Should You Visit Fort Lauderdale?

Is Fort Lauderdale worth visiting?

This coastal city is a good place to visit for three to seven days. Fort Lauderdale, on the southeastern side of Florida, has beautiful beaches and charming boat canals. This is one of the most walkable beach communities in Florida and there's a promenade that runs along the coastline. The city also has many ritzy hotels and it attracts its share of luxury vacationers. Couples, families, and anyone looking for a relaxing holiday will appreciate this beach area.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Reasons to Visit Fort Lauderdale

Resorts
Luxury beachfront resorts are plentiful in the area. Several of the most impressive include the Ritz-Carlton, W Fort Lauderdale, and the Dalmar. Most resorts have a beachfront pool, hot tubs, and depending on the resort, a kid's club.

Beaches
With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches, a fun boardwalk, and impressive views, the beaches here are among the best in the area. They are surprisingly walkable and, while there can be crowds, there's still a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere.

Nightlife
Trendy and upscale partying is the name of the game in this Florida city. Most people head to the beach, Las Olas Blvd, River Front and The New Hard Rock Seminole Hotel Complex for the best bars and clubs. You'll find the most activity around the weekends, but there really is something going on any night of the week.

Food
Seafood is the obvious option with popular dishes being fish tacos, sea bass, and scallop risotto. There are many waterfront restaurants or you could head to Las Olas Boulevard, which has many bistros, cafes, and restaurants.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Although the snorkeling doesn't compare to what you'll find further south around the Florida Keys, there are some great places to pull your mask and fins out in the area. Popular snorkeling spots nearby include the Vista Park Reef, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood North Beach Park.

Shopping
For interesting local boutiques head to Las Olas Boulevard and for name brand stores you'll want to visit Sawgrass Mills Mall.

Is Fort Lauderdale worth visiting in the Summer?

This is the shoulder season for travel in Fort Lauderdale. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.

The weather in Fort Lauderdale is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 28°C (83°F). But it can get as warm as 32°C (89°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.

With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable coastal city, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the beaches, the resorts, and the nightlife scene.

Is Fort Lauderdale worth visiting in the Autumn?

The weather in Fort Lauderdale is fairly warm during autumn, and stays around 26°C (78°F). But it can get as warm as 29°C (85°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Fort Lauderdale, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery.

Is Fort Lauderdale worth visiting in the Winter?

Winter is the high season for travel in Fort Lauderdale, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 20°C (67°F).

You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to dine out at amazing restaurants and grab some drinks at a bar.

Is Fort Lauderdale worth visiting in the Spring?

This is the shoulder season for travel in Fort Lauderdale. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

The warm weather in spring is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 24°C (75°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 28°C (83°F).

One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the beautiful scenery, and the nightlife.

Things to Consider Before Visiting Fort Lauderdale

Lots of Tourists
Fort Lauderdale sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.

The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Fort Lauderdale might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Fort Lauderdale here or see if Fort Lauderdale is expensive here.

Related

What is Fort Lauderdale most famous for?

Fort Lauderdale is most famous for its canals, beaches, walkable waterfront, and luxury resorts. The coastal city is very popular for its resorts and beaches. It is also known for its great nightlife. And many visitors also come to this coastal city for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping. It is often described as luxury, high energy, scenic, bustling, and spirited.

What is the most famous sight in Fort Lauderdale?

The most popular sight in Fort Lauderdale is The Local Beaches. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Fort Lauderdale on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Local Beaches and other attractions here.

How touristy is Fort Lauderdale? Is it a popular coastal city to visit?

Fort Lauderdale is a very touristy coastal city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

• Private Segway Tours along Hollywood Beach's Broadwalk: $99
• Private Fort Lauderdale Boat Tour with Prosecco: $300
• Master Snorkeling Experience Atlantic Ocean Marine Life Upclose: $73
• Fort Lauderdale Beach Bicycle Tour: $85
• 2 Hour Intimate Cruise for 2ppl w/ Catering - Pompano Beach: $270
• Private 90 Minutes Everglades Airboat Adventure: $163
• Private Helicopter Tour in Miami: $193
• Day Trip To Freeport, Grand Bahama - Tickets only: $255

How long should I spend in Fort Lauderdale?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Fort Lauderdale is at least three or as many as seven days. Since Fort Lauderdale has a variety of activities such as resorts and beaches, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Fort Lauderdale?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Fort Lauderdale?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Fort Lauderdale?.