Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a Broward County town on the Jupiter-to-Key West coast. This guide covers 33 beaches, parks and attractions, 52 places to eat and 55 upcoming events, kept current from official sources. Top picks: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Snyder Park and Kaluz. 3 of the activities are free. Nearest towns: Dania Beach (4.9 mi) and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (5.4 mi).

Last updated September 7, 2026. Events refresh daily; places are hand-picked and re-checked monthly.

Fort Lauderdale is the big city of this coast without the Miami price tag: a beach promenade along A1A, Las Olas Boulevard for dinner, water taxis on the New River and the largest boat show in the world every fall. Panthers hockey, the Broward Center and Hard Rock Live keep the calendar full year-round.

For the live version of everything below, open the Fort Lauderdale page: things to do · events · where to eat.

Beaches & Parks in Fort Lauderdale

  • Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (Fort Lauderdale) — 10 min from Coral Ridge. 1.9-mi paved loop, freshwater lagoon paddling, beach via the A1A tunnel. The default after-work dog walk. Price: $6/car · Dogs: leashed.
  • Snyder Park (Fort Lauderdale) — Lakes and trails plus the city's fenced Bark Park with a dog swim lake (7–7). Price: Free · Dogs: yes.
  • Local spring substitutes (Coral Gables / FTL / Riviera Beach) — South Florida has no natural springs — they all sit north of Orlando. Local stand-ins: the spring-fed Venetian Pool in Coral Gables (1924 lagoon pool, $23, closed Mondays), the atoll pool at Matheson Hammock, the Snyder Park dog lake, and Peanut Island's snorkel lagoon.
  • Warm Mineral Springs (North Port, ~2.5 hr) — The one 'spring' on the southwest coast: 85°F mineral pool, spa vibe. Closest true spring to Fort Lauderdale. Dogs: no.
  • Canine Beach (Fort Lauderdale (A1A north of Sunrise Blvd)) — The neighborhood dog beach. Fri–Sun only, evening hours (roughly 3–7 pm in winter, later in summer — hours conflict across sources; call 954-828-7275). Permit required, bought in person at Holiday Park with vaccination records. Price: $30/yr resident, $45 non-resident, $7 weekend pass · Dogs: yes.
  • Off-beach dog swims (Various) — Snyder Park dog lake (FTL), Canine Cove at South County Regional Park (West Boca), Lake Ida Dog Park (Delray), Amelia Earhart Bark Park dog pools (Hialeah), Perrine Wayside (Palmetto Bay). Dogs: yes.
  • Other beaches worth knowing (Various) — Quietest natural beaches: Blowing Rocks / Hobe Sound NWR, MacArthur Beach, Mizell-Johnson, Cape Florida. Haulover's north section is Miami-Dade's legal clothing-optional beach. Closest everyday strand to Coral Ridge is Vista Park / NE 18th St with free street parking on the west side of A1A north of Sunrise. September heat rule: before 9 am or after 5 pm — sand and pavement burn paws midday.
  • Pompano, Commercial Blvd, Vista Park & Dania piers (Broward) — The local checks; small, uncrowded, learner-friendly on windswell.
  • Dog parks with water (Various) — Snyder Park dog lake (FTL), Canine Cove (West Boca), Lake Ida (Delray), Amelia Earhart Bark Park pools (Hialeah). Dogs: yes.
  • Fenced dog runs (Various) — Bark Park at Snyder, Holiday Park, Riverside and Poinciana (FTL), Barkham at Markham, Woofing Waters at Quiet Waters, Tradewinds Park, Mizner Bark (Boca), Pooch Pines at Okeeheelee (WPB), Blanche & Kennedy parks (Coconut Grove). Dogs: yes.
  • Dog-friendly trails (Various) — Birch State Park loop, Riverbend Park, Jonathan Dickinson, Loxahatchee NWR levee, Oleta, Bill Baggs, Big Cypress boardwalks, Barnacle Historic State Park grounds. Dogs: leashed.
  • Fall dog events (Various) — Fairchild Dog Dates (monthly), Riverwalk 'Mutts & Martinis' / Hound Halloween (Oct), LOOP Pooch Parade, Delray Howl-O-Ween (late Oct), Wynwood Halloween dog costume contest, Humane Society of Broward Walk for the Animals (typically Nov). Check goriverwalk.com, bringfido.com/event and Eventbrite as dates post. Dogs: yes.
  • Dog-friendly weekend-away hotels (Various) — Kimpton Shorebreak & Goodland (FTL; no fee, no size limit), The Ben and Canopy (WPB), Brazilian Court (Palm Beach), The Seagate and The Ray (Delray), Hard Rock Guitar Hotel and Margaritaville (Hollywood), Kimpton EPIC / Surfcomber and 1 Hotel (Miami Beach), Biltmore (Coral Gables), Mayfair House (Coconut Grove). Dogs: yes.

