Fort Lauderdale sits at the intersection of the Atlantic Ocean and an intricate 300-mile network of inland waterways, earning it the nickname 'Venice of America' and making boat travel a legitimate way to get around with kids. Families flock to the 23 miles of public beach along A1A, the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District downtown, and world-class marine attractions like the NSU Art Museum and Flamingo Gardens in nearby Davie. Unlike Miami to the south, Fort Lauderdale offers a more relaxed pace with wide sandy beaches, less traffic congestion on Las Olas Boulevard, and a genuine mix of urban culture and outdoor adventure.
Annual LGBTQ+ Pride festival and parade held in Fort Lauderdale's Wilton Manors and downtown areas, featuring live music, vendors, and family-friendly activities
💡The Wilton Drive street festival is family-welcoming with food, music, and a festive atmosphere suitable for all ages
One of South Florida's premier outdoor art fairs held along the iconic Las Olas Boulevard, featuring hundreds of juried artists and live entertainment
💡Kids enjoy watching artists work live; go in the morning before the midday heat peaks on the boulevard
🔄 Recurring Activities
Las Olas Farmers Market
Sun · Jan–Dec
Weekly open-air market along Las Olas Boulevard featuring local produce, artisan foods, plants, and handmade crafts in the heart of Fort Lauderdale
💡Arrive before 10am for the best selection and cooler temperatures; kids enjoy the fresh fruit samples and watching vendors
Broward County Library Family Storytime
Wed · Jan–Dec
Free weekly storytime sessions for young children at Broward County Library branches, including the Main Library in Fort Lauderdale, featuring books, songs, and crafts
💡Best for ages 2-6; arrive a few minutes early as the children's room fills quickly at popular branches
Free Beach Yoga at Fort Lauderdale Beach
Sat · Jan–Dec
Community yoga sessions held on Fort Lauderdale Beach near the beach promenade, welcoming all skill levels including families with older children
💡Best for kids ages 6 and up who can follow basic instructions; bring a mat and water bottle and enjoy the ocean breeze
Riverwalk Food Truck Fridays
Fri · Oct–May
Weekly gathering of local food trucks along the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk offering diverse cuisines, outdoor seating, and occasional live music by the New River
💡The riverfront location is stroller-friendly and kids love watching boats pass by while enjoying dinner from multiple food truck options
Planning Your Visit
▶📅 Best Time to VisitMid-November through mid-December is the sweet s…
Mid-November through mid-December is the sweet spot — temperatures hover between 68–78°F, humidity drops sharply after hurricane season ends, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show crowds have cleared out (it runs late October/early November), school is in session so beaches are uncrowded, and holiday lights appear along Las Olas Boulevard without the peak winter pricing that kicks in after Christmas. March through April is also excellent but college Spring Break brings crowds to the beach strip around A1A and Sunrise Boulevard.
▶✈️ Getting ThereFort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport …
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is the primary gateway, located just 3 miles from downtown and far less congested than Miami International (MIA) 30 miles south. Miami (MIA) is a 35–45 minute drive via I-95 or Florida's Turnpike. West Palm Beach is approximately 45–55 minutes north on I-95. Orlando is about 3.5 hours north via Florida's Turnpike, making a dual-destination trip with Disney or Universal feasible for families driving from the Midwest or Southeast.
▶🚶 Getting AroundFort Lauderdale is not a walk-everywhere city — …
Fort Lauderdale is not a walk-everywhere city — a car or rideshare is essential for most families. The exception is the beach strip along A1A between Sunrise Boulevard and Las Olas Boulevard, where a paved oceanside promenade is fully stroller-accessible and connects hotels, parks, and restaurants for about 1.5 miles. The Water Taxi system (stops at 12 locations on the New River and Intracoastal Waterway) is a stroller-friendly, genuinely useful transit option for accessing Las Olas, the Riverwalk, and waterfront restaurants. Broward County Transit buses exist but are not practical for most family itineraries. Pack sunscreen and a wagon for beach days — parking lots at South Beach Park and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park fill by 10am on weekends.
