Miami to Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach: Canals to Gilded Coast
Trip Snapshot
- Distance & drive time: ~30 miles from Miami to Fort Lauderdale (30–45 minutes); ~75 miles to Palm Beach (~1.25–1.5 hours).
- Best time: November–April (breezy, sunny); summer = hot with pop‑up storms.
- Ideal for: Families, boat/architecture fans, window‑shoppers, beach walkers.
- Quick route summary: I-95 for speed or A1A for ocean views; FTL → Boca/Delray → West Palm Beach/Palm Beach.
- Top 3 highlights: Las Olas & beaches • Water Taxi canals tour • Worth Avenue & Flagler Museum.
Route Overview
Zip north on I-95, then slow down on A1A for oceanfront drives. Fort Lauderdale mixes a lively promenade and canal mansions; Palm Beach turns up the glam with historic hotels, manicured avenues, and Mediterranean‑style vias. Parking is easier in West Palm garages if Palm Beach street spots are tight.
Top Stops & Experiences
- Las Olas Boulevard (Fort Lauderdale) — Family-friendly. Boutiques to beach in one straight shot; great for strolling and café stops. Walk its length from downtown to the ocean, stopping for ice cream or window shopping along the way.
- Fort Lauderdale Beach & Promenade — Family-friendly. Blue-wave beaches and a broad walkway; perfect for a classic beach day. There are playgrounds, picnic areas, and rentals for chairs or water sports. Check daily surf & conditions on the city's website.
- Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi — Family-friendly. Hop-on canal tour past yachts and mansions; fun, scenic transit. It’s both a tour and a way to get around key spots without driving. Kids enjoy riding on the boat and hearing tidbits about the mega-homes.
- Bonnet House Museum & Gardens — Family-friendly. 35-acre coastal estate with art, orchids, and a tranquil loop trail. This historic home is a peaceful oasis amid the bustling beachfront area, and kids might enjoy looking for monkeys that occasionally roam the grounds.
- Worth Avenue (Palm Beach) — Adults-oriented (PG-13 interest). Window-shop along elegant arcades and vias; admire the architecture and maybe spot a celebrity. It’s Palm Beach’s Rodeo Drive even if you’re not buying, it’s an experience to stroll.
- The Breakers Palm Beach — Adults-oriented (PG-13). Historic oceanfront grand dame hotel—walk through the ornate lobby or have a cocktail overlooking the Atlantic. Non-guests can explore the lobby and gardens; just dress respectably.
- Henry Morrison Flagler Museum (Whitehall) — Family-friendly (educational). Gilded Age mansion turned museum with guided tours that showcase Florida’s railroad and early resort history. Older kids with an interest in history or fancy houses will enjoy it; younger ones might just like the big spaces and the chance to ride in an old railcar on display.
- Clematis Street & The Square (West Palm Beach) — Family-friendly. Pedestrian-friendly blocks, fountains, and frequent events. It’s great for an evening stroll with plenty of dining options. The Square has shops and a lawn where kids can run through pop-jet fountains.
- Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR (Boynton) — Family-friendly. Boardwalks and birding bring Everglades-style nature to Palm Beach County. A short drive west, this refuge offers a nice boardwalk through a cypress swamp and trails along the wetlands. You might spot alligators or great blue herons a neat contrast to the beach.
Where to Eat & Stay
Food
- Fort Lauderdale Las Olas Cafés: Along Las Olas Boulevard you’ll find everything from pizza to gelato to sushi. Families can easily find casual spots for a quick lunch or dinner.
- West Palm Beach Clematis Street/The Square: These areas have a diverse food scene, with food halls, burger joints, and ice cream shops perfect for kids, as well as upscale dining for adults. You can park once and walk to many choices.
- Palm Beach (PG-13): Palm Beach Island has renowned restaurants (some require jackets in the evening). If you're looking for a special night out (sans kids), this is the place. Otherwise, many Palm Beach eateries still welcome families during the day in resort casual dress.