Attractions & Activities in Fort Lauderdale

  • Pompano / Fort Lauderdale wrecks (Hillsboro Inlet & Port Everglades) — 'Wreck capital of Florida': Lady Luck (324-ft tanker with underwater art), Captain Dan, Guy Harvey, Rodeo 25, Tenneco Towers, SS Copenhagen. South Florida Diving Headquarters (night dives, lobster trips, a Halloween dive), Pompano Dive Center, Scuba Monkey. Price: ~$85–100 two-tank.
  • Sea Experience (Bahia Mar, Fort Lauderdale) — The easy one: 2-hr glass-bottom boat + snorkel trip and two-tank dives off Fort Lauderdale beach; Discover Scuba for first-timers. Walkable from Coral Ridge. Price: ~$45–55 snorkel.
  • Las Olas Isles canals (Fort Lauderdale (Las Olas PaddleBoards, NE 20th Ave)) — Minutes from Coral Ridge. SUP/kayak plus mini powerboats; sunset paddles past the yachts in Oct–Nov are the sweet spot. Many outfitters allow dogs on boards on request. Price: From $30 for 90 min · Dogs: ask.
  • Hugh Taylor Birch lagoon (Fort Lauderdale) — The Grove rentals, 9 am–8 pm. Calm freshwater lagoon inside the park.
  • Jet ski, parasail, flyboard (Pompano / FTL / Hollywood / South Beach) — Fort Lauderdale Watersports / Splash Watersports (Pompano & FTL), Boucher Brothers (Hollywood & South Beach). Price: Jet ski ~$100–150/hr, parasail ~$90–120.
  • Sailing lessons (Fort Lauderdale / Miami / Palm Beach) — Fort Lauderdale Community Sailing / LYC (basic keelboat, Wednesday-night racing), Blue Water Sailing School (Bahia Mar; ASA liveaboard courses incl. Bahamas passages — Nov is prime), Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Palm Beach Sailing Club.
  • Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi (FTL / Hollywood / Pompano (30+ stops)) — The easy way to bar-hop the Intracoastal. Dog policy conflicts between sources (site says service animals only) — call. Price: All-day $38, evening $25 · Dogs: ask.
  • Jungle Queen Riverboat (Bahia Mar, Fort Lauderdale) — 90-min narrated New River / Millionaire's Row cruise; 4-hr BBQ dinner & show cruise ~$70–80. Touristy, fun once. Price: ~$30–35.
  • Tropical Sailing / Spirit of Lauderdale (Bahia Mar, Fort Lauderdale) — 2-hr catamaran sunset sails and snorkel-sail combos; November sunsets with cool air are the best of the year. Price: ~$60–90.
  • Carrie B Harbor Tours (Riverwalk, Fort Lauderdale) — 90-min paddle-wheeler. Price: ~$35.
  • Bonnet House Museum & Gardens (Fort Lauderdale beach) — 35-acre estate across from the neighborhood: monkeys, orchids, house tours. Price: $25 / $12 grounds · Dogs: no.
  • NSU Art Museum, MODS, Stranahan House, History Fort Lauderdale (Downtown Fort Lauderdale) — NSU $16 (free first Thursdays); MODS science + IMAX ~$27; Stranahan 1901 house tours $15; History FTL $15 with frequent evening events. Dogs: no.
  • Cultural tours (Miami / FTL / Delray / Boca / WPB) — MDPL Art Deco walking tour (daily 10:30 am, ~$35), HistoryMiami walking/boat tours (Little Havana, MiMo, cemeteries; $30–60), Miami Culinary Tours (Little Havana, Wynwood; $65–90), Craft Food Tours (FTL, Delray, Boca, WPB; ~$65–75), Wynwood golf-cart graffiti tours (~$35–50, often dog-friendly).

