Vacation Rental Guide for Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale is a bustling Florida city roughly 40 km (24.85 miles) north of Miami. The city has been nicknamed the ‘Venice of America’ due to its extensive canal system, 300 miles (482.80 km) of waterfront, and 23 beaches, rivers, and canals. This beautiful city is the yachting capital of the world, but it has plenty more to offer visitors and renters!

These vacation rentals in Fort Lauderdale, FL are surrounded by beaches, waterways, and the vibrant city’s teeming nightlife. The best VRBO rental for two is the Oceanfront Luxury Condo, while families will love the Pelican Grand. Groups will enjoy the Stylish House set on the canal.

Fort Lauderdale is a haven for beach lovers and watersport enthusiasts alike, and has over 100 marinas and six beaches with ‘Blue Wave’ certification from the Clean Beach Council.

Beyond the waterways, it offers incredible culture, arts, and activities like gondola rides on the canals and shopping on Las Olas Boulevard. If you are keen to visit this vibrant city, read on for a guide on the best rentals in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Fort Lauderdale: A Brief Overview

Fort Lauderdale was originally home to the Tequesta Indians, which were hit hard by the Spanish explorer’s diseases in the 16th century. The first United States stockade nicknamed Fort Lauderdale was established in 1838 during the Second Seminole War. The fort lay abandoned after 1842 and was virtually unpopulated until the 1890s Florida Land Boom.

Today, Fort Lauderdale boasts a population of over 183,109, is the world’s yachting capital, and is a highly-regarded tourist destination. The sunny white beaches and tropical warm climate place Fort Lauderdale at the Florida Gold Coast’s heart and rivals nearby Miami for tourism attention.

The town and the ocean are linked to the beautiful Everglades, connecting with South Florida through the Intracoastal Waterway, making the city a maze of waterways to explore and enjoy.

The combination of arts, culture, history, beaches, and good old-fashioned consumerism has placed Fort Lauderdale as one of the US’s top destinations.

Attractions in Fort Lauderdale

• Las Olas Boulevard is an iconic thoroughfare in Fort Lauderdale that leads to the beach. The strip is full of boutiques, galleries, and shops, as well as busy bars and nightclubs for evening adventures.

• Bonnet House Museum and Gardens takes visitors back into the past and is a famous plantation home since the 1920s. The Bonnet House is based in beautiful gardens and offers a glimpse of the original state of those who lived there long ago.

• The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is placed centrally in the city, and the 180-acre (72.84-hectare) park lies on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Inland Waterway. The park is abundant in flora and fauna and offers visitors a glimpse of indigenous wildlife and plants.

• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park also offers biking, hiking, camping, and fishing areas of great natural beauty, as well as pristine paddling and picnic spots. The park offers live animal exhibits of endangered creatures — such as the gopher tortoise — and over 250 bird species to watch.

• NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale is an 83,000-square-foot (7,710.95 square-meter) building with 25,000 square feet (2,322.58 square meters) of art exhibitions and a large 256-seat auditorium, a museum store, and a cafe. Visitors can marvel at masterpieces from the 20th and 21st centuries, view murals, and enjoy world-class traveling art exhibitions.

• The famous Fort Lauderdale Beach Park offers a beautiful sandy shoreline and volleyball, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The sea is perfect for swimming and relaxing, and the soft sand is the best way to get your tan in comfort.

Best VRBO Rentals for Couples: Oceanfront Luxury Condo-Balcony-Kitchenette-5 Stars The Atlantic Resort And Spa

This stunning condo is perfect for a romantic getaway for two and has a breathtaking, and unobstructed, view of the ocean. The cozy condo offers a private balcony from the vantage point of the 14th floor for uninterrupted sunrises and sunsets over the sea.

The unit offers a spacious main bedroom, a cozy kitchenette, and a bathroom in the iconic Atlantic Hotel, a one-minute stroll from the beautiful Central Beach. The unit also provides free-of-charge use of the resort amenities such as a heated outdoor pool, a European-style spa, and all of the perks offered by this established hotel.

Luxury design and linens are a selling point for this condo, and the access to 24-hour concierge services, spa, and gym facilities make this cozy condo for two one of the top-rated on VRBO. Enjoy romantic sundowners with a Bose music player and pamper yourself with an in-room massage for two while you prepare for the busy nightlife of Fort Lauderdale.

Things To Do Nearby for Couples

• Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las Olas Beach are within walking distance, and you can enjoy the bracing clear ocean waters or work on your summer tan. There are a wealth of restaurants, bars, and shops that you can stroll to from the beaches and enjoy a mind-easing cocktail in the afternoon.

• Las Olas Boulevard is a strip of high-end shops and boutiques, offering a great way to relax with retail therapy. Walk the iconic stretch with galleries and bars for a taste of the city nightlife.

