Celebrate the father figure in your life with a day full of appreciation and some of his favorite activities. On Sunday, June 15, you’ll discover plenty of ways to celebrate Father's Day in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Sample some of the area’s best brews at top breweries, or get your game face on for a fun round of pickleball.
No matter how you choose to spend the day, options abound for everyone under the sun. Check out some of the best things to do with Dad in Fort Lauderdale and beyond.
Get Your Brew On
Greater Fort Lauderdale’s thriving brewery scene has become a key part of the destination’s identity. With dozens of breweries popping up across the region in recent years, there are endless spots to sit back, relax and sample a selection of craft beers from local brewers, each with its own distinct vibe.
Make the experience memorable for Dad by saving the Visit Lauderdale Ale Trail Passport to your phone. This mobile pass leads you to a collection of 15 curated breweries and distilleries across Greater Fort Lauderdale, where you can unlock deals and discounts to create the ultimate beer crawl.
Sip and sample from haunts like Fort Lauderdale’s first nano brewery, LauderAle, nestled in a secluded marine-industrial warehouse. This small-batch, electrically fired brewery offers a wide selection of beers on tap along with a rotating lineup of food trucks.
Another great spot is Tripping Animals Taproom in Oakland Park. Its spacious taproom and outdoor beer garden are the perfect places to enjoy one of the 10 rotating beers on draft. If you go around lunchtime, be sure to order one of the inventive hoagies or hot dogs from their eatery, Trippy Kitchen.
Treat Dad to an Epic Dinner
Give Dad the gift of a culinary feast by making a reservation at one of the many steakhouses across Greater Fort Lauderdale. From classic American cuts to juicy Brazilian churrasco, there’s no shortage of options.
The Michelin-recommended Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse, is a great place to start, blending steakhouse staples with local ingredients. Think tiny bits of orange zest mixed into the cultured butter that comes with the oh-so-fluffy milk bread. The juicy selections of meat are the real crowd-pleasers, but be sure to save room for the creamed spinach.
Travel south to Hollywood for CLASS Soiree Steakhouse, a modern dining experience with a live, open-concept kitchen where guests can watch the chefs in action. Here, it’s all about the show as much as the grilled chops, premium cuts, fresh seafood and chicken.
Treat Dad to a serious steak lover’s meal with Boatyard’s 38-ounce flambéed dry-aged porterhouse, served with grilled tomatoes, crispy onion rings and a trio of sauces such as cognac au poivre, chimichurri and béarnaise. The upscale waterfront spot brings nautical vibes and a front-row seat to the Intracoastal.
Greater Fort Lauderdale also boasts Brazilian steakhouses that offer all-you-can-eat dining experiences. Be sure to check out options like Fogo de Chão on Las Olas Boulevard and Chima Steakhouse near Fort Lauderdale beach.
You can also celebrate Dad with a unique South Florida dining experience by attending a four-course Burger Bash on Saturday, June 14, hosted at Arc Culinary. This philanthropic event features wine and offers both individual and communal seating, perfect for celebrating with a group.
Explore the Waterways
You may need a wetsuit if exploring the charming seaside town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, which is also Florida’s Beach Diving Capital. The SS Copenhagen shipwreck, located 100 yards offshore, is accessible to scuba divers and snorkelers and is one of the many shipwrecks found off the coast of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Plan the ultimate scuba diving trip with Dad!
Another must-see dive spot is Hollywood Beach’s artificial reef system, brought to life by the 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project. This underwater mermaid gallery promises to restore Florida’s living coral reef population and offers an adventure for marine lovers.
For a uniquely Florida above-water experience, head to Everglades Holiday Park for an airboat tour. Glide across the waterways on an airboat and get close to some of the area’s unique wildlife, from alligators to snakes.
Take your aquatic adventure up a notch at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. Ski Rixen is a fun cable water sports park perfect for all skill levels. Instead of relying on a boat, riders are pulled across the lake by an overhead cable system, making for a steady, line-free experience. Equipment rentals are available, and beginners can start with kneeboarding or waterskiing before working up to wakeboarding.
Game On
What better way to bond with your Dad on Father’s Day than with some friendly competition?
If you and Dad are pickleball-obsessed or want to try the fast-growing sport, check out The Fort. This new, state-of-the-art, 10-acre destination is home to 43 professional regulation courts and the world’s first pickleball stadium. Afterward, hit up the on-property restaurant, Lakeside, and cool off with a drink and some bites. There’s also a lakeside beach, watersports, plus activities like bocce, cornhole, beach volleyball and a dart room.
An alternative is Epic Pickleball & Padel Athletic Club in Sunrise. Play on one of the 10 indoor pickleball courts or try your hand at padel — a popular racket sport that blends squash and tennis.
For a more classic sporting experience, Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to more than 35 world-class golf courses, offering the chance to enjoy a traditional golfing experience in a sunny paradise.
For a golf alternative that’s perfect for the whole family, reserve a hitting bay at Topgolf Pompano Beach. Use the complimentary clubs or bring your own, and take aim at the outfield targets.
Father’s Day is also the perfect time to catch some soccer action at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, home of Inter Miami CF. Whether you're a longtime fan or just in it for the Messi magic, watching a match together makes for a high-energy bonding experience.