Shopping & Markets in Fort Lauderdale

  • Las Olas Oceanside Park (LOOP) Market (Fort Lauderdale Beach) — Saturdays 9–2. Closest to home; very dog-friendly; Friday Night Sound Waves concerts resume in fall Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted. Dogs: leashed.
  • Swap Shop (Fort Lauderdale (Sunrise Blvd)) — Daily. Giant flea market + drive-in movies (~$8/car; dogs OK in your car) Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted. Dogs: leashed.
  • Las Olas Boulevard (Fort Lauderdale) — Boutiques and galleries; LOOP market at the beach Saturdays. Dogs: yes.
  • FATVillage / Flagler Village (Fort Lauderdale) — Last-Saturday art walk, breweries, Sistrunk Marketplace. Dogs: yes (outdoor).
  • Galleria Fort Lauderdale (Sunrise Blvd) — Next door to the neighborhood; Macy's, Dillard's, Truluck's. Dogs: no.

At Night in Fort Lauderdale

  • Thrills and rainy-day options (Various) — Helicopter tours from FTL Executive ($150–350), hot-air balloons over Wellington ($250–300, season resumes Oct–Nov), Skydive Miami, iFLY Davie, Xtreme Action Park & K1 Speed (FTL), Topgolf, PopStroke Delray (dog-friendly outdoors), escape rooms, axe throwing, Publix Aprons and Sur La Table cooking classes, salsa lessons at Ball & Chain or Salsa Craze (FTL).
  • Cinema (Various) — Savor Cinema / Cinema Paradiso (FLIFF — Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival typically Nov), O Cinema South Beach, Coral Gables Art Cinema, iPic Boca/Delray dine-in, Swap Shop drive-in.

Free things to do in Fort Lauderdale

Nothing here charges admission (parking may).

  • Snyder Park — Lakes and trails plus the city's fenced Bark Park with a dog swim lake (7–7).
  • Other beaches worth knowing — Quietest natural beaches: Blowing Rocks / Hobe Sound NWR, MacArthur Beach, Mizell-Johnson, Cape Florida.
  • NSU Art Museum, MODS, Stranahan House, History Fort Lauderdale — NSU $16 (free first Thursdays); MODS science + IMAX ~$27; Stranahan 1901 house tours $15; History FTL $15 with frequent evening events.

Fort Lauderdale with kids

  • Jet ski, parasail, flyboard — Fort Lauderdale Watersports / Splash Watersports (Pompano & FTL), Boucher Brothers (Hollywood & South Beach).

Where to eat in Fort Lauderdale

Waterfront

  • Kaluz (Fort Lauderdale (Commercial Blvd)) — Upscale casual. Closest to Coral Ridge; great happy hour and sunset. $$$ · dog-friendly patio.
  • Sea Watch on the Ocean (Fort Lauderdale (north beach)) — Old-Florida oceanfront. 1970s beach-house classic; Sunday brunch. $$$.
  • Casablanca Café (Fort Lauderdale Beach) — 1927 home, piano bar. Oceanfront terrace, Moroccan-Mediterranean. $$$.
  • Coconuts (Fort Lauderdale) — Fun seafood shack. Lobster mac, boat-side seating, always packed. $$ · dog-friendly patio.
  • Shooters Waterfront (Fort Lauderdale) — Boat-up party brunch. Intracoastal icon since 1982; live music. $$$ · dog-friendly patio.
  • Boatyard (Fort Lauderdale (17th St)) — Modern seafood. Sleek, big, reliable. $$$ · dog-friendly patio.
  • 15th Street Fisheries (Fort Lauderdale) — Dockside seafood. Feed the tarpon; upstairs dining, downstairs casual. $$$ · dog-friendly patio.
  • Southport Raw Bar (Fort Lauderdale) — Dive raw bar since 1973. Oysters, cheap beer, canal. $ · dog-friendly patio.
  • Rustic Inn Crabhouse (Fort Lauderdale (Dania Cut-off)) — Garlic crabs and mallets. Since 1955; bibs and paper tables. $$$ · dog-friendly patio.
  • Burlock Coast (Ritz-Carlton FTL) — Hotel oceanfront. Elevated brunch, rum bar. $$$.

