Fort Lauderdale, FL

Travel Guide
Fort Lauderdale which includes tropical scenes, landscape views and a pond
With beaches, shopping, cultural attractions, the Everglades…and more beaches, this southeastern Florida city is a great vacation spot any time of year.

Fort Lauderdale’s beaches attract vacationing families, honeymooners and just about anyone looking for white sands, blue skies and warm water. Travel here to appreciate why the community has developed into a popular destination over the last 100 years.

Greater Fort Lauderdale has more than 23 miles (37 kilometers) of beaches. From Deerfield Beach in the north to Hallandale Beach in the south, select your favorite stretch of sand to view an Atlantic sunrise, build sandcastles, observe nesting sea turtles, snorkel or dive, enjoy watersports, deep-sea fish or simply relax on the soft sand.

Take a gondola ride on the canals of the city or watch huge yachts navigating the Intracoastal Waterway. Shopping along Las Olas Boulevard will give you a chance to pamper yourself or buy souvenirs for friends back home. Visit the Stranahan House to see how Frank and Ivy Stranahan lived in the early 1900s when they helped launch the development of Fort Lauderdale.

Stroll along the red bricks of the Riverwalk to enjoy water views and public art installations along the shaded walkway or participate in the day’s activities, including Segway tours, Pilates classes, kayak rentals, photography training or an ecoboat rental. Enjoy the gourmet delights at food kiosks along the Tarpon River.

Stop at the NSU Art Museum for contemporary works as well as Latin American art. See shows from Broadway to symphony to popular stars at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Let kids explore the Museum of Discovery and Science, where they can learn about reptiles, fossils, space and much more in a fun environment.

To appreciate the outdoors, walk the trails of the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, sandwiched between the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Drive about 30 minutes west to the Everglades Wildlife Management Area for natural beauty.

Fly to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport or drive from Miami in about 1 hour. Enjoy Florida’s warm sunshine and sparkling sands throughout the year.

Fort Lauderdale Travel Guide Video

Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Marriott North
Fort Lauderdale Marriott North
4 out of 5
6650 N Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL
The price is $107 per night from Sep 27 to Sep 28
$107
per night
Sep 27 - Sep 28
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,012 reviews)
"No complaints. Free parking, free internet and free coffee in the lobby made it a great stay"

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

Fort Lauderdale Marriott North
JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa
4.5 out of 5
19999 W Country Club Dr, Aventura, FL
The price is $233 per night from Oct 22 to Oct 23
$233
per night
Oct 22 - Oct 23
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Aventura. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 outdoor pools, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,112 reviews)
"Great Water park"

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa
Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton
Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton
4.5 out of 5
3555 S Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL
The price is $240 per night from Sep 30 to Oct 1
$240
per night
Sep 30 - Oct 1
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Hollywood. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, 3 restaurants, and a marina. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,606 reviews)
"👍"

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ocean Drive Villas
Ocean Drive Villas
3.5 out of 5
1701 North Ocean Drive, Hollywood, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly villa in Hollywood. Enjoy free WiFi, 15 restaurants, and 6 beach bars. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,044 reviews)
"You are cute place not big and near the boardwalk. And beach and restaurants"

Reviewed on Sep 23, 2023

Ocean Drive Villas
HYATT house Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
HYATT house Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
3 out of 5
90 SW 18th Avenue, Dania Beach, FL
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Dania Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,744 reviews)
"Very nice"

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

HYATT house Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
Casa Cordova
Casa Cordova
3 out of 5
1441 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Las Olas Boulevard and Port Everglades are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (119 reviews)
"Very good stay."

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2023

Casa Cordova
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Fort Lauderdale

Like most American cities, except the really big ones, Fort Lauderdale has limited public transportation. Rent a car if you can, but note there are alternatives too. Water taxis are a novel way to travel, although aren't cheap. The Sun Trolley Hop-on Bus will take you to many of the key areas in the city and is very affordable. Or, rent a bike at one of the Broward BCycle stands around the city. Visit the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority website. Browse Fort Lauderdale rental cars.

Best time to visit

Fort Lauderdale’s lovely winter climate carries on right through to spring, making it the ideal place to enjoy some sun when your hometown might not be as warm. Travel between December and April and you can expect temperatures to be anywhere from the high 50s F (10s C) to the mid 80s F (20s C). That means plenty of opportunity to enjoy the beautiful beaches on the east coast.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Fort Lauderdale

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
3431
" "5 - Excellent 40.830655718195885%
4 - Good
3636
" "4 - Good 43.27026062120671%
3 - Okay
1128
" "3 - Okay 13.423777222420565%
2 - Disappointing
134
" "2 - Disappointing 1.5946685707485422%
1 - Terrible
74
" "1 - Terrible 0.8806378674282994%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jun 6, 2020

Stayed during pandemic, not exactly a good time to explore any city...and the beaches were closed.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 5, 2020

I love ft Lauderdale it was one of ur staff members I didn't appreciate

4/5 - Good

Fluffyt
Jun 2, 2020

It's hard to find a place to living in your price range

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
May 28, 2020

Did spend much time in Fort Lauderdale because this hotel was so horrible and dirty that we left after 20 mins and booked another hotel in the Plantation area. Worst hotel I've ever been too. Expediate should investigate and remove it from listing

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 28, 2020

Great vacation spot a lot to do around there.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 28, 2020

I love ft Lauderdale I’ll be back soon

Read travel guides and advice on visiting Fort Lauderdale

Cities near Fort Lauderdale