South Florida is where the Atlantic’s turquoise waters meet Latin rhythms and palm-lined boulevards. Fort Lauderdale’s 165 miles of canals earned it the "Venice of America" nickname—best appreciated by boat—while Miami layers Art Deco facades, Cuban coffee counters, and cutting-edge art into a heady cultural mix. In early November, expect warm days, bathwater-warm seas, and lively patios without peak winter crowds.

Fort Lauderdale grew from a 19th-century frontier outpost into a yachting haven with mansions on Millionaire’s Row and broad, family-friendly beaches. Miami, once a railroad terminus, now spins with global energy: South Beach’s pastel hotels, Little Havana’s ventanitas, Design District galleries, and a food scene that leaps from stone crab to Michelin-starred tasting counters.

Practical notes: Early November is the tail end of hurricane season; check forecasts and consider flexible bookings. Average highs hover 79–83°F with low humidity—prime beach weather. Getting around is easy: rideshare, Brightline rail between the cities, or a rental car. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a light sweater for breezy nights on the water, and shoes you don’t mind getting a little sandy.

Fort Lauderdale

Welcome to the yachting capital of the U.S., where sleek vessels slip along the New River past banyan-shaded parks and timeless bungalows. Fort Lauderdale’s center clusters around Las Olas Boulevard—boutiques, galleries, and sidewalk cafés—and a long, swooping beachfront with an iconic wave wall and a promenade made for people-watching.

• Top sights and vibes: Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, and a web of canals where history, nature, and glamour mingle.
• Why visit now: November brings dry skies, warm seas, and post-boat-show calm, with shoulder-season deals.
• Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Fort Lauderdale or hotels on Hotels.com Fort Lauderdale from beachfront resorts to Las Olas boutiques.

Getting there (best route and price): Fly into Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or Miami (MIA)—choose whichever is cheapest, then transfer. For early November, typical round-trip fares: East Coast $150–300, Midwest $220–380, West Coast $250–500 if booked 3–6 weeks out. Compare on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. From FLL to the beach/Las Olas: 15–25 minutes by rideshare; rental cars often $30–60/day in November.

Day 1 (Arrive afternoon): Canals and Las Olas

Afternoon: Check in, freshen up, and hop on the hop-on, hop-off boat to orient yourself along the canals and Intracoastal. It doubles as transport and sightseeing.

Water Taxi All Day hop-on hop-off Venice of America Boat Tour — narrated, flexible, great photo ops.

Evening: Stroll Las Olas Boulevard. Dinner at Louie Bossi’s (wood-fired Neapolitan pies, house-made pastas, buzzy courtyard) or Wild Sea Oyster Bar (raw bar and line-caught fish). Post-dinner, grab gelato at Gelateria Acquolina or a nightcap at The Apothecary 330 speakeasy.

Day 2: Everglades wildlife and a sunset at sea

Morning: Coffee at The Alchemist Garden (try the alchemist iced coffee) or Circle House Coffee (house-made doughnut + cold brew). Then head to the River of Grass for an airboat safari—transport included so you can relax.

Everglades VIP Airboat Tour with Transportation Included — glide through sawgrass in search of gators, wading birds, and turtles.

Afternoon: Late lunch by the water at Coconuts (the “Scoobies” garlic-crab snack and coconut shrimp are local favorites) or Boatyard (dock-and-dine seafood, tuna tacos). Walk the wave wall along Fort Lauderdale Beach or rent bikes for A1A’s beachfront path.

Evening: Toast the day on a catamaran—ocean breezes, city lights, and a soft Atlantic swell.

Sunset Catamaran Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale — a serene way to watch the sky fade over the skyline.

After, grab tacos and mezcal at El Camino (Las Olas) or Neapolitan pies at Mister O1 near the beach.

Day 3: Beaches, Bonnet House, and Millionaire’s Row

Morning: Breakfast at Nanou Bakery (butter-laminated croissants) or O-B House (cast-iron pancakes). Sun and swim time at Fort Lauderdale Beach; rent loungers near Sebastian Street Beach or stroll north to Birch State Park for shaded trails and lagoon views.

Afternoon: Step into Old Florida at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens—orchids, coastal dunes, and an artist’s quirky home. Then see the mansions and mega-yachts the way locals do: by riverboat.

Venice of America Tour | Millionaire's Row | Complimentary Drinks — 1.5-hour narrated cruise past New River estates and marinas.

Evening: Celebrate your three Fort Lauderdale days with dinner at Takato (Japanese-Korean oceanfront; hamachi jalapeño, wagyu gyoza) or S3 (sea, surf, sand—seafood and sushi with live music). Nightcap at Rhythm & Vine garden bar.

Miami

Just 30–45 minutes south, Miami trades canals for cosmopolitan swagger. South Beach’s candy-colored Art Deco hotels glow at sunset, while Little Havana hums with domino games and salsa. The city’s neighborhoods each bring a distinct vibe—Wynwood’s murals, the Design District’s galleries, Coconut Grove’s shady banyans, and Key Biscayne’s beaches.