Brunch & Breakfast

  • Sistrunk Marketplace (Fort Lauderdale) — Food hall. Patio. $ · dog-friendly patio.
  • Coffee near home (Coral Ridge / FTL / Miami) — Brewed Awakenings (Coral Ridge), Wells and Circle House (FTL), Pura Vida patios (multiple), Panther Coffee (Miami). $.

Casual & Family

  • Casa D'Angelo (Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale) — Tuscan white-tablecloth. $$$$.
  • Valentino Cucina Italiana (Fort Lauderdale) — FTL's most serious Italian. $$$$.
  • Louie Bossi's (Las Olas) — Bocce courtyard, house salumi. $$$.
  • Canyon (Fort Lauderdale) — Southwestern since 1996, prickly-pear margaritas. $$$.
  • Takato at the Conrad (Fort Lauderdale Beach) — Japanese-Korean. $$$$.
  • Lona at Harbor Beach (Fort Lauderdale Beach) — Beachfront Mexican. $$$.
  • Steak 954 at the W (Fort Lauderdale Beach) — Jellyfish tank steakhouse. $$$$.
  • El Vez at the W (Fort Lauderdale Beach) — Stephen Starr beachfront Mexican. $$$.
  • S3 at the Hilton beach (Fort Lauderdale Beach) — Sun, surf, sand — sushi and small plates. $$$$.
  • Eddie V's (Fort Lauderdale) — Live jazz lounge. $$$$.
  • Lobster Bar Sea Grille (Fort Lauderdale) — Grand vaulted room. $$$$.
  • Wild Sea Oyster Bar at the Riverside (Las Olas) — Oysters and seafood. $$$.
  • Big City Tavern (Las Olas) — People-watching since 2002. $$$.
  • YOLO (Las Olas) — Happy-hour scene. $$$.
  • Sushi Song (Fort Lauderdale) — Sushi. $$.
  • Chima (Fort Lauderdale) — Rodízio. $$$$.
  • Taverna Opa (17th St, Fort Lauderdale) — Napkin-throwing Greek. $$$.
  • Boathouse at the Riverside (Las Olas) — Casual New River dock. $$.
  • Il Mulino on Sunrise (Fort Lauderdale) — Old-school red sauce. $$$.
  • Temple Street Eatery (Fort Lauderdale) — Cheap fast noodles. $.
  • Tap 42 (Fort Lauderdale) — Bottomless brunch. $$.
  • Mai-Kai (Oakland Park) — 1956 Polynesian palace, reopened Nov 2024 after a $20M restoration. Fire-dancer dinner show, Molokai bar with rain on the windows, tiki gardens. Book the show. Show + dinner ~$60–100. Other tiki: Kreepy Tiki (FTL), Esotico (Miami), Broken Shaker (Miami Beach). $$$.
  • Anthony's Runway 84 (Fort Lauderdale (I-95 at SR 84)) — 1982 Sinatra-era red sauce. Served inside an airplane-fuselage bar. $$$.
  • The Floridian & Lester's Diner (Las Olas / SR 84) — The two 24-hour diners (1937 and 1967). Lester's pours a 14-oz coffee cup. $.
  • Kelly's Landing (17th St, Fort Lauderdale) — New England seafood. Lobster rolls, chowder, Sox on TV. $$.
  • Truluck's (Boca Raton / Fort Lauderdale / Brickell) — Own fishery. Strong stone crab; mediums are the best value — ask if they are fresh that day. $$$$.
  • Also strong for stone crab (Fort Lauderdale / Miami River) — Rustic Inn, Garcia's, Kelly's Landing. Mediums are the best value; ask if they are fresh that day. $$–$$$.

