Fort Lauderdale

About 170 miles of canals wind through Fort Lauderdale, lined with mansions that have yachts moored out front – it's no wonder the city calls itself the "Venice of America." A trip to Fort Lauderdale combines a broad Atlantic beach with boat rides, waterfront restaurants, and a more relaxed atmosphere than nearby Miami. The city is ideal for a beach vacation in Florida or as the starting point of a cruise.

From Fort to Yacht Harbor

The city traces its origins to forts built by the U.S. Army during the Seminole Wars in the 1830s, named after Major William Lauderdale. Settlers arrived around 1900 with Henry Flagler's railroad, and in the 1920s mangrove swamps were transformed into canals and residential islands. Starting in the 1960s, Fort Lauderdale was famous as a Spring Break destination; today the city is far quieter and a hub of the yacht industry. Port Everglades is one of the largest cruise ports in the world.

Fort Lauderdale Attractions

The beach, with its curving white wall along A1A, is the city's showpiece, complete with palm trees, cafés, and lifeguard towers. Las Olas Boulevard connects downtown with the ocean and draws visitors with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Along the New River, the Riverwalk runs through the city center, where the 1901 Stranahan House recalls the pioneer era. The Bonnet House, a mansion with a tropical garden between the beach and a lagoon, delights with its orchid collection and art from the family that built it. The NSU Art Museum and the Museum of Discovery and Science, with its IMAX theater, are other worthwhile stops. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park offers kayaking in a lagoon just steps from the Atlantic.

Dining and Nightlife

Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale have plenty of space on the water: fresh fish, stone crabs in season, conch fritters, and Caribbean-inspired dishes. Las Olas and the Flagler Village neighborhood, with its breweries and street art, are the main nightlife strips, while Wilton Manors, just north of downtown, is a center of South Florida's LGBTQ scene. A water taxi ride through the canals at sunset is an experience in itself.

Beach and Water Sports

Fort Lauderdale is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts: in places the reef lies only a few hundred yards offshore, and snorkeling and diving tours head out to corals and shipwrecks. On the beach you can rent stand-up paddleboards and jet skis, and fishing boats set out on trips into the Gulf Stream. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea to the north is a small beach town with a pier and calm water for snorkeling. If you'd rather stay on land, you can bike along the beachfront promenade or visit Flamingo Gardens, with its bird sanctuary, to the west.

Getting Around, When to Go, and Day Trips

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport is only a few miles south of downtown. The Brightline train connects the city with Miami, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, and water taxis and buses operate within the city. The best time to visit is between November and April. Summer is hot and humid, and hurricane season runs from June to November. At the end of October, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show displays thousands of yachts. Day trips lead to the Everglades for airboat tours, to the boardwalk at Hollywood Beach, to Palm Beach, and to Miami.