10 Ways to Kick off Summer in Greater Fort Lauderdale

Greater Fort Lauderdale’s 24-mile stretch of golden shores comprises beaches with different charms. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea feels like a seaside village, with beaches ideal for snorkeling, while Deerfield Beach is perfect for building sandcastles with kids thanks to its family-friendly vibe.

Apart from its 24-mile stretch of blue ocean, Greater Fort Lauderdale is known as the “Venice of America” for its 300 miles of inland waterways. Known and beloved by many, the Jungle Queen Riverboat has been a staple of Fort Lauderdale for 90 years, sailing the Intracoastal Waterway.

Sailing away from history and toward romance, the Riverfront Gondola Tour is especially beautiful at night. Departing from Casa Sensei, guests aboard this private tour can enjoy an intimate experience paired with decadent bites from the restaurant.

In contrast, the original tiki boat cruise in Fort Lauderdale is perfect for a group of friends. Cruisin' Tikis offers a variety of cruises and custom charters for a true party on a floating tiki bar.

If sipping tiki cocktails while sailing isn’t your style, how about drinks with a panoramic view?

Centrally located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Rooftop @1WLO overlooks Las Olas Boulevard. The bar offers happy hour deals Wednesday through Sunday, including $5 beers and $10 cocktails — plus stunning skyline views.

Closer to the beach, Escape Rooftop Bar sits atop the Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. With prime west-facing views, the bar offers a sunset backdrop for cocktails and shared bites. Just up the coast, Nubé Rooftop at Beach House Fort Lauderdale, a Hilton Resort serves up skyline views, craft cocktails and a sleek, modern vibe perfect for a night out.

During summer, there’s nothing better than enjoying a waterfront dining experience — and in this city, the options are endless.

A Fort Lauderdale gem, Marina Village offers The Shorley, a ferry-turned-cocktail lounge, and The Promenade, featuring culinary kiosks serving sushi, tacos, lobster rolls and pizza.

Farther down the shore is the new Lucky Fish Beach Bar + Grill in Dania Beach. With ample space, friendly staff and a tiki bar, it’s a great option for beachfront dining. (Be sure to try the coconut shrimp and refreshing watermelon mojito.)

Escape the sun and explore the brewery scene in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Local favorites include LauderAle, a taproom with ice-cold beers and an outdoor space for food trucks — and it’s dog-friendly.

Of course, the nationally known Funky Buddha in Oakland Park — home to one of the largest taprooms in Florida — features more than 25 draft beers, brewery tours and an in-house restaurant with local offerings.

Local tip: Explore the Visit Lauderdale Ale Trail for an insider look at what’s brewing in Greater Fort Lauderdale.

The famous Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlour & Restaurant in Dania Beach is a scoop lover’s dream, serving more than 50 ice cream flavors. Bring the whole family to share the Original Kitchen Sink.

In Coral Springs, Cherry Smash is a retro ice cream parlor and candy shop best known for its hand-spun milkshakes, decadent sundaes, banana splits and more than 40 ice cream flavors.

Once night falls, head to the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and dance under the stars. The town offers free concerts at the Hollywood Beach Theater from Wednesday through Sunday, welcoming all to enjoy the summer breeze and good tunes.

More centrally located at Las Olas Oceanside Park, Friday Night Sound Waves is a free local live music series held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. until May 26. 

There are plenty of activities across Greater Fort Lauderdale to ensure fun for everyone under the sun. Bet on a thoroughbred horse at Gulfstream Park, where the Royal Palm Meet 2025 runs through July. The Flamingo Room on-site also hosts its Taste at the Track series, featuring unlimited tastings with views of the track.

Not into horse racing? Enjoy a relaxing evening of golf at one of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s world-class courses, or head out on the water for a peaceful fishing trip.

Escape the beach for a bit and head to Coconut Creek to see more than 20,000 live butterflies from around the world at Butterfly World. Beyond the butterfly museum and Bug Zoo, the habitat includes waterfalls, botanical gardens, passion vines and roses.

In Davie, some of Florida’s most elegant birds have their own botanical sanctuary. Flamingo Gardens spans more than 60 acres and is home to 3,000 species of plants and trees, as well as 90 species of native Florida animals.

While also a nature getaway, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is an integral part of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s history. Once home to artists Frederic Clay Bartlett and Evelyn Fortune Bartlett, the estate was filled with their paintings and collected artworks in the 1990s. Today, the property is part museum, part garden, and open to the public. 

Looking to escape the summer heat? Head indoors and explore two of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s top cultural gems: NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale and MAD Arts in Dania Beach. NSU Art Museum is home to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Surrounded Islands and boasts a permanent collection of 6,000 works, featuring American realist William Glackens along with Latin American and Cuban art. Just a short drive away, MAD Arts offers an immersive experience with more than 20 interactive exhibits from contemporary artists and innovators.