Fort Lauderdale's summer 2026 is a glow-up season: the Pier Sixty-Six resort reopened with its famous rotating rooftop, a riverfront park came back rebuilt, the world's first pickleball stadium opened, and Las Olas Boulevard is collecting the most-tracked restaurant openings in South Florida. The beach was already good.
get out now, before it hits 91° this afternoon. Ordered for right now.
Fort Lauderdale Beach and the reef offshore
The signature stretch of sand along A1A hides a real asset: a living coral reef starting about 300 feet offshore, plus 76-plus dive-able shipwrecks that earn the city its Shipwreck Capital title. The sand is free; the snorkeling is a cheap add.
Insider note — Snorkel the reef at morning slack tide for the visibility; afternoon chop kills it.
The Water Taxi through the Venice of America
The hop-on hop-off boat runs the Intracoastal and New River past mega-yachts and mansions, doubling as transit and the city's best sightseeing for about $40 all day. A new stop comes online at the convention center's waterfront plaza this year.
Insider note — Board at a quiet stop mid-afternoon for a seat on the bow rail; sunset runs fill first.
Pier Sixty-Six and the rotating Pier Top
The 1960s icon reopened after a massive luxury revamp, and its revolving rooftop lounge is back: 360-degree views of the Intracoastal and ocean, one slow rotation at a time. It is the sunset cocktail reservation in town this year.
Insider note — Book Pier Top days ahead for a table in the last hour of light — the rotation covers the full skyline in about 66 minutes.
Las Olas Boulevard's restaurant wave
The classic shopping strip is mid-glow-up, with this summer's openings led by Little Hen — the flower-drenched brunch spot food TikTok tracked for months before its 190-seat flagship landed — and Skinny Louie, the smash-burger name that blew up in Wynwood.
Insider note — Little Hen brunch will book out weekends its first season; a weekday afternoon tea slot is the workaround.
The Fort, the world's first pickleball stadium
Fort Lauderdale just opened the world's first professional pickleball stadium: 43 tournament-level courts, now headquarters of the Association of Pickleball Players, plus a scratch-kitchen restaurant. Come to play, watch pros train, or just eat.
Insider note — Open-play sessions are priced per person and beginners get grouped by level — you don't need a foursome.
Huizenga Park, rebuilt
Downtown's riverfront park reopened early this year after a full reimagining, anchored by Sweetwaters and its 3,500-square-foot riverfront patio, with free events running along the Riverwalk all season.
Insider note — Friday evenings stack free programming on the lawn — check the Riverwalk calendar and build dinner around it.
An Everglades airboat morning
The classic day-trip: a high-speed airboat through the sawgrass with near-guaranteed gator sightings, about 30 minutes from the beach and roughly $30 to $40 for adults. It is the quintessential South Florida bucket item for a reason.
Insider note — Book the first departure — gators are most active early, and the heat is civilized.
Puttshack at Dania Beach
Newly opened tech-infused mini golf where the balls score themselves, wrapped in a full bar and upscale food. It's the buzzy rainy-afternoon and summer-night play in the Dania Beach entertainment district, around $15 to $25 a round.
Insider note — Summer afternoon storms make walk-ins spike — book a tee time like it's real golf.
Peppi's Pizza after the One Bite review
The NY-style joint on Sunrise that got national attention from Dave Portnoy's One Bite review is the city's viral cheap eat this summer — $10 to $20 with maximum bragging rights.
Insider note — Go off-peak; the review lines are real at dinner but gone by 3pm.
Las Olas Beach at sunrise
The livelier stretch where the bars sit across the street from the sand is also the best sunrise on this coast — flat light, empty beach, and coffee within a hundred yards when it's done.
Insider note — Parking meters along A1A are cheapest before 9am, which is also when the beach is at its best in summer.
Good to know
What's new in Fort Lauderdale this year?
Pier Sixty-Six's reopening with the rotating Pier Top lounge, the rebuilt Huizenga Park, the world's first pickleball stadium, and a Las Olas restaurant wave led by Little Hen and Skinny Louie — 2026 is the city's biggest opening year in a while.
Is the water taxi worth it over a tour boat?
For most visitors, yes — it covers the same mansion-and-yacht waterways as the tours, runs all day on one pass, and doubles as transport between the beach, Las Olas, and downtown.
Can you really snorkel from the beach?
Yes — a living reef starts roughly 300 feet off the sand in swimmable depth. Calm mornings offer the best visibility; bring a dive flag, which Florida law requires.
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Planning the rest of your trip? Wayfind ranks every restaurant, attraction, and hotel near you with live hours and honest scores, and our Fort Lauderdale culture guide covers what to eat, say, and never skip.
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