Fort Lauderdale · Broward County, FL

Family things to do in Fort Lauderdale

Scout analyzed 125 Fort Lauderdale places and surfaced the ones that actually fit family.

Places analyzed

125

Matches

25

Typical spend

$25

Typical visit

1.5 hr

Scout-verified spots

Boatyard

Harbordale

Boatyard

Boatyard is a waterfront seafood restaurant suitable for dinner or a special lunch, often paired with yacht-watching. Expect a visit of 1.5 to 2 hours, with costs typically ranging from $50 to $100 per person.

FoodCocktailsViews
4.4$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park

Outdoors

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park

This state park is ideal for a half-day or full-day family outing, offering activities like swimming and fishing. Expect to spend $5-20 per person on entry and basic activities, with easy parking and most activities taking place outdoors.

FoodOutdoorsAnimals
$5–$20 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
Pondhawk Natural Area

Outdoors

Pondhawk Natural Area

Pondhawk Natural Area is ideal for a morning or afternoon walk or bike ride, offering wildlife viewing. It's a free outdoor activity that can be paired with a picnic nearby.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Waters Edge Park

Outdoors

Waters Edge Park

Waters Edge Park is suitable for a free, relaxed outdoor activity, such as a walk or picnic, typically lasting one to two hours. It pairs well with a nearby meal or grocery run.

OutdoorsViewsAnimals
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Yamato Scrub Natural Area

Sports & Recreation

Yamato Scrub Natural Area

Yamato Scrub Natural Area is ideal for a free solo or family nature walk, typically lasting 1-2 hours. It's an outdoor activity best enjoyed on a temperate day, perhaps paired with a picnic or a nearby casual meal.

OutdoorsSportsViews
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Sawgrass Trailhead at Atlantic Boulevard

Outdoors

Sawgrass Trailhead at Atlantic Boulevard

This trailhead offers a free, active outdoor experience, ideal for a morning or afternoon walk, run, or bike ride. Expect to spend 1-3 hours exploring the trails and looking for wildlife in the Florida sun.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Joseph C. Carter Park

Durrs

Joseph C. Carter Park

Joseph C. Carter Park is a free outdoor space suitable for a casual stroll or bringing children to play, typically lasting an hour or two. It pairs well with other local activities in the area.

OutdoorsRelaxedPlayful
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Splash Adventure Water Park

Family

Splash Adventure Water Park

This is a good spot for a few hours of outdoor fun with young children, easily paired with a picnic lunch. Expect to spend under $15 per person for admission.

OutdoorsAnimalsPlayful
$5–$15 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Jellyfish Museum

Arts & Culture

Jellyfish Museum

This museum offers an hour or two of indoor exploration, focused on jellyfish, making it a good activity for families or a quiet solo visit. Expect to spend $10-25 per person, and it can be paired with other nearby Pompano Beach attractions.

ArtsAnimalsViews
$10–$25 typical2 hr visitmoderate parking
The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club

Sports & Recreation

The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club

This golf course is a good option for a half-day outdoor activity, suitable for individuals or small groups, potentially including a casual meal afterward at the clubhouse. Expect to spend a few hours and between $30-$80 per person for a round and perhaps food.

OutdoorsSportsFood
$30–$80 typical4 hr visiteasy parking
The House on the River

Sailboat Bend

The House on the River

The House on the River is a good spot for a meal with river views, potentially for brunch or dinner. Expect to spend 1.5 hours and around $30-70 per person.

FoodViewsRelaxed
$30–$70 typical45 min visitmoderate parking
Moxies Fort Lauderdale Restaurant

Las Olas

Moxies Fort Lauderdale Restaurant

Moxies is a contemporary restaurant and bar on Las Olas, suitable for a casual meal or drinks. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $35-75 per person, easily pairing with nearby shopping or a stroll down the boulevard.

