Things to Do in
Fort Lauderdale

Las Olas Boulevard is Fort Lauderdale’s social spine — a mile-long corridor of upscale restaurants, wine bars, art galleries, and boutique shopping that draws residents from Victoria Park, Rio Vista, and Colee Hammock on foot on weekend evenings. It’s the kind of street that makes people understand why Fort Lauderdale residents love their city.

Casa D’Angelo is consistently ranked among Florida’s finest Italian restaurants. Louie Bossi’s Ristorante Bar Pizzeria is a beloved local institution with exceptional handmade pasta. Steak 954 at the W Fort Lauderdale delivers the premium steakhouse experience. Beyond Las Olas, the Flagler Village area has developed into a serious food and arts destination with independent restaurants, craft breweries like Funky Buddha, and a creative energy that’s drawing younger residents from across South Florida.

Boating is Fort Lauderdale’s defining recreational activity. With 300+ miles of navigable waterways, the ability to boat to restaurants, the beach, and offshore is a genuine daily reality for waterfront residents in Rio Vista, Harbor Beach, Las Olas Isles, Nurmi Isles, and Seven Isles — not an occasional activity.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (held every October/November) is the world’s largest in-water boat show, drawing over 100,000 visitors annually. It’s a week-long reminder of what the city is fundamentally about. The Water Taxi provides public waterborne transit along the New River and Intracoastal for those who prefer to leave the driving to someone else.

The Florida Panthers play at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise — 20 minutes from most Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods. The Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins are 35 minutes south in Miami. The Fort Lauderdale CF soccer club plays downtown at DRV PNK Stadium.

Golf is abundant throughout Broward County with dozens of public and private courses. The Coral Ridge Country Club adjacent to Coral Ridge Country Club Estates is one of Fort Lauderdale’s premier private clubs. Year-round weather means you’re never rained out for the season.

The pickleball scene at Holiday Park in Victoria Park is one of Fort Lauderdale’s most enthusiastic recreational communities — courts are busy from early morning through evening every day of the week.