By comparison, Greater Fort Lauderdale<\/a>, just up the coast, sees far fewer \u2014 around 10 million visitors a year. And many of those are people dipping into the city while waiting to board a ship from its Port Everglades cruise<\/a> hub.<\/p>\n Here, we explain why Fort Lauderdale deserves more thorough attention, as it makes for a superb alternative to its glamorous neighbour to the south.<\/p>\n We reveal how Fort Lauderdale\u2019s beaches rival those of Miami\u2019s, how the food scene is becoming ever-more sophisticated, and why the city is one of the most fun to explore anywhere in America.<\/p>\n A vacation in Fort Lauderdale, you\u2019ll discover, is also easier on the bank balance, and a smoother ride for families, too.<\/p>\n Plus, the city has its fair share of stunning hotels<\/a>, with stays to suit every budget.<\/p>\n 1. The beaches \u2014 just as beautiful, far less crowded <\/p>\n When it comes to beaches<\/a>, Greater Fort Lauderdale harbors the classic temptations of Miami Beach (where the famous sands people think of as being in \u201cMiami\u201d are located) \u2014 but with fewer tourists.<\/p>\n Right across the 24-mile Atlantic<\/a> beachfront, visitors are treated to postcard-perfect expanses of floury soft sand, romantic promenades peppered with swaying palms, and inviting shallows.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, there are options to suit your moods and sensibilities.<\/p>\n The main strip of sand is seven-mile-long Fort Lauderdale Beach, which has dedicated family and dog-friendly sections, and a glorious promenade.<\/p>\n Dania Beach is where you\u2019ll find silky sands and nature trails; while snorkel-friendly reefs await at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.<\/p>\n Head to Hillsboro Beach for a historic lighthouse and the highest density of sea turtles per mile on the east coast of Florida, and Deerfield Beach to stroll along a magnificent 976-foot-long fishing pier, the centerpiece of the spot.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Pompano Beach has a fish-shaped pier stretching 900 feet into the Atlantic, while Hollywood Beach has a retro-Floridian vibe and a 2.5-mile promenade, one of the few in the U.S. that doesn\u2019t run alongside a road.<\/p>\n Read more: See Miami in a new light: Six neighborhoods that might just surprise you<\/a><\/p>\n 2. The food \u2014 excellent, without the scene<\/p>\n Miami\u2019s culinary credentials are rightly lauded, with 14 restaurants in the city holding Michelin stars<\/a>. But Fort Lauderdale\u2019s food scene is anything but stale by comparison: it has been quietly shedding its casual dining reputation and even has Michelin Guide recommendations of its own.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, the city\u2019s restaurants are easier to reserve, you\u2019re less likely to be hustled off your table for another booking, and it\u2019s not just the food that\u2019s drool-worthy, the waterside views are, too.<\/p>\n The city\u2019s Michelin poster child is Chef’s Counter at Maass at the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences<\/a>, which holds a coveted star for dishes such as single-seared diver scallop over truffle puree, and Japanese rice with maitake mushrooms and Comt\u00e9 foam.<\/p>\n At dockside Coconuts, watch boats drift past as you savor lobster roll and peel-and-eat shrimp, while inviting water vistas are also served up at nearby Kaluz Restaurant, alongside the likes of fire-roasted octopus and steak meatballs. There\u2019s also 15th Street Fisheries restaurant \u2014 a stop on the water taxi route (see below) \u2014 and Boathouse at the Riverside, which has a lush, tropical patio and a regular rotation of boaters stopping by for a bite to eat.<\/p>\n The city\u2019s dining spine is Las Olas Boulevard, a 2.5-mile, pedestrian-friendly district stretching from downtown to the beach, where you\u2019ll find a huge range of dining options, from Wiseguy Pizza to the Hollywood Donut Factory, and from Luigi\u2019s Tuscan Grill to Rocco\u2019s Tacos and Tequila Bar.<\/p>\n Read more: I stayed in a Miami hotel with the chicest Art Deco-inspired interiors<\/a><\/p>\n 3. Getting around is actually fun \u2014 thanks to water taxis<\/p>\n In Miami, getting from A to B can be a challenge. In Fort Lauderdale, it\u2019s a joy \u2014 thanks to the water taxis. <\/p>\n They are a wonderful way to get around and explore the 300 miles of inland waterways that earn the city the nickname the \u201cVenice<\/a> of America.\u201d<\/p>\n For a set price, you can hop on and off between 10am and 10pm, with the boats, which have onboard restrooms and beverages for sale, chugging along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River and stopping at many of the city\u2019s key spots. These include Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Boulevard, Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Galleria Mall, and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.<\/p>\n At Stop F4, next to the Greater Fort Lauderdale\/Broward County Convention Center, there\u2019s even a floating dock that allows guests in wheelchairs or strollers to board the water taxi vessels regardless of the tide or water depth. <\/p>\n Tickets cost $38 for adults ($25 after 5pm) and $18 for children (ages 5-12, under-fives go free). A multi-day pass costs $140, while an annual pass costs $349.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not fast \u2014 but that\u2019s the entire point.<\/p>\n Read more: Book retreats are gaining popularity as vacationers opt for reading \u2014 here are 9 getaways<\/a><\/p>\n 4. It\u2019s cheaper \u2014 and you\u2019ll feel it <\/p>\n Both cities have top-tier accommodation options, great restaurants and cool bars \u2014 but you\u2019ll pay less to enjoy them in Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n Sometimes a lot less.