As “Broward’s first city,” historic Dania Beach sits between two of the busiest metropolises in South Florida—Fort Lauderdale and Miami—but visit and you’ll feel worlds away from the region’s famous hustle and bustle. When even locals consider it a “hidden gem,” you know you’re onto something.

Incorporated in 1904 as the Town of Dania, this seaside city is nicknamed the Antique Capital of the South, mostly thanks to its collection of antique shops and art galleries located along US-1 near Dania Beach Boulevard.

Sophia Marro, a 24-year-old PR executive who resides in Dania Beach, shares, “I moved to Dania Beach just over two years ago and honestly wasn’t sure what to expect, but the town has completely won me over.”

Between the beautiful beaches and brimming vintage shops, low-key Dania Beach has a coastal charm worth exploring. Read on to learn more about the best things to do in Dania Beach. 

Go Treasure Hunting

Dania Beach gained notoriety as an antiques capital in the 1940s as the region’s tomato-crop boom began to recede; predictably, the top thing to do in Dania Beach today remains hunting for hidden gems.

Along Dania Beach’s Antique Row, visitors can find everything from furniture to jewelry, glassware, chandeliers, oddities, and more. Don’t skip peeking into Akiba Antiques, Lone Ranger Antiques (specializing in Swedish country antiques and Gustavian furniture), the Kodner Galleries auction house, or even the nostalgic media selection at Retroitis.

The historic buildings (including Broward County’s first movie theater), housing many of the shops, add to the overall appeal of vintage-browsing here. As you stroll, you can spot Greek Revival, Mission Revival, Mediterranean Revival, and Art Deco architectural styles.

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Visit Lauderdale

Things to Do

Not into antiquing? If shopping, nature, sports, or the convergence of art and technology is more your speed, Dania Beach still has the power to win you over.

Mad Arts is a unique museum where visitors are treated to “interactive experiences, outdoor sculptures, experimental labs, artist prototypes, research projects, and large-scale projections.” Lauren Voorhies, who grew up in Dania Beach (and also happens to be my cousin!), calls it “a fun, quirky art museum that’s great for a rainy day.”

Another Dania Beach hotspot is Dania Pointe, a mixed-use development spanning nearly a million square feet of retail, restaurants, offices, hotels, and more.

“There’s something for everyone, no matter your age,” says Marro. “There’s a movie theater, a must-visit comedy club that hosts celebrity performers, a bowling alley, and mini golf, so you can pretty much find any activity you’re looking for.”

If you’re in town on the second Saturday of the month October through April, Dania After Dark is a fun, free, family-friendly event series with craft stalls, live music, food vendors, and more.

And for something totally different? Check the jai alai match schedule at the popular Casino at Dania Beach.

“I don’t personally care about the gambling, but they do live music shows and if you’re looking for something fun and kind of quirky, go to a jai alai match,” says Voorhies. “I don’t think it’s played regularly anywhere else in the US, but it was quite popular for a while in South Florida.”

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Lucky Fish

Eat (and Treat) Like a Local

If you’re seeking the one place you must hit while visiting Dania Beach, well, you’re in trouble—because this little town has at least two non-negotiable can’t-miss eateries.

The first is, undeniably, Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant, a family-owned landmark since 1956, where you’ll find old-fashioned ice cream, all-American eats, and a country store selling “novelty toys, retro knick-knacks, and penny candy.”

“For a late-night sweet treat, Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor is a classic in Dania,” says Marro. “It’s the kind of place you can sit outside with friends for hours, chatting away with sticky ice cream hands; their praline pecan is a must if you’re a fan of Southern comfort. Driving past all the fun lights at night makes it feel even more special—you know you’ve officially entered the city when you see that Jaxson’s sign.”

Voorhies feels the same: “Jaxson’s is a Dania Beach institution! I always try to make it there when I’m home—the best ice cream, old-fashioned candy, and just the best vibe. You feel like you’ve been launched back in time.”

As beloved as Jaxson’s is, perhaps equally important to the fabric of Dania Beach is a newcomer: beachside Lucky Fish. Although the restaurant only opened last spring, it has quickly cemented itself as a must-visit in Dania Beach, especially for tourists arriving from the Fort Lauderdale airport or Port Everglades, who consider it the perfect first meal on their trip.

“Since Lucky Fish opened on the beach, it’s really brought a breath of fresh air to the community with live entertainment, events, and fun beachside bites and drinks at fair prices,” says manager Shane Francis. “Locals love it, but I’ve also noticed travelers arriving from the airport or leaving the cruise port come straight to Lucky Fish—the beachfront tiki huts really make you feel like you’re on vacation.”

One last honorable mention is Grampa’s Restaurant, a semi-famous bagel joint by a pair of New Yorkers. 

“Grampa’s—best known from the TV show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives—has become my go-to local breakfast spot,” says Marro. “Their bagels aren’t just the best in town; they might be some of the best I’ve had since moving to South Florida. Pair one with their cranberry chicken salad and it’s an unbeatable combo.”

Other Dania Beach picks include Grumpy Gary’s at Dockers—which Voorhies describes as a “great dive bar/restaurant with good seafood, live music, and water-side seating”—and Tarks, another seafood dive she says is “very popular with the locals.”

Also consider Quarterdeck on Dania Pier for waterside views, craft beer at 3 Sons Brewing Co., and Tiki Tiki on the Intracoastal for full immersion into the tropical surroundings. 

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Getty Images

Hit the Beach

Of course, life’s richest pleasures are the ones that can’t be bought—even in a treasure trove like Dania Beach. That’s why hitting the beach here is a must, even considering all there is to enjoy away from shore.

Pay a visit to Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, an undeveloped coastal ecosystem just south of Port Everglades, where you can swim, fish, boat, hike, bike, or just go for a picnic in unspoiled Floridian nature. 

Interestingly, the park—once the designated “colored beach” of Broward County—is named for “Civil Rights Movement leaders who led ‘wade-in’ protests to desegregate South Florida beaches in the 1950s and 1960s,” according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection website. Nothing better than a beach with a bit of Florida history.

Within the park, consider a water sports rental from Whiskey Creek Hideout to explore the serene waters and mangrove trails for yourself. Visitors also enjoy the Dania Beach Pier, Tigertail Lake Recreational Center, and Ocean Park Beach.