Fort Lauderdale and Broward County Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation

Loading...

It was only a matter of time before the sun-soaked streets of Fort Lauderdale faced an identity crisis. What was once a hotbed of dive bars, diners, and all-day beach parties is now a more upscale destination with a deeper focus on quality in the pursuit of leisure. The city's elevated personality has paved the way for creative organizations, notable eateries, and premium entertainment options to stake their claims and has attracted a menagerie of world-class hotel brands and condo developments. Fortunately, the upscaling is generally guided by an understated interpretation of luxury that doesn't follow Miami's over-the-top lead. Fort Lauderdale is still a place where flip-flops are acceptable, if not encouraged.

Along The Strip and west to the Intracoastal, many of the mid-centur… Read More

y-modern boutique properties are trying to preserve the neighborhood's vintage design aesthetic. Somehow, Greater Fort Lauderdale gracefully melds disparate eras into nouveau nirvana, seasoned with a lot of sand. This could be the result of its massive territory: Broward County encompasses more than 1,100 square miles of land—ranging from dense residential enclaves to agricultural farms and subtropical wilds. But it's the county's beautiful beaches and some 3,000 hours of sunshine each year that make all this possible.

Fort Lauderdale was named for Major William Lauderdale, who built a fort in 1838 during the Second Seminole War. It was incorporated in 1911 with only 175 residents, but it grew quickly during the Florida boom of the 1920s, and it became a popular spring break destination in the 1960s. Today's population is more than 176,000, and the suburbs continue to grow. Of Broward County's 31 municipalities and unincorporated areas, Fort Lauderdale is the largest. And now, showstopping hotels, a hot food scene, and a burgeoning cultural platform accompany the classic beach lifestyle.

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Things to Do

Recommended Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County SEE ALL

Museum of Discovery and Science and AutoNation IMAX Theater

Educational Institution Museum/Gallery Museum Village Local Interest–Sight

Downtown and Las Olas

Bonnet House Museum and Gardens

Garden/Arboretum House/Mansion/Villa Building/Architectural Site Nature Preserve/Wildlife Refuge Tour–Sight

Along the Beach

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Beach–Sight Body Of Water/Waterfall Neighborhood/Street Promenade/Boardwalk

Hollywood Beach and Broadwalk

Beach–Sight Body Of Water/Waterfall Information Center

Art and Culture Center/Hollywood

Educational Institution Museum/Gallery Arts/Performance Venue

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park

Garden/Arboretum Beach–Sight Nature Preserve/Wildlife Refuge Trail/Path Park (National/State/Provincial)

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Beach–Sight Nature Preserve/Wildlife Refuge Trail/Path Park (National/State/Provincial)

NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale

Museum/Gallery Arts/Performance Venue Building/Architectural Site Store/Shop/Mall

Downtown and Las Olas

Explore Things to Do

Find the perfect tours and activities in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Where to Stay

Recommended Hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County SEE ALL

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa

$$$$ | Along the Beach

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale

$$$$ | Along the Beach

W Fort Lauderdale

$$$$ | Along the Beach

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa

$$$

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort

$$$ | Along the Beach

Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six

$$$ | Intracoastal and Inland

Lago Mar Resort and Club

$$$ | Along the Beach

Margaritaville Beach Resort

$$$

See All Filters

Quickly find Fort Lauderdale and Broward County hotels and compare prices.

Where to Eat

Recommended Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County SEE ALL

Seafood

3030 Ocean

$$$$ | Along the Beach

International American

Canyon Southwest Cafe

$$$$ | Intracoastal and Inland

Italian

Casa D'Angelo Ristorante

$$$$ | Intracoastal and Inland

American

Grille 401

$$$$ | Downtown and Las Olas

Seafood

Lobster Bar Sea Grille

$$$$ | Downtown and Las Olas

South Pacific

Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show

$$$$ | Wilton Manors and Oakland Park

American

Market 17

$$$$ | Intracoastal and Inland

Seafood

Ocean2000 Restaurant

$$$$ | Along the Beach

Find the best food tours and activities in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Need to Know

Language

English

Electrical Outlets

120 V/60Hz; Type A plugs have two flat prongs. Type B plugs have the same two flat prongs with a third round prong; together the three form a triangular shape.