Date Night

  • Chef's Counter at MAASS ★ (Four Seasons, Fort Lauderdale) — Contemporary tasting. Broward's only star, 15 min from home. $$$$$ · book ahead.
  • Heritage (Fort Lauderdale (Himmarshee)) — Wood-fired Italian — Broward's only Bib Gourmand.
  • Evelyn's (Four Seasons, Fort Lauderdale) — Michelin-recommended.
  • Daniel's Steakhouse (Fort Lauderdale) — Michelin-recommended.
  • Larb Thai-Isan (Fort Lauderdale) — Michelin-recommended.

Bars & Nightlife

  • Sparrow (The Dalmar, Fort Lauderdale (25th fl)) — Asian-leaning shareables; the FTL rooftop. $$$.
  • Rooftop @1WLO (Downtown Fort Lauderdale) — Chef-driven small plates; river views. $$$.
  • Nubé (Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach (26th fl)) — The only oceanfront rooftop in FTL. $$$.
  • Level 6 (Hyatt Centric Las Olas) — Pool bar plus speakeasy; lighter fare. $$.
  • Funky Buddha (Oakland Park — 10 min from home) — Brewery. Patio only for dogs; weekend tours ~$15; Oktoberfest Oct 2–4. $ · dog-friendly patio.
  • LauderAle (Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)) — Brewery. The quintessential dog brewery; food trucks; dog events most weekends. $ · dog-friendly patio.
  • Tarpon River / Gulf Stream / Invasive Species (Downtown & Flagler Village FTL) — Brewery. Tarpon River patio only. $ · dog-friendly patio.
  • Yeasty Brews (Lauderhill) — Brewery. Very dog-friendly. $ · dog-friendly patio.

What's on in Fort Lauderdale

The next 10 events on the Fort Lauderdale calendar (dates are America/New_York; confirm with the organizer before you go):

  • “Timeless Tropics: Florida’s Changing Landscapes” Fine Art Exhibit at History Fort Lauderdale — Mon, Sep 7 – Sun, Sep 13 · History Fort Lauderdale · Festivals & Markets. Explore the fine art exhibit featuring Florida’s landscapes. Price: Free
  • Build a Better World: The Future Begins with You — Mon, Sep 7 · Fort Lauderdale · Community. A daily event focusing on the future of our world. Price: Free
  • King Tides: Sept. 10-13 — Thu, Sep 10 – Sun, Sep 13 · Community. Expect some roadway flooding; report impassable roads. Price: Free
  • Brad Paisley — Fri, Sep 18 · War Memorial Auditorium · Concerts & Live Music.
  • Candlelight Concerts (Fever) — Fri, Sep 18 · Area churches · Concerts & Live Music. ~$30–60.
  • Fort Lauderdale United FC home match (USL Super League, women) — Fri, Sep 18 · Beyond Bancard Field · Sports. ~$15–40. The only pro team still playing in Fort Lauderdale proper.
  • Celebration 5K/10K (Team Fort Lauderdale) — Sat, Sep 19 · Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, 1100 Seabreeze Blvd · Races & Runs. 5K, 10K Club's 54th birthday run; sidewalk course.
  • 41st Annual Coastal Cleanup — Sat, Sep 19 · Community. Join the community in keeping our coast clean! Price: Free
  • Michael Franti — Tue, Sep 22 · Revolution Live / Culture Room · Concerts & Live Music.
  • Viernes Musicales — Fri, Sep 25 · Concerts & Live Music. Join us for Friday nights filled with live music and cultural performances. Price: Free

See the full list, refreshed daily: Fort Lauderdale.

Getting there and planning your day

Fort Lauderdale sits at 26.122, -80.137 in Broward County. Parking rules, beach access and permits are on the City of Fort Lauderdale site; the Visit Lauderdale (official tourism board) calendar lists county-wide festivals; check the National Weather Service Miami – South Florida forecast before a beach or boat day (summer storms build after 2 pm); snorkelers and anglers should read the NOAA tides: South Port Everglades; Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi is the car-free way in; the official Hugh Taylor Birch State Park page has hours and entry fees.

Nearby towns

Each has its own page in this guide:

Official sources and further reading

We link to primary sources so you can verify hours, fees and dates:

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