▶💰 Budget Estimate (Family of 4)$200–280/day for a family of 4 — covers a budget hotel or Airbnb in the Oakland Park or Wilton Manors area, parking at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park ($6/vehicle), packed lunches eaten on the beach, one paid attraction such as the Museum of Discovery and Science ($22/adult, $18/child), and grocery store dinners from the Publix on Federal Highway.
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Budget
$200–280/day for a family of 4 — covers a budget hotel or Airbnb in the Oakland Park or Wilton Manors area, parking at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park ($6/vehicle), packed lunches eaten on the beach, one paid attraction such as the Museum of Discovery and Science ($22/adult, $18/child), and grocery store dinners from the Publix on Federal Highway.
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Mid-Range
$380–550/day — unlocks a beachside hotel on A1A such as the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Beach, one Water Taxi day pass for the family ($30/adult, $15/child), admission to Butterfly World in Coconut Creek ($30/adult, $25/child), casual waterfront dining at Shooters Waterfront or Gran Forno Bakery on Las Olas, and nightly resort parking fees.
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Splurge
$900+/day — includes a suite at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort with direct beach access, a private boat charter through Fort Lauderdale Water Sports for an Intracoastal tour, dinner at Boatyard Restaurant on the water with the full seafood menu, and premium spa access for parents while kids use the resort pool program.
Neighborhoods & Areas
▶Fort Lauderdale Beach (A1A Corridor)Sun-soaked, bustling beachfrontThe 23-mile public beach with free access points, th…
The 23-mile public beach with free access points, the oceanside paved promenade between Sunrise Blvd and Las Olas Blvd, Casanova Park with playground equipment steps from the sand, and the cluster of family-friendly restaurants and shops around the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.
👶Stroller-friendly along the paved promenade but not ideal in loose sand without a beach wagon. Parking garages on A1A fill quickly on weekends — arrive before 9am or use the Water Taxi. Street noise and nightlife bar activity increases south of Las Olas after 9pm, so families staying north of Sunrise Boulevard get much quieter nights.
▶Las Olas BoulevardUpscale, walkable, European-flavoredA half-mile pedestrian-friendly corridor with sidewa…
A half-mile pedestrian-friendly corridor with sidewalk dining, boutique shopping, and public art installations. Gran Forno Trattoria is a beloved local bakery-restaurant ideal for family lunches. The eastern end of Las Olas connects directly to the beach, while the western end meets the Riverwalk and Museum of Discovery and Science.
👶Sidewalks are wide and stroller-navigable. Most restaurants have outdoor seating. Weekend evenings get crowded and loud from bar patrons, so families do best here during daytime hours or early dinner before 6pm. Free parking is nearly nonexistent — use the city garage on SE 1st Avenue or the Water Taxi to dock at the Las Olas stop.
▶Riverwalk and Downtown Fort LauderdaleCultural, waterfront, arts-focusedThe 2.5-mile Riverwalk along the New River connects …
The 2.5-mile Riverwalk along the New River connects the Museum of Discovery and Science (with its IMAX theater and live coral reef aquarium), the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (which runs family matinee programming), and the historic Stranahan House. Water Taxi stops here make it easy to arrive without driving.
👶The Riverwalk itself is flat, wide, and very stroller-friendly with shaded benches and water fountains. Parking in the downtown garages off Andrews Avenue is straightforward and affordable on weekends. The area around Flagler Village just north of downtown is up-and-coming with murals and food trucks — fine for families during the day.
▶Hugh Taylor Birch State Park AreaGreen, peaceful, nature escapeHugh Taylor Birch State Park sits between A1A and th…
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park sits between A1A and the Intracoastal Waterway and offers canoe and kayak rentals, a freshwater lagoon system, a 1.9-mile paved trail ideal for strollers and bikes, and direct tunnel access to Fort Lauderdale Beach. The park hosts family-oriented ranger programs on weekends.
👶This is one of the most stroller-friendly outdoor destinations in Broward County — the main loop trail is completely flat and paved. Entry is $6 per vehicle. Arrive before 10am on weekends or the small parking lot fills completely. The adjacent beach access via the tunnel avoids A1A traffic entirely.
