Whether visiting on a trip or spending a couple nights before or after your cruise that departs from Port Everglades there are many things to do in Fort Lauderdale, ranging from beach activities and heading out on the Intracoastal Waterway to visiting beautiful parks and even learning more about the area by visiting historic sites.
Go snorkeling or diving in the Atlantic Ocean to see reefs that you can swim to from shore. Dine at oceanfront restaurants where the views are spectacular. Charter a ship for a fishing adventure with your friends. Keep on reading to find out what we recommend doing in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
1. Explore the Reefs
Location: Various locations
Suggested activities:
With warm ocean temperatures year-round, snorkeling and scuba diving off the Greater Fort Lauderdale coastline is possible whenever you plan to visit — unless a storm has made rough surf conditions. At Lauderdale-By-The-Sea and Hollywood, it's possible to swim out from the shore about 100 yards to the reef whether you want to snorkel or scuba dive.
In addition to the natural occurring reef off the coast of Greater Fort Lauderdale are artificial reefs ranging from sunken shipwrecks to underwater art. In Pompano Beach is Shipwreck Park. Near the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier, about a mile off shore, is the Rapa Nui Reef — Easter Island inspired statues.
2. Take the Water Taxi
Location: Various locations
Suggested activity: Water Taxi All Day hop-on hop-off ticket
When visiting Greater Fort Lauderdale, consider getting around by the Water Taxi. You'll get to enjoy views of mansions and yachts while cruising down the Intracoastal and canals of Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. You can stay on the boat for the entire route enjoying the narration about the area or depart and reboard at your desired stops.
The Water Taxi makes stops at places like Las Olas Boulevard, a few marinas and piers as well as Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort near the Hollywood Broadwalk and other destinations in the area. The Water Taxi is a great thing to do in Fort Lauderdale for sightseeing and getting around without a car.
3. Stroll the Grounds at Flamingo Gardens
Location: Davie, Florida
Suggested activity: Flamingo Gardens admission ticket
When you need some time off the water, head to Flamingo Gardens to enjoy viewing a variety of trees and flowers from plants prized for their fragrance to an astounding collections of orchids. While here, you'll also see the namesake flamingos as well as the other animals who live here. Most are native to Florida and are unable to be returned to the wild. River otters, several turtle species, many birds and a black bear among others call Flamingo Gardens home.
4. Shop and Eat on Las Olas Boulevard
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Suggested activities:
A lively area that attracts many visitors, Las Olas Boulevard boasts a wide array of restaurants from casual diners to fancy fine dining restaurants. Find everything from ice cream and pizza to Japanese sushi, seafood and Italian cuisine like at Luigi's Tuscan Grill. If you are looking for some unique dishes, Ukiah features a fusion of Japanese and American barbecue cuisine serving traditional Japanese dishes that have a smoky barbecue flavor.
The area also has some bars, and there's shopping whether you want to browse or are looking to spend. Find unique keepsakes for your trip at an art gallery, jewelry store or even a boutique that stocks goods made by local artisans, Las Olas Kollective.
5. Take a Riverboat Tour on the Intracoastal Waterway
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Suggested activities:
One of the iconic things to do in Fort Lauderdale is a riverboat cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway. You can book a cruise on a big riverboat (the Jungle Queen is a long-time favorite) and enjoy narration or book party cruise where you'll get some narration but also stop to enjoy swimming before reboarding.
Among the things you can see on the guided boat tours is Millionaire's Row to view the mansions and the yachts that dock there. You may also float by downtown Fort Lauderdale and Port Everglades, one of Florida's major cruise ports.
6. Head out onto the Fisher Family Pier
Location: Pompano Beach, Florida
Where to stay: Tru by Hilton Pompano Beach Pier
Fisher Family Pier is a hub of activity on Pompano Beach's coast. The pier is about 900 feet long and offers opportunities to fish, stroll and people watch. You'll likely also see a few pelicans. Stop at the pier bait shop if you need to rent any fishing equipment, grab some drinks and snacks, and pay the fee to fish — no fishing license is required on the pier.
At the base of the pier, enjoy all The Fishing Village has to offer, including restaurants like the Beach House. There's also Lucky Fish that offers a tiki bar inspired open air setting serving meals and cocktails, and at Pier 6 Rooftop, you can enjoy a bite to eat or a drink with a view of the ocean from six stories up.
7. Go Fishing
Location: Various locations
Suggested activities:
The Fort Lauderdale area offers many opportunities to fish from piers and offshore in the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway and area lakes. Piers include the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier, Dania Beach Fishing Pier and the Fisher Family Pier in Pompano Beach.
You can book a private or group charter to go out onto the ocean be it near a reef, just offshore or in deep water. Fort Lauderdale also has freshwater fishing at places like T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park in Hollywood and Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield where you have a good chance of catching bass.
You will need a Florida saltwater or freshwater fishing license to fish in most locations.
8. Eat at the Many Restaurants
Location: Various locations
Suggested activities:
Among the many things to do in Fort Lauderdale, dining out is at the top of the list. The diverse community offers an equally diverse selection of cuisine in restaurants that ranges from greasy spoon diners to formal restaurants with multicourse tasting menus. Eat seafood at a waterfront restaurant like Oceans 234 in Deerfield Beach or Blue Moon Fish Co. in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
For a romantic date night, head to Luigi's Tuscan Grill on Las Olas Boulevard for Italian steak, pasta and seafood dishes, or consider indulging in the tasting menu at the acclaimed Maass in the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale. Don't miss out on international flavors either. Takato offers Japanese and Korean dishes, and Padrino's serves delectable Cuban food in family-style portions. There's no shortage of restaurants and flavors, so let your stomach lead the way.
9. See the Everglades
Location: Various departure points
Suggested activities:
To the west of Fort Lauderdale is the Everglades, a unique ecosystem and a vital habitat for Florida's wildlife. The wetlands are close enough that you can take a day trip or enjoy a short airboat tour before heading back to the beach. On an airboat tour, you'll glide along a grassy river and have the chance to spot birds, alligators and other wildlife.
10. Visit the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Built in the 1920s, the Bonnet House and Museum was the winter home for husband and wife Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett. Today, you can take a guided tour or a self-guided audio tour of the house filled with their paintings and paintings they collected.
A tour of the grounds is also a top thing to do in Fort Lauderdale. There is a mix of mangroves and maritime forest. The curated gardens are filled with tropical plants, and the Orchid Display House has vibrant orchids in bloom year-round.
11. Spend Time at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Bounded by the Intracoastal Waterway to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a natural oasis in the heart of Fort Lauderdale Beach. For a small entrance fee, visitors can enjoy the park's many activities and enjoy a slice of Florida's natural habitats. Mountain bike, fish, hike, paddleboard or relax on the beach under an umbrella.
Some of the trails include the Coastal Hammock Trail that has interpretive signs and the Mid Trail, a loop that takes you through the area where the former owner planted nonnative species like mango and almond trees. The park offers a free audio tour of Mid Trail if you want to learn more about the park's ecosystem and history.
Concessionaires at the park rent paddleboards, kayaks, beach chairs and umbrellas. There's also a restaurant called The Grove that serves food and drinks if you don't want to pack a picnic.
Plan Your Fort Lauderdale Vacation with AAA
Fort Lauderdale is a beach location that has things to do for families, couples and friends. Plus, as a AAA member, you get exclusive savings and benefits at AAA's preferred hotels and on car rentals. You can also use a AAA Travel Agent to help plan your vacation, a service included with your AAA membership.