{"id":322436,"date":"2026-06-28T10:30:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T10:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/322436\/"},"modified":"2026-06-28T10:30:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T10:30:13","slug":"the-home-of-the-venice-of-america-is-a-florida-county-with-beautiful-beaches-parks-and-a-vibrant-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/322436\/","title":{"rendered":"The Home Of ‘The Venice Of America’ Is A Florida County With Beautiful Beaches, Parks, And A Vibrant City"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Felixmizioznikov\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Americans don’t have to cross the pond to feel the Italian influence. Florida’s Broward County, located on the southeast coast, is\u00a0home to Fort Lauderdale. It’s\u00a0an artsy and breathtaking city that’s often called\u00a0Florida’s ‘Venice of America’<\/a>\u00a0because of its scenic\u00a0waterways that weave through the city. There are multiple boat tours available, including one that actually lets you explore the canals on a real gondola \u2014 just like you would in Venice, Italy. The LauderGo! Water Trolley<\/a> also offers free rides that will take you to eight stops in Fort Lauderdale.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This vibrant city is also where you’ll find the most walkable art-filled street in Florida<\/a> \u2014 Las Olas \u2014 which was named one of the top three most walkable streets in the entire United States by Assisted Living Magazine<\/a>. There are\u00a0several local boutiques, like handmade jewelry and surfing gear, and\u00a0places to eat and drink, such as Baires Grill and Earls Kitchen. Visitors will also find parks along the city’s famous road, such as Las Olas Oceanside Park<\/a> and Huizenga Park<\/a>, which underwent renovations and offers several activities, such as community markets, movies on the lawn, and free workouts.<\/p>\n

As one of Florida’s largest cities, Fort Lauderdale may get a lot of attention as being the most vibrant spot, but there’s a lot more to Broward County than just one popular city. Residents are spread throughout\u00a031 municipalities\u00a0\u2013 enough to make Broward County the second most-populous county in Florida. Besides the city of Fort Lauderdale, there are seven other communities in Broward County that have beautiful beaches:\u00a0Deerfield, Hillsboro, Pompano, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Dania, Hallandale, and Hollywood.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Beautiful beaches in Broward County<\/p>\n


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Ablokhin\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

In total, there are 24 miles of beautiful beaches in Broward County.\u00a0Fort Lauderdale’s beach has places to eat and shop that are just steps away from the sand.\u00a0If you’re looking for a hidden beach town near Fort Lauderdale to escape crowds<\/a>, check out Deerfield Beach. Anglers can drop a line in the water while visiting Pompano\u00a0and Dania Beach.\u00a0Hillsboro Beach has an old lighthouse you can climb for\u00a0scenic views, and Hallandale Beach has a beautiful stretch of coastline. The beach there is ADA-accessible\u00a0and those with limited mobility can use one of the\u00a0beach wheelchairs available for residents and visitors.<\/p>\n

The sandy shores are beautiful, but there are some interesting things to see beneath the water’s surface, too. Snorkelers and divers visit the beaches in Broward County because The Florida Reef Tract<\/a>\u00a0stretches through the Atlantic in this region where\u00a0there’s an abundance of marine life. According to\u00a0NOAA Fisheries<\/a>, “[It is]\u00a0the largest coral barrier reef in the continental United States, and the third largest barrier reef ecosystem in the world.”\u00a0You can also snorkel among shipwrecks off the coast of Lauderdale-By-The Sea.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to Tripadvisor<\/a>, the highest-ranked beach in Broward County is Hollywood Beach. One\u00a0reviewer<\/a> described it, writing, “The beach itself is beautiful and pristine. I have been to beaches around the world, and the sand and water access here were truly impressive. The water was clear and inviting … The boardwalk is lively but relaxed, with people walking, jogging, biking, rollerblading, and skating throughout the day. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance. It feels vibrant and social.”<\/p>\n

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Exploring Broward County’s parks<\/p>\n


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Sunshower Shots\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Visitors to Broward County can plan some extra time to check out the area’s parks \u2014 there are more than 50. Some are located in more bustling areas, such as Huizenga Park in Fort Lauderdale’s vibrant downtown district. The park offers\u00a0a variety of ongoing events, and you can see outdoor movies, test your knowledge at trivia night, hear live music, join a group fitness class, or take your four-legged best friend out for “Yappy Hour.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

For those who want to experience nature, there are other options, such as West Lake Park, home to the\u00a0Anne Kolb Nature Center<\/a>.\u00a0It is\u00a0one of South Florida’s largest urban parks and the perfect spot to hike and kayak with wildlife<\/a>. Visitors can take a walk along the nature trail and climb the observation tower. It’s easy to get there, too, as it is only two miles\u00a0from the popular Hollywood Boardwalk. There are also some state-run parks in Broward County, such as Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach, which\u00a0has more than two\u00a0miles of undeveloped coastline. Bring your binoculars if you go to either of these two parks, as both are part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n

If you’re coming from out of state, you can book a flight to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL),\u00a0located within the Fort Lauderdale city limits. Amtrak and\u00a0Florida’s Brightline train\u00a0also\u00a0make stops in Fort Lauderdale. The latter\u00a0doesn’t service the entire state, but for those located along Brightline’s route, which extends from Orlando to Miami, it offers another way some Floridians can get to Broward County.<\/p>\n


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