Fort Lauderdale Vacations

A beach that has a boardwalk, amazing restaurants, and a dog-friendly area? Count us in! Strap on your rollerblades, hop on your bike, or lace up your walking shoes and experience Hollywood Beach’s famed boardwalk, bursting with restaurants and shops for your enjoyment. If you’re bringing along your furry friend, head over to the Dog Beach of Hollywood so that they can enjoy some fun of their own. There’s even a trolley that can take you downtown, that way you’ll get the full Hollywood, Florida experience! 

Ah, a perfect day filled with rolling ocean waves and soft sand beneath your feet. That’s what you’ll experience with time spent at Fort Lauderdale Beach. Aside from lounging and enjoying a lazy day in the sun, you’ll also have access to restaurants and shops thanks to a nearby promenade. Watersports like jet skiing and parasailing, surfing lessons, and yacht rentals are also available.

This award-winning beach is perfect for enjoying some sun without having to deal with huge crowds, which means you won’t have to fight for a spot to sprawl out on the warm sand. Not to mention, Deerfield Beach is chock full of fun things for the entire family to enjoy. Camp, fish, or skate at Quiet Rivers Park. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try a cable skiing course. Then, finish it all off with an evening full of shopping and dining.

If your idea of vacation involves tasting as much of the area’s local cuisine as possible, then a Fort Lauderdale food tour is the perfect way to spend your afternoon. Join locals as they take you on a multi-hour tour to the best restaurants in the area. You’ll even learn more about the history of Fort Lauderdale as you eat! 

Alligators, panthers, and pythons, oh my! The Everglades are a must-see, but you absolutely must not see them alone. Trust a seasoned expert to guide you through this amazing ecosystem via airboat and get an in-depth look at the nature that lives within it. You may even get to take your picture with an alligator.

Pub crawls and brewery tours are best enjoyed with an adults-only crowd, and Fort Lauderdale is just the place to do it. Choose from a variety of tours that will give you a true taste of the area. Not a drinker? Watersports, hiking, camping, and so much more are available – just pick your favorite.

Situated on 60 beautiful acres of land, Flamingo Gardens provides sanctuary to a variety of flora and fauna, including trees, plants, and close to one hundred animal species. Upon your visit, you’ll see alligators, bobcats, flamingos, and other amazing creatures that are native to the region. While there, be sure to browse the Wray Home Museum.

Fort Lauderdale is filled with historic homes, museums, and art exhibitions. If you’re a history and culture buff, there’s no better way to learn about the area than to see what these hotspots are all about. Colors come to life at the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project, filled with dozens of cultural masterpieces. Along Fort Lauderdale Beach, the Bonnet House estate features famed artwork and an amazing barrier-island ecosystem. The New River Inn, a historic plantation-style home, was once a gathering place for presidents and other dignitaries.

If you desire an out-of-the-box experience, Fort Lauderdale doesn’t disappoint. Look up at the night sky. Do you see a full moon? If so, you’ll love the poolside full moon party at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Bonus: It benefits charity! Live mermaid shows at Wreck Bar are both unique and entertaining. Grab a drink and nosh on delicious seafood as the mermaids entertain and delight you.  

If your little ones love animals, then an animal encounter at Everglades Holiday Park is the perfect addition to your family vacation! Small group settings allow children to touch a variety of animals, including skunks, foxes, and alligators. For those with inquisitive minds, this is the perfect opportunity to learn about different species and ask questions. And don’t worry, parents. You’ll learn a thing or two about each of these creatures, as well. It’s an educational experience for all!

Outdoor fun is always a blast in Fort Lauderdale! Kids can splash their way down waterslides, glide through a tube ride, and enjoy two water playgrounds at C.B. Smith Park. For a little extra adventure, how about a professional surf lesson from EZRIDE Surf School? The kids will be surfing like champs in no time! Speaking of watersports, there are plenty of options for the entire family. Jet skis, kayaks, flyboards, and more are available.

A family pirate cruise is the perfect way to unleash your inner swashbuckler! Hop aboard and enjoy face painting and pirate “slang” lessons. Then, embark on your journey, where you’ll go in search of lost treasure. At the end of your adventure, each little one will receive a certificate and other fun pirate gifts.

There’s no better way to get some retail therapy in than a trip to the Fort Lauderdale Beach and Promenade. Bask in the sun and enjoy the sound of ocean waves as you shop at a variety of stores that line the famed promenade. The sun can get hot, so grab yourself a hat at the cute boutique you just passed. Want to go right from shopping to the beach? Might as well get yourself that new bathing suit you’ve been eyeing up. Or perhaps you’d like to pick up some souvenirs for friends and family back home.

There’s no shortage of full-service malls in the area, and these picks offer the best brands with the added bonus of a little time out of the Florida sun! Shop ‘til you drop at the fashionable Galleria Mall or score an amazing deal at Sawgrass Mills, the largest outlet shopping destination in the U.S., with over 350 stores and 16 restaurants.

Looking for boutique shopping mixed with outdoor café dining and a cool bar scene? Las Olas Boulevard, in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, offers everything you could want on your next vacation…plus, that perfect Florida beach vibe!

You can find everything under the sun in Fort Lauderdale, but some of the area’s hottest eats cater to health and sustainability. Of course, Latin food and fine dining are also part of the scene, here, too, so it’s likely you’ll find a happy, eclectic mix, where a vegan organic spot sits next to a white tablecloth establishment, nestled against a Cuban cocktail lounge.  

Once the sun goes down, Fort Lauderdale really heats up! Nightlife in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area is varied and vibrant, offering everything from dancing and cocktail lounges to live music and hip DJ parties. The region is known for knowing how to have a good time before sun-up, so whether you seek a laid-back night out or a night out to remember, Fort Lauderdale’s got you covered!

Seeking a bit of culture with your beach getaway? Check out the area’s many attractive options, including the Broward Center for Performing Arts, a world-class venue that hosts over 700 performances a year, from Broadway musicals and ballet to lectures and workshops.