Things to do in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- The city's canal system was intentionally engineered in the early 20th century to drain the Everglades for residential development.
- Fort Lauderdale was once a major training base for the U.S. Navy during World War II, housing thousands of servicemen at the site of what is now the airport.
- The city hosts the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which is the largest in-water boat show in the world.
- Local regulations once strictly limited the height of buildings along the beachfront to ensure the area remained oriented toward the ocean rather than dense urban sprawl.
- The New River, which bisects the city, is an ancient waterway that played a critical role in the Seminole Wars as a strategic natural boundary.
About Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Known as the 'Venice of America,' Fort Lauderdale is defined by its extensive 165-mile network of inland canals and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The city serves as a global yachting hub and a center for cultural preservation, exemplified by sites like the Historic Stranahan House Museum. Visitors often explore the coastal environment at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park or engage with regional science at the Museum of Discovery and Science. The urban core is anchored by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which serves as a nexus for regional theater and arts programming.
Highlights of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
Explore coastal hammock forests and freshwater lagoons located between the Intracoastal Waterway and the beach.
Museums
Features an IMAX theater and interactive exhibits focused on Florida's unique ecosystem and aviation history.
Venues
Hosts high-profile touring Broadway productions and regional orchestral performances in a dedicated downtown arts complex.
Parks
Offers one of the few remaining sections of preserved coastline in the area with significant mangrove ecosystems.
Museums
Tour the 1901 structure that served as the city's first post office, bank, and town hall.
Museums
Exhibits rotating displays detailing the transformation of the region from a pioneer outpost to a modern metropolitan area.
Beaches and ponds
A popular stretch of coastline known for its surf and proximity to the city's prominent upscale beachfront hotels.
Museums
A specialized shop dedicated to the history and culture of competitive aquatic sports.
Top things to do in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The 28 highest-rated places in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranked by travellers.
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Museums
The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is a major science center in downtown Fort Lauderdale featuring interactive e...
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Parks
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a 180-acre coastal park situated on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the...
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Venues
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is a premier cultural hub located along the New River in downtown Fort Lauder...
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Venues
Chase Stadium serves as the primary home ground for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF. The facility features a 21,...
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Parks
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park is a 310-acre coastal preserve situated on a barrier island between the Atlant...
6
Beaches and ponds
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach is a unique Florida destination distinguished by its accessible offshore coral reef system,...
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Venues
Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium is a 110-acre multi-purpose municipal facility located in Lauderhill, Flor...
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Beaches and ponds
Sebastian Street Beach is a prominent public beach in Fort Lauderdale situated at the intersection of Sebastian Street a...
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Museums
The Historic Stranahan House Museum is the oldest surviving structure in Fort Lauderdale, originally built in 1901 by Fr...
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Museums
Young At Art Museum is a specialized cultural institution in Plantation, Florida, focusing on immersive, hands-on art ex...
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Fort Lauderdale, Florida on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Fort Lauderdale, Florida
December to April, as the weather is dry and temperatures are mild, avoiding the peak hurricane season and extreme humidity of summer.
3-4 days to balance water-based activities with museum visits and downtown leisure.
Water taxis are a primary mode of transit for the canal districts, while ride-sharing services and rental cars are standard for reaching parks and outer neighborhoods.
Las Olas Boulevard provides central access to dining and shopping, while the beachside resorts along A1A offer direct ocean access.
Mid-range to expensive, with high seasonal variance in hotel pricing driven by boating events and winter tourism.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 28 curated attractions in and around Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranked by traveller ratings.
Museum of Discovery and Science is the highest-rated place to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida right now.
The largest category is museums, with 9 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Downtown Los Angeles, Bayonne, New Jersey, Washington, D.C..
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