Fort Lauderdale, FL

Travel Guide
Deerfield Beach featuring tropical scenes, a beach and landscape views

Fort Lauderdale Travel Guide Video

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.

Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale

Hollywood North Beach Park

Hollywood Beach

If you're spending some time in Hollywood Beach, Hollywood Beach and Hollywood Beach Theatre are top sights worth seeing.

Hollywood Beach
Fort Lauderdale featuring interior views

East Fort Lauderdale

4.5/5(4,198 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in East Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Boulevard and Fort Lauderdale Beach are top sights worth seeing.

East Fort Lauderdale
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Downtown Fort Lauderdale

4/5(2,235 area reviews)

The stunning beaches and fantastic nightlife are just a few highlights of Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Make a stop by Las Olas Boulevard or Historic Stranahan House Museum while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale featuring interior views

Central Beach

If you're spending some time in Central Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach and Sebastian Street Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Central Beach
One of the images I use when I need to go to my happy place
#LifeAtExpedia

Lauderdale Beach

Lauderdale Beach might not have many top sights, but Fort Lauderdale Beach and Coral Ridge Mall are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Lauderdale Beach
Anne Kolb Nature Center showing forest scenes and a bridge

Hollywood Lakes

4/5(166 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Hollywood Lakes, Hollywood Beach Golf Club and Hollywood North Beach Park are top sights worth seeing.

Hollywood Lakes
B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach
B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach
4 out of 5
1140 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL
The price is $200 per night from Sep 24 to Sep 25
$200
includes taxes & fees
$177 per night
Sep 24 - Sep 25
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, 3 restaurants, and a private beach. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
7.4/10 Good! (2,218 reviews)
"The only complaint I would have is that on the website, it showed a much closer view of the ocean (rooms by the volleyball court) than the room I actually was given. We did have an ocean view but we had to walk across the Skywalk to get to the rooms which meant it was farther from the beach. Other ..."

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024

B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach
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 $232 per night from Oct 2 to Oct 3
$232
includes taxes & fees
$206 per night
Oct 2 - Oct 3
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Hollywood. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 6 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,487 reviews)
"Great property!"

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024

Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton
Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport - Dania Beach
Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport - Dania Beach
3 out of 5
1900 Stirling Road, Dania Beach, FL
The price is $92 per night from Sep 30 to Oct 1
$92
includes taxes & fees
$81 per night
Sep 30 - Oct 1
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Dania Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,382 reviews)
"Clean, quiet, comfortable, safe and convenient. Free airport shuttle, but They do not offer free breakfast or free parking."

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2024

Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport - Dania Beach
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.
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 breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,267 reviews)
"A great location. Clean property with good service"

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024

HYATT house Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
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 10 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,378 reviews)
"I really enjoyed the convenience."

Reviewed on Sep 15, 2024

Ocean Drive Villas
The St Maurice Beach Inn
The St Maurice Beach Inn
2 out of 5
310 Michigan Street, Hollywood, FL
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Hollywood. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and 6 beach bars. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,622 reviews)
"Location, beach access"

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2024

The St Maurice Beach Inn
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

Things to do

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

4/5 - Good

Fluffyt

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

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

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

Great vacation spot a lot to do around there.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love ft Lauderdale I’ll be back soon

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