Where to stay

Fort Lauderdale beaches stretch for miles along the Atlantic shoreline between Miami and Boca Raton. Stay in a beach hotel to watch the sunrise, sunbathe on the sand and sip cocktails at dusk. South of the city, Hollywood Beach offers retro experiences along its wide and long boardwalk. Moving north, hotels in the Dania Beach neighborhood are close to the two extremes of casino gambling and kayaking. Fort Lauderdale itself is a great spot for accessing Fort Lauderdale Beach and its popular beachfront promenade. Stay north of the city to snorkel at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea or enjoy watersports at Pompano Beach. Book a hotel in Deerfield Beach to be near quiet family-friendly coves, fishing and a cable waterski park.

Besides the splendid beaches along the Atlantic shoreline, Fort Lauderdale's neighborhoods offer many exciting outdoor activities on its beautiful land and water settings. Stay in Lauderhill, Coral Springs, Plantation or Sunrise to enjoy great golf. Hotels in the 17th Street Causeway area are close to the waterways of the Stranahan River, Lake Mabel and Lake Sylvia. Rent a kayak, paddleboard or small motorboat to explore these protected waters or join a cruise or charter to venture into the Intracoastal Waterway or Atlantic Ocean. Weston and Tamarac have some of the best places to stay as jumping-off points for exploring the Everglades Wildlife Management Area.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale's accommodations are close to nightlife and cultural attractions, including the Museum of Discovery and Science, the NSU Art Gallery and History Fort Lauderdale. Book a central hotel here to go barhopping at the city's trendiest pubs, clubs and sports bars. Stay in the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District for theater, museums, dining and festivals. Beach neighborhoods are always great for nightlife, with hotels, restaurants and bars in the Fort Lauderdale Beach area particularly lively from sunset to late night.