When most people think of South Florida, they conjure up the neon pulse of Miami or the high-rise glitz of Palm Beach. But nestled in the middle — dynamic, diverse, and deeply Floridian — is Broward County. It’s a place where mangroves meet megayachts, where reggae thumps from beach bars and herons stalk quiet wetlands, and where small-town roots still peek out from behind big-city skylines. This is the hidden heart of Florida you didn’t know you were missing.
What It Is
Broward County stretches across a broad swath of southeastern Florida, from the Atlantic coast to the sawgrass plains of the Everglades. With Fort Lauderdale as its cosmopolitan anchor, it includes 31 municipalities, each with its own unique character — from the suburban calm of Weston to the Caribbean vibrancy of Lauderdale Lakes, the beachy charm of Deerfield Beach to the artsy pulse of Hollywood.
With a population of nearly two million, Broward is Florida’s second-most populous county. But it still holds pockets of wildness, cultural richness, and neighborhood authenticity that often get overlooked.
This is a place that defies easy categorization. It’s part metropolis, part marsh, and part melting pot. It’s a region that has evolved from sleepy beach towns and farming communities into a culturally rich, economically diverse hub that pulses with life far beyond the headlines.
Fort Lauderdale: The Urban Core with a Saltwater Soul
Fort Lauderdale has come a long way from its rowdy spring break reputation. Today, it’s a polished mix of luxury and livability, with a thriving arts scene, a sprawling canal system (earning it the nickname “Venice of America”), and a culinary culture that’s surprisingly sophisticated.
- Las Olas Boulevard: Chic boutiques, rooftop bars, and outdoor cafes where locals sip cortados under banyan trees.
- Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale: A pedestrian-friendly stretch along the New River, lined with parks, museums, and historic sites like the Stranahan House.
- Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: A tropical estate-turned-museum, full of quirky art and lush landscaping. Bonnet House
Also worth exploring are the galleries and performance spaces of the Flagler Arts and Technology (FAT) Village, where artists, designers, and technologists share space with cafes and local breweries.
The nightlife in Fort Lauderdale is also having a renaissance. Once dominated by frat-bar culture, it now includes elegant speakeasies, jazz clubs, and waterfront lounges with craft cocktail menus that rival Miami’s.
Nature in the Unlikeliest Places
Yes, Broward is developed — but it’s also full of green oases where native Florida thrives.
Everglades Holiday Park (Weston)
Airboat tours, gator sightings, and wide-open sawgrass vistas that stretch to the horizon. Everglades Holiday Park
Anne Kolb Nature Center (Hollywood)
A stunning wetland preserve with boardwalk trails, a watchtower, and peaceful kayak routes through mangrove tunnels. Anne Kolb
Fern Forest Nature Center (Coconut Creek)
Tucked among suburbia, this quiet park features walking trails through cypress sloughs and tropical hardwood hammocks.
Other gems include Tree Tops Park in Davie, where a canopy walk gives visitors a literal view from the treetops, and Long Key Natural Area, which combines archeological sites with restored wetlands.
And don’t overlook Secret Woods Nature Center near Dania Beach — a compact gem with butterfly gardens and shaded boardwalks.
Cultural Crossroads
Broward is one of the most diverse counties in the U.S. You’ll hear Creole in the grocery store, reggae from a neighbor’s porch, Portuguese at the Brazilian bakery, and Spanish everywhere. It’s this multicultural vibrancy that gives the region its unique energy.
Lauderhill Performing Arts Center
A hub for Caribbean music, dance, and storytelling.
Art and Culture Center of Hollywood
Modern art exhibitions in a historic building, with a heavy emphasis on local and emerging artists. Hollywood Arts Center
African-American Research Library & Cultural Center
One of only a few libraries in the country focusing on African-American culture and history. A must-visit in Fort Lauderdale.
You’ll also find a host of international festivals throughout the year:
- Caribbean Carnival in Lauderhill
- Brazilian Festival in Pompano Beach
- Calle Ocho-style street fairs in Hollywood and Pembroke Pines
- Pride Fort Lauderdale, one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the Southeast
Broward’s cultural life is fueled by its communities — Haitian, Jamaican, Dominican, Brazilian, Colombian, Cuban, and more — each adding a thread to the vibrant local fabric.
