Family Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale: Beaches, Food & Fun Ideas

Since our daughter started elementary school a few years ago, spring break has become an increasingly valuable chance to get away, spend quality time together, and enjoy some much-needed warm weather. Last year’s spring break in Cape Canaveral checked many boxes, and we almost repeated it this year. Instead, we pushed ourselves to explore a new part of Florida — and we’re so glad we did. If you’re planning a family-friendly spring break or just dreaming about next year’s escape, here’s a recap of our trip to South Florida.

Where We Went

Our top priority was “guaranteed beach weather,” so South Florida was the obvious choice for early April. We wanted to avoid a long road trip like last year, so we flew this time — our first family flight with both kids and the dog. A couple of airlines fly direct to Fort Lauderdale from Richmond, VA, and since we remembered Fort Lauderdale fondly from a previous trip, anything within a 30-minute drive sounded good. We ended up staying north of Fort Lauderdale in Pompano Beach and spent time in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lighthouse Point, and Deerfield Beach, so we didn’t actually go into Fort Lauderdale proper.

We hadn’t flown as a family since 2012, when our daughter was nearly two. That trip’s rough red-eye flight back left us anxious about flying with kids for years, but now that she’s almost eight and our son is four, a two-hour direct flight felt manageable. The flight went better than expected. We flew Spirit Airlines to save money; they charge extra for many items, but the fare was still noticeably less than our other option. We were also able to bring our chihuahua, Burger, who travels well and rode under our seats without issue.

Renting a car was essential, so we reserved a minivan to fit luggage, car seats, and beach gear. We brought our own car seats since our late arrival meant the rental company might not have them available, and Spirit permitted free check-in of car seats and strollers. Between the dog crate, car seats, and bags, organizing everything at the airport took a little planning, but it all worked out.

Where We Stayed: A Private Rental

Last year taught us the benefits of renting a house for spring break. Sharing hotel walls can be stressful with kids and a dog, so we looked for a detached home with a private pool within our budget. After searching Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway for pet-friendly rentals near Fort Lauderdale, we found a gem in Pompano Beach on HomeAway. It was perfect: a private pool the kids loved and a fenced yard Burger could enjoy freely.

The house felt relaxed and unpretentious — ideal when traveling with children — and while the beach wasn’t within easy walking distance as the listing suggested, the pool more than made up for it. It was quiet, private, and located in a small residential neighborhood on Terra Mar Island in the Intracoastal Waterway, which made it feel tucked away from the busy oceanfront high-rises while still being close to restaurants and beaches.

The yard was surrounded by dense foliage, giving a very secluded feel. We were so content poolside that we skipped the beach for a couple of days. Practical note: the owners didn’t provide beach or pool toys, but a previous renter had left a few items. We bought additional toys and left them for future guests to enjoy as well.

What We Did: Beach, Pool, and Eating Well

We’re relaxed vacationers: our goal was to unwind and be together rather than pack in activities. The kids were happiest playing in sand and pool, so most days followed a simple routine of beach, pool, eat, nap, repeat. We usually ate breakfast at the house to save money and headed out for lunch or dinner.

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea was our go-to beach because it’s five minutes away, charming, and easy to park. The beach never felt crowded; we always found a comfortable spot and the water was just right for the kids — gentle enough to be safe but with enough waves to be fun. We did drive to the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk one afternoon for a change of scenery, but a sudden thunderstorm cut that short and sent us back to the pool.

Where We Ate: Waterfront Dining and Casual Finds

We ate breakfast at home, then enjoyed lunches and dinners at various local spots. Instagram followers gave us fantastic recommendations that guided many of our meals. Our first dinner was at Beach House in Pompano Beach. The open-air design, woven lanterns, and ocean breezes made it a lovely family-friendly place. I had ceviche and Sherry loved a salad she described as “life-changing.”

Another memorable outing was to Cap’s Place in Lighthouse Point, where you park at a dock and hop on a free boat that shuttles you to the restaurant. The venue has an intriguing history — built atop a beached barge and dating back nearly 100 years — which made the whole experience fun and unique even if the meal itself wasn’t our favorite.

We also tried The Nauti Dawg Marina Cafe, which sits right on the marina and offered solid food and great boat-watching entertainment for the kids. While waiting for a table, we wandered through a colorful row of townhouses and counted lizards sunning on stoops — an unexpected bit of fun for the kids and for Sherry.

Our final dinner was at Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar at the Beachcomber Resort near our rental. Dining in a tiki hut with a direct ocean view was the highlight — location and atmosphere mattered most on this trip. In general, menus tended to overlap — seafood, salads, and burgers — but each spot offered kid-friendly service and relaxed vibes.

One of our favorite small discoveries was Bean & Barnacle, a coffee and gelato shop whose name made us smile because we’d nicknamed our kids “Bean” and “Barnacle” years ago. We popped in for gelato and enjoyed the quirky interior.

We’ve been home for over a week and are still missing Florida. It was one of our best family trips and has eased our anxiety about flying with kids. If you’re thinking about a family spring break, South Florida — especially Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, and Lighthouse Point — is an easy, low-key choice with great beaches, quiet neighborhoods, and family-friendly dining.