Hosting for the Holidays? Where to Take Your Out-of-Town Guests in Greater Fort Lauderdale

Those iconic yellow boats cruising along the New River and Intracoastal Waterway get dressed up for the holidays. From Dec. 4 through Jan. 3, Water Taxi’s fleet hosts Holiday Lights Cruises, featuring festive decorations and live music on board. During the 90-minute cruise, passengers can admire dazzling holiday light displays at waterfront mansions lining the waterways. Other sights along the route include Pier Sixty-Six, Bahia Mar, Las Olas Oceanside Park and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Cruises depart at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. from the Stranahan House/Riverside Hotel (stop 1). Cruises will not operate Dec. 12, 24 or 25.

When hosting family and friends for the holidays, waterfront dining is one of the best ways to show off Greater Fort Lauderdale. Whether you're planning lunch or dinner with out-of-town guests, request a table outside to enjoy the views.

15th Street Fisheries has been a seafood staple since 1978, offering dockside dining accessible by boat. While waiting for your food, head to the marina just steps away to feed the tarpon, an experience sure to entertain younger diners.

Another local favorite is Coconuts near Fort Lauderdale Beach, a laid-back waterfront restaurant known for its seafood and famous Scoobies, blue crab claws served in garlic oil.

One of Fort Lauderdale’s newest dining destinations is Sweetwaters, located within the newly reimagined Huizenga Park overlooking the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy globally inspired cuisine while watching yachts cruise along the waterway.

Pickleball has swept South Florida and shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re a 5.5-rated player or picking up a paddle for the first time, The Fort in Fort Lauderdale offers something for every skill level, from beginner lessons and clinics to boot camps for players looking to improve their game. There’s even a free one-hour introduction to pickleball offered daily.

You and your group could easily spend the day at The Fort, which features 43 regulation-size courts, two restaurants (Serves & Thirds and Florida Room) and a packed calendar of events, including trivia, live music, couples pickleball, mahjong and farmers markets.

Your crew can live out its game show dreams at Dania Pointe’s Great Big Game Show, which brings the excitement of a TV game show to life with more than 19 games to choose from. Race to build the tallest tower in 60 seconds, put your blindfolded drawing skills to the test or see how much you can remember from an image after just a 20-second peek. These are just a few of the fast-paced challenges waiting for your group.

While you’re there, grab a bite at one of Dania Pointe’s more than 30 restaurants or explore dozens of shops.

If a round of mini golf is on your group’s agenda, check out Puttshack in Dania Beach. This high-tech indoor mini golf experience takes the game to the next level with automatic scoring and opportunities to earn bonus points. For a different twist, head to Putting Edge inside XTreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale, where you can play a round of glow-in-the-dark mini golf.

Prefer to enjoy the South Florida sunshine? Head to AllGolf at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, which features two 18-hole mini golf courses open for daytime and nighttime play.

For an all-in-one experience, make dinner reservations with a side of live music and dancing. One of Greater Fort Lauderdale's most iconic restaurants, Mai-Kai has been bringing Polynesian culture and entertainment to the community since 1956. During its signature Polynesian show, guests are transported across the Pacific, from Hawaii to Tahiti and New Zealand, through traditional music, dance and storytelling.

For a taste of old-school glamour, Anthony's Runway 84 in Fort Lauderdale delivers an Italian-American supper club experience with a swanky atmosphere reminiscent of "Goodfellas." Live bands take the stage with music that would make the Rat Pack proud.

The entertainment continues at Jay's Fort Lauderdale, where the vibe is best summed up by its motto: "Where Frank Sinatra and Biggie Smalls would break bread." Its weekly lineup spans sultry jazz to high-energy electronic dance music, giving guests plenty of reasons to hit the dance floor. For something a little more intimate, head to Sunness Supper Club and venture upstairs through the red door to discover Bar Betty, a speakeasy offering an eclectic mix of comedy nights, jazz performances, blues and acoustic music.

Rounding out the list is MIA Oceanfront in Hallandale Beach, where dinner can quickly turn into a night of dancing. The dining room transforms into a lively dance floor with musicians, DJs and performers celebrating Latin, Moroccan and Ukrainian influences. The entertainment is just as diverse as the menu.