15 Fun Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale on Vacation
A local's honest, in-depth list of things to do in Fort Lauderdale — from the beach and the New River to the one must-do most tourists miss: an Everglades airboat tour.
“Text or call me and I’ll get you out on the water — I can’t wait to see you out in the swamp!”— Captain Billy, owner & native Everglades guideIf you are hunting for things to do in Fort Lauderdale on vacation, you already know the beach. What most visitors miss is that Fort Lauderdale sits right on the doorstep of the Everglades, which means the single best day of your trip can be spent 20 minutes west of downtown watching wild alligators. This is our honest, native-South-Florida guide to 15 fun things to do in Fort Lauderdale, ranked by how memorable they actually are — with real local tips on timing, parking and how to string them into a great day. We have lived and worked on this coast and out on the marsh for years, so consider this the list we give friends who visit, not the one the brochures hand out.
Fort Lauderdale has quietly grown up. It shed the spring-break reputation decades ago and turned into one of the most well-rounded vacation cities in Florida: real beaches, a genuine boating culture, a downtown arts scene, world-class fishing, and an honest-to-goodness wilderness on its western edge. Whether you have two days or a full week, there is more than enough here to fill it. Let's get into the list.
“Text or call me and I’ll get you out on the water — I can’t wait to see you out in the swamp!”— Captain Billy, owner & native Everglades guide1. Take an Everglades Airboat Tour (the #1 Must-Do)
We will say it plainly: the top thing to do in Fort Lauderdale is not in Fort Lauderdale at all. It is a short drive west on an Everglades airboat tour from Fort Lauderdale. Skimming across the sawgrass at speed, spotting wild gators, herons, turtles and the occasional otter, is the one experience nobody forgets. An airboat has no underwater propeller — a big fan pushes it over inches of water and grass, so you reach places no other boat can go.
Aces runs small boats, which is the whole difference. Instead of a spot on a crowded 30-seat barge, you get a genuine front-row seat and a captain who can actually talk to you, slow down for photos, and tailor the route to where the wildlife is that morning. We pull guests from across Broward County every day, and the launch is a genuinely short drive from anywhere in the city. Check our pickup locations to see how close it is to your hotel. If you lock in only one activity in advance, make it this one — small boats fill fast in season.
2. Fort Lauderdale Beach & the Wave Wall
The classic. Two miles of soft sand along A1A backed by the iconic white wave wall promenade. This is a walking, biking and people-watching beach as much as a swimming one. Come early for the best parking (garages near Las Olas Boulevard and metered spots along A1A fill by mid-morning in season), rent a lounger and umbrella, and stay through sunset when the promenade lights up. The water is calm and shallow for a long way out, which makes it genuinely good for families and weaker swimmers.
3. Las Olas Boulevard
A few blocks inland from the beach, Las Olas is the heart of the city's dining and shopping — boutiques, galleries, sidewalk cafes and some of the best restaurants in town. It is walkable, shaded in spots, and lively into the evening. Do a slow stroll, grab a coffee or a gelato, and window-shop the galleries. Weekend nights it turns into the social center of Fort Lauderdale.
4. Cruise the New River & the Canals
Fort Lauderdale is called the Venice of America for a reason — more than 300 miles of navigable canals thread through the city. The Water Taxi is the easy, affordable way to experience it: hop on and off at stops near the beach, Las Olas and downtown while gliding past mega-yachts and waterfront mansions. It is one of the most relaxing things to do in Fort Lauderdale, and it doubles as transportation. Riverboat dinner cruises are the fancier version.
5. Stroll the Riverwalk
A shaded, mile-plus path along the New River linking Las Olas to the downtown arts and science district. Great for a morning walk, a jog, or an evening out. Weekends often bring food-truck events, live music and festivals. It connects several of the attractions on this list, so it is a natural spine for a downtown day.
6. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
A 35-acre historic estate wedged between the beach and the Intracoastal, full of wild orchids, resident monkeys, swans and old-Florida charm. The house tour is worth it, but the grounds are the real draw — a lush, quiet counterpoint to the beach crowds just outside the gate. A perfect low-key morning, especially if it is hot.
7. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
A green oasis right off the beach with a freshwater lagoon, shaded trails, and kayak and paddleboard rentals. Rent a board and you have an easy half-day of calm-water paddling with no ocean chop. There are picnic pavilions and a scenic drive, and it is an easy walk or tram ride to the beach across A1A.
8. See Wild Alligators the Right Way
You can see gators behind fences at roadside attractions, or you can see them in the wild where they belong. An Everglades nature tour puts you in their habitat with a captain who knows exactly where they hide — no cages, no feeding shows, just the real River of Grass. Watching a ten-foot alligator move on its own terms through open marsh is a completely different thing from photographing one in a pen, and it is the more responsible way to experience them, too.
9. Las Olas Oceanside Park (LOOP)
An open-air gathering spot across from the beach with a weekend farmers market, live music, yoga and rotating food vendors. Grab a bite, spread out on the lawn under the palms, and people-watch. It is free, casual and a good way to feel the local rhythm.
10. NSU Art Museum
Downtown's modern-art anchor, strong on Latin American and CoBrA collections with a rotating slate of major exhibitions. A good rainy-day or beat-the-heat plan, and the building itself is worth a look. Pair it with a Riverwalk stroll and lunch on Las Olas.
