101 Things To Do This Summer In Greater Fort Lauderdale

From 31 vibrant communities and miles of golden beaches to one-of-a-kind attractions and fun summer events, there is so much to enjoy in Greater Fort Lauderdale. To get the summer vacation ideas flowing, we’ve put together 101 unforgettable experiences. Check them out, find your perfect place to stay, and get ready for your best summer vacation ever!

1. Celebrate Memorial Day weekend at the Great American Beach Party on Saturday, May 27^th on Fort Lauderdale beach. Enjoy live music, water slides, a kids zone, a military tribute and much more!

2. Fly above the water on a flyboard with Aqua Flight.

3. Scuba dive or snorkel around a living coral reef with an astounding variety of fish and critters at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea or in Hollywood Beach – two of the only beaches in the continental U.S. where you can do so right off the beach – no boat required!

4. Revel in a relaxing massage in a cabana overlooking the ocean at The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton. See all spa and wellness offerings. 

5. Treat your kids to the Funky Fish Ocean Camp, named a ‘Top Children’s Program in the World’ by Travel + Leisure magazine.

6. Get your caffeine fix at the area’s top coffee shops.

7. Enjoy a peaceful morning on the beach with sunrise yoga at W Fort Lauderdale.

8. Find something fabulous at Sawgrass Mills, home to 350+ stores and 70+ exclusive, luxury outlets including Burberry, GUCCI, Prada, Tory Burch and Versace. See all shopping offerings. 

   

9. Celebrate American Caribbean Heritage Month with live music, food and entertainment at The LOOP Fort Lauderdale Beach on June 2-4. 

10. See more than 20,000 live butterflies from every corner of the globe at Butterfly World, the largest butterfly park in the world right here in Coconut Creek. 

    

11. Wine and dine and revel in the festive sidewalk atmosphere on Las Olas Boulevard, home to dozens of amazing restaurants and bars.

12. Experience the magic of a full moon kayak tour at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. See more parks and nature offerings.

13. Climb aboard a Cruisin’ Tiki to see the sights and enjoy a cocktail. See other sightseeing cruise options. 

    

14. Check out the summer lineup at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and prepare to be dazzled by Broadway shows, top comediennes, big-name musical acts and more. See all arts and culture offerings. 

    

15. Celebrate the 15^th and 16^th days of summer at Floatarama, June 10-11. The weekend event features a spectacular Flotilla of decorated vessels on Saturday and a Sailor’s Dance & Pool Party on Sunday. All proceeds will support at-risk LGBT+ youth.

16. Jet Ski underwater on a SEABOB with Beach Ventures.

17. Climb (or take the elevator) to the 68-foot observation tower or follow the boardwalk to see wading birds and other native wildlife at the Anne Kolb Nature Center, which stretches 20 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway. See all parks and nature offerings. 

    

18. Enjoy delightful Italian specialties and live music at Runway 84, a recently reimagined Fort Lauderdale institution. Explore more in our thriving dining scene.

19. Bet on a thoroughbred horse at Gulfstream Park. See all gaming and casino offerings.

20. Take an airboat ride in the world-famous Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston. You’ll get an amazing look at wildlife, from exotic birds like peacocks, bald eagles and wading birds to alligators and Florida panthers. Save with the South Florida Adventure Pass and enjoy other family-friendly attractions.

    

21. Enjoy a vacation with your dog and spoil them with everything from a plush bed to bacon-flavored ice cream at a Greater Fort Lauderdale pet-friendly hotel or resort.

22. Join the ultimate celebration of love, acceptance, equality and inclusivity, the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival, June 17^th in Wilton Manors. Explore ways to celebrate Pride Month in Greater Fort Lauderdale. 

23. Our 23^rd day of summer is Father’s Day, June 18^th! Treat Dad to a round of golf on one of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s world-class courses.

24. Explore Fort Lauderdale’s glamorous past at the charming Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a historic and whimsical 35-acre estate located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale beach. 

    

25. Visit the Miramar Cultural Center for award-winning, international Caribbean and African cultural presentations. See all arts and culture offerings. 

26. Clear your mind and restore your soul with a session in a zero gravity vibrational lounger with a meditative headset at the Spa at Auberge Beach. See all spa and wellness offerings.

27. Dance the night away at DAER Nightclub. See more nightlife offerings.

28. Explore everything from Florida’s diverse habitats to unbelievable prehistoric animals in 200+ hands-on exhibits at the Museum of Discovery and Science. See all attractions. 