Hidden Beach Towns and Waterfront Escapes
Broward’s coastline is more than just Fort Lauderdale Beach. If you want charm without the crowds, try:
Deerfield Beach
Locals love it for its long fishing pier, walkable beachfront promenade, and laid-back surf scene. Catch the early morning paddleboarders or head to Island Water Sports for a surf lesson.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
This quirky little town feels like a time capsule. Think mid-century motels, tiki bars, and family-run diners. The beach has a reef just offshore — swim out and snorkel. Friday nights feature live music downtown and dancing in the street.
Dania Beach
Home to one of the last remaining stretches of undeveloped beach in Broward, plus a working pier and killer seafood shacks. Don’t miss the Dania Beach Ocean Park, a favorite among locals.
Hollywood Beach
Its historic boardwalk is a paradise for rollerbladers, joggers, and families. Old Florida vibes meet new Florida flavors here — you can rent a beach cruiser or sip a frozen cocktail while watching a steel drum band play.
The Local Eats
In Broward, food is identity. From jerk chicken to arepas, ceviche to kibbeh, the flavors here mirror the region’s global heritage.
- Tropical Krave (Miramar): Afro-Caribbean fusion with bold spices and surprising fusions. Tropical Krave
- Padrino’s Cuban Cuisine (Hallandale Beach): Family-run for decades. Get the vaca frita.
- Laspada’s Original Hoagies (Various locations): Legendary subs stacked with meat and slung by sandwich artisans.
- Shabo’s Mediterranean BBQ (Fort Lauderdale): A beloved Lebanese-American hybrid.
- Casa Frida (Hollywood): Modern Mexican cuisine meets bold design and even bolder margaritas.
- The Foxy Brown (Fort Lauderdale): Known for brunch. Think Cap’n Crunch chicken and waffles.
For dessert? Swing by Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor in Dania Beach, an old-fashioned spot with kitschy decor and sundaes bigger than your head.
Events and Festivals
- Tortuga Music Festival (Fort Lauderdale Beach): Country, rock, and roots music right on the sand.
- Las Olas Art Fair: Juried art in the open air along one of Broward’s most iconic streets.
- Hollywood Beach Latin Festival: Salsa, merengue, and endless street food.
- Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: The largest in the world — see yachts you’ll never afford.
- Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk: Every third Saturday — art, music, murals, and food trucks.
Broward’s events calendar is full year-round. From food and wine expos to reggae fests to Diwali celebrations, there’s always something to experience.
Where to Stay
The Dalmar (Fort Lauderdale)
Boutique luxury, rooftop pool, and a mid-century aesthetic that feels both classic and current. The Dalmar
Plunge Beach Resort (Lauderdale-by-the-Sea)
Quirky, oceanfront, and ultra chill. Hammocks included.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Hollywood)
The iconic guitar-shaped hotel that lights up the night — love it or mock it, it’s unforgettable. Hard Rock
The Guitar Hotel Sky Villas: Splurge for the view and private plunge pools.
The CIRC Hotel (Hollywood): Modern urban vibe with rooftop bar and easy access to Young Circle nightlife.
Why It Matters
Broward County is Florida between the headlines. It’s not always the place you see in glossy tourism ads, but it’s the place where real Florida lives — layered, noisy, lush, complicated, and utterly alive.
It’s a county where swamplands back up to business parks. Where dance halls share blocks with botanicas. Where families come to build a better life and end up building culture.
It’s the place where high school students marched for gun reform. Where the LGBTQ+ community built one of the most vibrant scenes in the South. Where diversity is not a trend — it’s the baseline.
This is the Sunshine Republic’s secret core — equal parts cityscape and salt marsh, backyard barbecue and beachfront brunch.
Here’s What I’d Do:
Start the day with a Cuban coffee in Hollywood. Walk the boardwalk at sunrise, then drive west to Secret Woods for some quiet among the trees. Have jerk pork for lunch, then explore Las Olas in the afternoon. Catch a reggae show in Lauderhill after dark.
Take a sunset paddleboard through the Middle River in Wilton Manors. Or stroll through Young Circle Park during an art show. Or do nothing — just sit on the beach and watch cruise ships drift toward the horizon.
I once watched a manatee surface beside a paddleboarder under a canal bridge in Fort Lauderdale. No one gasped. No one shouted. It just happened — quiet and magical, like Broward itself.
