Broward County sits right in the middle of South Florida’s Gold Coast, between Miami-Dade to the south and Palm Beach to the north. It’s home to Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Dania Beach and more than two dozen other cities, plus a long stretch of Atlantic beaches and the eastern edge of the Everglades. Here’s what to know before you go.
Getting Here and Getting Around
- Fly into FLL. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is minutes from the beach and downtown, and Miami (MIA) and Palm Beach (PBI) are both within an easy drive.
- Take the train. Brightline stops in downtown Fort Lauderdale with connections to Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando. Tri-Rail covers the commuter corridor from Miami to West Palm.
- Use the water. Fort Lauderdale is nicknamed the “Venice of America” for its canals and the New River. The Water Taxi is a sightseeing tour and a way to get around at the same time.
- Know your roads. I-95 and the Turnpike run north–south; A1A hugs the beach and is the scenic way to drive it.
Seasons and Weather
Winter and spring (roughly December through April) bring dry air, cooler nights and the busiest crowds. Summer is hot and humid with short afternoon thunderstorms that usually pass quickly. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, so if you travel then, keep an eye on the forecast and consider travel insurance.
Beach Smarts
- Read the flags. Lifeguard towers fly colored flags; red means high hazard and double red means the water is closed. Rip currents are the biggest risk on the Atlantic side.
- Sea turtle season. From spring through fall, turtles nest on Broward’s beaches. Keep lights off the sand at night, fill in holes and never disturb a nest.
- Watch for jellyfish and man o’ war after strong onshore winds, and pack reef-safe sunscreen.
The Local Rhythm
Broward runs on boats, beaches and big events. Weekends fill up fast along Las Olas Boulevard and the beachfront, and the calendar peaks in late fall and winter with boat shows, festivals and holiday parades on the water. Plan dinner reservations ahead in season, and expect bridges over the Intracoastal to open for boat traffic — it’s part of the charm.
Watch Florida Live
GoFlorida.tv streams festivals, concerts, parades and community events from across the Sunshine State. See what’s coming up on our Upcoming Livestreams page, or get in touch if you have an event you want taken live.
Featured photo: Daniel Dudek, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons