Known as the 'Venice of America', Fort Lauderdale offers a vibrant, water-centric lifestyle shaped by over 160 miles of scenic inland waterways. From narrated water taxi tours and elegant gondola rides to world-class boat shows, this destination transforms everyday travel into an unforgettable coastal adventure.
Venice is a highly popular destination and for good reason! With boat rides, history and culture, it’s an enriching place to visit. It’s had such a huge impact on tourism, other places around the world have been dubbed 'The Venice Of ...' and insert somewhere that isn’t Venice. Even the UK has its own version!
Fort Lauderdale has been given the name “Venice of America”, based on the 300 miles of inland waterways, with 165 miles running straight through the city. The nickname is thanks to the winding waterways throughout, and they aren’t just for show. Fort Lauderdale has transformed these stretches of water into a functional lifestyle for visitors and locals alike.
Why take a regular taxi when you have water taxis
When visiting Fort Lauderdale, instead of getting from your hotel to a museum via a regular taxi, you can enjoy a trip in a water taxi. You’ll find two services, Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi and Pompano Beach Water Taxi, both designed to take visitors from hotels to museums, the theatre, restaurants, the beach and pretty much everything you want to do in the 'Venice of America'.
The Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi is more than just a mode of transport; it’s an activity all on its own, as the crew offers a narrated tour of the area, including the scoop on the mansions on Millionaire’s Row, as well as beer, cocktails and sodas below deck.
The Pompano Beach Water Taxi is the better choice for transport if you wish to explore the Hillsboro Inlet Park. The journey offers fabulous views of the historic Hillsboro Lighthouse. With 12 stops on the water taxi, you’ll find plenty of great places to stop for a meal, such as Cap’s Place, a former 1920s speakeasy, on an island.
Enjoy other water-related activities
As you can imagine, with a name like the 'Venice of America', Fort Lauderdale has more to offer than just water taxis. Just like the city it’s named after, enjoy a gondola ride along the New River. The professional gondoliers are easily recognisable with their striped shirts and the signature elegance of the unique, curvy metal pieces on the bow and stern of a gondola.
If you prefer setting your own pace, why not enjoy gliding along the waterways, gazing at the blue sky and lush flora in a kayak, or for a bit more of a challenge, a paddleboard? Find these experiences in two different parks.
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First, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, situated in Fort Lauderdale between the Intracoastal Waterway and A1A. This spot is ideal for fishing, but also non-water-related activities like biking, hiking and camping, and if you’re feeling creative, you can take an art class.
For those who enjoy nighttime activities, head to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park for the Monthly Full Moon Kayak Tour. You’ll be taken on a 45-minute paddle by the light of glow sticks and the yellow moon.
The other great green space is Park and Ocean, where you can be provided with beach chairs, bicycles, jet skis, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and more.
Boat events you don’t want to miss
As you can imagine, with a city with such a water-based culture, several boat events are worthwhile. Up first is the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, with more than 100,000 visitors, six miles of docks, more than 1,500 boats and well over 1,000 exhibitors every autumn.
Then there’s the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade that kickstarts the festive season with the 'Greatest Show on H2O'. Admire private boats, giant showboats and corporate mega-yachts adorned with thousands of lights, music, performers and decorations, floating along a 12-mile parade route from the New River to the Intracoastal Waterway up to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.
The last boat event is Art Fort Lauderdale, a four-day curated art fair that transports visitors via Water Taxi to luxury waterfront properties that are the temporary home for featured artists and galleries exhibiting a variety of paintings, sculptures and other works.
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