Fort Lauderdale Weekend Getaway Guide for Foodies (With Map)

Whether you will be vacationing along the beach or exploring the cultural side of this South Florida city, you may be looking for things to do, places to eat, and accommodations for your weekend getaway in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Once a college spring break hot spot in the United States, a refined Fort Lauderdale has emerged with trendy boutique shops, art galleries, upscale al fresco dining, and luxurious hotels.

Though still a beach-lover’s destination, Fort Lauderdale’s museums, art, and cultural events offer visitors much more beyond its beautiful oceanfront promenade.

That is what makes Fort Lauderdale ideal for couples and families seeking beachside relaxation mixed with memorable activities for their upcoming vacation.

I love visiting Fort Lauderdale for its fresh seafood, abundant waterfront views, and fantastic outdoor dining.

In this post, I share my favorite activities, restaurants, and hotel recommendations based on my experiences visiting Fort Lauderdale.

I also share more trip-planning resources, including how to download this guide for easy access on the go and my tips for vacationing in this destination for sea and seafood lovers.

Disclosure: This Fort Lauderdale weekend getaway guide contains some affiliate links. When you click on, make a purchase from, or book your hotel or activity through one of these links, I may earn a small commission. Of course, this is at no extra cost to you, and I only recommend products and services I would use myself.

Where is Fort Lauderdale, Florida?

Located along the Atlantic Coast in Southeast Florida, Fort Lauderdale is approximately 25 miles north of Miami, 110 miles east of Naples, and 215 miles southeast of Orlando. It’s also about 245 miles south of the Daytona International Speedway and other fun things to do in Daytona Beach.

The city is the seat of Broward County, and together with Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, the region is colloquially known as South Florida.

As you can see from the map above, the Bahamas lie to the east, and you can get there in about 2.5 hours by boat from Fort Lauderdale. To the west is Everglades National Park, subtropical wetlands where visitors can see alligators and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

Explore the Fort Lauderdale area with the interactive map below:

Getting to Fort Lauderdale

Flying to Fort Lauderdale

When visiting Fort Lauderdale, the closest airport is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

Otherwise, you could fly into Miami International Airport (MIA), which is about 30 miles away, or Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), about 45 miles away. 

I recommend flying into FLL for weekend getaways to avoid the 40-minute or longer drive from the Miami or Palm Beach airports.

Domestic airlines that fly to FLL include Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United.

Several Canadian, Caribbean, and South American airlines also fly into FLL. Norwegian offers flights from several major European cities, and Emirates operates the longest flight to FLL from Dubai.

If you need a shuttle from the airport to your hotel, you can book a door-to-door transfer from FLL.

Driving to Fort Lauderdale

Driving may be the most convenient option for Florida residents and visitors on an extended Florida vacation. However, you should be prepared for toll roads. The state has over 700 miles of toll roads—more than any other state! 

For example, if you drive to Fort Lauderdale from Orlando, you will likely take the Florida Turnpike. Using an online toll calculator, I discovered driving from Disney World to Fort Lauderdale would cost $19.06 (via toll-by-plate) or $14.71 with SunPass, as of March 1, 2025. 

All exits from the Florida Turnpike are cashless in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Broward and neighboring Miami-Dade counties. That means you will be billed at the address to which your vehicle’s license plate is registered. 

Travel Tips:

• To reduce your toll fees, purchase a SunPass transponder that attaches to your car’s windshield. In addition to Florida toll roads, SunPass works on toll roads in Georgia and North Carolina.
• The SunPass Mini costs $4.99, but it no longer works once removed from your windshield after your trip.
• Though it costs more at $14.95, the SunPass Pro, which attaches to the windshield using suction cups, might be a better option for out-of-state visitors who regularly vacation in Florida.
• The SunPass Pro can be moved to other vehicles and works in states that use E-ZPass.
• You can calculate toll costs using this toll calculator.

Do You Need a Car to Get Around Fort Lauderdale?

The quick answer is no. Fort Lauderdale offers a variety of public transportation and also connects to West Palm Beach and Miami via rail. Additionally, you can use ride-sharing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, to get around Fort Lauderdale. 

Particularly convenient for visitors are water taxis and the Fort Lauderdale Sun Trolley, which connects visitors to the beach, RiverWalk, and Las Olas Boulevard shopping, dining, and museums.

