20 Things To Do In Fort Lauderdale

Iconic Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale

1. Stroll along Las Olas Boulevard

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Best For: Couples, families, shopping, restaurants. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to explore; shopping and dining extra.

Start your Fort Lauderdale sightseeing along Las Olas Boulevard, one of the city’s best-known streets for restaurants, boutiques, galleries and evening entertainment. The boulevard stretches from the downtown area towards the beach, with palm-lined sections that are easy to explore on foot between coffee stops, shopping and lunch.

Its central location also makes Las Olas a convenient starting point for the Riverwalk and Water Taxi. Insider tip: visit during the late afternoon so you can browse the shops before staying for dinner and drinks once the boulevard becomes livelier after dark.

2. Walk along the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk.

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown / New River. Best For: Couples, families, walking, free activities. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: Free.

Follow the Riverwalk beside the New River for an easy introduction to downtown Fort Lauderdale. Landscaped paths connect parks, restaurants, cultural attractions and historic sites, while boats and yachts regularly pass along the water beside you.

The route puts you close to attractions such as the Museum of Discovery and Science, Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Stranahan House, making it easy to build a full sightseeing day around the riverfront. Insider tip: walk the Riverwalk towards late afternoon, then continue to Las Olas Boulevard for dinner.

3. Ride the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi

Location / Neighborhood: Intracoastal Waterway and New River. Best For: First-time visitors, families, couples, sightseeing. Estimated Time Needed: 2 hours to full day. Cost / Entry: $$; ticket options vary.

See why Fort Lauderdale is called the “Venice of America” aboard its distinctive Water Taxi. Boats connect waterfront neighborhoods, beaches, restaurants and attractions, allowing you to hop on and off while enjoying views of luxury homes, yachts and the Intracoastal Waterway.

It works as both transportation and sightseeing, making it particularly useful if you want to experience the city without spending the whole day driving. Insider tip: use the Water Taxi early in your vacation to get your bearings, then return to the neighborhoods and restaurants that catch your attention.

4. Relax on Fort Lauderdale Beach

Location / Neighborhood: Fort Lauderdale Beach / A1A. Best For: Families, couples, swimming, sunbathing. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: Free; parking and rentals extra.

Spend a classic South Florida day on Fort Lauderdale Beach, where broad stretches of sand meet warm Atlantic water beside the city’s distinctive beachfront promenade. Swim, sunbathe or take a walk beside the ocean before crossing A1A for restaurants, cafés and shops.

The beach’s proximity to downtown means you can combine several hours by the sea with Las Olas, the Water Taxi or an evening restaurant reservation without making a long journey. Insider tip: always check the lifeguard flags and current ocean conditions before swimming, particularly when rip-current warnings are in place.

5. Tour Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

Location / Neighborhood: Fort Lauderdale Beach. Best For: Couples, families, art, history, gardens. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $$; admission applies.

Step into a quieter side of Fort Lauderdale at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a historic estate surrounded by tropical vegetation close to the beach. The property combines art, architecture, family history and landscaped gardens, creating a striking contrast with the modern hotels and waterfront developments surrounding it.

Spend time exploring the house and grounds while learning about the artists and families connected with the estate. Insider tip: allow enough time for the gardens rather than focusing only on the house, and combine your visit with nearby Fort Lauderdale Beach or Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.

6. Visit the Historic Stranahan House Museum

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown / New River. Best For: History lovers, couples, families. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$; guided tour admission applies.

Learn how Fort Lauderdale developed from a small settlement into a major South Florida city at the Historic Stranahan House Museum. Built beside the New River in the early 20th century, the house is closely associated with pioneers Frank and Ivy Stranahan and offers an intimate introduction to the city’s early history.

Its riverside location also makes it particularly easy to include during a Riverwalk or Las Olas sightseeing day. Insider tip: take a guided tour rather than simply viewing the exterior, as the stories connected with the building provide much of the reason to visit.

Best Water Activities in Fort Lauderdale

7. Take a Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise

Location / Neighborhood: New River / Intracoastal Waterway. Best For: Families, couples, groups, sightseeing. Estimated Time Needed: 1.5–4 hours depending on cruise. Cost / Entry: $.

Cruise through Fort Lauderdale’s waterways aboard the Jungle Queen Riverboat, one of the city’s long-running sightseeing experiences. Routes travel along the New River and Intracoastal Waterway, passing waterfront homes, yachts and sections of the city that are best appreciated from the water.

Different cruise formats can include straightforward sightseeing or longer experiences with dining and entertainment. Insider tip: choose the shorter sightseeing cruise if you mainly want views of the waterways, or make the boat ride your main evening activity with one of the longer experiences.

8. Take a private gondola cruise

Location / Neighborhood: New River and downtown canals. Best For: Couples, celebrations, romantic evenings. Estimated Time Needed: 1.5–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$.

For a more intimate way to experience the waterways, book a private gondola-style cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s canals and New River. Smaller boats offer a quieter alternative to large sightseeing cruises, passing waterfront homes, marinas and downtown buildings while you relax away from the road traffic.

