Fort Lauderdale is built around water — canals, the Intracoastal, the Everglades close by — so the best family activities here tend to involve a boat of some kind.
What to Know
- The Water Taxi covers 15 miles of waterways; an all-day pass is $38 for adults, $18 for kids 5-11, and free under 5.
- Museum of Discovery and Science features the Great Gravity Clock and an otter exhibit.
- Sawgrass Recreation Park runs airboat tours to see alligators in the Everglades, about 30-40 minutes from downtown.
- Bluefoot Pirate Adventures includes treasure hunts and water cannon play for kids.
- Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale offers walking and biking paths along the water, plus kayak rentals.
Water Taxi: The Easiest Way to See the City
Fort Lauderdale’s Water Taxi covers 15 miles of waterways as a hop-on-hop-off boat, passing mansions and yachts along the way. An all-day, all-route pass runs $38 for adults, $18 for kids ages 5-11, and kids under 5 ride free — a genuinely affordable way to sightsee without renting a car for the day.
Filter out the noise and find what works for your family.
Every resort we review gets one of four Family Fit ratings. The rating is based on kids programming, amenities, vibe, and who the resort actually markets to - not just whether they allow children.
Discover My Ideal Resort →Museum of Discovery and Science
This hands-on science museum’s standout exhibits include the Great Gravity Clock and an otter display that’s popular enough to be a destination on its own — a reliable indoor option for a hot afternoon or a rainy day.
Everglades Airboat Tours
Sawgrass Recreation Park, roughly 30-40 minutes from downtown, runs airboat tours across the Everglades with stops to view wild alligators — a genuinely different experience from the beach and canal scenery closer to town, and a good half-day trip for kids old enough to enjoy a bumpier, louder ride.
Pirate-Themed Water Adventures
Bluefoot Pirate Adventures turns a boat excursion into a kids’ activity in its own right, with treasure hunts and water cannon play built into the trip — a livelier alternative to a standard sightseeing cruise for younger kids who want more interaction.
Riverwalk and Las Olas Boulevard
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale offers walking and biking paths along the water with kayak rentals available, while nearby Las Olas Boulevard connects downtown to the beach with shopping, galleries, and restaurants — an easy way to fill a lower-key afternoon on foot.
Booking the Water Taxi
Water Taxi passes can be bought online in advance or at any stop, and the all-day pass covers unlimited rides across the full 15-mile route — a better value than single-trip tickets if you plan to hop off at more than one stop during the day.
Age Guidelines for Water Activities
Bluefoot Pirate Adventures and the Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise both welcome a wide age range, though very young toddlers may find a longer riverboat cruise harder to sit through than the shorter, more interactive pirate excursion.
Weather Contingency Planning
South Florida sees brief afternoon thunderstorms fairly often, especially in summer, so keeping the Museum of Discovery and Science or Sawgrass Mills in mind as an indoor backup helps salvage a rained-out outdoor day.
A Realistic Pace for a Multi-Day Stay
With the Water Taxi, an Everglades day trip, the science museum, and the beach all within reach, most families do well pairing one bigger excursion per day with pool or beach time rather than trying to pack everything into a short stay.
Getting Around Without a Car
The Water Taxi and Riverwalk paths cover a meaningful chunk of the city without needing to drive, though an Everglades day trip to Sawgrass Recreation Park does require a car or organized tour transportation.
Budgeting for a Day Out
The Water Taxi is one of the more affordable activities here, while an Everglades airboat tour or a Jungle Queen dinner cruise runs higher — many families find picking one bigger-ticket excursion and filling the rest of the trip with the Water Taxi, Riverwalk, and beach time keeps costs manageable.
Packing for a Boat Excursion
A dry bag for phones, sun protection, and a light layer for the breeze once the boat is moving round out a practical packing list for the Water Taxi, an Everglades tour, or a pirate cruise alike.
Combining Riverwalk With a Meal
A stroll along Riverwalk pairs naturally with a stop at one of the nearby waterfront restaurants, making it easy to fold a low-effort activity into a meal outing rather than planning them separately.
Sawgrass Mills for a Rainy Day
Sawgrass Mills, the largest outlet mall in the country, is a reasonable indoor fallback if weather derails outdoor plans — more shopping-focused than kid-activity-focused, but a genuine air-conditioned option with dining built in.
A Quick Note on Las Olas Boulevard
Beyond shopping and dining, Las Olas Boulevard connects easily to both downtown and the beach on foot, making it a useful link between two parts of a day rather than a destination on its own.
Plan Your Days in Fort Lauderdale
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Quick Answers
How much does the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi cost for kids?
$18 for an all-day pass for kids ages 5-11; kids under 5 ride free.
Are there Everglades tours near Fort Lauderdale?
Yes — Sawgrass Recreation Park runs airboat tours to view alligators, about 30-40 minutes from downtown.
What’s a good indoor activity for a rainy day in Fort Lauderdale?
The Museum of Discovery and Science, known for its Great Gravity Clock and otter exhibit.
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