Visit Fort Lauderdale

A palm-lined beach stretching for miles, canals where yachts moor in front of villas, a boulevard buzzing late into the evening: Fort Lauderdale is best enjoyed over two or three days, often just before or after a Caribbean cruise.

Why stay in Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale offers a continuous beach of about ten kilometers, a network of more than 250 km of canals that earned it the nickname Venice of America, and an airport minutes from the cruise port. Quieter and often cheaper than Miami, about 30 minutes south, it makes a practical base on Florida's east coast.

Fort Lauderdale's must-sees

An artists' estate, a park between two waters, the city's oldest house and its canals.

Bonnet House

A 1920s artists' estate surrounded by tropical gardens and mangroves, where monkeys roam free. Guided tour of about an hour, just behind the beach.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

State park squeezed between the Intracoastal and the ocean, with shady trails, kayaking on the lagoon and beach access. A pocket of tropical nature in the middle of the city.

Stranahan House

Former trading post built in 1901 on the New River, the oldest surviving building in the city. Guided tours tell the story of Fort Lauderdale's beginnings.

Water Taxi

Yellow shuttle boats linking downtown, Las Olas and the beach via the New River and the Intracoastal. The day pass lets you hop on and off freely.

What to do in Fort Lauderdale?

Las Olas Boulevard and the New River

Las Olas Boulevard links downtown to the beach over about 4 km: its western stretch, between Andrews Avenue and the Intracoastal bridge, packs in shops, galleries and terraces, very lively in the evening. Just south, the Riverwalk follows the New River for a little over 2 km, past Stranahan House and the science museum. The downtown Brightline station puts Miami about 30 minutes away and Orlando about 3 hours away, no car needed.

The beach and the A1A waterfront

Highway A1A runs along the central beach, separated from the sidewalk by a distinctive wavy wall. Lifeguard towers follow one another: swim near them and heed the flags, as rip currents are common. In the morning, before 10 am, the beach is nearly empty; in March, during college spring break, it fills up noticeably. From March to October, sea turtles nest along this shore: oceanfront lighting is restricted at night and marked nests must not be approached.

The Venice of America canals and Port Everglades

The eastern residential neighborhoods are cut by hundreds of kilometers of canals lined with villas and yachts. The water taxi, with a day pass, lets you explore them without renting a boat, and a narrated cruise usually lasts 1.5 hours. To the south, Port Everglades welcomes cruise ships year-round and, in late October or early November, one of the largest boat shows in the world. To the west, Everglades airboat rides are about 40 minutes by road.

Frequently asked questions about Fort Lauderdale

How long does it take from FLL airport to Port Everglades?
A taxi or rideshare takes about 10 minutes outside traffic, making it one of the shortest airport to cruise port transfers in the United States. Still, plan to arrive the day before a cruise, since a flight delay is always possible.
Should I stay in Fort Lauderdale or Miami Beach?
Fort Lauderdale is quieter, more family-friendly and often cheaper, with an equally pleasant beach. Miami Beach offers more nightlife and its Art Deco architecture. The Brightline train links the two downtowns in about thirty minutes, so you can visit one as a day trip from the other.
How can I see Fort Lauderdale's canals without renting a boat?
The Water Taxi offers a day pass to hop on and off between downtown, Las Olas and the beach, with commentary from the captains. Narrated cruises of about 1.5 hours also leave from the Riverwalk and pass the largest waterfront mansions.
When is the Fort Lauderdale boat show?
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show takes place every year in late October or early November, across several sites in the city. It ranks among the largest boat shows in the world: hotels fill up and prices rise sharply that week.
Can I visit the Everglades from Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, several airboat operators sit on the western edge of the metro area, about 40 minutes by road. A ride usually lasts an hour. For a fuller look at the national park, plan a full day toward Shark Valley or Flamingo.

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