Ultimate Guide To Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Updated 2026)

From the white sand beaches to the culinary delights, the south Florida city sits just north of Miami and, while similar carries its own spirit. If you are looking for a tropical vacation that is a little less expensive than the nearby Caribbean Islands than head to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Fort Lauderdale offers inexpensive flights year round and is an underrated beach destination. This guide to Fort Lauderdale, Florida is perfect for anyone who is in need of a Florida vacation!

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Best Fort Lauderdale Hotels

Budget Fort Lauderdale Hotel

$ Tropi Rock Hotel - The Tropi Rock Hotel is a lovely option if you are on a budget in Fort Lauderdale. Located close to the beach the Tropi Rock Hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, spacious rooms with a deck area, fitness center, and more.

Mid-Range Fort Lauderdale Hotel

$$ Hilton Beach Resort - The Hilton Beach resort is perfect for a beach vacation. Offering great amenities, an exciting atmosphere, three restaurants, an outdoor pool, and more you cannot go wrong with this beachside hotel.

Luxury Fort Lauderdale Hotel

$$$ Four Seasons - The Four Seasons never disappoints. With the comfortable rooms, amazing service, and amenities, you will never want to leave this luxury hotel in Fort Lauderdale.

What To Do In Fort Lauderdale

Go To The Beach

This one is quite obvious, but this guide to Fort Lauderdale would not be complete without the beach. There are a few beaches in Fort Lauderdale to choose from. The best ones are Las Olas Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Las Olas Beach is located right next to Las Olas Blvd, which is a lively street with some of the best restaurants and shopping in the city, it is also the most touristy.

Fort Lauderdale Beach is gorgeous with it's clear water, white sand, and lively environment. There are restaurants and shops in the surrounding areas, so you will not go hungry on your beach day. Try to go to sunrise at Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Las Olas Boulevard

Las Olas Boulevard is one of the best places to go in Fort Lauderdale because of the lively nightlife, shopping, and restaurants. For shopping you will find unique boutiques with items you will not be able to find anywhere else along with more popular stores like Lululemon and Lily Pulitzer.

Las Olas is a wonderful place to grab dinner. My favorite Las Olas restaurants are El Camino and Wild Sea.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

If you are looking for a break from the city or to experience the south Florida nature then head over to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is located in the center of Fort Lauderdale and offers biking, hiking, camping, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, and so much more.

Go Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a must while in Fort Lauderdale. There are various tours to choose from, I found this snorkeling tour to be fairly priced and really enjoyable. There are many coral reefs in the Fort Lauderdale area.

If you decided to snorkel without a tour be carefully of marine life and rip currents. The best places to snorkel in Fort Lauderdale are the Vista Park Reef, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood North Beach Park.

I strongly encourage doing a tour though because Florida's weather and ocean can be extremely unpredictable and is much more safe when guided by a professional.

🤿Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Tour

Go Fishing

There is nothing better than being on a boat in Florida. Fishing in south Florida is unique because of the fish you can catch that you would not be able to find anywhere else in the country.

This fishing tour is fairly priced and will bring you to all of the best fishing spots in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Explore Lauderdale By The Sea

Lauderdale By The Sea is a lovely little town just north of Fort Lauderdale. The colorful downtown area is lined with adorable restaurants, cafes, shops, and galleries that must be explored. This charming villages is also known to be a great snorkeling spot because of a shipwreck just off the coast.

Bonnet House Museum and Gardens

Once a winter vacation home for a wealthy settler, the Bonnet House and Gardens is a gorgeous estate located right on the beach. If you are looking for a beautiful photo opt or to be taken back in history then the Bonnet House is for you. The Bonnet House entrance fee is $25 dollars.

🚣Bonnet House and Kayaking Tour

Take a Day Trip To The Bahamas

Did you know that the Bahamas is only a 2 hour ferry ride from Fort Lauderdale? Bimini is a lovely little island located right off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. You can easily do a day trip to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale. There is a 9 am morning ferry and a 7 pm return ferry. Some of the best things to do on Bimini is go for a swim at Radio Beach, go snorkeling, visit the dolphin house museum, explore Sapona Shipwreck, try conch, go fishing, and more!

🇧🇸Fort Lauderdale Ferry to The Bahamas

Do a Day Trip To Miami

Miami is only 40 minutes south of Fort Lauderdale. The vibrant city is full of Latin American influence, gorgeous beaches, stunning street art, and more. While in Miami you must visit Wynwood, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and South Beach. You will also have the opportunity to eat at some of the best restaurants in the world while in Miami. If you have a day to spare in Fort Lauderdale, Miami is the place to go. Miami is easily reachable by car, bus, or train from Fort Lauderdale.