FoodCocktailsShopping
$35–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
La Bottega Caffè

Coral Ridge Country Club

La Bottega Caffè

La Bottega Caffè is a casual stop for a coffee or light bite, good for starting a day or a mid-day break. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for about 30 minutes.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking
YOLO Restaurant

Las Olas

YOLO Restaurant

YOLO is a lively spot for dinner and drinks, suitable for a date night or girls' night out on Las Olas. Expect to spend 2-3 hours and $50-100 per person.

FoodCocktailsOutdoors
$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
15th Street Fisheries

Harbordale

15th Street Fisheries

This marina restaurant offers seafood with a view, live music, and unique tarpon feeding opportunities. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $50-100 per person, making it suitable for a family meal or a scenic date night.

FoodCocktailsLive music
$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
Coconuts

Central Beach

Coconuts

Coconuts is a great spot for a relaxed meal with Intracoastal views, suitable for both families and date nights. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $30-75 per person for food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsViews
$30–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
Naked Farmer

Las Olas

Naked Farmer

Naked Farmer is a fast-casual American restaurant good for a quick, healthy meal, especially for lunch or a casual dinner. Expect to spend 45-60 minutes and $15-25 per person.

FoodRelaxedSocial
$15–$25 typical1.3 hr visithard parking
Pura Vida Miami

South Fort Lauderdale

Pura Vida Miami

Pura Vida is a good spot for a casual breakfast, brunch, or lunch, pairing well with a walk or errands nearby. Expect to spend 45 minutes to an hour and around $10-25 per person for a meal and a drink.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$10–$25 typical45 min visitmoderate parking
Café Bastille Fort Lauderdale

Beverly Heights

Café Bastille Fort Lauderdale

This brunch restaurant is a good spot for a relaxed weekend meal with family or friends. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $15-35 per person for food and non-alcoholic drinks.

FoodRelaxedSocial
$15–$35 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking
Archibalds Village Bakery

Central Beach

Archibalds Village Bakery

Archibalds Village Bakery is a good spot for a casual breakfast or lunch, offering bakery items and coffee. Expect to spend 30-60 minutes and $10-25 per person for a light meal or snack.

FoodShoppingCocktails
$10–$25 typical45 min visitmoderate parking
Wells Coffee - Flagler Village

Flagler Village

Wells Coffee - Flagler Village

This coffee shop is a good stop for a quick, relaxed morning or afternoon, costing around $5-15 per person. It can pair well with a walk in the Flagler Village area or as a place to work.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking
Rustic Inn Crabhouse

Food & Drink

Rustic Inn Crabhouse

Rustic Inn Crabhouse is a bustling seafood restaurant best for a casual family meal or a larger group outing, especially for visitors near the airport. Expect to spend 1.5 hours and around $35-75 per person for dinner.

FoodRelaxedSocial
$35–$75 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
Shooters Waterfront

Central Beach Alliance

Shooters Waterfront

This is a good spot for a relaxed meal or drinks with Intracoastal views and often live music. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $30-75 per person for food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsLive music
$30–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
Resurrection Cup Coffee

Food & Drink

Resurrection Cup Coffee

Resurrection Cup Coffee is ideal for a quick solo stop or a casual meet-up, easily paired with errands. Expect to spend $5-15 per person for coffee and a snack, typically spending around 30 minutes.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking

What Scout found

  • 60 of the 125 analyzed Fort Lauderdale places fit family.
  • 48% of matches are outdoor or partly outdoor.
  • 50% have easy parking.
  • Dominant moods: Relaxed, Social, Scenic, Playful, Adventurous, Educational.

Book ahead

Book tours and tickets in Fort Lauderdale

Lock in the parts of the plan that sell out — tours, tastings and timed-entry tickets across Fort Lauderdale.

See what's bookable in Fort Lauderdale(opens in a new tab)

Scout Places may earn a commission when you book through links on this page.

Make it a night out

Staying over in Fort Lauderdale?

Hotels, resorts and vacation rentals across Fort Lauderdale — book the stay and make a full weekend of it.

Find places to stay in Fort Lauderdale(opens in a new tab)

Scout Places may earn a commission when you book through links on this page.