If you need a shuttle from your hotel to the airport, you can book a one-way transfer from Fort Lauderdale Beach hotels to FLL.

In my opinion, a car-free vacation is a carefree one. That is one reason why I’d book another weekend getaway in Fort Lauderdale.

Other Ways to Get to Fort Lauderdale

• Amtrak — Travel along the U.S. East Coast to Fort Lauderdale on Amtrak’s Silver Meteor or Silver Star trains from cities such as New York City; Newark, New Jersey; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Washington, DC; Richmond, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; or Miami.  
• Brightline — Visiting Fort Lauderdale from Miami or West Palm Beach? You can book a 30-minute train commute to the Fort Lauderdale station, which connects to local public transportation, taxis, rideshares, and Avis car rental.
• Greyhound — America’s most extensive inter-city bus system has a Fort Lauderdale terminal at 515 NE 3rd Street.
• Megabus — Travel via bus from 100 other Megabus cities throughout the United States to the Fort Lauderdale drop-off point, the Sheridan Street Tri-Rail station in Hollywood.
• Tri-Rail — This South Florida light rail system runs from Miami International Airport north to West Palm Beach with multiple stops in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, including FLL.

When to Visit Fort Lauderdale

Are you wondering when is the best time of year to book a weekend getaway in Fort Lauderdale?

If you love warm weather, you will likely enjoy the temperatures throughout the year. However, I recommend avoiding the hurricane season from June through November is best, and the summer months can be hot and humid.

Therefore, the best time to travel to Fort Lauderdale is from December through May. During this timeframe, there are few rainy days, and average high temperatures range from 76°F (24°C) in January to 85°F (29°C) in May.

When I visited Fort Lauderdale in May 2014, the weather was comfortable for cruising the canals and sunbathing at our hotel’s rooftop pool.

On the flip side, I’ve also visited Fort Lauderdale in October. Average October temperatures range from 73°F (22°C) to 86°F (30°C), and it was pleasantly warm, especially traveling from Michigan. However, it was gray, cloudy, and rainy—not ideal conditions for poolside sunbathing, beach days, or dining outdoors.

What to Pack for Fort Lauderdale

As I mentioned, Fort Lauderdale is a warm-weather destination any time of year, so you’ll want to pack sunglasses and beach bag essentials.

Though shorts and sundresses are suitable for most of the year, I recommend packing pants in the winter months and layers for any time of year. Even when it’s hot and humid outside, it can be chilly inside air-conditioned hotels and restaurants.

As you can see in the photo above, I added a chambray shirt to my outfit for extra sun and wind protection while aboard a sightseeing cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Since Fort Lauderdale receives some rainfall from May through November, I also recommend packing an umbrella and a pair of close-toed shoes. My Sperry boat shoes worked out well when dashing from my taxi to the waterfront restaurant Boatyard during an intense downpour. 

Packing Tip: Use compression packing cubes to save space in your luggage.

Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale

Now that you’ve learned all the nitty-gritty details of planning a weekend getaway to Fort Lauderdale, let’s get to the fun stuff. Below are my favorite activities from my past trips to Fort Lauderdale. 

Sunbathe on Fort Lauderdale Beach

On a sunny day, the beach is the place to be. Walk along the palm-tree-lined promenade, grab an ice-cold drink at one of the beachfront bars, people-watch, and soak in the South Florida sunshine.

One of the best perks of staying at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort was being right across from the beach.

You’ll find public beach access along A1A with restaurants and bars across the street!

Taste Local Craft Beers

Do you enjoy checking out local breweries when you travel? Then, you should take a self-guided brewery tour around Fort Lauderdale!

I highly recommend Funky Buddha, one of Florida’s most well-known breweries, and LauderAle, which has a warehouse taproom with 30 rotating taps, an outdoor beer garden, and daily food trucks. 

Cruise The Intracoastal Waterway

Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America, so explore the canals of the Intracoastal Waterway. Some ways to do this: 

• Sightseeing during a narrated 90-minute cruise on the Jungle Queen Riverboat
• Sailing a pirate ship
• Seeing the homes of the rich and famous from the Carrie B paddlewheeler
• Bar hopping via the Water Taxi
• Kayaking the Venetian canals of the ritzy Seven Isles, seeing mega yachts, sailboats, and mansions along the way
• Convincing your new millionaire friend to take you for a joy ride on his yacht. Hey, it could happen! Fort Lauderdale is the Yachting Capital of the World. 😉

Chill Poolside at Your Hotel

This probably goes without saying, but a major perk of a weekend getaway in Fort Lauderdale is poolside relaxation any time of year.

