Fort Lauderdale holidays

Spring breakers know a good thing when they see it. For decades, students have been lured here by white-sand beaches, budget motels and an always-on party culture. Today, holidays to Fort Lauderdale reveal a more mature resort town. From kayaking its canals to wandering its art district to sipping craft cocktails in rooftop bars, see how Fort Lauderdale has evolved into one of South Florida’s most sophisticated cities.

Fort Lauderdale holiday highlights

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Shopping scene

Shopping in Fort Lauderdale is all about the classic mall. Browse your favourite brands in Galleria Fort Lauderdale, or shop outlet stores at Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise. Walk the ‘style mile’ along Las Olas Boulevard and browse its independent boutiques and art galleries. You’re guaranteed to find the perfect spots for a beer and a souvenir here. On weekends, visit the Swap Shop Flea Market for crafts and secondhand goods.

Parks and gardens

Experience Florida’s natural abundance on your holiday to Fort Lauderdale. Book a full-day or half-day safari through the everglades. Cycle, walk or picnic among the mangroves in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Explore Greater Fort Lauderdale — see some of Florida’s oldest trees at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, or walk through the aviaries and gardens of Butterfly World in Coconut Creek.

Waterways

Explore the waterways during your holiday to Fort Lauderdale. Use water taxis to travel on the canals, or rent a kayak and paddle the New River through Downtown. Hike the Riverwalk to see expensive yachts up close. Try your luck at fishing and take your catch to one of the restaurants that will cook it for you. Talk about fresh seafood!

Fort Lauderdale: Know before you go

Language

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

UTC-5 (EST) and UTC-4 (EDT)

High season

December – March

Low season

September – October

Find the best time to go to Fort Lauderdale

Weather in Fort Lauderdale

May — October: While temperatures are still warm, the wet season brings humidity and downpours. This is a great time to explore the city’s many museums, shopping malls and historical sites. Keep a close eye on the weather during hurricane season, which stretches from June through November.

November — April: Fort Lauderdale’s dry season is marked by warm, sunny days. This is the perfect time for lounging on the beach, touring the Everglades and strolling the city’s promenades. Take cover inside air-conditioned attractions when the weather soars into 30s°C. And enjoy outdoor dining and rooftop drinks during balmy nights. Expect crowds during Spring Break.

Events in Fort Lauderdale

IGNITE Broward (February) : This national event transforms the region with large-scale, immersive light shows by some of the country’s top video and multimedia artists.

Tortuga Music Festival (April): Festival-goers flock to this multi-day country music festival on Fort Lauderdale Beach to see artists like Keith Urban and Shania Twain. Travelling with the family? The all-ages event admits kids under six for free.

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October to November): Walk the decks of a superyacht at this massive display of over 1,300 vessels. Then hop aboard golf carts and water taxis to zip between exhibitions showing off the latest in luxury boating.

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The best neighbourhoods in Fort Lauderdale

Downtown Fort Lauderdale

If you’re looking for a neighbourhood that enjoys both culture and nightlife, Downtown is where to stay in Fort Lauderdale. Here you’ll find the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District, home to museums, art galleries, shops and restaurants. See what’s on at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, or visit the historic Stranahan House, home of the city’s founding family.

Good for: Museums, entertainment, history

Central Beach

If the beach is your main reason for visiting Fort Lauderdale, there’s no better place to stay than Central Beach. Walk straight from your hotel to Fort Lauderdale or Sebastian Street beaches and rent an umbrella or chair for the day. This lively neighbourhood also boasts plenty of options for shopping, dining and nightlife too.

Good for: Beach, nightlife, outdoor lifestyle

Victoria Park

Looking for a convenient base? Victoria Park is the best neighbourhood to stay in Fort Lauderdale to be close to everything. Catch the bus to Fort Lauderdale Beach, or try paddleboarding along the neighbourhood’s quiet canals. Head to Holiday Park for picnics, walking and ball games. If you get hungry, there are lots of cheap eats at burger and Creole joints along Federal Highway.

Good for: Sports, restaurants, beaches

Things to do in Fort Lauderdale

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Family friendly things to do

The Bluefoot Pirate Adventures cruise is one of the most popular things to do with family in Fort Lauderdale. Or explore the exhibits at the Museum of Discovery and Science. Neighbouring Dania Beach is home to Tigertail Lake Recreational Center — after the kids have exhausted themselves on the water obstacle course, head to Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlour for homemade ice cream and a slice of vintage Americana.

