Nicknamed the “Venice of America”, this beachfront city is famous for its culture, beaches, and events.
It’s also home to a thriving arts scene and provides visitors with plenty of shopping and dining options on Las Olas Boulevard.
Other things to do here include walking along the beachfront promenade with its iconic white wave wall and brick path, exploring the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, and catching a ride on a water taxi to Millionaires Row.
Butterfly World in the nearby Coconut Creek is a must-see for entomophilous and anyone wanting to learn more about these beautiful little creatures, while the Museum of Discovery and Science promises an insightful experience for young and old.
If you would like more ideas about what to do in Fort Lauderdale, see our list of suggestions below
The 99 Most Popular Things To Do In Fort Lauderdale, Florida
99. Canine Beach
5.0 (3 reviews)
Credit: Mackarena A., Google Maps
Location: 998 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
98. North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard
5.0 (14 reviews)
Credit: Tamanoeconomico, License, Wikimedia commons
97. Buehler Planetarium
3.9 (16 reviews)
Location: 3501 Davie Road Davie FL
Tel: 954 201 6681
Web Address: http://broward.edu/studentlife/planetarium/Pages/default.aspx
96. The Holocaust Documentation and Education Center
3.5 (17 reviews)
Credit: The Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, Google Maps
Location: 303 N Federal Hwy Dania Beach FL
Tel: 954 929 5690
Web Address: http://hdec.org/
95. Fort Lauderdale Historical Society
4.7 (21 reviews)
Credit: MrBill3, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 219 SW 2nd Ave Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 463 4431
Web Address: http://historyfortlauderdale.org/
94. Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum, Inc.
4.2 (27 reviews)
Credit: Killmonize Productions, Google Maps
Location: 1022 W Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 763 1005
Web Address: http://fortlauderdalefiremuseum.com/
93. Water Taxi Stop #3
4.2 (35 reviews)
Credit: Water Taxi Stop #3, Google Maps
Location: 1900 SE 15th Street Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 467 6677
Web Address: https://watertaxi.com/
92. Old Dillard Museum
4.8 (37 reviews)
Credit: Jrozwado, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1009 NW 4th Street Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 754 322 8828
Web Address: https://browardschools.com/Page/35769
91. SS Copenhagen Shipwreck
4.4 (42 reviews)
Credit: Maichan Official, Google Maps
Location: Lauderdale By The Sea FL
Tel: 954 640 4209
90. International Game Fish Association
4.3 (46 reviews)
Credit: International Game Fish Association, Google Maps
Location: 300 Gulf Streetream Way Dania Beach FL
Tel: 954 927 2628
Web Address: http://igfa.org/
89. Pompano Beach Water Taxi
4.5 (50 reviews)
Credit: Tammy Baker, Google Maps
Location: 101 N Riverside Dr Pompano Beach FL
Tel: 954 825 9533
88. Sun Trolley
3.8 (58 reviews)
Credit: Elvert Barnes, License, Flickr
Location: 290 NE 3rd Ave Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 828 8000
Web Address: http://suntrolley.com/
87. Tradewinds Park
4.4 (59 reviews)
Credit: Valley Girl, Google Maps
Location: 3600 W Sample Road Coconut Creek FL
Web Address: https://broward.org/Parks/Pages/Park.aspx
86. Island SPACE Caribbean Museum
5.0 (59 reviews)
Credit: Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, Google Maps
Location: 8000 W Broward Blvd #1422 Plantation FL
Tel: 954 999 0989
Web Address: https://islandspacefl.org/
85. Pompano Beach Municipal
3.8 (70 reviews)
Location: 1101 N Federal Hwy Pompano Beach FL
Tel: 954 781 0426
Web Address: https://pompanobeachfl.gov/pages/pr_golf/golf
84. Pompano Beach
4.6 (72 reviews)
83. World AIDS MUSEUM and Educational Center
4.8 (82 reviews)
Credit: World AIDS MUSEUM and Educational Center, Google Maps
Location: 1350 E Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 390 0550
Web Address: http://worldaidsmuseum.org/
82. Stonewall National Museum & Archives
4.6 (87 reviews)