▶Flagler VillageHip, artsy, emergingA walkable neighborhood just north of downtown along…
A walkable neighborhood just north of downtown along N Federal Highway and NE 4th Avenue, known for weekend food truck rallies at the ArtsPark-adjacent lots, colorful murals throughout the streets, and proximity to the NSU Art Museum. Small craft breweries and coffee shops line NE 2nd Street.
👶Good for a daytime stroll with older kids interested in street art — not the most stroller-friendly due to uneven sidewalks and limited curb cuts on some blocks. Very safe during the day with a friendly neighborhood vibe. Limited chain restaurants means families need to embrace local spots or plan ahead. Parking on surrounding residential streets is generally available.
▶Dania Beach and Dania PointeLaid-back, retail-meets-waterfrontThe Dania Pointe mixed-use development opened in sta…
The Dania Pointe mixed-use development opened in stages and now hosts a LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Funky Buddha Brewery (family-friendly during day hours), a Cinemark theater, and a variety of chain and local restaurants all within a walkable outdoor mall format. Dania Beach pier is one of the longest in Florida at 920 feet and is free to walk.
👶Dania Pointe is extremely stroller-friendly with wide flat walkways, plenty of family restrooms, and ample free parking. It's a reliable fallback on rainy days given LEGOLAND Discovery Center is entirely indoors. Located just south of FLL airport — plan around flight noise if dining on the outdoor patios. About 10 minutes south of downtown Fort Lauderdale via I-95.
Local Tips for Families
💡The Water Taxi's All-Day Pass ($30 adults, $15 children under 12) lets families board and re-board at 12 stops along the New River and Intracoastal Waterway — it's genuinely the most stress-free way to visit Las Olas, the Riverwalk, and Shooters Waterfront restaurant without moving your car once. The taxi runs until 10pm and the last boat is rarely crowded.
💡The Museum of Discovery and Science on SW 2nd Street offers free admission on the third Sunday of each month for Broward County residents and deeply discounted rates for Florida residents year-round — always check before paying full price online. The live coral reef aquarium on the ground floor is included with admission and rivals paid aquariums in the region.
💡Hugh Taylor Birch State Park rents kayaks and canoes through their on-site outfitter for about $15/hour — the freshwater lagoon loop is calm, shaded, and appropriate for kids as young as 5 with a parent. It's far cheaper and more relaxed than the Intracoastal jet ski and boat rental operators on A1A.
💡Flamingo Gardens in Davie (about 20 minutes west of the beach on Griffin Road) is one of South Florida's most underrated family attractions — a genuine wildlife sanctuary with free-roaming flamingos, Florida panthers, and a narrated tram tour through 60 acres of old-growth hammock for about $22/adult and $15/child. Arrive before 11am to see the flamingos most active.
💡The Fort Lauderdale Beach parking garage at 100 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd charges hourly rates but caps at $20/day — far cheaper than most hotel parking rates on A1A. It connects directly to the oceanside promenade via a crosswalk and is within walking distance of the Casanova Park playground and the Marriott resort beach access.
💡Butterfly World in Coconut Creek (about 35 minutes northwest via the Turnpike) is the largest butterfly park in the world and genuinely enchants kids ages 3–10 — the hummingbird aviary and lorikeet feeding station are included with the $30 adult/$25 child admission. Go on a weekday morning when the butterflies are most active and the crowds are thinnest.
💡Las Olas Boulevard's Gran Forno Trattoria bakery opens at 7am and serves enormous Italian pastries and breakfast sandwiches that can feed a family of four for under $30 — it's a local institution that fills up by 9am on weekends, so arrive early for outdoor table seating before the boulevard gets busy.
💡The Broward Center for the Performing Arts runs a dedicated Family Series with Saturday morning performances targeting ages 2–10, typically priced at $12–18 per ticket regardless of age. Check their schedule at least 3 weeks ahead as popular shows like Elephant and Piggie or Mo Willems adaptations sell out quickly.
