Located on Florida’s stunning Atlantic coast, Fort Lauderdale is a fantastic choice for a family vacation. The city provides a plethora of options for enjoyment, such as stunning beaches, engaging museums, and exciting outdoor activities.
In order to help you navigate all the options, we’ve crafted a list of the top 10 family-friendly activities in Fort Lauderdale. Use our list as a starting point, and we promise your trip to the Venice of America will be one your family never forgets.
Relax at Fort Lauderdale Beach
Pristine sandy shores, clear turquoise waters, and gently crashing waves—Fort Lauderdale Beach is nothing short of a paradise. The scenery really sets it apart, and anything you can imagine doing at the beach, you can do here.
Build sandcastles, play beach volleyball, and relax under the shade of an umbrella. When you need to cool off, take a refreshing dip in the ocean. When hunger strikes, the beachfront promenade offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and ice cream parlors.
Stroll Down Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas Boulevard runs parallel to Fort Lauderdale Beach, and it provides a similarly picturesque backdrop for leisurely strolls. The boulevard possesses a vibrant charm all of its own and attracts visitors from around the world.
If you enjoy shopping, you’ll love its upscale boutiques, art galleries, and diverse dining options.
Explore the Museum of Discovery and Science
This interactive museum is dedicated to teaching children about subjects like robotics and engineering, and it’s a fantastic option if you want to show your kids that learning can be fun.
There are natural wonders to explore here as well. The Florida Ecoscapes exhibit teaches you about unique Floridian ecosystems, and you’ll encounter marine creatures at the Aquarium—watching the otters play is a particular highlight.
On top of that, the museum contains an IMAX theater that shows both educational and entertainment films. If you don’t feel like sitting still, why not try a virtual-reality experience or a simulated space mission?
Enjoy the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Showcasing unique architecture as well as an extensive art collection, Bonnet House is the preserved home of Frederic Clay Bartlett—an artist and art collector of the late 19th and early 20th centuries—and his wife Evelyn.
Take a guided tour, or wander at your own pace through the lush gardens, which feature exotic plants and birds. Kids will love to watch the graceful swans.
Immerse Yourself in Butterfly World
A 30-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale, this butterfly sanctuary houses thousands of butterflies. The fluttering critters live in lush indoor gardens filled with tropical plants and flowers, and you’ll feel like you’re visiting them in their natural habitat.
The Lorikeet Encounter lets you feed nectar to colorful lorikeet parrots, and there’s a botanical garden, a museum, and a butterfly farm. It truly is a magical place.
Embrace Nature at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Situated on Fort Lauderdale’s Atlantic coast, this park is a true oasis of greenery. The area is large enough for you to take scenic hikes or bike rides along nature trails, paddle through the park’s waterways, or relax by the water’s edge.
The park offers guided tours, which allow you to learn about its flora and fauna. If you prefer more stationary activities like fishing or having a picnic, there are designated areas for both.
See the Art at the NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale
This museum showcases an impressive collection of artworks, including modern and contemporary pieces. There’s a wonderfully diverse range of paintings, sculptures, and installations on display, and the museum features renowned artists alongside emerging talents.
Been here before? Don’t worry. The rotating exhibitions ensure that each visit is fresh and unique, and interactive workshops encourage creativity and exploration in all members of the family.
Marvel at Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Gardens is a unique botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary located about 10 miles outside Downtown Fort Lauderdale. The gardens contain a plethora of exotic plants and trees, and the narrated tram tour lets you learn all about them.
At the adjacent Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary, you’ll see native animals like alligators and cougars up close. And, of course, there are plenty of flamingos. The park arranges educational shows and demonstrations, so if you want to learn more about the local ecosystem around Fort Lauderdale, Flamingo Gardens has you covered.
Meet the Alligators at Sawgrass Recreation Park
At Sawgrass Recreational Park, you can fly across the marshes in an airboat, searching for alligators, turtles, and a wide array of bird species as you go.
There’s also an on-site exhibit, where you can get up close to some of the resident reptiles. Meanwhile, the park’s experts will relay fascinating knowledge about the animals.
This is an unforgettable outdoor experience worth the 30-minute car ride from downtown.
Hunt for Bargains at the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop
The Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop is a unique blend of entertainment, shopping, and family fun. The biggest attraction is the vast flea market, where you can find almost anything you can imagine for sale.
Because the venue is an old drive-in theater, live entertainment like concerts and car shows often feature. There are also carnival rides, games, and, of course, movies shown on the drive-in theater’s giant screen.
A visit here guarantees a charming, eclectic, and unique day.
The 10 Best Family-Friendly Activities in Fort Lauderdale in Summary
Fort Lauderdale is a fantastic choice for a family vacation. Whether you’re a sun lover, a history and culture buff, or a nature enthusiast, there’s no end to the places you could go.
Feel free to use our list to base your trip around, but once you’re there, your family might be tempted to embrace the vibrant atmosphere and go with the flow.
Wherever you end up hanging out, it will be time well spent with your loved ones.