Credit: Stonewall National Museum & Archives, Google Maps
Location: 1300 E Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 763 8565
Web Address: http://stonewall-museum.org/
81. Sample-McDougald House Preservation Society
4.6 (101 reviews)
Credit: Sample-McDougald House Preservation Society, Google Maps
Location: 450 NE 10th Street Pompano Beach FL
Tel: 754 307 5446
Web Address: http://samplemcdougald.org/
80. Bailey Contemporary Arts
4.6 (109 reviews)
Credit: Denise Tomon, Google Maps
Location: 41 NE 1st Street Pompano Beach FL
Tel: 954 786 7879
Web Address: http://baileyarts.org/
79. African-American Research Library and Cultural Center
4.6 (110 reviews)
Credit: Patrice Warner, Google Maps
Location: 2650 Sistrunk Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 357 6282
Web Address: http://broward.org/Library/Pages/default.aspx
78. Playa las Olas
4.7 (115 reviews)
77. History Fort Lauderdale
4.6 (139 reviews)
Credit: MrBill3, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 231 SW 2nd Ave Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 463 4431
Web Address: http://historyfortlauderdale.org/
76. Plantation Historical Museum
4.7 (142 reviews)
Credit: Diana Lee, Google Maps
Location: 511 N Fig Tree Ln Plantation FL
Tel: 954 797 2722
Web Address: https://plantation.org/visitors/plantation-historical-museum
75. Broward County Public Schools
2.6 (160 reviews)
Location: 600 SE 3rd Ave Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 754 321 0000
Web Address: http://browardschools.com/
74. Laura Ward Park
4.7 (169 reviews)
Credit: Tamanoeconomico, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4600 El Mar Dr Lauderdale By The Sea FL
73. Richardson Historic Park & Nature Preserve
4.6 (171 reviews)
Credit: Richardson Historic Park & Nature Preserve, Google Maps
Location: 1937 Wilton Dr Wilton Manors FL
Tel: 954 390 2104
Web Address: http://wiltonmanors.com/index.aspx
72. Riverwalk Water Trolley
4.5 (194 reviews)
Credit: Susyn Stecchi, Google Maps
Location: Riverwalk North Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 828 8000
Web Address: https://fortlauderdale.gov/government/departments-i-z/transportation-and-mobility/transportation-division/laudergo-mobility-services/laudergo-water-trolley
71. Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum
4.8 (202 reviews)
Credit: Ken Fielding, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4000 W Perimeter Road Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 359 4400
Web Address: http://nasflmuseum.com/
70. Las Olas Oceanside Park
4.8 (223 reviews)
Credit: João Carlos Pennachin, Google Maps
Location: 3000 E Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 299 6000
69. Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts
4.8 (242 reviews)
Credit: Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts, Google Maps
Location: 481 S Federal Hwy 2nd Floor Dania Beach FL
Tel: 954 376 6690
Web Address: http://wmoda.com/
68. Beach Ventures SEABOB snorkel and Jet Ski Rental
4.9 (259 reviews)
Credit: Beach Ventures SEABOB snorkel and Jet Ski Rental, Google Maps
Location: 2000 N Ocean Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 530 9844
Web Address: https://flbeachventures.com/
67. Las Olas Paddle Boards, Boats & Kayaks
5.0 (271 reviews)
Credit: Las Olas Paddle Boards, Boats & Kayaks, Google Maps
Location: 934 NE 20th Ave Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 848 4189
Web Address: http://lasolaspaddleboards.com/
66. International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum
4.4 (281 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1 Hall of Fame Dr Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 462 6536
Web Address: https://ishof.org/
65. Mills Pond Park
4.6 (285 reviews)
Location: 2201 NW 9th Ave Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 828 8943
Web Address: https://parks.fortlauderdale.gov/parks/parks/-item-60
64. Uncle Bernie’s Amusement Park
4.0 (320 reviews)
Credit: Uncle Bernie’s Amusement Park, Google Maps
Location: 3291 W Sunrise Blvd Lauderhill FL
Tel: 954 584 1727
Web Address: http://unclebernies.com/
63. Tall Cypress Natural Area
