Luxury summer vacation rentals: beautifully furnished homes in Fort Lauderdale

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a charming, low-key beach town just north of Fort Lauderdale, with a walkable downtown, colorful plazas, and a laid-back “Old Florida” vibe. The big draw is right offshore: you can swim or paddle straight from the sand to a living coral reef for easy snorkeling and diving, then wander back for ice cream, casual seafood, and live music around the pier. Visit Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Climb aboard a flat-bottom airboat and skim across the “River of Grass” just west of the city, spotting alligators, turtles, and wading birds as you go. Depending on the tour, you can visit an animal sanctuary, book a private sunrise or nighttime ride, or turn it into a full half-day outing with lunch on-site. It’s loud, wild, and very South Florida—in the best way—and an especially fun add-on for families or groups. Visit Sawgrass Recreation Park

Fat Village is Fort Lauderdale’s creative playground—a former warehouse district turned arts hub in the heart of downtown. Here, bold murals, gallery spaces, and maker studios mix with plans for buzzy restaurants, bars, and modern residences, all steps from the Brightline station. It’s the spot you wander in the late afternoon for coffee, street art, and people-watching, then stay for dinner, drinks, and whatever pop-up, performance, or art event happens to be on that night. Visit Fat Village Arts District

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is where you trade flip-flops for a night out downtown. Overlooking the New River in Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, it hosts touring Broadway shows, concerts, comedy, dance, and more throughout the year. Visit Broward Center for the Performing Arts

A classic riverboat experience—a kitschy-in-a-fun-way cruise along the New River past mega yachts and Millionaire’s Row. You can keep it simple with a narrated sightseeing ride, or make a full evening of it with the dinner cruise to their tropical island for an all-you-can-eat BBQ and a variety show with live entertainment. It’s very “only in Florida,” great for families and groups, and a fun way to see the city lights from the water. Visit The Jungle Queen Riverboat

A peaceful detour from the buzz of Fort Lauderdale Beach—an artist’s estate tucked into 35 acres of tropical gardens and waterfront trails. It feels like a time capsule of early 20th-century Florida, filled with whimsical art, orchids, and quiet corners to wander. It’s an easy half-day escape when you want shade, history, and a slower pace without ever really leaving the beach neighborhood. Visit Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

A great change of pace from the sand. Deer Creek is an upscale, resort-style public course with lush landscaping, rolling fairways, and plenty of palm trees in the mix. It’s close enough to Fort Lauderdale for an easy half-day trip: play 18, grab lunch or a drink at the clubhouse, and still make it back to the beach by late afternoon. Perfect if someone in your crew is itching to golf while everyone else is in full vacation mode. Visit Deer Creek Golf Club

YOLO is your “night out on Las Olas” spot—lively, polished, and made for lingering. Come for contemporary American dishes, steaks, and seafood, stay for the people-watching, strong cocktails, and buzzy indoor–outdoor atmosphere right in the middle of downtown. It’s an easy pick for a dressed-up dinner, a weekend brunch with bottomless bubbles, or happy hour before you wander the rest of Las Olas Boulevard. Visit YOLO

Steak 954 is an oceanfront steakhouse tucked into the W Hotel with floor-to-ceiling views and a jellyfish aquarium glowing behind the bar. The menu leans indulgent: dry-aged prime steaks, American Wagyu, fresh local seafood, and polished cocktails, plus decadent sides made for sharing. Come for a long, unhurried dinner, then step straight out to the beach or the pool deck for one last look at the ocean before heading home. Visit Steak 954

Java & Jam is where you fuel up before a day in Fort Lauderdale. Right on Las Olas Boulevard, it does all-day breakfast and brunch—think fluffy pancakes, loaded biscuit sandwiches, strong coffee, and morning cocktails in a modern, buzzy café setting. Grab a table on the patio, watch downtown wake up around you, then wander straight out to shop Las Olas or head over the bridge to the beach. Visit Java & Jam

Your “treat yourself” Italian night—white tablecloths, candlelight, and the kind of menu that makes you linger. Just north of Las Olas, this flagship location serves handmade pastas, beautifully cooked meats and seafood, and an award-winning wine list in a refined, quietly buzzy dining room. It’s the spot you book for a romantic dinner, a celebration, or any evening on vacation when only a proper, linger-over-every-course meal will do. Visit Casa D'Angelo Ristorante

Takato is a Japanese–Korean fusion hotspot with serious views. Set at the Conrad, it’s all about shareable plates, pristine sushi, and inventive cocktails you’ll want to linger over on the terrace. Enjoy wagyu sliders, crispy rice, beautifully plated nigiri, and bingsu for dessert, all with the Atlantic as your backdrop. It’s an easy yes for a special night on vacation or a long, luxurious lunch between beach sessions. Visit Takato

Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s main strip for shopping, dining, and people-watching—a palm-lined avenue that runs from the New River all the way to the beach. With everything from casual brunch spots to late-night cocktail bars in one walkable stretch, it’s an easy go-to for a laid-back afternoon or a dressed-up night out. Visit Las Olas Boulevard

The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is an upscale shopping stop just a few minutes from the beach, ideal for a post-sun or rainy-day outing. You’ll find major department stores, fashion and lifestyle brands, plus a strong lineup of restaurants in one easy, air-conditioned loop. It’s an easy way to mix a little retail therapy and a nice meal into your Fort Lauderdale stay without straying far from the shoreline. Visit Galleria Fort Lauderdale

A brewer-owned taproom in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village with a wild, taxidermy-meets-tropical vibe and a serious beer list. Expect a rotating lineup of IPAs, sours, and experimental brews (plus their own spirits and cocktails), an outdoor beer garden, and food trucks on regular rotation. Visit Invasive Species Brewing