In Greater Fort Lauderdale, the LGBT+ traveler can find romance all around โ from the tranquility and diversity of its eight beautiful beaches to the accommodations, dining and cultural offering of the destination.
Its 23 miles of sparkling Blue Wave beaches (certified by the Clean Beaches Council for water quality, cleanliness and safety), 3,000 annual hours of sunshine, average temperature of 77 degrees and more than 300 miles of Intracoastal Waterway make this idyllic setting the perfect enchanting seaside getaway.
The Diplomat Cabanas
Alluring Accommodations:
Gay owned and operated since 1999, The Grand Resort and Spa hold the key to everyoneโs heart โ with 33 rooms and suites, a full-service day spa and hair studio and is just steps from the beach and Fort Lauderdaleโs attractions and nightlife.
Centrally located, Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach is a great place for romantic getaway! Overlooking the golden sands Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Atlantic Ocean, the hotel offers 240 guest rooms and outdoor swimming pool with sundeck and cabanas as well as fitness center and several dining options.
Fresh off a glamorous $100 million transformation, the Diplomat Beach Resort features bright, beach-y guest rooms, two sun-drenched pools, a glittering, ultramodern spa, plus 10 all-new culinary concepts led by celebrity chefs including Geoffrey Zakarian and Michael Schulson. A stay here will undoubtedly have you falling in love all over again.
Hollywood Beach
Beautiful Beaches:
As the Hidden Gem of the area, Dania Beach is home to some of the prettiest and least crowded stretches of ocean in Greater Fort Lauderdale, and itโs close to John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, a favorite for romantic picnics, kayaking, swimming and nature-watching on unspoiled coastlines. Dania Beach Ocean Park has an impressive fishing pier where you can dine and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and scrumptious seafood caught just out of the ocean.
Deerfield Beach pier
Enjoy the sunrise on beautiful Deerfield Beach, Greater Fort Lauderdaleโs northern most award-winning, cove-like beach. For the more adventurous couple, a day can be spent at Ski Rixen, one of America’s first cable water ski parks. This innovative water skiing system pulls you silently over glassy smooth water without a boat and will have both of your hearts skipping a beat!
Hillsboro Beach is Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Quiet Escape. Enjoy views of the Hillsboro Lighthouse and remember to watch your step, as the beach is popular with nature lovers who come to see the turtle nesting.ย Another charming beach town with great snorkeling right off the beach is Lauderdale-By-The Sea.
Located just north of Fort Lauderdale, in the heart of Florida’s Gold Coast, Pompano Beach is home to some of the warmest and clearest waters, welcoming golden fine sandy beaches and calming breezes. It’s the perfect place for a beach vacation, with lots of love, sun, fun and adventure.
Hollywood Boardwalk
Retro cool Hollywood is home to the Boardwalk which runs 2 ยฝ miles along sun-kissed beach. Bike or stroll and find an outdoor cafรฉ to while away the hours and stare lovingly into each otherโs eyes. South of Hollywood is Hallandale Beach, where rest, relaxation and romance comes in the form of one mile of serene, unspoiled coastline which is juxtaposed by watersports, fishing and boating excursions and exciting nightlife options including two nearby โracinos.โ
And weโd be remiss if we didnโt mention the dreamy Fort Lauderdale Beach, with a palm tree-fringed, brick-lined beachfront promenade and easy access to hot restaurants, shopping and nightlife โ itโs the perfect setting for a heavenly coupleโs weekend.
Charming Culture:
Founded in 1958 and located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, the NSU Art Museum is a premier destination for exhibitions and programs encompassing all facets of civilizationโs visual history.
NSU Art Museum
Serving as an epicenter of enlightenment to build bridges of cultural understanding, Stonewall Museum and Archives preserves, interprets and shares the heritage of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
The first museum dedicated to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the World Aids Museum is an education resources that provides information on history of the epidemic as well as treatment and prevention.
Experience an array of breathtaking performances at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts! The artistic abilities of everyone, whether shown through entertainment or educational opportunities, build and inspire the community. From concerts to special family series and Cirque du Soleil, shows at the Broward Center are a must.
Steak954
Delightful Dining:
Preparing all dishes from scratch using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients, Market 17 is a family run restaurant that has been serving up an American-Eclectic menu since 2010. Guests can look forward to a romantic dinner with the restaurants pairings of delectable eats with creative cocktails, craft beer or choose from an extensive wine list.
Perched inside the W Fort Lauderdale, Steak 954 presents a modern interpretation of the classic steakhouse. Treat your most loved one the pure and simple flavors of dry-aged meats with a sterling cast of sides and sauces, the restaurant offers guests a chic yet comfortable resort-style setting.
SoZo Sushi Bar in Wilton Mars is a charming family owned sushi bar, perfect for date night, uses subtle flavors to serve up crowd pleasing fresh sushi.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
For more information on all that Greater Fort Lauderdale has to offer the LGBT+ traveler please visit: www.sunny.org/lgbtq.
