Beaches, canals and boats in South Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a South Florida city known for wide sandy beaches, a network of canals lined with yachts and the busy Las Olas Boulevard. It has grown from a spring-break town into a relaxed spot for couples and families, with good restaurants and a lively waterfront. Boat tours, water taxis and beach time shape most visits, and Miami and the Everglades are close. It is also a major cruise port through Port Everglades.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
A long, wide sandy beach with a wave-shaped wall and promenade along A1A. Swimming, people watching and sunrise walks are the draw.
Free public beach; parking is paid.
The city's main dining and shopping street, running from downtown toward the beach past canals and boutiques. Evenings are lively.
Free to walk around.
A historic artists' estate on the barrier island, with colorful rooms, tropical gardens and resident monkeys. It is a rare look at old Florida beside the beach.
Check the official site for current prices.
Cruising the canals past mansions and megayachts is the classic Fort Lauderdale experience. The Water Taxi works as both transport and a tour.
Check the official site for current prices.
A huge subtropical wetland with alligators, wading birds and sawgrass prairie. Airboat rides run just outside the park, while the park itself offers trails and boat tours.
Private vehicle 35 USD in 2026; non-US residents 16 and over pay an extra 100 USD per person, per the NPS fees page.
A landscaped path along the New River through downtown, linking museums, restaurants and historic sites. Boats pass constantly.
Free to walk.
A green strip of coastal hammock between the Intracoastal and the beach, with trails, kayak rentals and picnic areas. It is a calm escape from the busy beach.
Check the official site for current prices.
A hands-on science museum with Florida ecosystems, an aquarium area and a large-format theater. It is popular with families.
Check the official site for current prices.
The city's main art museum, known for modern and contemporary works and Latin American art. It sits at the end of Las Olas.
Check the official site for current prices.
A long-running sightseeing riverboat that cruises the New River and canals with narration about the homes and history. Evening dinner cruises are also offered.
Check the official site for current prices.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one at the beach and the state park, day two at Bonnet House, Las Olas and a canal cruise, day three at the Riverwalk museums or an Everglades trip.
Art Deco buildings and South Beach energy.
25 mi · Car or rideshare, about 45 minutes
Upscale beaches and Mizner Park shopping.
22 mi · Brightline train or car, about 30 minutes
A large butterfly park in Coconut Creek.
19 mi · Car, about 35 minutes
A lively beachfront walkway with cafes.
12 mi · Drive or bus, about 25 minutes
Mansions, shopping and gardens.
43 mi · Drive about 1 hour
Beaches and a lighthouse near Miami.
43 mi · Drive about 1 hour
Best: December to April. Dry, warm and sunny days with low humidity.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
December (December 12 in 2026)
Decorated boats parade along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River.
Late October or early November
One of the world's largest boat shows, in its 67th year according to the tourism board.
Spring
Beachfront country and rock festival; confirm the current year's dates.
Based on UK FCDO travel advice for the USA (there is no US advisory for domestic travel): violent crime rarely affects tourists, so normal city precautions apply; beach areas are generally safe, with the usual care against car break-ins, rip currents and summer hurricanes.
The beach strip and Las Olas are walkable, but the city spreads out and many places need a ride.
Broward County Transit buses, the Brightline and Tri-Rail trains and the Water Taxi help visitors, with card and app payments.
Sources disagree on: population.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: beach lovers, first-timers
Ocean-facing hotels along A1A and the beach promenade.
Best for: couples, foodies
Boutiques, galleries and restaurants close to the canals.
Best for: business, culture
Near museums, the Riverwalk and Brightline station.
Best for: families, divers
A small beach town with reef snorkeling right off the sand.
Best for: budget, LGBTQ+ travelers, nightlife
Quieter residential areas with good restaurants and bars.
Best for: cruise travelers, luxury
Resorts and easy access to the cruise port.
| Main airport | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), 5 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxi or rideshare is quickest to downtown or the beach; county buses also serve the airport. |
| Around town | Use the Water Taxi along the canals, rideshare for longer hops and walk the beach and Las Olas. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Lyft |
In season from mid October to early May, served chilled with mustard sauce.
Roast pork, ham, cheese and pickles on pressed bread.
Often grilled or in a sandwich at waterfront spots.
The classic Florida dessert.
A Florida Keys style appetizer.
| Plugs | Type A and B, 120 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tip 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a few dollars per drink at bars, and 15 to 20 percent for taxis and tours. |
| Payments | Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors. |
| Etiquette | Beachwear stays at the beach; cover up in restaurants and shops. Spanish is widely spoken. |
The city is named after forts built during the Seminole Wars in the 1830s. Frank Stranahan opened a trading post on the New River in the 1890s, and the railroad soon brought settlers. Developers dredged mangrove swamps into finger islands and canals in the 1920s, giving the city its many waterways. Spring break crowds made it famous from the 1960s, until the city discouraged that scene in the late 1980s.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.