🥥Read Next - A Complete Guide To Miami

Best Tours To Take In Fort Lauderdale

🚗Evening Boat Cruise Through Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of Florida due to all of the little water ways throughout the city. On this evening boat cruise through Fort Lauderdale you will have the opportunity to enjoy drinks and music on the water.

🚗Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Tour - I touched on this Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling Tour earlier in the article. Snorkeling in South Florida is so fun and this tour is the best as it was voted the #1 snorkeling tour in Florida in 2023.

🚗Parasailing Adventure - This one and a half hour parasailing adventure is perfect for my fellow thrill seekers. Not only will you get to sore above the sea, you will also have an exciting boat ride on a speed boat on this parasailing adventure.

Where To Dine In Fort Lauderdale

Breakfast & Coffee

☕Hatch - Hatch is a great place for anyone looking for brunch. You can order anything from tacos to pancakes at Hatch.

☕Crema - Ever since I have been traveling to South Florida, Crema has been my first stop out of the airport. Serving up all day breakfast and coffee you will love this lovely coffee shop! Be sure to try the omelets.

☕The Alchemist Cafe - The Alchemist Cafe is an adorable cafe that serves amazing coffee and breakfast in a lovely environment. Known for the outdoor garden, The Alchemist cafe is a must visit while exploring Fort Lauderdale.

Dinner & Lunch

🍴El Camino - El Camino, located on Las Olas Blvd, is one of the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and my favorite. This Mexican joint is inexpensive and serves up some delicious tacos and margaritas. El Camino is perfect for a family dinner or drinks.

🍴Kao Bar and Grill - Kao is a lovely Argentine restaurant located in Hallandale Beach. This restaurant serves up amazing food in a unique environment.

🍴Evelyn's - Evelyn's is a luxurious restaurant located in the Four Seasons Hotel. At Evelyn's you will find breakfast, lunch, and dinner served daily. The dinner menu is Mediterranean.

🍴Coconuts - Coconuts is a laid back seafood restaurant located right on the water. Coconuts serves lunch and dinner daily and brunch on Sundays. They also have a lovely bar.

🍴S3 (Surf, Sun, and Sand) - S3 is a sushi and new American restaurant. S3 also has a top notch bar that serves unique cocktails alongside all of the classics. You will find the S3 has a laid back vibe.

Where To Go Out

🍸Cove Brewery - Cove Brewery is a great place to grab drinks post surf. Located on Deerfield Beach, it's safe to say the Cove Brewery has the ultimate Socal surfer vibe.

When To Go To Fort Lauderdale

It is best to visit Fort Lauderdale in the winter or spring because the weather will be amazing. The fall and summer are considered hurricane season so try to avoid these times. You will also face extreme heat and humidity in the summer and fall.

Winters can get a little chilly in Florida, and sometimes the weather is not great for the beach, so if you are wanting a beach holiday opt for the spring.

About Fort Lauderdale

CURRENCY : US dollar // Cards are widely accepted throughout the city

SAFETY : Overall Fort Lauderdale is a safe place to visit, especially if you are staying in a resort. There are parts of the city that you should avoid. Avoid the northwest side of the city. There isn't anything to see in that part of the city anyway.

PLUGS : Type A and B

How To Get Around Fort Lauderdale

If you are planning on staying in a resort the whole time you are in Fort Lauderdale then renting a car is not necessary. If you are planning to explore the city then renting a car may be in your best interest because ubers can be expensive.

In terms of public transportation you can hop on the free water trolly or the sun trolly.

Fort Lauderdale FAQs

Is Fort Lauderdale in Miami?

No. Fort Lauderdale is about 40 minutes north of Miami.

Is Fort Lauderdale airport same as Miami?

No. They are two separate airports about 40 minutes apart. So if you have a connection make sure to take the transfer time into account.

Is Fort Lauderdale airport big?

The Fort Lauderdale airport (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport) is an average size. You will find both domestic and international flights into and out of Fort Lauderdale airport.

Does Fort Lauderdale have a cruise port?

Yes, Port Everglades.

Does Fort Lauderdale have a beach?

Yes. Fort Lauderdale is home to the stunning Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las Olas Beach.

What to do in Fort Lauderdale after cruise before flight?

You can do anything on this guide! Have a meal and do some shopping on Las Olas, go to the beach, visit the Bonnet House Museum, relax at Crema Cafe, or go snorkeling.

Ultimate Guide To Fort Lauderdale Wrap Up

Fort Lauderdale is home to white sand beaches, amazing restaurants, accommodating hotels, tons of great shopping, and more. If you have anything to add or think we missed anything please leave us a comment! I hope that this complete guide to Fort Lauderdale will help you plan the perfect beach vacation. If you liked this post all about my guide to Fort Lauderdale I think you will love our Complete Guide To Miami, our Perfect Guide To Palm Beach and our Delray Beach Travel Guide.

Happy Travels,

Daisy