How many days · Fort Lauderdale · United States
How many days do you need in Fort Lauderdale?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale · Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Fort Lauderdale, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. 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.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 10.5 h (Dec) to 13.8 h (Jun)
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What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Fort Lauderdale Beach and the A1A promenade, Las Olas Boulevard, Water Taxi and Jungle Queen Riverboat |
| 2 days | Good | Jungle Queen Riverboat, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park |
| 3 days | Good | Riverwalk and Stranahan House, Museum of Discovery and Science and NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Miami and Miami Beach |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Miami and Miami Beach and Everglades National Park (Shark Valley) |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Fort Lauderdale add up to roughly 24–34 hours of visiting time — about 3–5 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Fort Lauderdale Beach and the A1A promenade (Half a day), Water Taxi (2–4 hours) and Jungle Queen Riverboat (1.5–4 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale Beach and the A1A promenade | Half a day | Fort Lauderdale Beach |
| Las Olas Boulevard | 2–3 hours | Las Olas and Downtown |
| Water Taxi | 2–4 hours | New River and Intracoastal |
| Jungle Queen Riverboat | 1.5–4 hours | Fort Lauderdale Beach |
| Bonnet House Museum and Gardens | 2 hours | Fort Lauderdale Beach |
| Hugh Taylor Birch State Park | 2 hours | Fort Lauderdale Beach |
| Riverwalk and Stranahan House | 1.5 hours | Las Olas and Downtown |
| Museum of Discovery and Science | 2–3 hours | Las Olas and Downtown |
| NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale | 1–1.5 hours | Las Olas and Downtown |
| Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park | 2–3 hours | Dania Beach |
| Lauderdale-by-the-Sea snorkelling | 2 hours | Lauderdale-by-the-Sea |
| Everglades airboat ride | Half a day | Western Broward County |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Fort Lauderdale Beach and the A1A promenade and Las Olas Boulevard |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Fort Lauderdale Beach and the A1A promenade |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Miami and Miami Beach and Everglades National Park (Shark Valley) |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.5 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.8 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Fort Lauderdale with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Fort Lauderdale?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. 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.
+Is a week too long in Fort Lauderdale?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Miami and Miami Beach and Everglades National Park (Shark Valley).