My family and I loved hanging out at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort’s rooftop pool.

We could order drinks and snacks from our lounge chairs and had beautiful views of the Atlantic.  

Get Nerdy At The Museum Of Discovery And Science

Are you vacationing in Fort Lauderdale with kids? Visiting the Museum of Discovery and Science is one of the best family-friendly activities in Fort Lauderdale. 

This two-story museum features interactive and educational exhibits located along Las Olas Boulevard in Downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Kids (and kids at heart) can experience a simulated airboat ride through the Everglades, climb inside the mouth of a giant Megalodon shark, see otters play, and feel the force of hurricane winds.

Don’t miss: The Great Gravity Clock! Standing 52 feet tall, it is the largest kinetic energy sculpture in Florida and is one of only three of these unique timepieces in the world.

Day Trips from Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is ideally located for day trips to explore the exotic wildlife of the Everglades, coastal communities along South Florida’s Atlantic shore, and Miami’s food, art, and culture. Here are just a few ideas for possible day trips from Fort Lauderdale!

Explore the Everglades

West of Fort Lauderdale is Everglades National Park. You can visit for guided tours, trail walks, and thrilling airboat rides to see alligators and other wildlife in their natural habitat. 

Recommended Tour: Departing from Fort Lauderdale, this full-day adventure into the Everglades includes an exciting 40-minute airboat ride across the River of Grass, a van tour through Big Cypress National Preserve, an hour-long boat cruise through an Everglades National Park mangrove forest, and a guided nature walk to see ancient cypress trees. This small-group tour is limited to 13 people, and lunch is included. 

Go People Watching at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk

The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk has a retro vibe, so take a walk or Segway tour past the beachfront hotels for entertaining people watching, fresh air, and beach views.

Then drop into one of the beachfront bars for frozen cocktails—like a Rum Runner or Piña Colada at the open-air Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort’s Landshark Bar & Grill.

Hungry? Head over to the kitschy waterfront burger joint Le Tub for a juicy burger that was once named the best burger in America by GQ.  

See Miami Street Art

Another fun day trip from Fort Lauderdale is to explore Miami, particularly its vibrant street art.

You can view colorful murals in the Wynwood Arts District as this former warehouse district has become a living canvas of urban art.

Explore the Wynwood Walls independently, or take a guided street art tour of Miami’s most hipster neighborhood.

Best Places to Eat in Fort Lauderdale

Do you love seafood, al fresco dining, and waterfront views? Then you will definitely enjoy dining in Fort Lauderdale. In addition to the Latin American cuisine you might expect to find in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale’s food scene is infused with global flavors. 

15th Street Fisheries

Located inside the historic Lauderdale Marina, 15th Street Fisheries offers both refined and casual waterfront dining. A Fort Lauderdale institution of more than 40 years, the Fisheries is beloved by visitors and locals alike. After dining here in 2015, I see why.

Upstairs diners will find a refined atmosphere with panoramic views of yachts on the Intracoastal Waterway, an extensive wine list, and seafood specialties such as seared diver scallops and miso-glazed sea bass. 

While visiting Fort Lauderdale, my cousin and I shared a delicious smoked fish dip downstairs at the Aqua Bar. If you are looking for casual dockside dining, come here to enjoy Florida fried shrimp tacos, live music, and a front-row view of the nightly tarpon feeding.

15th Street Fisheries is located at 1900 SE 15th Street. It’s open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.

Boatyard

This beautiful waterfront restaurant offers a sophisticated atmosphere for al fresco dining at its 80-seat dockside patio lounge. If the yachts docked outside aren’t enough of a reminder, the nautically chic decor and a gourmet seafood menu will quickly remind you of the coastal locale.

On a rainy October day, I dined in the open-air dining room of Boatyard. With cover from the rain, my dinner companion and I enjoyed our seafood dishes and view out to the white boats docked outside.

For my main dish, I selected the grouper piccata with wilted spinach, cured tomato, and capers in a luscious lemon Chardonnay butter paired with a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Whether you dine here for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch, don’t miss dessert! The key lime doughnut holes, topped with fresh strawberries, were fantastic.