11. Sawgrass Mills & Shopping
Out in Sunrise, Sawgrass Mills is one of the largest outlet malls in the country. If the weather turns or you just need a break from the sun, this is Broward's go-to for hours of shopping and dining under one roof. It is also conveniently on the way back from the western Everglades launches, so you can pair it with a morning airboat ride.
12. Catch a Sunset on the Water
Sunset in South Florida is close to a religion. You can chase it on a harbor cruise, from the beach, or — our favorite — out west on a golden-hour ride. Our sunset airboat tours put the wildlife and the light together, and the sky over the open sawgrass at dusk is arguably the most photogenic thing to do in the whole region. Gators cruise the surface, birds head to roost, and the marsh glows.
13. Deep-Sea or Backcountry Fishing
Fort Lauderdale is a serious fishing town. Charter offshore for mahi, sailfish, kingfish and snapper — the Gulf Stream runs unusually close to shore here, so you reach blue water fast. Prefer something calmer and cheaper? Head into the Everglades backcountry for bass, bluegill and peacock bass on a quieter freshwater trip. Either way, book a licensed captain.
14. Everglades Wildlife Photography
Birders and photographers love South Florida for good reason. Great blue herons, egrets, anhingas, ospreys, wood storks and brilliant pink roseate spoonbills are all within reach on a single morning in the marsh. A small airboat gets you close and low to the water, which is exactly the angle you want. Bring a zoom lens and a polarizer, and shoot early when the light is soft and the birds are feeding.
15. Explore the Craft Beer & Food Scene
Fort Lauderdale eats and drinks well. Flagler Village and the FAT Village arts district are dense with breweries, food halls and casual spots, while Las Olas covers fine dining. Reserve ahead on weekends, and do not sleep on the Latin American and Caribbean food across the city — some of the best meals here are the least fancy.
A Sample 2-Day Fort Lauderdale Itinerary
Here is how a native would actually structure a great couple of days:
- Day 1 morning: Early Everglades airboat tour while the air is cool and wildlife is active. Book a morning slot and you are back in town by late morning.
- Day 1 afternoon: Lunch on Las Olas, then the beach and the wave wall promenade. Sunset at LOOP.
- Day 2 morning: Bonnet House or Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, then a Water Taxi cruise on the canals.
- Day 2 afternoon: NSU Art Museum or Sawgrass Mills if it is hot, then dinner in Flagler Village.
That plan hits the water, the sand and the city without ever feeling rushed — and the airboat ride is the part everyone still talks about at dinner. Read real guest reviews to see why the ride tops so many trips, or browse the photo gallery for a preview of the marsh.
Best Time of Year to Visit Fort Lauderdale
The sweet spot is roughly November through April: warm, dry, low humidity and minimal mosquitoes. This is also peak season, so book activities ahead. Summer (May to October) is hotter with daily afternoon thunderstorms, but mornings are often clear, prices drop, and the beaches and marsh are less crowded. For an airboat tour specifically, go early any time of year — cooler air, calmer water and the most active wildlife.
Getting Around Fort Lauderdale
A rental car is the most flexible option, especially if you want to reach the Everglades or Sawgrass Mills. Within the beach-and-downtown core, the Water Taxi, rideshare and the free Sun Trolley cover most needs. Parking near the beach is limited and fills early, so arrive before mid-morning or use a garage.
Why Book Direct With a Local Crew
Aces is a family-run, local operation. Book third-party and you get a call center; book direct and you get a real person who knows the water, the weather and the wildlife. You will only ever be guided by our own captains, and the small-boat format means a genuine front-row seat rather than a spot on a crowded barge. For a private outing — a proposal, a birthday or a small group — just ask when you call and we will set it up. Circle back to number one on this list: if you do a single thing on your Fort Lauderdale trip, make it the airboat ride. Call 561-660-2419 to book direct.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one thing to do in Fort Lauderdale?
Beyond the beach, the top-rated experience is an Everglades airboat tour just west of the city — a fast, wild ride to see alligators and birds in their natural habitat. Book direct at 561-660-2419.
How far is the Everglades from Fort Lauderdale?
The nearest airboat launch is roughly a 20 to 30 minute drive west of downtown Fort Lauderdale. See our pickup locations for the exact meeting point closest to you.
Are there free things to do in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes — the beach, the Riverwalk, Las Olas window-shopping and the LOOP weekend market are all free. Paid highlights like an airboat tour, museums and boat cruises are worth budgeting for.
Is Fort Lauderdale good for families?
Very. Calm beaches, easy parks and kid-friendly boat rides make it a great family base. An airboat tour is a favorite with kids because the wildlife is real and the ride is exciting but safe.
What is the best time of year to visit Fort Lauderdale?
November through April offers the best weather with low humidity and few mosquitoes. Summer is hotter with afternoon storms but cheaper and less crowded — just plan activities for the morning.
How many days do you need in Fort Lauderdale?
Two to three days covers the highlights — a morning airboat tour, the beach, Las Olas, a canal cruise and a museum or park. A full week lets you add fishing, day trips and a slower pace.
“Text or call me and I’ll get you out on the water — I can’t wait to see you out in the swamp!”— Captain Billy, owner & native Everglades guide