Plan a Family-Friendly Vacation in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is well-known for its beautiful, sparkling beaches and turquoise ocean vista. The main attraction for tourists in Fort Lauderdale on the Atlantic Coast is its beaches.

However, there are more things to see in Fort Lauderdale aside from the sun and sand. Besides basking on the beach, this city has a rich history, a lively art scene, and a unique ecology since it is part of the Florida Everglades.

These days, this place has a full assortment of activities perfect for the entire family. Fort Lauderdale has become a sophisticated urban destination with wide boardwalks and varied shopping and dining options. Still, it retains its laid-back atmosphere, which tourists look for in a Florida vacation.

This beautiful family destination is perfect for any season due to its year-round average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you cannot go wrong when choosing Fort Lauderdale for some downtime with your family.

But the perfect destination is possible by planning. We made this guide to provide insights on the best family-friendly places to visit in Fort Lauderdale that will make your trip memorable.

Family-Friendly Places to Visit in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Beaches

• The picturesque Fort Lauderdale beaches are the heart of the tourist area in this city. This seven-mile stretch of sparkling sand is a laid-back yet entertaining spot and is one of the best family-friendly beaches in Florida. Besides that, with lifeguards placed every 100 to 400 yards, there is plenty of room for your kids to play, swim, and build sandcastles.
• Knowing which beaches to go to is crucial in making the most of your Fort Lauderdale family vacation. Fort Lauderdale Beach Park is considered one of the best access points since it is just south of the Las Olas Boulevard and Florida State Road A1A intersection.
• There are plenty of options in the Great Fort Lauderdale area, such as Hillsboro Beach, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Dania Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Hallandale Beach, and Hollywood. All family members can do various activities from water sports to shopping and dining.

The Museum of Discovery and Science

• Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science is the place to educate and entertain the whole family. It is home to permanent and rotating exhibits and programs, so it is best to check its website to see which ones you will encounter during your visit.
• As for the permanent exhibits, dinosaur-loving kids can look at real fossils and see dinosaurs in the Prehistoric Florida exhibit. Another option is to explore the current ecosystem of present-day Florida through one of the largest living coral reef displays.
• The Storm Center and the Wall of Wind are interesting interactive exhibits where you can explore hurricanes and their effect on all aspects of life. More immersive experiences include a variety of nature and feature films at the IMAX theater and the Airboat Adventure.
• If you have children under seven years old, there is a dedicated Discovery Center where they can play and learn. Children can also have fun learning and having fun simultaneously in the live demonstrations at the Keller Science Center and the two-story otter habitat.

Young at Art Museum

• There are plenty of firsthand activities and exhibits to entertain the entire family at the Young At Art Museum. This venue is the perfect spot in Fort Lauderdale where children, teens, and adults can learn about art and creativity.
• For toddlers and younger children who cannot participate in activities, you can explore different art forms with them in exhibits such as ArtScapes, GreenScapes, CultureScapes, Knight Gallery, WonderScapes, and Bedlam Lorenz Assembly.
• If the family has a trip planned to Fort Lauderdale during the New Year, this place has an exciting party, especially for kids.

Bonnet House Museum and Gardens

• This Fort Lauderdale landmark is an engaging mix of architecture, art, ecology, and history. Additionally, it is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
• Designed by Frederic Clay Bartlett, explore its history and more through art collections and personal treasures on display. The estate’s 36 acres of grounds are amid the Fort Lauderdale commercials beachfront and remain an oasis of coastal wilderness.
• On a tour of the landscaped grounds, the family can appreciate the representation of five ecosystems: a beach, dunes, freshwater slough, a maritime forest, and delicate mangrove wetlands. Interestingly, they have several exotic animals worth seeing, such as Amazon parrots, Costa Rican squirrel monkeys, and manatees crossing the Boathouse Canal.
• Finally, this place holds the Bonnet House International Orchid and Garden Festival every spring. This child-friendly event is a must-see for tourists where kids can create orchid collages and experience face painting, composting worms, and Hawaiian dancing.

Sawgrass Recreation Park

• Children will have a memorable time seeing several animals like wolves, leopards, snakes, and the Florida Black Panther in the Sawgrass Recreation Park. One highlight of this park is the airboat ride through the Florida Everglades for alligator sightings.
• The family can even experience holding a baby alligator and get souvenir photos. If your family likes camping, you can go primitive camping and fishing at the park and go on nighttime airboat rides.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

• This 180-acre park between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean is a gift from Hugh Taylor Birch to the residents of Florida. It is a welcome oasis for families, perfect for an afternoon picnic or a quiet walk on the trails. Both children and adults can also cycle and rollerblade on the paved trails.
• Besides that, canoes are available for rent for some family fun on the water. You can even go fishing or bring your paddleboard to the freshwater lagoon for wildlife viewing.

Mai-Kai Restaurant

• Have dinner at Mai-Kai Restaurant without taking a break from sightseeing and experiencing Fort Lauderdale. This tiki-themed restaurant serves Asian food, but its menu is kid-friendly, with chicken fingers and mac and cheese.
• But get a feel of Hawaii through the Islander Revue Polynesian Show. This 60-year-old famous restaurant and attraction have captivated people with its warmth and magical aura. If you come here during the summer, you will get to see children performing every Sunday evening.

Las Olas Boulevard

• To experience a taste of unique, eclectic, and authentic shopping and dining experiences, Las Olas Boulevard is the place to see and be seen. This boulevard stretches from downtown Fort Lauderdale to the ocean, and it has many art galleries, high-end clothing shops, and jewelry stores.
• Through a gondola tour, your family can experience why Fort Lauderdale is considered “the Venice of America” through a gondola tour. Here, you can drift down the canals accompanied by a storyteller and singer.

Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk

• Off the traditional tourist route, the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk is not visited by most. Instead, it is a picturesque trail that measures 2.5 miles along the New River and past historical homes.
• Interestingly, the Riverwalk passes by several parks along its route, each with its unique attractions. Some parks have playgrounds, gardens, and workout stations. There are also plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy a leisurely meal while enjoying the view.
• Another way to experience the Riverwalk with your family is through the Riverwalk Water Trolley. This free ride is a suitable option for downtime while sightseeing and something children will love.

Flamingo Gardens & Wildlife Sanctuary

• Know about the Florida wilderness ecology by taking a trip to Flamingo Gardens. This 60-acre attraction has a variety of plants, animals, and a piece of history, which is the Wray Home.
• In its eleven botanical gardens, you can see thousands of plants from the tropics and subtropics. Do not miss the nursery, as it is the highlight of the garden, home to some large trees in Florida.
• The wildlife sanctuary is something that children will love, with its bobcats, alligators, eagles, and bears. One highlight is the Flamingo Pond, where the family can observe these pink birds and their daily lives. You can even feed them by hand for an additional fee.

Choose Kidmoto to Complete your Fort Lauderdale Travel Plans

Water taxis will take you places in this city known as the Venice of America. But choose a Kidmoto car service with pre-installed car seats to bring you safely to and from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Like your peace of mind from the lifeguards placed every couple of hundred yards at the Fort Lauderdale beaches, you can experience that and travel convenience when you book a Kidmoto ride.

Ditch the car seats and have less on your hands when flying with a baby! Download the Kidmoto App now to complete your Fort Lauderdale travel plans.