Boatyard is located at 1555 SE 17th Street. It is open from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday – Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday. However, the kitchen is closed between 3 and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Chimney House Grill & Café

This Latin American restaurant is located inside a historic 1924 house in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. The remodeled home features a restored chimney and an awning-covered porch with outdoor seating. 

Serving a fusion of South American and Spanish cuisines, the menu features house red and white sangria available by the glass or pitcher, tapas, ceviches, lomo saltado like I had in Peru, and chimichurri-topped grilled sirloin. 

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to order a Cubano. Other casual fare includes three kinds of tacos — mahi mahi, grilled steak, and vegetarian tempeh. 

The Chimney House Grill & Café is located at 701 Las Olas Boulevard. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. 

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar

Speaking of tacos …. If you crave Mexican food, Greater Fort Lauderdale has more than 30 Mexican eateries where you can dine.

Along Las Olas Boulevard is Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, a fun and casual chain restaurant that originated in nearby West Palm Beach and now has nine locations throughout the Sunshine State.  

At Rocco’s Tacos, you’ll find guacamole made table-side, over 200 tequilas, and margaritas featuring a house-made sour mix.

The menu also features a variety of tacos, such as shrimp, carne asada, chorizo, carnitas-style pork, and vegan mushrooms. In addition to flour tortillas, handmade gluten-free corn tortillas and lettuce cups are also available.

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar is located at 1313 E. Las Olas Boulevard. It is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to midnight Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. You can also order takeout for delivery via DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Shooters Waterfront

Considered the premier waterfront dining destination in Fort Lauderdale, Shooters Waterfront is located along the Intracoastal Waterway. It offers scenic views of yachts and palm trees from umbrella-covered tables.

With a varied menu of sushi, flatbreads, seafood, and more, you’ll surely find a dish you’ll love at Shooters. Cashew-crusted mahi with sticky rice and a red Thai coconut curry sauce, the New England lobster roll sandwich, and the seared brown butter scallop and shrimp all catch my eye. 

Yet it was the veggie burger that had me sold. Loaded with lentils, quinoa, flaxseed, oats, black beans, carrots, portobello mushrooms, zucchini, onions, and garlic, the patty was then topped with cheese, onions, and mushrooms. It was one of the best veggie burgers I’ve eaten!

Shooters Waterfront is located at 3033 NE 32 Avenue. It is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for lunch, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday for dinner, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Happy hour at the bar runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale

Each of the following three hotels puts you steps from the beach. Plus, you’ll only be a short drive to Fort Lauderdale’s top attractions, dining along Las Olas Boulevard, and the airport.

The private balcony of my family’s two-bedroom suite at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort overlooked the neighboring W Fort Lauderdale‘s pool and the Atlantic coast.

Where I Stayed: Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort

As a AAA four-diamond property, the oceanfront Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort offers an outdoor rooftop pool and hot tubs overlooking the Atlantic, a poolside spa, and onsite food and drinks.

The resort’s 347 spacious suites have separate living and bedroom spaces, kitchenettes, and private balconies.

My family loved the waterfront views, beachfront location, pool deck, and S3 – Sun Sand Surf cocktails.

Check availability for your travel dates now!

Beachfront Luxury: Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach

Another AAA four-diamond Hilton resort, Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and the New River.

It has luxurious all-suite accommodations, a one-minute walk to the beach, an outdoor pool with private cabanas, an on-site spa, and a fitness center with personal trainers.

Check availability for your travel dates now!

Unique Boutique Hotel: Nobleton Hotel

Located only a block away from the beach, Nobleton Hotel offers a tranquil garden with an outdoor pool, umbrella-covered lounge chairs and sunbeds, and a Weber grill for guests to unwind.

The various room styles, including some with kitchenettes, accommodate solo travelers, couples, families, or small groups of friends.

Check availability for your travel dates now!

Find your Fort Lauderdale hotel now by using the map below:

Before You Visit Fort Lauderdale

You may want to download this Ft. Lauderdale weekend getaway guide for easy access on the go.

The downloadable version also embeds GPS coordinates to each restaurant, hotel, and attraction I’ve recommended. Once you download this guide, you can easily map your walking, biking, or driving route around Fort Lauderdale.

Plus, GPSmyCity offers even more Fort Lauderdale walking tours and travel articles!

To learn more about the GPSmyCity app, read why I think it’s such a helpful resource for travelers.

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