Fort Lauderdale grew up where the New River meets the Atlantic, long a Seminole canoe route before Henry Flagler’s railroad brought winter visitors in the early 1900s. Today the city has more than 300 miles of navigable waterways, earning its nickname, the “Venice of America,” and hosting one of the world’s biggest boat shows each fall.

Visitors come for wide, family-friendly beaches, the palm-shaded Riverwalk, and a surprisingly green heart—Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and the tiki-dotted, historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Add easy water fun—snorkeling just offshore, kid-pleasing boat rides, and calm intracoastal paddles—and you’ve got a week that balances play with discovery.

Practical notes: fly into Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL), 10–20 minutes from the beach. You can get around car-free with the Water Taxi, LauderGO! community shuttles, rideshares, and safe beach paths. Sunscreen, reef-safe if snorkeling, is essential; sea turtle nesting season runs roughly March–October—never disturb marked nests or beachfront lighting rules.

Fort Lauderdale

Sunny, salt-aired, and deliciously casual, Fort Lauderdale pairs classic beach vacation vibes with a web of canals lined by mega-yachts and mangroves. Las Olas Boulevard supplies sidewalk cafés and gelato; the beach promenade adds sunrise walks, volleyball courts, and a playground at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park.

• Top sights: Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Boulevard, Riverwalk, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Museum of Discovery and Science.
• Great for families: Calm mornings at the beach, narrated boat cruises, the hop-on/hop-off Water Taxi, interactive science exhibits, and easy day trips to the Everglades.
• Where to stay: Beachfront (walk-to-sand convenience), North Beach Village (good value, mid-century vibes), or near Las Olas (walkable dining and Riverwalk).
• Budget-friendly eats to know: Laspada’s Original Hoagies (stacked subs), Primanti Brothers (pizza and fries on the beach), Southport Raw Bar (casual seafood), Colada Cuban Café (strong coffee and pastelitos).

Where to book stays: Search Fort Lauderdale vacation rentals on VRBO for kitchens and extra space, or compare hotel deals on Hotels.com near the beach or Las Olas.

How to get here: Nonstop flights to FLL from major U.S. hubs are frequent (from NYC/Chicago ~3 hrs, $120–$250 roundtrip in shoulder season; from Dallas ~2.75 hrs, $160–$300; from LAX ~5 hrs, $200–$350—fares vary). Search options on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Coming from Europe? Check Omio flights as well.

Day 1: Arrival, Las Olas Stroll, Beach Sunset

Afternoon: Land at FLL and ride-share 15–25 minutes to your accommodation. Drop bags and shake out the travel legs with an easy walk along Las Olas Boulevard—peek into indie galleries and grab iced lattes at Java & Jam or pastelitos at Colada Cuban Café.

Evening: Head to the beachfront promenade for golden-hour views. For dinner, choose what fits the family: Casablanca Café (Mediterranean plates in a 1920s house with ocean views), Coconuts (laid-back seafood—try the “Scoobies” blue crabs), or budget-favorite Primanti Brothers for pizza slices right by the sand. Cap it with a cone from Kilwins on Las Olas.

Day 2: Beach Morning + Hop-On Water Taxi Adventure

Morning: Sunrise shell-hunt on Fort Lauderdale Beach—mornings are calm and kid-friendly. Breakfast at Nanou French Bakery & Café (croissants, quiche) or Gran Forno Bakery (legendary Italian bread, simple sandwiches). Pack light towels and sun shirts.

Afternoon: Explore by boat with the all-day Water Taxi pass. It runs a loop with more than a dozen stops—hop off for Bahia Mar Marina, the beach, or Las Olas shops. Book here: Water Taxi All Day hop-on hop-off Venice of America Boat Tour.

Midday snack ideas: feed the tarpon off the dockside at 15th Street Fisheries (kids love it) or grab stacked subs at Laspada’s Original Hoagies.

Evening: Cruise back toward Stop 1 for a Riverwalk stroll. Dinner options nearby: Southport Raw Bar (casual seafood and chowder), El Camino (tacos, great value, vibrant energy), or Rocco’s Tacos (table-side guac, kids’ menu). Gelato night? There’s always room.

