Travel guide · United States
Fort Lauderdale travel guide
Atlantic beaches, yacht-lined canals and Las Olas Boulevard, 45 minutes from Miami
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: KeanoManu, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Fort Lauderdale is a beach and boating city on Florida's Atlantic coast, about 45 km north of Miami. Its wide public beach runs along State Road A1A behind a white wave-shaped wall, while inland the New River and hundreds of kilometres of canals are lined with yachts and waterfront homes — best seen from the hop-on Water Taxi. Las Olas Boulevard links downtown with the beach through restaurants and boutiques, and Brightline trains reach Miami and West Palm Beach in well under an hour. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are November–April.
Key facts
- Country
- United States
- Best time to visit
- November–April
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- FLL, MIA, DJT
- Mid-range daily budget
- US$220–380 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Fort Lauderdale Beach, Canals and yachts, Las Olas Boulevard and Water Taxi
Plan a trip to Fort Lauderdale
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Why visit Fort Lauderdale
- A long, broad public beach with lifeguard towers and a promenade along A1A, plus quieter beach towns such as Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Hollywood within 20 minutes.
- The Water Taxi turns sightseeing into a boat ride along the New River and the Intracoastal Waterway past mansions and superyachts.
- Las Olas Boulevard has the city's densest choice of restaurants, galleries and outdoor tables, a short drive or boat ride from the sand.
- Brightline trains from downtown reach Miami in about 35 minutes, so Miami is an easy day trip from a calmer base.
- The Everglades, Palm Beach and the coral reefs of Key Largo are all within a two-hour drive.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Beach · Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale Beach and the A1A promenade
The city's main beach runs for several kilometres along A1A, with lifeguard towers, showers and a promenade behind a curving white wave wall.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
Street · Las Olas and Downtown
Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas runs from downtown to the ocean.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- After dark
Experience · New River and Intracoastal
Water Taxi
Yellow hop-on, hop-off boats run along the New River and the Intracoastal Waterway, linking downtown, Las Olas, the beach hotels and, on some routes, Hollywood.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Kids
- Photo spot
Experience · Fort Lauderdale Beach
Jungle Queen Riverboat
A paddle-wheel-style sightseeing boat that has cruised the New River and the Intracoastal since the 1930s, passing the waterfront mansions of 'Millionaires' Row' with a narrated commentary.
- Time needed
- 1.5–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Views
- Iconic
Historic site · Fort Lauderdale Beach
Bonnet House Museum and Gardens
Artist Frederic Clay Bartlett built this colourful plantation-style winter home in 1920 on a barrier-island estate between the ocean and the Intracoastal.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Nature
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
Park · Fort Lauderdale Beach
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
A rare patch of protected coastal hammock and mangroves squeezed between A1A and the Intracoastal Waterway.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Where to stay
Fort Lauderdale Beach is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for beach, first-timers, families and nightlife
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Oceanfront hotels, beach bars and the wave-wall promenade along A1A
$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers, shopping and first-timers
Las Olas and Downtown
Restaurant terraces, galleries and the New River Riverwalk
$$ · Best for solo travellers, food lovers and budget
Flagler Village
Murals, breweries and new apartment towers just north of downtown
$$ · Best for nightlife, couples and solo travellers
Wilton Manors
Small city on Wilton Drive, one of the best-known LGBTQ+ communities in the US
What to eat
Full Fort Lauderdale food guide.
- Smoked fish dip — Smoked local fish such as mahi-mahi or kingfish blended with cream cheese and spices, served with crackers, jalapeños and hot sauce — the classic South Florida starter.
- Stone crab claws — Florida's seasonal delicacy: only the claws are harvested and the crabs returned to the sea.
- Grouper or mahi-mahi sandwich — A thick fillet of local fish, grilled, fried or blackened, on a bun — the default beach lunch.
- Conch fritters — Chopped conch in a spiced batter, deep-fried and served with a tangy dipping sauce, a dish shared with the Bahamas and the Florida Keys.
