Fort Lauderdale Holidays

Holidays to Fort Lauderdale deliver on all counts. Along with picture-perfect beaches, you’ll find family-friendly entertainment, world-class museums and top-drawer bars and restaurants.

The Venice of America

Threaded with inlets, canals and lagoons, Fort Lauderdale is America’s answer to the Italian city of Venice. It even lays claim to its own fleet of traditional gondolas, steered by men in straw hats and stripy t-shirts. There are plenty of other ways to take to the water, as well, whether you want to hop aboard a luxury yacht, a pirate ship or one of the bright-yellow water taxis.

Millionaires and manatees

One of the most popular places to see from the water is Millionaire’s Row. As you’d expect from the name, this part of town is chock-a-block with million – and even billion – dollar properties, which you’ll have plenty of time to ogle as you glide past on a sightseeing cruise. Keep a look out beneath the waves, too, as manatees make regular appearances.

Las Olas Boulevard

This tree-lined avenue stretches from the centre of town to the seafront, and exploring it is an ideal way to get a feel for the place. Wander down it during the day, and you can dip into world-class museums, art galleries and designer boutiques. In the evenings, the fairy-light-wrapped palm trees make it a good choice for a stroll. Plus, there’s everything from a Brazilian steakhouse to an ice-cream shop to whet your appetite.

Beach life

Any Floridian destination wouldn’t be complete without a beach. Fort Lauderdale offers up eight unbroken miles of pale, soft sand, packed with sunloungers, watersports and cafés. A promenade runs along behind the beach, as do joggers, rollerbladers and walkers. For a change of scene, the shoreline in nearby Hillsboro is a turtle nesting site, while Pompano Beach is great for fishing.

At a glance

Spot manatees gliding beneath the waves
Take a cruise along the network of lagoons
Work your way along the bars on Las Olas Boulevard

Top things to See and Do in Fort Lauderdale

BEACHES
SHOPPING
NIGHTLIFE
FOOD & DRINK

Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine State is famous for beaches and Fort Lauderdale is no exception. White, sugar-like sands unravel for miles alongside the town’s seafront – lined by promenades flanked with cafés, watersports centres and locals scooting past on rollerblades.
Hollywood Beach

Just like the district of LA this stretch shares a name with, Hollywood Beach is a magnet for stars. And by that, we mean star ratings – it has a collection of awards under its belt, including the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice accolade. A total of 50 restaurants, 30 shops and three parks means there’s everything you could need within easy reach. And the latter is stocked with sports courts and dolphin-shaped fountains that are a big hit with kids.
Hillsboro Beach

If you’re looking to escape the crowds, Hillsboro Beach is a top choice. Half an hour’s drive outside of Fort Lauderdale, it’s a much quieter place to soak up the sun. Time your trip between March and October and you might be lucky enough to spot the turtles that come here to nest. While you’re there, check out the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse and the statue dedicated to the legendary Barefoot Mailman.

Bargain Buys

You can snap up almost anything at Swap Shop, Fort Lauderdale’s huge flea market. More than 2,000 stalls trade everything from clothes to food and jewellery at rock-bottom prices. It’s open every day of the week and is located inside an air-conditioned complex. There are plenty of reasons to make a day of it, too, thanks to the drive-in cinema, the big video arcade and the vintage car museum.
Mid-Range Buys

Famous American department stores, like Macy’s, and familiar high street names, such as H&M, are found under the roof of the Galleria shopping mall. There’s a food court, where you can take a break from stretching the purse strings, plus a Starbucks café, a chocolate shop and a children’s theatre. Travel there in style by hopping in a water taxi – there’s a station right by it.
Designer Buys

For upmarket shopping, head to Sawgrass Mills. Stocked with more than 300 boutiques, it’s Florida’s largest designer outlet mall. Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade, Michael Kors – they’re all present and correct here. In-between shopping, you can refuel with a sugary slice from the Cheesecake Factory, a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s or a burrito from the Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Laid-back evenings

Live entertainment and dinner are combined at Mai Kai, a Polynesian-themed restaurant complete with a sunken ship bar, a tropical garden, fish tanks and fire torches. As you tuck into honey-glazed chicken, sweet and sour pork, or lobster bora bora, you’ll be surrounded by grass skirt-clad entertainers who dance, play the drums and throw fire.
Lively evenings

Put on your best outfit for an evening at the Blue Martini Lounge – it’s the place to see and be seen in Fort Lauderdale and hosts live entertainment and parties seven nights a week. As you’d expect from the name, they major in martini cocktails – lemon, strawberry and raspberry are just a few of the varieties shaken up behind the bar.

Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant

Open since the 1950s, this place has built up quite a reputation. Ice-cream flavours tick off everything from rocky road to rum raisin. And you can go all out with a jumbo sundae, piled high with hot fudge, brownie chunks and whipped cream.
Jojo’s Tacos

Grilled sirloin steak and peach-smoked chicken are just a few of the types of taco you can order at this cheap and cheerful eatery. Whichever one you go for, make sure it’s loaded with guacamole – the restaurant’s motto is ‘we rock the guac!’
Old Fort Lauderdale Breakfast House

If you’re looking for a decent start to the day, this breakfast place is sure to fit the bill. The likes of buttermilk pancakes, Mahi fillet omelettes and thick-sliced bacon sandwiches are listed on the menu – and they’re all made using fresh and organic ingredients.
Capital Grille

For a meal with the wow factor, it’s got to be the Capital Grille. This smart, fine-dining restaurant serves 10oz filet mignon steaks, fresh Maine lobster and parmesan truffle fries, to name a few.
Bahia Cabana

Make a reservation at this waterfront dining spot, and you can take in the views of the luxury yachts bobbing on the marina as you eat. Seafood is the theme, but there are burgers, steaks and sandwiches, as well.