This Father's Day, celebrate the invaluable role of your dad with a day filled with appreciation and some of his favorite things. If you're looking for ideas on how to spend the day in Greater Fort Lauderdale, you're in luck. From checking out the region’s best breweries to enjoying a meal fit for a king, there’s plenty to do and see around town on Sunday, June 18. 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 its own 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.
You can also take Dad to explore creative concoctions at nearby sports bars and restaurants, like The Palm Room on Las Olas Boulevard. Newly opened in spring, this hangout embodies a “Player’s Club” culture with pleated leather boots, big screen TVs, and even bottle service if you want to celebrate Dad with an extra-special bubbly experience.
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.
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 you plan on exploring Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, a charming seaside town that happens to be Florida’s Beach Diving Capital. The SS Copenhagen shipwreck, located 100 yards offshore, is accessible to 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.
Get a Little Competitive
What better way to bond with your dad on Father’s Day than with some friendly competition? Have some fun at K1 Speed in Hollywood, an indoor go-kart spot featuring an authentic racing experience to get the adrenaline pumping.
Another great option is to spend the day at Gulfstream Park — Hallandale’s spot for live thoroughbred horse racing. Races are offered daily and broadcast live on TV screens throughout the park, allowing you to enjoy the excitement from any vantage point. The park also features a casino with over 800 slot machines, a poker room, and its latest crown jewel: the Carousel Club. With a revolving carousel bar as its centerpiece, the popular day and nightlife hangout spot offers patrons delicious craft cocktails and perfect racetrack views.