Explore Fort Lauderdale
Plan Your Trip to Fort Lauderdale: Best of Fort Lauderdale Tourism
Essential Fort Lauderdale
Where the cocktails are: A nightlife guide to Fort Lauderdale
Elbo Room367There isn’t a plaque announcing this is the town's oldest bar. It opened sometime in the late 1930s, and the sticky, beer-soaked floors are rumored to have never been mopped since (which only adds to the charm). It’s one of the last holdouts on Fort Lauderdale Beach to preserve that rowdy spring break vibe of yesteryear.keeping the music turned all the way up, the beers cold, and the sandy, sunburned crowds hitting the dance floor.
The Wreck Bar113Whoever told you mermaids don’t exist clearly has never visited B Ocean Resort’s Wreck Bar, a dark kitschy lounge that takes its design cues from shipwrecked Spanish Galleons of the 16th century. There are giant aquariums and tiki-inspired cocktails, but the main draw are the large porthole windows behind the bar that peer into the hotel’s pool where a pod of coquettish mermaids and hunky “aquamen” perform underwater burlesque shows multiple nights a week.
Riverside Market210Refrigerators boasting the largest selection of beer in town line the perimeter of this cozy little neighborhood joint in Sailboat Bend. Pluck a cold one, pop the bottle cap with one of the many openers dangling from the wooden posts, and head to your table where you’ll easily lose hours of time. The chill, laid back atmosphere has launched many meandering conversations with friends. The pizza, burgers, and bar snacks can easily extend a quiet night out into a last-call affair.
Georgie's Alibi Monkey Bar395When it opened in 1997, Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar was the first gay bar in Wilton Manors, which is now considered the “second gayest” city in the country after Provincetown. More than 25 years later, the landmark bar remains an integral piece of the gayborhood’s LGBT identity. The dance floor's the place to be when the music’s turned all the way up and the lights are dialed way down low. Don’t miss the flirty cast of emerging and veteran drag queens who perform every Friday night.
Rhythm & Vine37Choose-your-own-adventure at Rhythm & Vine: Early evenings are for oversized Jenga and Connect Four on the outdoor patio; arrive later, and the space transforms into an intimate club with a live DJ playing high-tempo tunes. The interior design is an IG-worthy fever dream of mismatched furniture, rainbow-colored string lights, and kaleidoscopic wallpaper. The vintage Airstream outside serves craft cocktails, draft beers, and Chido tequila seltzers in something called a “bird bong,” a pink flamingo lawn ornament that’s been curiously rigged to double as a funnel.
Blue Jean Blues187Step inside this dark, twinkly lit lounge for live blues and jazz every night of the week. Bands playing soulful genres from Caribbean jazz to bluesy rock to R&B take command from the raised stage in the back. Tables for foot-tapping, finger-snapping patrons line the walls. Reservations are suggested for those coveted seats, but it’s usually not hard to scout a stool at the bar. After a few tracks and refilled drink orders, the area in front of the stage magically transforms into a shimmying dance floor.
Pizza Craft84The scent of fresh dough tempts patrons inside Pizza Craft Pizzeria, while an intriguing neon “cocktails” sign on a side door lures some even further into a sophisticated, speakeasy-style lounge with dark red walls and plush leather banquettes. Knowledgeable bartenders craft cocktails from an extensive liquor list, which features hundreds of whiskey, bourbon, and rye varieties. Old-fashioned aficionados can opt to build their own tableside with their choice spirits, garnishes, and smoke infusions.
Browse collections
Bring the kids
Sip and sightsee
Beyond the beach
Fort Lauderdale on a dime
Doable day trips
On the water
Nighttime adventures
A moment in nature
If you're feeling fancy-ish
Fort Lauderdale Travel Guide
Travelers' pro tips or experiencing Fort Lauderdale
lulutastic
Water taxi in Fort Lauderdale is always a hit with friends and family I've hosted. It's a lovely overview of a portion of the Intracoastal, providing a glimpse at beautiful and over-the-top waterfront properties and mega yachts.
Swordfish911
Boating is a staple of Fort Lauderdale and Fort Lauderdale is the boating capital of the world. Many large yachts are always in the marinas and great to see. Many tours are available as well.
A Tripadvisor Member
Get out of the sun for some shopping! The Galleria on Sunrise Blvd or Sawgrass Outlets 20 mins west of Fort Lauderdale.
Venis3
There are tons of places to go, things to do and people to see.
joe s
This is a wonderful living city not a waiting room for the hereafter!
coach3313
A place for young and old — beach, fancy hotels and great eateries!
What is the best way to get there?
flying
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport is the main commercial airport serving Fort Lauderdale. Shuttle buses run from the airport to nearby hotels. Taxis and car services are available too.
bus
Greyhound offers bus services to Fort Lauderdale with a terminal at 515 NE 3rd St.
driving
Travelers driving to Fort Lauderdale usually approach the city via the I-95 Fwy and the I-75 Fwy.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting Fort Lauderdale from overseas, use the US State Department’s Visa Wizard to see if you need a visa.
When is the best time to visit?
Winter (December to April): The snowbirds really know what’s up. Fort Lauderdale is a dream destination in the winter months thanks to its warm sunshine and its ideal temperatures that hover between 10 to 26°C (50 to 80°F).
Get around
sun trolley
Fort Lauderdale’s Sun Trolley operates seven routes which cover the entire town, as well as one route to and from the airport. For more information on routes, schedules and fares, see here.
water taxi
Fort Lauderdale’s water taxi has 10 stops in Fort Lauderdale and 1 stop in Hollywood.
driving
Parking lots and metered parking are available, however, streets tend to get congested, so alternative methods of transportation are recommended.
On the ground
What is the timezone?
Eastern Time Zone.
What are the voltage/plug types?
The standard voltage in the United States is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. The plug has two flat parallel pins.
What is the currency?
The U.S. Dollar.
Are ATMs readily accessible?
Yes.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes.
Is it easy to find a bank?
Yes
How much do I tip?
Bartender
$1 a drink or $2 for a more labor-intensive cocktail
Restaurant
15-20%
Bellhop
$1 to 3 per bag
Housekeeper
$2-$3 per night
Taxis/rideshare
15-20%
Spa/Salon
20%
Tour guide
10-20%
Are there local customs I should know?
Drinking
The federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 21 years old.
Walking
Walk to the right of the sidewalk and step off to the side of the sidewalk if you want to stop to check your phone, look up directions, or want to take in a view.
Public transport
Allow others to disembark before boarding, don’t take up more than one seat, and stand to offer seating to pregnant women or someone with a disability.
Spitting
Spitting is considered rude in any public setting.
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Fort Lauderdale, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Fort Lauderdale include:
- Fort Lauderdale is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Fort Lauderdale:
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Fort Lauderdale between June and August, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between December and February.