11 Reasons to Visit Fort Lauderdale Over Miami

Offering a different take on Southern Florida, Fort Lauderdale has all of the glamorous shopping and beaches without the Miami traffic. Here’s why it trumps the Magic City.

Unlike Miami Beach where it’s always a racket, a party and where finding a free parking slot takes a half-hour, Fort Lauderdale’s beaches are what they should be: a tranquil retreat to soak up some vitamin D without the claustrophobic feeling of large crowds.

It’s not that Miami is devoid of creativity, there are a few quirky shops to peruse in Wynwood, but in Fort Lauderdale, these unique stores are easily accessible along Las Olas Boulevard. Prime example? Ann’s Florist. This store is a three-in-one, selling coffee, antique finds, and flowers. Grab a coffee and sit at an outdoor table to watch passersby. You’ll be thankful that you did.

Fort Lauderdale is a mecca for fine-tasting craft beer. Indulge in LauderAle, Khoffner Brewery, Funky Buddha and Craft Beer Cartel, to name a few. Hello, happy hour.

You’re most likely to catch people in suits rather than flip-flops and neon tank tops.

The historic lighthouse in in the Hillsboro Inlet has one of the world’s strongest beams reaching a shocking 28 nautical miles! The lighthouse was built in 1907 in order to guide incoming ships safely around the Hillsboro Point which proved a hazardous zone for navigation. You can tour the lighthouse on these following dates.

For those looking to reach their destination by boat, it’ll be easy in Fort Lauderdale. The marinas here are just as sprawling as those in Miami.

Conveniently, the airport in Fort Lauderdale caters to international flights too. (No need to fly into the Miami International Airport!)

The Everglades Holiday Park (the wildlife preserve and theme park) is just a short drive away from downtown Fort Lauderdale, which means more time spent hiking, camping, fishing, and birdwatching.

For a dose of culture, the city is home to a string of art galleries along the Las Olas Boulevard and beyond. New River Fine Art sells acrylic sculptures, photography, fine art prints and even tapestries. Head to Artblend Gallery along East Oakland Park Boulevard to peruse an abundant collection of contemporary fine art, photography, and paintings. Finally, the long list of museums (such as the Museum of Discovery and Science and the Bonnet House) should keep you occupied for many days during your trip.

If order and cleanliness is a plus, then this city definitely checks those two things off the list. Fort Lauderdale’s streets do seem slightly more well-groomed than Miami’s. However, order does come with a price. There are cameras on all the streetlights to catch those who run a red light.

Compared to Miami, Fort Lauderdale is a smaller city, making it easy for visitors to explore it fully.