Free things to do

Take advantage of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s free, golden beaches. Or explore a mangrove forest at Anne Kolb Nature Center, about 20 minutes south of Fort Lauderdale. Take a scenic stroll along Fort Lauderdale beachfront promenade or through the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District. If you’re in town for the last Saturday of the month, the Fort Lauderdale Art Walk features art, music, food and shopping.

Take in the culture

Get your cultural fix at the museums in Fort Lauderdale. The NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale has a diverse collection of art from Europe, Africa and the Americas. Discover military history at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum. Or learn while you enjoy a relaxed, riverside stroll on the guided History Fort Lauderdale walking tour.

Nightlife

You’ll find the best nightlife in Fort Lauderdale in the Downtown area and around the beach. With diverse offerings including sports bars, breweries, wine rooms and speakeasies, there’s something to suit everyone. Head to The Wreck Bar for a one-of-a-kind experience — dine as ‘mermaids’ swim past the portholes of the underwater bar.

Places to eat

Seafood, global cuisine and Latin and Creole dishes are what’s on the menu at the restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy fresh seafood in a century-old setting at the House on the River restaurant. Or enjoy all-you-can-eat brunch at Blue Moon Fish Co. Don’t know what you want? Walk along Las Olas Boulevard and see which of its many dining options catches your attention.

Beaches

Sunbathe within walking distance of the best restaurants and shops at Las Olas Beach. Or go south to escape the crowds and lounge on the white sand at Dania Beach. If you don’t mind a drive, head north to nearby Pompano Beach for snorkelling and sport fishing. Or take the kids to family-friendly Deerfield Beach for sandcastles and seashell hunting.

Plan your holiday to Fort Lauderdale

Budget

If you don’t mind a few rainy days, a cheap holiday to Fort Lauderdale is easier to plan during the wet season. Aim for the beginning and end of the season for a chance at milder weather. An inexpensive meal will cost you about 20 US dollars ($). A domestic beer costs about $6, while a cappuccino is around $5. A short taxi ride starts at under $8.

Day trips from Fort Lauderdale

The stunning wetland scenery of Everglades National Park is just two hours from Fort Lauderdale. See the largest mangrove forest in the western hemisphere. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a manatee or two. Beach bums will want to make the 90-minute drive to the Florida Keys, a collection of tropical islands encircled by bright blue water.

Getting around Fort Lauderdale

You can get to most attractions on the Broward County Transit (BCT) buses or via the water taxis that travel Fort Lauderdale’s canals. The free LauderGo Community Shuttle covers popular areas like Downtown, the beaches and the Las Olas shopping district. Consider hiring a car for convenience and day trips.

FAQs about Fort Lauderdale holidays

Whether you're an explore-every-inch traveller or a make-it-up-as-you-go explorer, the cost of your city break in Fort Lauderdale will depend on what you want to do and see. Remember to factor in everything from entry fees to meals, along with your Fort Lauderdale flights and hotels.
With pleasant weather year-round, Fort Lauderdale is a great holiday destination. And because low-cost airlines prefer to use Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, you can often find cheap flights and hotels to Fort Lauderdale.
The hottest month in Fort Lauderdale is August, when temperatures peak at 32ºC (90ºF).
The United States dollar (USD) is the currency you'll be using for everyday expenses and outings during your trip to Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale is safe, but beware of pickpockets. Secure your valuables and devices when outside, and make plans for getting to your chosen attractions to avoid unfamiliar neighbourhoods.
English is what you'll hear in most conversations. From common greetings to distinct local expressions, you'll likely pick up a few new terms during your city break in Fort Lauderdale.
Organise your Fort Lauderdale trip for January and you'll be there when the weather is at its coolest. 14ºC (57ºF) is as cold as the city gets.
How many days your trip to Fort Lauderdale should be depends on where you're coming from and what you want to do. If you live close by, three to five days is plenty of time to visit the main attractions. If you're making a lengthy trip, consider booking a week or more to discover the city and surrounding areas.
With an average rainfall of 22 cm, September is the rainiest month to go on a Fort Lauderdale holiday. When the weather turns, head indoors and enjoy the city's cafes, galleries, museums and more.
Fort Lauderdale has 246 sunny days each year, so you have great odds for good weather. You can often find deals on holidays to Fort Lauderdale in the winter (December to February), when the daytime temperatures are around a pleasant 25°C.