Some cruises can also be combined with dinner, making this particularly appealing for anniversaries and romantic trips. Insider tip: book an evening departure if you want to see the waterfront homes and downtown skyline illuminated after dark.

9. Kayak at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Location / Neighborhood: Between Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Intracoastal. Best For: Families, couples, kayaking, nature. Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $; park entry and rentals extra.

Paddle through one of Fort Lauderdale’s most convenient natural escapes at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Kayak and canoe rentals allow you to explore the park’s coastal dune lake, while the surrounding maritime hammock and mangrove habitat provide a peaceful contrast to the nearby beachfront.

You can combine paddling with walking trails, a picnic or time on the Atlantic beach accessed from the park. Insider tip: visit during the morning before the strongest afternoon heat, then cross to the beach once you have finished exploring.

10. Try jet skiing, paddleboarding or parasailing

Location / Neighborhood: Fort Lauderdale Beach. Best For: Active travelers, couples, groups, older families. Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours. Cost / Entry:$.

Add some action to your beach day with one of Fort Lauderdale’s many watersports. Depending on conditions and local operators, you can take to the water by jet ski or paddleboard, or head into the air for a parasailing experience with views across the Atlantic and coastline.

Activities range from relaxed paddleboarding to higher-adrenaline options, so mixed groups can choose something that suits different confidence levels. Insider tip: book through established operators and always follow current weather and marine guidance, as wind and ocean conditions can affect availability.

11. Go deep-sea fishing

Location / Neighborhood: Atlantic Ocean / Fort Lauderdale marinas. Best For: Families with older children, groups, anglers. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $$$.

Fort Lauderdale’s easy access to the Atlantic and Gulf Stream makes it a popular base for deep-sea fishing charters. Depending on the season and conditions, trips may target species such as mahi-mahi, wahoo, sailfish and tuna, with experienced captains adjusting locations and techniques throughout the year.

Choose a shared charter for a more affordable outing or book a private boat if your group wants a personalized experience. Insider tip: ask what fishing license, equipment, bait and fish-cleaning services are included before booking so you know exactly what you need to bring.

12. Snorkel the reefs at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Location / Neighborhood: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Best For: Couples, families with confident swimmers, snorkeling, diving. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free with your own equipment; rentals and guides extra.

Head north to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, where natural reef habitat lies unusually close to shore. The town is particularly well known for beach snorkeling and shore diving, allowing experienced swimmers to reach reef areas without needing a boat charter.

After snorkeling, explore the compact town center and restaurants around Anglin’s Square for a relaxed seaside afternoon. Insider tip: reef conditions vary with waves, currents and visibility, so check local guidance before entering the water and consider a guided experience if you are unfamiliar with ocean snorkeling.

Cultural & Family Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale

13. Visit NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown / Las Olas Boulevard. Best For: Art lovers, couples, rainy days, culture. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$; admission applies.

Spend a few hours exploring NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, where modern, contemporary and Latin American art feature alongside changing exhibitions. The museum’s downtown location on Las Olas Boulevard makes it easy to combine with lunch, shopping and a Riverwalk stroll.

Collections include notable holdings connected with William Glackens, postwar CoBrA artists and Latin American art. Insider tip: check the current exhibition calendar before your vacation, as temporary shows can significantly change what you experience during your visit.

14. Explore the Museum of Discovery and Science

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Best For: Families, children, science, rainy days. Estimated Time Needed: 3–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $$; museum and IMAX tickets vary.

Make science interactive at the Museum of Discovery and Science, one of Fort Lauderdale’s strongest family attractions. Hands-on exhibits explore subjects ranging from Florida ecosystems and animals to engineering, technology and physical science, while the large-format AutoNation IMAX theater adds movies and educational programming.

There is enough here to occupy children for several hours, making the museum particularly useful on a very hot or rainy South Florida day. Insider tip: check IMAX showtimes before arriving so you can build a movie into your visit without waiting around between exhibits.

15. Visit Butterfly World

Location / Neighborhood: Coconut Creek. Best For: Families, photographers, nature lovers. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $$; admission applies.

Walk among thousands of colorful butterflies at Butterfly World, a tropical attraction north of central Fort Lauderdale. Large screened gardens are filled with butterflies, flowering plants and tropical birds, creating an immersive environment that works particularly well for younger children and keen photographers.

The experience provides an appealing alternative to another beach or museum day. Insider tip: visit earlier in the day when conditions are cooler and butterflies may be more active.

16. Explore Flamingo Gardens

Location / Neighborhood: Davie. Best For: Families, wildlife, gardens, photography. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $$; admission applies.

Discover native Florida wildlife and tropical plants at Flamingo Gardens, a botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary west of Fort Lauderdale. Wander among mature trees and gardens before seeing rescued native animals that cannot be released into the wild, including birds, reptiles and other Florida species.

The historic Wray Home provides another glimpse into South Florida’s past, making this a combination of nature, wildlife and local history. Insider tip: allow several hours rather than rushing through, and check the day’s wildlife presentations or tram schedule when you arrive.

17. See a show at Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Location / Neighborhood: Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District. Best For: Couples, families, theater, evening entertainment. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $.