💡Fort Lauderdale Beach is publicly accessible at dozens of free points along A1A, but the stretch between Sebastian Street and Vistamar Street north of Sunrise Boulevard is consistently less crowded than the central tourist corridor near Las Olas and has free street parking on residential side streets if you arrive before 8:30am on weekends.
✨Fort Lauderdale is the only major South Florida beach city where families can combine a morning feeding stingrays at the Museum of Discovery and Science's IMAX theater with an afternoon water taxi ride along the New River to spot celebrities' mega-yachts — all without renting a car for the day.
March through May brings temperatures of 75–85°F with moderate humidity and mostly sunny skies. Brief afternoon thunderstorms become more frequent by late May. Spring Break in March pushes beach crowds and hotel prices sharply higher for 3–4 weeks.
▶☀️summer
June through September is hot and humid with daily highs of 88–93°F and heat indices frequently exceeding 100°F. Afternoon thunderstorms are nearly guaranteed, usually clearing by evening. Hurricane season runs June–November with peak activity in August–September. Many hotels drop rates 30–40%, making it the most affordable time to visit if you plan around the midday heat.
▶🍂fall
October and November offer the transition to comfortable weather — highs drop from the high 80s in October to the low-to-mid 80s by November. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October/early November draws massive crowds downtown. By mid-November, low humidity and 70s temperatures make this arguably the best weather of the year.
▶❄️winter
December through February is peak season with highs of 72–80°F, low humidity, and almost no rain. January and February are the most reliably comfortable months for outdoor activities. Hotel rates along A1A and on Las Olas can double or triple compared to summer, and popular restaurants like Louie Bossi's require reservations weeks in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do with kids in Fort Lauderdale?
Top family activities include Museum of Discovery and Science, Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise, Everglades Holiday Park, Flamingo Gardens, Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.
When is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale with kids?
Mid-November through mid-December is the sweet spot — temperatures hover between 68–78°F, humidity drops sharply after hurricane season ends, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show crowds have cleared out (it runs late October/early November), school is in session so beaches are uncrowded, and holiday lights appear along Las Olas Boulevard without the peak winter pricing that kicks in after Christmas. March through April is also excellent but college Spring Break brings crowds to the beach strip around A1A and Sunrise Boulevard.
Is Fort Lauderdale good for toddlers?
Fort Lauderdale has a family friendliness score of 7/10. Fort Lauderdale is not a walk-everywhere city — a car or rideshare is essential for most families. The exception is the beach strip along A1A between Sunrise Boulevard and Las Olas Boulevard, where a paved oceanside promenade is fully stroller-accessible and connects hotels, parks, and restaurants for about 1.5 miles. The Water Taxi system (stops at 12 locations on the New River and Intracoastal Waterway) is a stroller-friendly, genuinely useful transit option for accessing Las Olas, the Riverwalk, and waterfront restaurants. Broward County Transit buses exist but are not practical for most family itineraries. Pack sunscreen and a wagon for beach days — parking lots at South Beach Park and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park fill by 10am on weekends. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time.
How much does a family trip to Fort Lauderdale cost?
Budget travelers: $200–280/day for a family of 4 — covers a budget hotel or Airbnb in the Oakland Park or Wilton Manors area, parking at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park ($6/vehicle), packed lunches eaten on the beach, one paid attraction such as the Museum of Discovery and Science ($22/adult, $18/child), and grocery store dinners from the Publix on Federal Highway.. Mid-range: $380–550/day — unlocks a beachside hotel on A1A such as the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Beach, one Water Taxi day pass for the family ($30/adult, $15/child), admission to Butterfly World in Coconut Creek ($30/adult, $25/child), casual waterfront dining at Shooters Waterfront or Gran Forno Bakery on Las Olas, and nightly resort parking fees.. Splurge: $900+/day — includes a suite at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort with direct beach access, a private boat charter through Fort Lauderdale Water Sports for an Intracoastal tour, dinner at Boatyard Restaurant on the water with the full seafood menu, and premium spa access for parents while kids use the resort pool program..
How do I plan a family trip to Fort Lauderdale?
Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.