Day 3: Everglades Airboat + Beach Park Play

Morning: Swap saltwater for sawgrass. It’s ~40 minutes to Everglades Holiday Park for a classic airboat ride that thrills kids without being too long. Book: Everglades Holiday Park Airboat Tours & Rides.

Expect a narrated glide across the “River of Grass” and a wildlife presentation—bring hats and water.

Afternoon: Return to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park—there’s a playground, restrooms, and space for sandcastle contests. For a casual late lunch, try Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill (excellent burgers) or Moonlite Diner near Dania for milkshakes and retro booths.

Evening: Seafood night: Coconuts for waterfront and “peel & eat” shrimp, or budget-friendly Primanti Brothers if the crew wants quick, sandy-to-seat pizza. Night walk along the wave-wall promenade to unwind.

Day 4: Bonnet House, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, and Riverboat Cruise

Morning: Tour the whimsical Bonnet House Museum & Gardens—art-filled rooms, orchids, and a lagoon that feels a world away. Continue across Sunrise Boulevard to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park for shaded trails and a calm inland lagoon—rent bikes or simply picnic under sea grapes.

Afternoon: Beach time: the shoreline just south of the park is usually mellow. Grab picnic fixings from Gran Forno earlier or quick bites from a nearby café.

Evening: See the mansions and mega-yachts on a classic narrated cruise. Book: Jungle Queen Riverboat 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruise.

For dinner afterward, consider Thai on the Beach (casual, ocean views from upstairs) or the lively S3 (Sun, Surf, Sand) for shareable plates.

Day 5: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Snorkel Day (Easy Reef from Shore)

Morning: A 15–20 minute drive or rideshare north lands you in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, famous for a reef close to shore (Datura Avenue entry). Rent masks from a local shop and snorkel when seas are calm—go early for best visibility and always use a dive flag if swimming farther out.

Afternoon: Lunch at Aruba Beach Café (ocean breezes, kid-friendly) or grab quick tacos and smoothies nearby. Build sandcastles or play beach bocce before heading back.

Evening: Back in Fort Lauderdale, keep it easy: Laspada’s for heroic subs or Louie Bossi’s on Las Olas for wood-fired pizza and housemade pasta (great patio, split plates to stay on budget). Stroll the Riverwalk’s lit palms post-dinner.

Day 6: Science Museum + Pirate Cruise

Morning: Hands-on time at the Museum of Discovery and Science—kids love the simulated airboat, otters, and flight theater. Coffee and breakfast beforehand at Gran Forno or Java & Jam.

Afternoon: Embark on a swashbuckling ride that’s designed for kids but amusing for adults, too. Be sure to arrive 30 minutes early. Book: 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Cruise.

Expect water-cannon fun, treasure, and plenty of pirate banter along the Intracoastal.

Evening: Taco night on Las Olas: El Camino’s tacos and grilled corn are crowd-pleasers; Rocco’s Tacos is an easy alt with a kids’ menu. For dessert, swing by Sloan’s or Kilwins for fudge and ice cream.

Day 7: Last Dip, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: One more swim at the beach or a calm walk along the promenade for souvenirs. If it’s a Sunday, you might catch a local market downtown.

Afternoon: Brunch before wheels-up: Louie Bossi’s (brunch pizza, frittatas) or Casablanca Café (eggs with a view). Aim to leave the beach area 1.5–2 hours before your flight to cushion traffic and TSA lines.

Evening: Fly home with sand still in your shoes—and a camera roll full of boats, birds, and bright-blue water.

Where to Sleep (Budget-Conscious Tips)

• North Beach Village: Independent hotels often undercut beachfront rates but keep you close to the sand.
• Kitchen access saves: Book a condo or suite and do simple breakfasts and beach picnics. Start here: VRBO Fort Lauderdale or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Car-free savings: Use the Water Taxi, LauderGO! shuttles, and rideshares to avoid parking rates near the beach.

Optional Swap: Sunset Sail

If you’d rather trade one beach afternoon for a sail, consider a classic sunset on the Atlantic: Sunset Catamaran Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale.

(Check the listing for current departure times and pricing.)

Trip-at-a-glance summary: You’ll spend your week splitting time between soft-sand beaches and the water that defines the city—on airboats, riverboats, and the hop-on Water Taxi—plus a dash of history and gardens for balance. Family-friendly dining, short commutes, and plenty of free beach time keep this trip fun and budget-smart.