U.S. News Insider Tip: Looking for a cold one or some sustenance steps off the sand? Stroll a short way north of the beach's northernmost access to the Sandbar Grill at the Sun Tower Hotel & Suites for beer, wine, good service and tasty eats. – Chelle Koster Walton, Contributor, Travel

Want a beautiful Florida beach without a crazy party scene? Fort Lauderdale Beach may be just what you're looking for. Here you will find a calmer and less chaotic version of Miami Beach – but with the same sugary sands and crystal-clear water. There are still parties, but you're more likely to find families relaxing or leisurely walking the waterline than raucous groups of college kids. Backing the shoreline, the town's signature wavy white divider separates the sand from a promenade that bustles with residents and resort guests jogging and strolling. A string of breaks in the thigh-high wall allows entry onto the beach at crossroads.

U.S. News Insider Tip: B Ocean Resort's Wreck Bar makes a splash with its weekly mermaid shows. The Saturday and Sunday brunch shows are geared toward families, while the evening burlesque shows are for adults only. – Chelle Koster Walton, Contributor, Travel

Located less than a mile south of Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park beckons to families who want to spend their beach day doing more than just lounging and swimming.

Head north from Fort Lauderdale Beach Park or east on Las Olas Boulevard and you'll find Las Olas Beach, a small stretch of sand that attracts beachgoers of all ages. Beach amenities are plentiful, including an amphitheater and splash pad. Visitors also have access to beach chair and water sports equipment rentals, restrooms and metered parking. Restaurants, bars and shops are also available across the street.

Along A1A, you will find plentiful places to eat and drink, such as the legendary Elbo Room. Many of the best restaurants live within the strip's hotels, such as S3 (Sun, Surf and Sand Restaurant) at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.

One of the best ways to take in your surroundings in the so-called "Venice of America" is to sign up for a boat tour. Fort Lauderdale boat operators offer a variety of ways to get out on the water, from traditional sightseeing outings to fishing charters to themed excursions in specialty boats. The following are a few traveler favorites:

Carrie B Cruises: For a standard narrated tour of Fort Lauderdale's waterways, consider booking a cruise with Carrie B Cruises. Lasting about 90 minutes, Carrie B Cruises' sightseeing excursions travel up and down the New River and Intracoastal Waterway, passing Port Everglades and Millionaires Row (a waterfront strip of mansions in the Las Olas Isles neighborhood) along the way. Each trip departs daily at 11 a.m., 1 or 3 p.m. from October through April, but cruises are not available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between May and September. Adult tickets cost $27.95; passes for children ages 3 to 12 are $15.95, and kids 2 and younger ride for free; reduced rates are available for visitors who book in advance online.

U.S. News Insider Tip: On weekends, arrive early to find parking and enjoy breakfast as the town comes alive. Try funky, classic Diner By-the-Sea for the best breakfast food or Village Grille for an alfresco atmosphere. – Chelle Koster Walton, Contributor, Travel

A small seaside town with a lot going on, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea warrants a visit for sidewalk dining, a stroll down Commercial Boulevard's shops or a beach visit away from Fort Lauderdale's bustle and crowds. A mere 100 yards from shore, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea earns its reputation as South Florida's beach-diving capital with waters that teem with coral reef marine life and a historic shipwreck.

This house sitting between the Intracoastal Waterway and Fort Lauderdale Beach has a long history. In 1919, a wealthy settler gave the 35-acre property (named after the bonnet lily flower that grew on the grounds) as a wedding gift to his daughter, Helen, and her husband, Frederic. In 1920, the newlyweds began construction of Bonnet House, hoping to build a winter getaway where Frederic could pursue his art and Helen could work on her music and poetry. But construction soon stopped when Helen died in 1925 from breast cancer. Frederic didn't resume property renovations until 1931 when he married Evelyn Fortune Lilly. The new couple continued decorating the house until Frederic's death. Several decades later in 1983, Evelyn donated the house to the state's Trust for Historic Preservation, opening it to visitors for guided tours.