- Jamaican jerk chicken and beef patties — Broward County has a large Jamaican community, and jerk chicken smoked with allspice and Scotch bonnet chillies, oxtail stew and flaky beef patties are everyday food here.
- Cafecito and pastelitos — A thimble-sized shot of sweet Cuban espresso with a guava or cheese pastry is South Florida's morning routine; a colada is a larger cup meant for sharing.
When is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale?
The best time to visit Fort Lauderdale is November to April, when it is warm, sunny and relatively dry — but this is also peak season with the highest prices, especially from Christmas to March. May and early June are good value with warm seas before the heaviest rains, while August to October is hot, wet and the peak of hurricane season.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Hot sunny days and warm water; March brings spring break and high prices, while May is quieter and better value. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, humid and wet with short afternoon storms, the warmest sea and the lowest prices; the start of hurricane season. |
| Autumn | September–November | September and early October are the stormiest and quietest weeks; by November dry weather returns along with the Boat Show crowds. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild, sunny peak season with snowbirds, holiday boat parades and the highest hotel rates; the sea is cool but swimmable for many. |
- Fort Lauderdale in January
- Fort Lauderdale in February
- Fort Lauderdale in March
- Fort Lauderdale in April
- Fort Lauderdale in May
- Fort Lauderdale in June
- Fort Lauderdale in July
- Fort Lauderdale in August
- Fort Lauderdale in September
- Fort Lauderdale in October
- Fort Lauderdale in November
- Fort Lauderdale in December
Getting there and around
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL) is about 5 km south of downtown, roughly 15 minutes by car to Las Olas or the beach, and close to Port Everglades. Miami International (MIA) is about 45 minutes away, and President Donald J. Trump International (DJT, formerly Palm Beach International) about an hour, both often worth checking for flights.
Fort Lauderdale is spread out, but the beach, Las Olas and downtown are linked by the Water Taxi, short rideshares and buses. Brightline and Tri-Rail trains connect the city with Miami and Palm Beach.
How many days do you need in Fort Lauderdale?
Two days covers the beach, Las Olas and a Water Taxi ride. Four days allows a day trip to Miami or the Everglades and time at Bonnet House or Hugh Taylor Birch State Park; many visitors add a night or two before or after a cruise. How to split your days.
Planning a trip to Fort Lauderdale from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones, airport coordinates and local power standards. Time differences can shift by an hour for a few weeks a year while daylight saving starts or ends on different dates.
Time difference
Same time as New York; 3 hours ahead of Los Angeles
Distance from the U.S.
1,070 miles (1,720 km) from New York (JFK); 2,340 miles (3,760 km) from Los Angeles (LAX)
In a straight line between the airport and the city centre, not a flight route.
Plugs and voltage
U.S. plugs fit (Type A and B sockets). Power is 120 V (120 V at home).
Practical information
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- English and Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Tipping
- Tip about 18–20% at table-service restaurants, $1–$2 a drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars for beach chair attendants and Water Taxi crews.
Visitor areas are generally safe, but do not leave bags unattended on the beach or valuables visible in cars. Natural hazards matter more: swim near lifeguards and heed rip-current flags, protect yourself from strong sun, leave the beach when lightning approaches, and follow official guidance if a hurricane threatens between June and November.
Flights to Fort Lauderdale
Questions travellers ask
+What is Fort Lauderdale known for?
Fort Lauderdale Beach, Canals and yachts, Las Olas Boulevard, Water Taxi, Boat Show, Cruises from Port Everglades and Wilton Manors. A long, broad public beach with lifeguard towers and a promenade along A1A, plus quieter beach towns such as Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Hollywood within 20 minutes.
+Is Fort Lauderdale expensive?
Fort Lauderdale is expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly US$220–380 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Fort Lauderdale?
Not essential for a beach-and-Las Olas stay: use the Water Taxi, rideshares and Brightline. Rent a car for the Everglades, Sawgrass Mills, Butterfly World or the Keys.