings, hosts, and host guidebooks. Updated September 2026.

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