Previous travelers said Bonnet House has something to keep every type of traveler satisfied: Art lovers, horticulture enthusiasts, animal lovers and history buffs will enjoy this attraction. Many recommended the guided tour. The plantation home is ornately decorated and filled with artwork (all three residents of the house were artists of some kind), but the estate's grounds are also well worth the visit. The campus is lush and beautiful for a nice walk through nature and even sometimes accompanied by monkeys. However, some noted that not every room in the house has air conditioning, so bring a hand fan if you're visiting during the summer months.

Located a few blocks north of the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park's position between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean makes it a fun locale for all types of travelers. Those looking to get out on the water can canoe or kayak in the largest of the park's coastal dune lakes. Adventurers who want to get their adrenaline pumping can bike along the nearly 2-mile paved park drive. Meanwhile, visitors who prefer to explore by foot can hike the Coastal Hammock Trail, which snakes through a native maritime tropical hardwood hammock ecosystem, one of the last of its kind in Broward County. Fisherman can make a catch at the seawall, while birders can look for 250-plus species that live in and regularly grace the park.

Many past visitors were quick to call this attraction a hidden treasure that shouldn't be missed, no matter how long your trip to Fort Lauderdale is. Some cautioned the parking lots fill early in the day. Travelers found the park to be an oasis, citing its abundant flora and fauna and plentiful activities as highlights. Others appreciated the easy access to the beach, as there is a tunnel that brings visitors under the highway and directly to the shoreline.

Diverse restaurants, a bevy of international art galleries and dozens of retail options line Las Olas Boulevard. But while casual walkers and window-shoppers enjoy soaking in the Floridian atmosphere and overall aesthetic of the boulevard, the more intent consumer may not find this commercial street as appealing due to the high price tags and crowded restaurants at night. However, travelers recommend grabbing a bite to eat above all else, as many were impressed with the quality of food and the amount of alfresco dining options available. Our advice would be to make a stop here if you're planning to visit the nearby Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale or local museums like the Museum of Discovery and Science.

In terms of parking, there are both on-street and private lots available to customers. Street parking is metered starting at 11 a.m. in most locations, and city and private lots can be found on the side streets that run parallel to the boulevard. The Riverside Hotel also offers a seven-story parking lot. For visitors without cars, the water taxi's No. 2 stop is next to Las Olas Boulevard. Additionally, the No. 11 bus and Sun Trolley's Las Olas Link pick up and drop off along the thoroughfare.

About 10 miles south of Fort Lauderdale in Dania Beach, the sands at this state park seem a world away from the bustling metro. This state park earns high marks from visitors for its seclusion, abundance of picnic facilities and snack bar with beer on tap at its Whiskey Creek Hideout concession. It's also known for its superlative birding, boating facilities and paddle sports in the mangrove-lined creek. Snorkelers will be pleased to know the 2-mile-long beach boasts one of area's easiest and most interesting shore dives.

The site was formerly called John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, but in 2016, the Florida legislature renamed the park in honor of Civil Rights leaders who staged "wade-in" protests against beach segregation in the 1950s and 1960s, when it was known as a "colored beach." The dunes-edged park is the last undeveloped coastal ecosystem in the county.

Take an airboat tour of the Florida Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park and prepare to be amazed (or scared) by the close-up views of alligators and other creatures. You can even reserve an airboat tour for nighttime runs to observe nocturnal animals in their natural state. Or, arrange for a private tour for a more unique experience, such as a sunrise tour.

Past travelers raved about their airboat rides at Sawgrass Recreation Park. In fact, many were surprised at how close they were able to get to the gators and found their tour guides to be knowledgeable and entertaining. Some were disappointed about not seeing enough alligators as, of course, there are no guarantees.

If it's a rainy day and you need an indoor activity that will appeal to the kids, take them to the Museum of Discovery and Science. The museum is filled with so many activities and exhibits, your kids may never want to leave. Admire the museum's resident river otters at the two-story habitat, learn more about Florida weather patterns at the Storm Center or experience the concepts of physical science at the outdoor Science Park. Other must-visit spots in the museum include an aviation station, where kids can climb into the cockpit of a World War II fighter plane, and the Great Gravity Clock – the biggest kinetic energy sculpture in Florida. If that's not enough, visitors can catch a film at the 300-seat IMAX 3D theater, buy a souvenir at the gift shop or pick up something to eat at the Elements Cafe.