    

29. Stroll, people-watch and fish at the 900-foot Fisher Family Pier in Pompano Beach.

30. See an authentic rodeo at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, the only South Florida city with an original western motif.

31. Take a bike ride along the 2.5-mile Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and marvel at the dramatic coastal views of Hollywood Beach. 

    

32. Feast at the next generation of food halls, The Bite Eatery or Sistrunk Marketplace. 

33. See the 27-foot-tall “Thrive” sculpture at the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk (across from The Wharf bar). The massive piece depicts a fairytale-like woman in a rustic concrete exterior opening up her chest to a fern-lined passageway.

34. Watch a cricket tournament at the Central Broward Park And Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill.

35. Dine at 15th Street Fisheries, where your kids will love feeding the hungry tarpon that hang around the dock.

36. Hop on the Water Taxi to cruise through waterways filled with mansions and superyachts and hop off to shop and dine along Las Olas Boulevard. 

    

37. Get inspired at the Downtown Hollywood Mural Walk, the largest walkable mural project in Greater Fort Lauderdale, featuring more than two dozen curated contemporary outdoor murals.

38. Unleash your inner foodie at the area’s best brunch spots.

39. Our 39^th day of summer is Fourth of July! Enjoy big name bands, games, arts and crafts and more at Fort Lauderdale beach’s Fourth of July Spectacular, culminating in fireworks at 8:45pm.

40. Go on a deep see fishing adventure. Then cook your catch at the Rusty Hook Tavern. 

    

41. Learn about the Seminole people and their rich cultural and historical ties to the Southeast and Florida at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum.

42. Take the Craft Food Tour for culinary delights and interesting tidbits from lifelong locals.

43. Don your decorated winged floatie and join the FlockFest celebration of LGBT+ culture on Saturday, July 8^th, dubbed “The Hottest Beach Party in Fort Lauderdale.”

44. Climb the 175-step spiral staircase in the historic Hillsborough Lighthouse to see an amazing view from its 138-foot top. 

    

45. See a superstar live in concert at Hard Rock Live or FLA Live Arena.

46. Enjoy the delights of one of the local weekend farmers markets such as the Las Olas Oceanside Park Farmers, Antiques and Artisan Market or Hollywood’s Yellow Green Farmers Market.

47. Barhop in Wilton Manors, Florida’s LGBT+ capital. See all nightlife offerings.

48. Visit Flamingo Gardens in Davie to explore 60 acres of breathtaking nature, including 3,000 species of plants and trees and 90 species of Florida native animals. 

    

49. Take a trip back in time to Cap's Place Island Restaurant. Not a board has been changed in this island beach shanty since it was frequented by FDR and Churchill during World War II. 

50. Get your perfect Instagram moment with the Beach Ball Water Tower at the North City Beach Park in Hallandale Beach.

51. Enjoy “Yappy Hour” with your pooch at Nauti Dawg Marina Cafe along the Intracoastal in Lighthouse Point.

52. Embark on a champagne sunset cruise on one of the many sailing charters.

53. Visit the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale to see its permanent collection of 7,500 works and exciting summer exhibits. Free on the first Thursday of every month! 

54. Dine at The Katherine and savor the taste sensations of Chef Timon Balloo, honored as a 2023 James Beard semifinalist “Best Chef of the South” – one of only 20 chefs in six southern states!

55. Reconnect with nature as you follow the boardwalk through 23 acres of pristine freshwater marsh and nature trails at Tree Tops Park in Davie. See all parks and nature offerings. 

    

56. Take a segway tour along the Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

57. Enjoy Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas and mermaids swimming in the background at the B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale. Can’t-miss photo opportunity!

58. Activate imaginations and spark creativity in the immersive galleries at Young At Art Museum in Plantation.

59. Charter or bring your own boat and cruise more than 300 miles of inland waterways. 

    

60. Enjoy the cool summer air and cocktails among aerialists, stilt walkers, fun-house activations, and performances on Saturday nights at The Carousel Club in Hallandale Beach.

61. Give your dog his day at Canine Beach! Located at the second set of parking spaces north of Sunrise Boulevard on A1A.

62. Hit the velodrome – one of only three in the Southeastern U.S. and the only one in Florida – at Brian Piccolo Sports Park & Velodrome in Cooper City.

63. Celebrate the roaring 2020s at the area’s growing speakeasy scene. 

    

64. Fill your day with splashes and smiles at the Paradise Cove Water Park (at C.B. Smith Park) in Pembroke Pines, where kids can enjoy waterslides, a tube ride and interactive water playgrounds.