4.6 (321 reviews)
Credit: Kevin Cerino, Google Maps
Location: 3700 Turtle Run Blvd Coral Springs FL
Tel: 954 357 8109
Web Address: http://broward.org/Parks/Pages/Park.aspx
62. Harbor’s Edge Park
4.6 (323 reviews)
Credit: perry Stevens, Google Maps
Location: 1240 NE 28th Ave Pompano Beach FL
Tel: 954 786 4600
Web Address: https://parks.pompanobeachfl.gov/
61. Colohatchee Park and Dog Park
4.1 (330 reviews)
Credit: Harrison C. Davies, Google Maps
Location: 1975 NE 15th Ave Wilton Manors FL
Tel: 954 390 2130
60. Old Davie School Historical Museum
4.6 (336 reviews)
Credit: Old Davie School Historical Museum, Google Maps
Location: 6650 Griffin Road Davie FL
Tel: 954 797 1044
Web Address: http://olddavieschool.org/
59. Waters Edge Park
4.7 (342 reviews)
Credit: Roger W, License, Flickr
Location: 7508 NW 61st Street Tamarac FL
Web Address: https://tamarac.org/facilities/facility/details/watersedgepark-25
58. Poker Room (in Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood)
4.4 (365 reviews)
Credit: nino maceda, Google Maps
Location: 1 Seminole Way Davie FL
Tel: 954 585 5111
Web Address: http://shrpo.com/
57. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach
4.7 (437 reviews)
Location: Lauderdale By The Sea FL
Tel: 954 640 4200
Web Address: http://lbtsevents.com/
56. North Ocean Park
4.6 (452 reviews)
Web Address: http://mypompanobeach.org/parksrec/index.html
55. Earl Lifshey Ocean Park
4.6 (490 reviews)
Credit: Robert Gibson Z, Google Maps
Location: 3054 N Ocean Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 828 7275
54. Calypso Cove Aquatic Facility
4.5 (492 reviews)
Location: 6200 Royal Palm Blvd Margate FL
Tel: 954 974 4566
Web Address: http://margatefl.com/528/Calypso-Cove
53. Frost Park
4.5 (493 reviews)
Location: 300 NE 2nd Street Dania Beach FL
Tel: 954 924 3690
Web Address: https://daniabeachfl.gov/128/Frost-Park
52. Fort Lauderdale Jetties
4.6 (499 reviews)
Credit: A Guy Named Nyal, License, Flickr
Location: Fort Lauderdale FL
51. Jet Ski Fort Lauderdale FL
4.7 (517 reviews)
Location: 2670 E Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 383 8724
Web Address: http://jetskifortlauderdalefl.com/
50. Young At Art Museum
4.5 (535 reviews)
Location: 8000 W Broward Blvd Streete 1208 Plantation FL
Tel: 954 424 0085
Web Address: http://youngatartmuseum.org/
49. Flippo’s Fort Lauderdale
4.0 (562 reviews)
Credit: Flippo’s Fort Lauderdale, Google Maps
Location: 1455 SE 17th Street Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 844 354 7767
Web Address: http://flippos.net/
48. Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse
4.7 (594 reviews)
Location: 907 Hillsboro Mile Hillsboro Beach FL
Tel: 954 942 2102
Web Address: http://hillsborolighthouse.org/
47. Colee Hammock Park
4.8 (622 reviews)
Location: 1500 Brickell Dr Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 828 7275
46. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale
4.5 (628 reviews)
Credit: Rob Olivera, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 888 E Las Olas Blvd Suite 210 Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 468 1541
Web Address: http://goriverwalk.com/
45. Marando Farms & Ranch
4.3 (629 reviews)
Location: 5151 SW 64th Ave Davie FL
Tel: 954 945 5744
Web Address: http://marandoranch.com/
44. Jacaranda Golf Club
4.6 (685 reviews)
Credit: Jacaranda Golf Club, Google Maps
Location: 9200 W Broward Blvd Plantation FL
Tel: 954 472 5836
Web Address: http://jacarandagolfclub.com/
43. Huizenga Plaza
4.5 (734 reviews)
Location: 32 E Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 828 8000
Web Address: https://goriverwalk.com/locations/huizenga-plaza
42. Park & Ocean
4.6 (791 reviews)
Location: 3109 E Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 357 2610
Web Address: https://parkandocean.com/
41. Broward College – Tigertail Lake Recreational Center
4.7 (805 reviews)
Credit: Broward College – Tigertail Lake Recreational Center, Google Maps
Location: 580 Gulf Streetream Way Dania Beach FL
Tel: 954 201 4500
Web Address: http://tigertaillake.com/
40. Plantation Woods
4.7 (821 reviews)
Location: 5555 Palm Tree Road Plantation FL