• Getting from Fort Lauderdale to Miami: Brightline train ~35 minutes, from about $10–27 each way; Tri-Rail ~1 hour; rideshare via I-95 in 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.
• Where to stay: Search VRBO Miami or Hotels.com Miami for South Beach classics or quieter Coconut Grove/Brickell bases.
• Departure flights: Compare prices out of MIA and FLL on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com; open-jaw (into FLL, out of MIA) is often cheapest.

Day 4: South Beach and Art Deco

Morning: Arrive and drop bags. Brunch at Big Pink (retro diner portions) or News Café (Ocean Drive classic for omelets and people-watching). Walk the Art Deco Historic District—pastel facades, porthole windows, and neon trim from the 1930s.

Afternoon: Beach time between 10th–15th Street for lifeguard towers and volleyball. If you prefer culture, duck into The Wolfsonian–FIU for design and propaganda posters.

Evening: Dinner at Joe’s Stone Crab (season kicks off mid-Oct; order claws with mustard sauce) or Byblos (Eastern Med mezzes). Cocktails at Sweet Liberty or Broken Shaker (lush courtyard, garden-to-glass drinks).

Day 5: Wynwood murals and Design District style

Morning: Coffee and a guava-and-cheese pastry at Zak the Baker. Explore Wynwood’s murals—look beyond the central Walls to side-streets for emerging artists.

Afternoon: Lunch at Coyo Taco (hand-pressed tortillas) or Uchi (Texas-born sushi standout). Continue to the Design District for galleries and public art installations like Buckminster Fuller’s Fly’s Eye Dome.

Evening: Dinner at Mandolin Aegean Bistro (whitewashed 1940s house; lamb kebab, grilled halloumi) or Michael’s Genuine (new American icons). Nightcap at Lagniappe (wine, charcuterie, live music on a garden patio).

Day 6: Key Biscayne or Vizcaya + Little Havana rhythms

Morning: Choose a nature or history tilt. Option A: Key Biscayne—rent bikes to Bill Baggs Cape Florida lighthouse; calm waters ideal for swimming. Option B: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens—a Gilded Age villa with Italianate gardens and bay views.

Afternoon: In Little Havana, sip a cortadito at La Colada and watch dominoes at Máximo Gómez Park. Browse cigar rollers, buy pastelitos at Yisell Bakery, and, if it’s Friday, catch Viernes Culturales street vibes.

Evening: Dinner at Versailles (Cuban classics; vaca frita, croquetas) or Doce Provisions (nuevo Cuban). Dance or listen to live son at Ball & Chain on Calle Ocho.

Day 7 (Depart afternoon): Brunch, bay breezes, and last looks

Morning: Brunch in Coconut Grove at GreenStreet Café (cinnamon roll pancakes) or Sadelle’s (bagels and smoked salmon). Walk shaded Peacock Park or the marina path for bay views.

Afternoon: Last-minute stops: a dip at South Pointe Park or espresso at Panther Coffee in Brickell. Head to the airport—check Trip.com or Kiwi.com for the best-priced return from MIA or FLL.

Optional add-on in Fort Lauderdale or Miami (swap into any afternoon)

If you want an extra boat day instead of the catamaran or canals tour, consider a classic riverboat with dinner-and-show vibes:

All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise

At-a-glance budget (for the 3 Fort Lauderdale days around Nov 4)

• Flights (RT, typical): $150–300 East Coast; $220–380 Midwest; $250–500 West Coast via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Accommodation: $140–280 per night mid-range near beach/Las Olas on Hotels.com Fort Lauderdale or VRBO Fort Lauderdale.
• Local transport: Rideshare $8–20 per hop; rental car $30–60/day; Brightline to Miami $10–27 each way (if continuing).
• Activities: Water Taxi ~$35; Everglades VIP tour ~$60–100; sunset catamaran ~$75–95; canals cruise ~$35–45.
• Food and drink: Breakfast $8–18; lunch $15–30; dinner $25–60+ pp depending on venue.

Money-saving tips: Fly into either FLL or MIA based on lowest fare and use rail/rideshare to your first hotel. Book boats and airboats midweek for better availability. Consider beachfront happy hours (S3, Boatyard) and lunch specials on Las Olas.

Safety and practical: Sunscreen and hydration are essential. Tipping 18–20% is standard. Parking near the beach can be $3–6/hour—use garages inland or rideshare for dinners. For Everglades tours, wear sun protection and closed-toe shoes.

With canals, coast, and culture, this week balances Fort Lauderdale’s laid-back waterways and Miami’s high-energy neighborhoods. Time your three Fort Lauderdale days around November 4, then head south for art, stone crab season, and glowing sunsets. You’ll leave with salt in your hair and a camera roll full of yachts, murals, and ocean blues.