65. Join the fun on the Peddle Pub – and get some exercise in the process! 

66. Saddle up for a horseback ride at the Equestrian Center at Temple Park in Parkland or at American Horse Trails in Southwest Ranches.

67. Realize the health benefits of halotherapy with a visit to Vita Salt Cave in Pembroke Pines. See all spa and wellness offerings.

68. Hit the Ale Trail and enjoy specials like buy-one, get-one-free pints with a Visit Lauderdale Ale Trail Passport. 

    

69. Ride the waves on a surfboard or take surfing lessons with one of the area’s many providers.

70. Catch a comedy show, followed by bowling at Dania Pointe. See all shopping offerings.

71. Waterski or wakeboard at Ski Rixen USA in Deerfield Beach, one of the first cable water-skiing parks in the nation.

72. Get even happier at happy hour. 

    

73. Take a break from the sun and treat kids of all ages to Extreme Action Park, the largest all-age indoor entertainment complex in the U.S. 

74. Cozy up to the bar at the iconic Elbo Room, the hotspot featured in the 1960’s film “Where the Boys Are.”

75. Enjoy a hike and an amazing look at wildlife at Snake Warrior’s Island Natural Area in Miramar, part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. See all parks and nature offerings.

76. Leave your worries, aches and pains behind with a floatation therapy session at the Float8 Wellness Lounge in Deerfield Beach. See all spa and wellness offerings.

77. Take a cruise on the Jungle Queen Riverboat, complete with humorous commentary, then debark on a tropical isle for an all-you-can eat BBQ ribs and chicken dinner and variety show. Family fun at its finest! See other sightseeing cruise options.

78. Visit Las Olas Boulevard’s Hof’s House of Sweets, home to an entire wall of candy and chocolates from around the world. See all culinary offerings.

79. Try your luck at one of the area’s many casinos.

80. Dock and dine at one of many waterside restaurants here in the world’s yachting capital. 

    

81. Take a long hike or bike ride along the Everglades Conservation Levee Greenway trail in Coral Springs and capture stunning sunset photos over the vast open space overlooking the Everglades. See all parks and nature offerings.

82. Enjoy the destination’s signature Everyone Under the Sun craft hefeweizen at Gulf Stream Brewing Company. 

    

83. Explore the area’s vast waterways on a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP). Or try SUP yoga!

84. Enjoy a front-seat view of the ocean and the sound of the waves along with delicious seafood at the Quarterdeck Dania Beach Pier.  See all culinary offerings.

85. Experience 14,000 square feet of pure paradise and every treatment under the sun at the Diplomat Spa in Hollywood. See all spa and wellness offerings.

86. Take a tour of the Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park, then enjoy a cold one and some food in their spacious taproom. See all breweries along our Ale Trail. 

    

87. Get an adrenaline rush with the Flowrider Surf and Bodyboard Machine at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort.

88. Enjoy a refreshing dip and music from a master DJ at a rooftop pool party.

89. Shop till you drop at the Galleria Fort Lauderdale. You can even take the Water Taxi there! See all shopping offerings.

90. Wine and dine under the stars at a rooftop bar, such as Rooftop@1WLO, Sparrow, Sunset Club Rooftop Bar or The Easton. See all nightlife offerings. 

    

91. Let your kids become pirates for an afternoon aboard a cruise with Bluefoot Pirate Adventures.

92. Explore local history and heritage on a guided historic walking tour along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

93. Visit Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlour in Dania Beach and explore the novelty toys and nostalgic candy at its country store. See all culinary offerings.

94. Get an adrenaline rush as your experience indoor skydiving with iFly in Davie.

95. Do the Fort Lauderdale “Wreck Trek” – scuba dive three shipwrecks, the Merci Jesus; Jay Scutti and Tracey – all in one dive! See more scuba offerings.

96. Shop at Gulfstream Park for fashion, art, home furnishings and more, then enjoy all of its exceptional dining and entertainment offerings. See all shopping offerings. 

    

97. Take a gondola cruise along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale and see why we’re called the “Venice of America.”

98. Take your four-legged best friend to the Bark Park and Dog Swim at Snyder Park.

99. See a free, family-friendly movie under the stars at ArtsPark at Young Circle in Hollywood any Friday night. 

    

100. Pack a picnic and head to Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach, one of the best places in Greater Fort Lauderdale to see shorebirds and seabirds. See all parks and nature offerings.

101. Celebrate your last day of summer with special Labor Day events throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale all weekend long.