Whether you're traveling with or without kids, recent museumgoers highly recommend a stop at the property. However, some noted that certain exhibits were outdated and in need of an upgrade, as some interactive features didn't function as promised.

Spanning 22 blocks, the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District holds some of Fort Lauderdale's top attractions. You'll find the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the Museum of Discovery and Science and the Historic Stranahan House Museum, in addition to many restaurants, green spaces and shops. The district is set along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale and is a lovely place to stroll or sit on a bench with a cup of coffee. It also encompasses Las Olas Boulevard, where you will find many shopping, dining and nightlife venues.

Recent travelers said they enjoyed the views along the river and found the paved stretch to be a perfect place to go for a walk. Additionally, many recommended hopping on the free LauderGO! Water Trolley, which operates like a bus system with eight different stops along the river's north and south banks. The water trolley runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Riders can track the location of the water trolley using its live tracking page, or simply wait 20 to 30 minutes at the nearest stop.

Tucked away on an unassuming street in Davie, Florida, Flamingo Gardens is a botanical garden and Everglades wildlife refuge situated 17 miles west of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Once inside the gates, you will be transported to a stunning 60-acre tropical oasis filled with roaming peacocks, native Florida wildlife and more than 3,000 plant species.

A nonprofit organization, Flamingo Gardens aims to preserve endangered, injured animals in naturalistic habitats and educate the public on the history of South Florida and the area's flora and fauna. Animals on-site include sea otters, rehabilitated Florida panthers, a rescued black bear (named Josh), alligators, 250 bird species and – of course – the sanctuary's namesake Caribbean flamingos. Recent visitors loved the park's narrated tram tour through 200-year-old live oak trees and tropical groves, noting it was the perfect way to get an overview of the park. The 25-minute ride is free of charge and leaves every 30 minutes between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. (hourly on the hour weekdays in August and September).

Butterfly World, the largest butterfly house on Earth and the first of its kind in the United States, has been in business since 1986 and is home to more than 20,000 live butterflies. The 3-acre attraction was the brainchild of Ronald Boender, a former electrical engineer with a fascination for raising butterflies. He is also known for starting the "Bring Butterflies Back" campaign in 1988, which led to the creation of thousands of new butterfly habitats and an increase in butterfly populations across North America. Today, visitors of Butterfly World can not only interact with more than 50 butterfly species at any one time, but also admire tropical birds and feed lorikeets.  

This Coconut Creek attraction, located about 15 miles north of downtown Fort Lauderdale, is a great place to bring children. Recent patrons said it was a beautiful and unique place to spend an afternoon, and they were amazed to see the butterflies flying all around them. Another highlight was feeding the birds in the lorikeet enclosure. No outside food is permitted at Butterfly World, but you can bring lunch to eat at designated picnic benches outside of the entrance. There are also two outdoor cafes on the premises that sell snacks and drinks.

Pirate wannabes of all ages enjoy this smooth sail aboard the pirate ship Bluefoot in the Intracoastal Waterway. While the pirate crew keeps kids entertained dressing as pirates, hunting for treasure, learning to "talk pirate" and blowing off water-balloon cannons, adults can enjoy a narrated tour of the local mansions and mega-yachts lining the waterway. Time on the water is one hour; families are urged to arrive 30 minutes early to get the kids properly dressed and (temporary) tattooed.

Visitors speak highly of the staff's engagement with kids, especially the antics of Captain Black Sparrow. Most found the cruise equally entertaining for children and adults, who especially enjoyed the cannon battle.

U.S. News Insider Tip: It may look like a tiny taqueria storefront, but Bodega Taqueria y Tequila near the Broward Center is actually a front for a roomy, popular speakeasy. Just enter through the faux port-a-potty. – Chelle Koster Walton, Contributor, Travel

If you're interested in seeing a theatrical performance during your trip, head to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Broward Center is conveniently located on the west side of the Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, so you can easily grab dinner and a drink before your show or end your night with a stroll along the water.