Tel: 954 797 2180
Web Address: https://plantation.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/28/
39. Wolf Lake Park
4.7 (896 reviews)
Location: 5400 SW 76th Ave Davie FL
Tel: 954 797 1147
Web Address: https://davie-fl.gov/476/Wolf-Lake-Park
38. AutoNation® IMAX 3D Theater
4.6 (926 reviews)
Credit: AutoNation® IMAX 3D Theater, Google Maps
Location: 401 SW 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 713 0930
Web Address: http://mods.org/
37. Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
4.3 (990 reviews)
Location: 801 S University Dr Plantation FL
Tel: 954 905 6888
Web Address: https://urbanair.com/florida-plantation
36. Sebastian Street Beach
4.7 (1,074 reviews)
Credit: Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue, License, Flickr
Web Address: http://fortlauderdale.gov/
35. Hampton Pines Park
4.6 (1,143 reviews)
Credit: Wilfrido Segura, Google Maps
Location: 7800 Hampton Blvd North Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 724 7061
Web Address: http://nlauderdale.org/document/city_parks_facilities/index.php
34. El Prado Park
4.7 (1,175 reviews)
Credit: Peter Reinold, Google Maps
Location: 4500 El Mar Dr Lauderdale By The Sea FL
Tel: 954 640 4209
Web Address: http://lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/351/El-Prada-Park
33. Secret Woods Nature Center
4.7 (1,217 reviews)
Credit: Harry Somers, License, Flickr
Location: 2701 W Streetate Road 84 Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 357 8884
Web Address: https://broward.org/Parks/Pages/park.aspx
32. Esplanade Park
4.6 (1,296 reviews)
Credit: Tamanoeconomico, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 400 SW 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 828 7275
Web Address: http://fortlauderdale.gov/
31. Anglin’s Fishing Pier
4.1 (1,436 reviews)
Location: 2 Commercial Blvd Lauderdale By The Sea FL
Tel: 954 990 5708
Web Address: http://anglinsfishingpier.com/
30. Anne Kolb Nature Center
4.6 (1,454 reviews)
Location: 751 Sheridan Street Hollywood FL
Tel: 954 357 5161
Web Address: http://broward.org/Parks/Pages/Park.aspx
29. Fern Forest Nature Center
4.7 (1,456 reviews)
Location: 201 S Lyons Road Coconut Creek FL
Tel: 954 357 5198
Web Address: http://broward.org/Parks/Pages/park.aspx
28. Tradewinds Park & Stables
4.6 (1,535 reviews)
Location: 3600 W Sample Road Coconut Creek FL
Tel: 954 357 8870
Web Address: http://broward.org/parks/Pages/Park.aspx
27. Plantation Heritage Park
4.7 (1,596 reviews)
Credit: Nelly Busques, Google Maps
Location: 1100 S Fig Tree Ln Plantation FL
Tel: 954 357 5135
Web Address: http://broward.org/Parks/Pages/Park.aspx
26. Pompano Community Park
4.6 (1,683 reviews)
Location: 1660 NE 10th Street Pompano Beach FL
Tel: 954 786 4600
25. Plantation Central Park
4.7 (1,839 reviews)
Location: 9151 NW 2nd Street Plantation FL
Tel: 954 452 2510
Web Address: https://plantation.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/92/285
24. Snyder Park
4.7 (1,918 reviews)
Location: 3299 SW 4th Ave Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 828 4585
Web Address: https://parks.fortlauderdale.gov/parks/parks/-item-62
23. Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium
4.5 (1,933 reviews)
Credit: Kkr Milon Mol, Google Maps
Location: 3700 NW 11th Pl Lauderhill FL
Tel: 954 357 5400
Web Address: http://broward.org/Parks/Pages/park.aspx
22. West Lake Park
4.6 (2,006 reviews)
Location: 1200 Sheridan Street Hollywood FL
Tel: 954 357 5161
Web Address: http://broward.org/parks/Pages/Park.aspx
21. Sky Zone Trampoline Park
4.4 (2,170 reviews)
Credit: Christopher Hooper, Google Maps
Location: 1834 SW 2nd Street Pompano Beach FL
Tel: 954 417 3999
Web Address: https://skyzone.com/fortlauderdale
20. Dania Beach Pier
4.6 (2,271 reviews)
Location: 300 N Beach Road Dania Beach FL
Tel: 954 924 3613
Web Address: http://daniabeachfl.gov/124/Ocean-Park-Beach
19. Tree Tops Park
4.7 (2,455 reviews)
Location: 3900 SW 100th Ave Davie FL
Tel: 954 357 5130
Web Address: http://broward.org/parks/Pages/Park.aspx
18. Pompano Beach Pier
4.7 (2,588 reviews)
Credit: Rob Olivera, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 222 N Pompano Beach Blvd Pompano Beach FL
