Fort Lauderdale grew from a frontier outpost into a sun-drenched “Venice of America,” where more than 160 miles of canals lace between palm-shaded neighborhoods and the Atlantic’s ribbon of sand. Its golden era hotels and mid-century architecture meet a modern food scene and a lively waterfront that’s best explored by boat.

Beyond the beach, you’ll find mellow state-park lagoons, coral reefs just offshore, and one of Florida’s most romantic house-museums, Bonnet House, surrounded by orchids and swaying palms. Couples love sunset gondola rides through quiet canals, alfresco dinners on Las Olas Boulevard, and long sunrise walks when the shoreline feels like your private stage.

Practical notes: ride-shares and the city’s free LauderGO! Community Shuttle make getting around easy. Budget travelers can mix VRBO stays with midrange hotels, take advantage of happy hours, and book weekday spa specials. Seafood, Cuban sandwiches, and fresh-baked treats fuel the day; pack reef-safe sunscreen and a light layer for breezy evenings by the water.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is all about simple pleasures: powder-soft sand, warm Atlantic swells, and turquoise canals dotted with yachts and iguanas sunning on seawalls. Las Olas Boulevard is the city’s stylish spine—perfect for café-hopping by day and candlelit dinners by night.

• Don’t miss: Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Boulevard, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Lauderdale‑by‑the‑Sea snorkeling reefs, and the hop-on Water Taxi.
• Romantic moments: Sunrise strolls, a budget-friendly couples massage, sunset gondola cruise, and a picnic on the sand as the sky goes sherbet-pink.
• Local flavor: Stone crab (in season), conch fritters, key lime pie, and strong Cuban coffee for sunrise wake-ups.

Where to stay (budget to splurge): Browse wallet-friendly condos and studios on VRBO Fort Lauderdale or compare hotel deals on Hotels.com Fort Lauderdale. For specific picks: the boutique-friendly The Victoria Park Hotel (great value near beaches and Las Olas), resort-style Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club with a serene beach, or a special-occasion splurge at The Ritz‑Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Prefer classic oceanfront? Consider Pelican Grand Beach Resort for a romantic veranda and lazy river.

Getting there: Fly into FLL (10–15 minutes to the beach). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From major East Coast hubs, nonstop flights are often 2–3 hours and can dip to $120–$220 roundtrip on sales. Ride-share from FLL to the beach runs ~$15–$30 depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Sand Between Your Toes, and a Sunset Supper

Afternoon: Land at FLL and check into your stay. Shake off the flight with iced lattes at Wells Coffee (local roaster) or Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar on Las Olas (boho, floral-filled). Head to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park; rent a pair of chairs/umbrella (~$30–$45) or simply lay out a sarong and dip into the warm Atlantic. Keep it mellow—today is about exhaling together.

Evening: For a romantic oceanfront dinner, Casablanca Café serves Mediterranean-leaning plates in a 1920s house with breezy balconies; ask for an upstairs table. On a tighter budget, Southport Raw Bar is a beloved local dockside spot for peel‑and‑eat shrimp, conch fritters, and cold beer. Stroll the wave wall promenade afterward and split a key lime pie slice or gelato from Gelato-go on Las Olas.

Night: Toast the trip with a quiet beach walk or head to Riverside Hotel’s lobby lounge on Las Olas for a low-key nightcap. Turn in early—sunrise is worth it here.

Day 2: Sunrise, Couples Spa, Canals by Water Taxi, and a Gondola Glow

Morning: Catch sunrise on the sand—few things feel more intimate (and free). For breakfast, try Bulegreen Café Yard (garden vibe; great pão de queijo and omelets) or The Alchemist in Wilton Manors (inventive toasts, herbaceous iced coffees). Then pamper yourselves. For a value option, the Aveda Institute (Davie) offers student-performed services—think $45–$65 per person massages with professional supervision. Prefer a luxe treat? Book a weekday couples massage at The Ritz‑Carlton Spa, Fort Lauderdale (expect higher rates, but excellent facilities).

Afternoon: See the “Venice of America” from the water with the hop‑on Water Taxi (~$35 adult day pass). Cruise past Millionaires’ Row, then hop off for lunch: Coconuts (waterfront mahi tacos, scoobies—garlic blue crab claws) or Southport Raw Bar for budget-friendly seafood. Continue to Las Olas for a browse of boutiques, or ride up to Lauderdale‑by‑the‑Sea to wade into calm water and spot fish on the nearshore reef (bring a mask).

Evening: Book a sunset gondola ride through the canals (about 60–90 minutes; many operators allow BYO wine, roughly from $159 per couple). It’s quiet, cinematic, and wonderfully romantic. After, dine on Las Olas: Louie Bossi’s (handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, twinkle-lit courtyard) or Casa Sensei (Pan-Asian/Latin flavors by the water; share the Thai donuts for dessert). Budget tip: arrive during happy hour for drink and small-plate deals.

Day 3: Park & Paddle, Bonnet House, and a Farewell Dip

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar, then head to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, the “Central Park” of Fort Lauderdale. Rent kayaks on the calm lagoon (~$20–$25 per hour) or walk the Coastal Hammock Trail for shade and birdsong. For a culture fix nearby, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens reveals an artist’s 1930s estate framed by orchids and dunes—perfect for a slow romantic wander.

Afternoon: Grab a quick lunch at Laspada’s Original Hoagies (iconic piled-high subs) or beachfront bites at Park & Ocean in the park (fish tacos, great breezes). Sneak in one last swim. Aim to be en route to FLL 2 hours pre-flight; ride-share is 10–25 minutes depending on where you’re staying.

Evening (if you have a late flight): Squeeze in a 25‑minute “relax” session at a neighborhood massage studio or foot spa for $30–$40 per person, then pick up pastelitos and Cuban coffees for the flight.

Money‑Saving Tips for a Romantic Vibe:

• Book weekday flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com and consider a condo with a kitchenette via VRBO to picnic on the beach.
• Use the free LauderGO! Community Shuttle to connect Las Olas, the beach, and downtown; Broward County Transit single rides are about $2.
• Target happy hours (Las Olas is rich with them), split plates, and plan your pricier dinner on Day 2 after a light breakfast and lunch.

Alternative Stays (one splurge night): Consider a final-night treat at Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club or The Ritz‑Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, then shift back to value digs like The Victoria Park Hotel—a smart way to balance romance and budget.

Three days in Fort Lauderdale deliver exactly what a romantic beach escape should: rosy dawns, unhurried swims, clinking glasses at sunset, and just enough pampering to feel restored. With savvy dining, a well-timed spa visit, and waterborne wandering, you’ll leave sun-warmed, well-fed, and already plotting a return.