Add a live performance to your itinerary at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, set beside the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The program spans Broadway touring productions, concerts, comedy, ballet, family shows and other performances throughout the year.

Its Riverwalk location makes it easy to turn your tickets into a complete evening with dinner or drinks nearby. Insider tip: check the schedule before your trip rather than waiting until arrival, particularly if a Broadway musical or headline performer is important to your plans.

Outdoor & Unique Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale

18. Take an Everglades airboat tour

Location / Neighborhood: Everglades west of Fort Lauderdale. Best For: Families, wildlife lovers, adventure, first-time visitors. Estimated Time Needed: Half day. Cost / Entry: $.

Swap beaches and canals for the Florida Everglades on an airboat excursion through the River of Grass. Operators west of Fort Lauderdale take visitors across wetlands where you may see alligators, birds and other native wildlife while learning about this enormous and ecologically important landscape.

Popular departure points include Sawgrass Recreation Park and Everglades Holiday Park, making an airboat tour straightforward to add to your stay. Insider tip: choose an earlier tour when temperatures are more comfortable and remember that wildlife sightings vary naturally from day to day.

19. Spend a day in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Location / Neighborhood: North of Fort Lauderdale. Best For: Families, couples, beaches, relaxed dining. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: Free to explore.

Slow the pace in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, a compact seaside town with a more intimate, Old Florida feel than central Fort Lauderdale Beach. Spend time swimming, walking along the sand, browsing around Anglin’s Square or relaxing in beachfront public spaces before stopping for lunch or dinner.

Its easy walkability and close-to-shore reefs make it particularly appealing if you want to combine beach time with snorkeling. Insider tip: plan this as a relaxed half-day rather than rushing through — the appeal is the slower seaside atmosphere as much as any single attraction.

Food & Romantic Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale

20. Dine at a waterfront restaurant

Location / Neighborhood: Intracoastal, New River, Las Olas and beach areas. Best For: Couples, families, celebrations, food lovers. Estimated Time Needed: Around 2 hours. Cost / Entry: $.

In a city built around waterways, one of the most enjoyable ways to dine is beside the water. Restaurants along the Intracoastal, New River and surrounding marinas range from relaxed seafood spots to more polished dining rooms where yachts cruise past your table.

Fresh fish and seafood are natural choices, but Fort Lauderdale’s dining scene extends well beyond coastal classics. Insider tip: reserve an outdoor table around sunset for a special evening, particularly during the busier winter and spring vacation season.

Seasonal Events in Fort Lauderdale

Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival

Usually held in January, the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival brings together chefs, restaurants and drinks producers for tastings, dinners and culinary events across Greater Fort Lauderdale. It’s an excellent time to visit if dining is a major part of your vacation. Insider tip: popular signature events can sell out, so check the program and book before your trip.

Tortuga Music Festival

Held on Fort Lauderdale Beach each spring, the Tortuga Music Festival combines major country, rock and roots performers with a spectacular oceanfront setting. The three-day festival also supports marine conservation through Rock the Ocean. Insider tip: accommodation, transport and restaurant demand increases considerably over festival weekend, so plan your stay well ahead.

Stonewall Pride in Wilton Manors

Typically celebrated in June, nearby Wilton Manors hosts Stonewall Pride, bringing a parade, street festival, entertainment and LGBTQ+ celebrations to one of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s most vibrant communities. Insider tip: expect road closures and large crowds around Wilton Drive and use rideshare or public transport where practical.

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

Usually taking place in late October, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show fills multiple waterfront venues with yachts, boats, marine technology and boating exhibits. As one of the world’s major in-water boat shows, it transforms Fort Lauderdale’s marinas and waterways for several days. Insider tip: the Water Taxi can be particularly useful during the show, helping you move between waterfront areas without relying entirely on road transport.

Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade

Held in December, the Winterfest Boat Parade brings the festive season onto the Intracoastal as decorated boats and yachts cruise through Greater Fort Lauderdale covered in lights. Waterfront viewing areas turn the parade into one of the region’s most distinctive holiday traditions. Insider tip: arrive at public viewing locations early or reserve a waterfront restaurant if you want to combine dinner with the parade.

Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale

Stay close to Fort Lauderdale Beach if ocean access, waterfront restaurants and easy beach days are your priorities. This puts you within convenient reach of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Bonnet House and the Intracoastal while keeping the Atlantic just steps away.

Choose Las Olas and downtown Fort Lauderdale if restaurants, nightlife, the Riverwalk and cultural attractions feature heavily in your itinerary. A location near the New River is also ideal if you want to use the Water Taxi and explore the city from the water.

For boating-focused vacations, homes near the Intracoastal and canal neighborhoods give you a particularly authentic Fort Lauderdale experience, with selected waterfront properties offering docks alongside private outdoor areas and pools.

Our Fort Lauderdale vacation rentals range from stylish smaller properties to substantial homes for families, groups and multigenerational vacations. Selected homes feature private pools, waterfront settings, games rooms, spacious kitchens and large indoor and outdoor entertaining areas.

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