This Father's Day, celebrate the invaluable role of your father figure with a day filled with appreciation and some of his favorite things. There are plenty of ways to spend the day in Greater Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, June 16.
Hit the town sampling some of the best pours at some of the area’s best breweries, or get your game face on with a round of pickleball. No matter what you decide, options abound for everyone under the sun. Read along for 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 large part of the destination’s essence. With dozens of breweries popping up all over the region in the past few years, there are endless spots to sit back, relax, and sample a selection of craft beers from local brewers, each with a unique 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, electric-fired brewery offers a wide selection of beers on tap, plus a rotating offering of food trucks. Another great spot is Pompano Beach Brewing Company, a microbrewery in Pompano Beach with a series of rotating beers from pastry stouts, bold IPAs, and seasonal releases.
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 to choose from.
Various Brazilian steakhouses offer all-you-can-eat dining experiences. Fogo de Chão on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale features a selection of fire-roasted meats cooked on skewers and carved tableside by skilled gauchos.
Near Fort Lauderdale beach, Chima Steakhouse combines traditional churrasco-style Brazilian barbecue with modern culinary techniques. If you go, try the picanha, a famous Brazilian cut of tender and juicy meat.
Check out Del Frisco’s Grille on Las Olas Boulevard for an American steakhouse. Dad will feel extra special while enjoying beefy dishes like the 45-day, dry-aged ribeye or prime strip steak. If your dad prefers surf over turf, the fine dining establishment offers a variety of seafood dishes.
Treat Dad to an epic barbecue meal this Father’s Day at B&D Trap in Fort Lauderdale. Indulge in authentic Texas-style bites such as slow-smoked brisket, Texas-sized racks of ribs, half-chicken, and JC Sausage, all crafted by veteran pitmaster Orelle Young.
You can also celebrate Dad with a unique South Florida dining experience by attending a four-course Burger Bash on Saturday, June 15, hosted at Arc Culinary. This philanthropic event includes beer and wine and features individual and communal seating if you’re celebrating with a group.
Explore the Waterways
Greater Fort Lauderdale has 24 miles of beaches and fun water activities, from jet skiing to parasailing, which Dad will love.
You may need a wetsuit if exploring Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, a charming seaside town, and 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 offshore 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.
Father’s Day is also the perfect excuse to charter a boat for the day and cruise around the Intracoastal. You can also enjoy a fishing excursion and look out for tarpon, snook, redfish, and more from inshore hotspots or head offshore to catch kingfish and dolphin to blackfin tuna and wahoo.
Get a Little Competitive
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 Federal, newly opened at Baptist Health Iceplex. This dynamic bar and restaurant offers casual dining and stunning views with the bonus of pickleball courts for play. After a round or two, cool off with daily happy hour specials and ice skating downstairs.
There are also more than 35 world-class golf courses in Greater Fort Lauderdale, offering the chance to enjoy a traditional golfing experience in a sunny paradise. Opt for play at Topgolf Pompano Beach to familiarize yourself with the sport or prefer the alternative that blends entertainment with golfing fun for the whole family.