<\/p>\n For starters, you\u2019ll find rooms in beachfront hotels in Fort Lauderdale for around $250-$400 per night, while in Miami Beach, a world of jet-setters and sophisticated brands, you’ll need to budget $400-$700 for an inviting ocean-view room.<\/p>\n Ditto for dining. In Fort Lauderdale, a fresh seafood meal \u2014 one of the city’s specialties \u2014 will cost around $20-$40. In Miami, you’ll need to fish $35-$60 out of your wallet for something of similar quality.<\/p>\n Drinks, too, are less of a bank-balance drain, with beers costing $8-$12 and cocktails $12-$16 in Fort Lauderdale, versus $10-$14 and $16-$22 respectively in Miami’s red-rope hotspots.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re strategic, getting around can cost less, too. Instead of paying for multiple Uber trips and tours, just hand over $38 for the water taxi day pass, which doubles as transportation and sightseeing.<\/p>\n Read more: 9 of the US\u2019s most epic beaches revealed<\/a><\/p>\n 5. It\u2019s easier for families \u2014 and there\u2019s plenty to do <\/p>\n There’s no denying that Miami is a prized family holiday destination, but tantrums are less likely to ignite in Fort Lauderdale, because there’s less sprawl to navigate \u2014 everything is more closely meshed together \u2014 and the bustle is dialled down.<\/p>\n Parents will notice that the beaches are more serene \u2014 blaring speakers are rarer \u2014 with more room for sandcastle-building, ball-throwing and sand tennis. Getting around the city, far from being a hassle, can actually become a fun and interesting activity if Ubers are ditched in favor of the water taxi service.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, there are several attractions parents can turn to once the beach and water taxis have played their part.<\/p>\n One is the aforementioned Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, a 180-acre oasis a seashell’s throw from the beach, which features hiking trails, shaded picnic areas and a freshwater lagoon that can be explored by canoe and paddleboard.<\/p>\n Another reliable hit is the 150,000-square-foot Museum of Discovery and Science, a wonderland for children that’s home to over 200 exhibits, an Imax 3D Theater and a dedicated interactive area for kids aged seven and under.<\/p>\n Read more: The best hotels in Miami, from chic Art Deco stays to family-friendly retreats<\/a><\/p>\n 6. And the location… it\u2019s close enough to dip into Miami <\/p>\n Having the beach on one side and the stunning Everglades National Park<\/a> on the other are two huge boons of Fort Lauderdale\u2019s location, the latter being a prime area to spot American alligators, manatees and over 350 species of birds.<\/p>\n The other major plus point? Miami is within easy reach for a day trip \u2014 Fort Lauderdale doesn\u2019t have to be a full, all-or-nothing commitment.<\/p>\n The two cities are just 40-60 minutes apart in terms of driving time, while the Brightline high-speed train<\/a> will whisk you from downtown Fort Lauderdale to Miami in just 30 minutes should you care for a stroll around its Art Deco neighborhood or an exploration of Little Havana.<\/p>\n Read more: Everything you need to know about Oceania\u2019s new ship Allura<\/a><\/p>\n Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n Budget<\/p>\n B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach<\/a>, from $180<\/p>\n This property \u2014 formerly known as the Yankee Clipper \u2014 is set directly on Fort Lauderdale Beach and features two pools with private cabanas and rooms with private bathrooms and Keurig coffeemakers. Free wifi is available throughout. High-profile past guests include Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio.<\/p>\n Mid-range<\/p>\n Hotel Maren Fort Lauderdale Beach<\/a>, from $250<\/p>\n Hotel Maren overlooks Las Olas Beach and is just a five-minute walk from the buzzy restaurants and shops on Las Olas Boulevard. The atmosphere is polished but not buttoned-up, with an impressive outdoor pool and modern rooms.<\/p>\n High-end<\/p>\n![\"Fort](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774183765_647_fort-lauderdale-beach.jpeg\")
Fort Lauderdale’s beaches are just as irresistible as those at Miami Beach, but are rarely packed. Pictured is the city\u2019s main strip of sand (Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n![\"Fort](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774183766_41_AJR-Boathouse-Riverside-3935.jpeg\")
Fort Lauderdale is home to a multitude of enticing waterfront restaurants. Pictured is Boathouse at the Riverside (Visit Lauderdale)<\/p>\n![\"Fort](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774183767_101_Credit-Visit-Lauderdale_Water-Taxi.jpeg\")
Fort Lauderdale\u2019s water taxis make getting from A to B a joy (Visit Lauderdale)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774183767_520_Credit-Visit-Lauderdale_Riverwalk.jpeg\")
A good time costs less in Fort Lauderdale, from hotels to cocktails (Visit Lauderdale)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774183768_731_brightline.jpeg\")
The Brightline train can whisk you from Fort Lauderdale to Miami in just 30 minutes (Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Omni](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774183769_172_Omni-Fort-Lauderdale-Hotel-Studio_Suite_King_SKJ.jpeg\")
Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel has over 800 luxury rooms and offers stunning views (Omni Fort Lauderdale)<\/p>\n