Tel: 954 482 3229
Web Address: https://parks.pompanobeachfl.gov/facilities/fisher-family-pier
17. Jungle Queen Riverboat
4.5 (3,317 reviews)
Credit: Vince Alongi, License, Flickr
Location: 801 Seabreeze Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 462 5596
Web Address: http://junglequeen.com/
16. The Casino @ Dania Beach
4.0 (3,360 reviews)
Credit: The Casino @ Dania Beach, Google Maps
Location: 301 E Dania Beach Blvd Dania Beach FL
Tel: 954 920 1511
Web Address: http://casinodaniabeach.com/
15. Fort Lauderdale Beach
4.7 (3,673 reviews)
Credit: Beth Gabriel, License, Wikimedia commons
Web Address: http://fortlauderdale.gov/departments/parks-recreation/city-parks/beach-public-fort-lauderdale-beach
14. Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood
4.0 (4,222 reviews)
Credit: Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood, Google Maps
Location: 4150 N Streetate Road 7 Hollywood FL
Tel: 954 961 3220
Web Address: https://seminoleclassiccasino.com/
13. Isle Casino Pompano Park
4.0 (4,684 reviews)
Credit: Isle Casino Pompano Park, Google Maps
Location: 777 Isle of Capri Blvd Pompano Beach FL
Tel: 954 972 2000
Web Address: https://islepompanopark.com/
12. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
4.1 (8,399 reviews)
Credit: Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Google Maps
Location: 5550 NW 40th Street Coconut Creek FL
Tel: 954 977 6700
Web Address: https://seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com/
11. Las Olas Beach
4.7 (10,602 reviews)
Credit: Tamanoeconomico, License, Wikimedia commons
Web Address: http://fortlauderdale.gov/departments/fire-rescue/beach-conditions
10. Swap Shop & Thunderbird Drive-In Theater
4.2 (15,213 reviews)
Credit: John Margolies, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3291 W Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 791 7927
Web Address: http://floridaswapshop.com/
Our Top picks
9. East Las Olas Boulevard
4.7 (119 reviews)
Credit: Terence Faircloth, License, Flickr
8. Historic Stranahan House Museum
4.6 (459 reviews)
Credit: User:Kolossos, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 335 SE 6th Ave Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 524 4736
Web Address: http://stranahanhouse.org/
7. NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale
4.4 (871 reviews)
Credit: Wmpearl, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1 E Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 525 5500
Web Address: http://nsuartmuseum.org/
6. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
4.6 (1,433 reviews)
Credit: Leonard J. DeFrancisci, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 900 N Birch Road Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 563 5393
Web Address: http://bonnethouse.org/
5. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
4.6 (4,736 reviews)
Credit: Korall, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3109 E Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 564 4521
Web Address: https://floridastateparks.org/park/Hugh-Taylor-Birch
4. Butterfly World
4.7 (4,987 reviews)
Credit: Bob B. Brown, License, Flickr
Location: Tradewinds Park South 3600 W Sample Road Coconut Creek FL
Tel: 954 977 4434
Web Address: http://butterflyworld.com/
3. Museum of Discovery and Science
4.6 (5,100 reviews)
CreditSharon Hahn Darlin: , License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 401 SW 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale FL
Tel: 954 467 6637
Web Address: http://mods.org/
2. Flamingo Gardens
4.7 (5,298 reviews)
Location: 3750 S Flamingo Road Davie FL
Tel: 954 473 2955
Web Address: http://flamingogardens.org/
1. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
4.5 (36,949 reviews)
Credit: Rob Olivera, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1 Seminole Way Hollywood FL
Tel: 866 502 7529
Web Address: https://seminolehardrockhollywood.com/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale, Florida! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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