• The Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk is a short drive from the condo and is considered the most beautiful mile in Florida. It links boutiques, eateries, shops, and museums with lush tropical scenery for a romantic meander for couples.

• For a night out on the town, the Seminole Hard Rock Casino is a short drive away for a night of glamorous gambling.

• Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale are 14 minutes far apart if you drive non-stop. You can stroll Hollywood Broadwalk, an iconic stretch for a couples day out, with a visit to Hollywood beach being a must (7.8 miles or 12.55 kilometers from the rental).

• Riverfront Gondola Tours is a sure-fire way to spark romantic feelings on your trip to Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy the beautiful waterways with a dinner option for a romantic night out.

Best VRBO Rental for Families: Pelican Grand-Right on Ocean! 2 Queen Beds

The Pelican Grand is a four-star resort right on the beach and is perfect for a smaller family with children. The resort is located directly on the ocean, unlike so many hotels across the A1A. The 5th-floor unit has uninterrupted views of the sea and a private balcony to enjoy your breakfast to the rising sun.

Your kids will love the beach and the resort-style swimming pool with access to a lazy river for tubing fun and a yummy ice cream shop where you can expect to gain an extra 5lbs.

The bedroom has two queen beds for a cozy family nest and a separate living room with TVs in both the bedroom and living area.

The rentals offer all the perks of resort living with a poolside cocktail lounge and a high-end eatery for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The condo is central to loads of activities for parents and children alike, making it a picture-perfect destination!

Things To Do Nearby for Families

• The Jungle Queen Riverboat is a great family outing with sightseeing and dining options on the beautiful plantation-era-style vessel. It takes passengers down a scenic route and offers a stopover at the Jungle Queen Indian Village with Macaws and even alligators wrestling to entertain the whole family.

• The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is within walking distance, and you and your kids can enjoy fishing, cycling, or swimming, or enjoy the beautiful scenery over a daily picnic.

• Enjoy a water taxi or gondola ride or take the famous Riverwalk to burn off your kiddies’ extra energy.

• Flippo’s Fort Lauderdale Playground’s distance to Pelican Grand Resort is a short drive away, where your children may enjoy this spectacular indoor playground. The park includes climbing, slides, and kiddie sports and games, as well as a snack bar for a quick bite.

• The Museum of Discovery and Science offers a host of child-friendly activities with live animal exhibits of baby alligators, rabbits, tarantulas, and even crabs, turtles, and shark exhibits. The museum also offers 3-D IMAX shows such as a simulated flight to Mars and an airplane flight simulator.

Best VRBO Rental for Groups: Stylish House 280 ft on the Canal with a Heated Pool, Sleeps 10-12

This stylish and spacious home is located right on the water with 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms for 10 to 12 guests. The living room offers two beautifully designed seating areas: one with a flat-screen TV and cable and the other overlooking the canal through stunning french doors.

The bedrooms are tastefully decorated with high-quality linen and boast four cable TVs and fiber optic cable Internet/Wi-Fi. There is a spacious dining area for 12 people both inside and outside with an outdoor lanai and gas BBQ for those balmy Fort Lauderdale nights. Guests will have access to the private heated swimming pool as well as an array of deck chairs to soak up the sun.

The house has a stunning 280-ft (85.34 meters) dock, so you can bring your boat or enjoy a spot of fishing right in front of your vacation home. The beach is just a hop away, but so are bike rentals and other great Fort Lauderdale activities.

Things To Do Nearby for Groups

• The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is an excellent idea for a group night out, visiting music celebrity concerts and a fantastic casino to make your best 007 impressions (keep the weapons at home though, trust me). The gaming area offers nearly 200 table games, over 3,000 slot machines, and a 45-table room for poker lovers.

• Fort Lauderdale Beach (1.5 m or 2.41 kilometers) and Las Olas Boulevard (1.2 m or 1.93 kilometers) are iconic spots for a group to unwind, do slime shopping, have a cocktail, or soak up the sun and the beautiful water on the beach.

• Get your friends in tow and head out for a night of dancing at America’s Backyard, South Florida’s largest outdoor party.

• Enjoy a sail on the iconic Jungle Queen Riverboat to take in the spectacular scenery, or book a dining experience where your group can enjoy fine dining along with the beautiful scenery.

Conclusion

There is no doubt why Fort Lauderdale is one of America’s top tourist destinations, with its 3,000 sunshine hours per year and a cozy average temperature of 75.5 °F (24.2 °C) all year round. The dramatic scenery, waterways, and pristine beaches ensure that you will never run out of things to amuse and entertain. With so much to offer, keep these rentals in mind when you plan your romantic getaway or family vacation (and yes, Spring Break!)