Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, is a Broward County town on the Jupiter-to-Key West coast. This guide covers 12 beaches, parks and attractions, 12 places to eat and 12 upcoming events, kept current from official sources. Top picks: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (Datura Ave), School Girls, Or the African Mean Girls Play and Labor Day Weekend at Lucky Fish. 2 of the activities are free. Nearest towns: Pompano Beach (3.7 mi) and Fort Lauderdale (5.4 mi).

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

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a low-rise beach village where you can snorkel a living reef a hundred yards off Anglin's Pier, then walk to dinner without moving the car. It bans buildings over four stories, so the sunsets still reach the street.

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

Beaches & Parks in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

  • Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (Datura Ave) (Lauderdale-by-the-Sea) — The only Broward town with a reef within easy swim (~100 yd); the SS Copenhagen wreck is a longer swim or kayak. Flat, low-wind days. Dogs: no.
  • 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. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • 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. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • 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. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • 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. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • 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. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • 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. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • 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. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Pompano, Commercial Blvd, Vista Park & Dania piers (Broward) — The local checks; small, uncrowded, learner-friendly on windswell. (in nearby Pompano Beach, 3.7 mi)

Attractions & Activities in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

  • 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. (in nearby Pompano Beach, 3.7 mi)
  • 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. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Lobster season (Pompano / Boynton) — Regular season open through Mar 31; 6/person/day, 3-inch carapace, saltwater license + lobster permit. Night lobster dives out of Pompano and Boynton are a fall staple. (in nearby Pompano Beach, 3.7 mi)

Free things to do in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

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). (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Other beaches worth knowing — Quietest natural beaches: Blowing Rocks / Hobe Sound NWR, MacArthur Beach, Mizell-Johnson, Cape Florida. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)

Where to eat in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Waterfront

  • Cap's Place (Lighthouse Point) — 1928 speakeasy, boat access only. Florida's oldest restaurant; FDR and Churchill ate here; you take their launch across. $$$. (in nearby Pompano Beach, 3.7 mi)
  • Kaluz (Fort Lauderdale (Commercial Blvd)) — Upscale casual. Closest to Coral Ridge; great happy hour and sunset. $$$ · dog-friendly patio. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Sea Watch on the Ocean (Fort Lauderdale (north beach)) — Old-Florida oceanfront. 1970s beach-house classic; Sunday brunch. $$$. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Casablanca Café (Fort Lauderdale Beach) — 1927 home, piano bar. Oceanfront terrace, Moroccan-Mediterranean. $$$. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Coconuts (Fort Lauderdale) — Fun seafood shack. Lobster mac, boat-side seating, always packed. $$ · dog-friendly patio. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Shooters Waterfront (Fort Lauderdale) — Boat-up party brunch. Intracoastal icon since 1982; live music. $$$ · dog-friendly patio. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Boatyard (Fort Lauderdale (17th St)) — Modern seafood. Sleek, big, reliable. $$$ · dog-friendly patio. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)

Date Night

  • Chef's Counter at MAASS ★ (Four Seasons, Fort Lauderdale) — Contemporary tasting. Broward's only star, 15 min from home. $$$$$ · book ahead. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Heritage (Fort Lauderdale (Himmarshee)) — Wood-fired Italian — Broward's only Bib Gourmand. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Evelyn's (Four Seasons, Fort Lauderdale) — Michelin-recommended. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Daniel's Steakhouse (Fort Lauderdale) — Michelin-recommended. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)
  • Larb Thai-Isan (Fort Lauderdale) — Michelin-recommended. (in nearby Fort Lauderdale, 5.4 mi)

What's on in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

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

  • School Girls, Or the African Mean Girls Play — Thu, Sep 3 – Sun, Sep 27 · The Hive Black Box Theater · Theater & Shows. This South Florida premiere revolves around the dynamics of a group of high school girls.
  • Labor Day Weekend at Lucky Fish — Mon, Sep 7 · Lucky Fish · Festivals & Markets. Celebrate Labor Day weekend with events at Lucky Fish. Price: Free
  • “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
  • Gallery Visits by Appointment Only - Blanche Ely House Museum — Tue, Sep 8 · Ely Museum · Festivals & Markets. The City of Pompano Beach invites the public to visit the art galleries at Blanche Ely House Museum.
  • Lunch with Art - Visual Art — Wed, Sep 9 · BaCA · Community. Unlock Your Creativity Every Wednesday at The Bailey Contemporary Arts!
  • A Taste of Jazz — Thu, Sep 10 · BaCA · Concerts & Live Music. Indulge in an unforgettable evening at A Taste of Jazz at Bailey Contemporary Arts!
  • King Tides: Sept. 10-13 — Thu, Sep 10 – Sun, Sep 13 · Community. Expect some roadway flooding; report impassable roads. Price: Free
  • Culture Celebrations — Tue, Sep 15 – Thu, Oct 15 · Cultural Center · Festivals & Markets. Celebrate culture, community, and connection year-round with our dynamic lineup of events.
  • Candlelight Concerts (Fever) — Fri, Sep 18 · Area churches · Concerts & Live Music. ~$30–60.

See the full list, refreshed daily: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Getting there and planning your day

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea sits at 26.191, -80.096 in Broward County. Parking rules, beach access and permits are on the Town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea 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; Brightline (West Palm Beach–Boca–Fort Lauderdale–Aventura–Miami) 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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