Lodging
- Fort Lauderdale Beach: Plenty of family-friendly resorts and hotels line the beachfront. Staying here lets you walk to the beach and Water Taxi stops easily.
- Palm Beach or West Palm Beach: For luxury and history, Palm Beach has high-end resorts like The Breakers or boutique hotels. For more budget-friendly or casual accommodations, downtown West Palm Beach has hotels just across the bridge (often with lower rates and easier parking).
Detours & Extensions
- Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue — add 1–2 hours. Trendy Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach is a fun downtown strip leading to the beach, with shops, cafes, and often live music events. It's a great place to stretch your legs and grab a bite.
- Boca Raton’s Parks — add 1–2 hours. Spanish River Park or Red Reef Park in Boca Raton offer quiet beach parks with facilities, snorkeling spots (Red Reef has an underwater reef just offshore), and shaded picnic areas.
- Sawgrass Mills Outlet (Sunrise) — add 3–4 hours. If shopping is a priority, this massive outlet mall west of FTL has everything from designer outlets to a huge food court. It’s a bit of a trek and an all-day affair for serious bargain hunters.
Practical Tips
- Route choice: I-95 is quick but unremarkable. A1A is scenic but slower with traffic lights. Consider taking I-95 one way and A1A the other for a mix of speed and scenery.
- Parking: Fort Lauderdale has beach garages; Palm Beach street parking has strict time limits. West Palm Beach garages are a good option if Palm Beach is crowded (you can walk or rideshare over the bridge).
- Beach gear: Bring sunscreen, hats, and beach towels. Many beaches have rental chairs/umbrellas if you don't want to pack those.
- Dress code: South Florida is casual in general, but Palm Beach can be a bit dressier at night or in upscale venues. Pack at least one smart-casual outfit if you plan a nice dinner on Palm Beach.
Rentals & Logistics
- Vehicle: A compact SUV or midsize sedan handles city garages and fits beach gear. You’ll want something easy to park along streets but comfortable for the highway.
- Tolls: If your car has a SunPass or toll transponder, you can use the express lanes on I-95 (optional) and smoothly handle any tolls on the Turnpike or causeways if you detour. Otherwise, stick to cashless toll routes and your rental will bill you.
Reserve a the perfect vehicle in Miami.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your priorities. I-95 will get you there faster, usually without traffic lights, but you won’t see much beyond highway. A1A is slower but offers beautiful coastal views and the chance to stop at beaches or lighthouses. Many travelers do a mix: for example, take I-95 north to save time, then return partway on A1A to enjoy the scenery (or vice versa).
Palm Beach has limited public parking. If you find a street spot, mind the time limits to avoid tickets. A safer bet is to park in West Palm Beach (there are several public garages near Clematis Street and The Square) and then either walk, bike, or take a short rideshare over to Palm Beach Island. If you plan to visit a specific Palm Beach site like the Flagler Museum, they have their own parking lot for visitors.
Yes, it's a very kid-friendly outing. Fort Lauderdale has a hands-on Museum of Discovery and Science, and even just the Water Taxi or beach time is great for children. West Palm Beach has the Palm Beach Zoo and a Science Center not far from downtown, if you extend the trip. The driving distances are short, and there are plenty of places to stop for breaks.
Fort Lauderdale is closer (an easy 45-minute drive) and offers a nice mix of beach and city life for a day trip. You could hit the beach, take a Water Taxi ride, and be back by evening. Palm Beach/West Palm is about 1.5 hours out, which still works as a day trip but you’ll spend more time driving. Palm Beach is great if you love history, architecture, and seeing the upscale side of Florida (Flagler Museum, Worth Ave, etc.). If beaches and boating are more your thing, do Fort Lauderdale.
For daytime exploring (beaches, shopping, museums), casual attire like shorts and a t-shirt is fine. If you plan to visit high-end restaurants or hotel bars in Palm Beach, you might want to have a nicer outfit. Generally, "resort casual" think sundress or polo and khakis will get you in almost anywhere.