Whether you're looking to spend a day at the races or just find a nice spot for dinner, Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach has you covered. The Gulfstream Park racetrack opened in 1939 as one of the top horse racing venues in the United States. It has continued its legacy with world-class races every Wednesday to Sunday from December through September, and it caters to both beginners and experienced bettors. Admission is free, but various luxury boxes and private suites are available for serious racing enthusiasts. Special events at the park include the annual Florida Derby – considered the biggest racing day of the year in South Florida – at the end of March or beginning of April.

In recent years, Gulfstream Park has grown to include the Village at Gulfstream, a dining, outdoor shopping and entertainment venue. There you'll find art galleries and stores like Crate & Barrel and Bang & Olufsen, dining options ranging from Texas De Brazil to Yard House and even a casino, a bowling alley and karaoke rooms.

Situated just off Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, the Historic Stranahan House Museum is Fort Lauderdale's oldest structure with a storied past. Frank Stranahan, an Ohio businessman, moved to Florida in the early 1890s and is considered to be Fort Lauderdale's founding father. He built Stranahan House in 1901 for use as a trading post and community hall. It later transitioned into a private residence for Stranahan and his wife, Ivy, and was renovated between 1913 and 1915. After Stranahan's untimely death in 1929 during an economic crisis, Ivy Stranahan rented out rooms of the home and leased the lower floor to a few restaurants. After her passing in 1971, the house was left to the Seventh Day Adventist Church and then purchased by the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society in 1975. The organization restored the house between 1980 and 1984, and opened it to the public later that year as the Historic Stranahan House Museum. 

Visitors must take a guided tour to see the museum. Tours last between 45 minutes and an hour and take place at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. daily (with the exception of major holidays). Inside the property, you'll learn about the history of the house, the Stranahan family and Fort Lauderdale as a whole. Admission costs $12 for adults and $7 for students. The Historic Stranahan House Museum is especially lovely during the holiday season, when it is decorated in a Victorian Christmas theme and entertains visitors with live music and tours by costumed docents.

Located in Sunrise, Florida – about 15 miles west of downtown Fort Lauderdale – Sawgrass Mills mall is a shopping destination like no other. Known by locals simply as "Sawgrass," it is the largest outlet mall in the United States. Within the 350-store complex, you will find a variety of retail sections with shops ranging from budget-friendly options like a Super Target, Marshalls, J.Crew Factory and Nike Factory Store to the Colonnade's exclusive luxury-brand outlets like Tory Burch, Prada, Jimmy Choo and Kate Spade. Sawgrass also houses a cinema with an IMAX movie theater, a post office, two food courts and several restaurants, including The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, Rainforest Cafe (a great spot for families) and conveyor belt style SushiGami. If you hope to see the entire mall, plan on spending at least one full day here.       

Sawgrass Mills is such a major shopping destination that it is not uncommon to see vacationers wheeling empty suitcases around the mall and filling them up with their purchases as they shop. Though Sawgrass Mills no longer offers an official tour bus to and from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, there are third-party direct shuttles and town car services available. Still, the best way to travel to and from the airport (and around South Florida in general) is by renting a car of your own. To cater to international travelers, the mall even has its own currency-exchange station. For transportation from the Fort Lauderdale-International Airport, take the Tri-Rail train to the Fort Lauderdale station and transfer to Broward County Transit bus No. 22 westbound directly to the mall.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, underwent a massive $1.5 billion expansion in 2019, making it more than just a great place to stay. Travelers should head to the Hard Rock for dining, nightlife and – of course – gambling. The Seminole Hard Rock is a 10-mile drive southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale and offers ample parking for visitors. At the more than 195,000-square-foot casino (the largest in South Florida), patrons can choose from 2,700-plus slot machines and nearly 200 table games.

Those who aren't willing to risk it all on the blackjack table will still find plenty to do. Seminole Hard Rock has dining establishments fit for all palates, ranging from fine dining at Council Oak steakhouse and Kuro (Japanese) to contemporary Asian cuisine at The Bol and the iconic Hard Rock Cafe. What's more, a food court features pizza, burgers, hot dogs and Chinese specialties.  The property also boasts the 7,000-person Hard Rock Live arena, which is a prime place to see touring entertainers like Maroon 5, Andrea Bocelli, Sting and more.