Back on land, head to Flagler Village fort art galleries, Circle House coffee house’s decadent donuts, nonalcoholic bar Karma Kava’s elixirs and hookah, and Chick ’n Cone for crispy chicken served in a waffle cone. A short walk away lies Sistrunk Market‘s food hall, patios, cooking classes, and distillery tours.
And it wouldn’t be Fort Lauderdale without a little taste of its party scene: Lona Cocina Tequileria, located inside the waterfront Westin Fort Lauderdale, is a favorite for ocean views, a $5 margarita happy-hour special, and a legendary lobster quesadilla.
Those looking for culture should head to NSU Art Museum, located in downtown Fort Lauderdale. NSU Art Museum spans 83,000 square feet and has an impressive collection of Latin American, contemporary art with an emphasis on women, Black, and Latinx artists and African arts.
The Museum of Science and Discovery is a family wonderland, also located in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Go to say you’ve seen the largest IMAX screen in South Florida and stay for the STEM learning sessions, the official Lego minifigure trading site, and the outdoor science park.
Pier Sixty-Six
Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale
As Fort Lauderdale continues to expand beyond the spring break market, luxury development is quickly following. In June, Pier Sixty Six debuted a $1 billion project located on 32 waterfront acres of Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway. Pier Sixty Six includes a sleek hotel, with 325 suites and guest rooms, residences, a superyacht marina, and 12 restaurants.
It’s rare that a hotel is a game-changer for a destination, but in a city of older-build properties The Four Seasons Hotel and Residences is just that: The 189-room hotel has made Fort Lauderdale a destination in and of itself. Many of the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, giving the effect of being on a cruise ship. In addition to its beachfront location, there’s a kids club, two pools, a coffee shop, and a top-tier spa.
The Dalmar, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, a Marriott property, is centrally located in Fort Lauderdale but is a contained oasis with extraordinary amenities for the price point. There’s a saline rooftop pool with private cabanas, daily complimentary homemade gelato, an on-site yoga studio, multiple dining venues, and easy access to the beach.
Browse more editor-vetted Fort Lauderdale hotels.