The key addresses in Fort Lauderdale — verified and regularly updated. Clicking takes you straight to the location page.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is considered Fort Lauderdale's Central Park – a green oasis between the Intracoastal Waterway and the beach. You can hike, jog or bike along the two-mile loop, and there are kayak and paddleboard rentals and shaded picnic areas. A tranquil natural contrast to the beach and nightlife.
Las Olas Boulevard is Fort Lauderdale's elegant promenade, lined with boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants. From here the road reaches down to the beach. An ideal place for strolling, eating out and people-watching – with the charm of palm-lined canals all around.
Sebastian Street Beach, located at the corner of Sebastian Street and A1A, is Fort Lauderdale's gay beach and has been named the hottest gay beach in the U.S. by Out Traveler. On the fine sandy beach with clear water, showers and plenty of parking you can meet in a relaxed, open atmosphere directly on the Atlantic Ocean.
Wilton Manors is the queer heart of Fort Lauderdale and one of the most gay-friendly communities in the USA. Wilton Drive is lined with over 50 LGBTQ bars, clubs, restaurants and shops. Cosy during the day, lively in the evening – this is where the gay life of the region pulsates.
Gay attractions in Fort Lauderdale tell a lot about South Florida's queer history. A good place to start is the Stonewall National Museum & Archives on East Sunrise Boulevard, which houses one of the largest LGBTQ libraries and archival collections in the U.S. and is usually free to access. Nearby, on the beach along the A1A, is Sebastian Street Beach, which has been considered the city's gay beach for years and is easily recognizable by the rainbow flags. The reputation of the section is relaxed and open, the audience is colorfully mixed.
The real center of the scene, however, is Wilton Manors, which can be easily explored on foot. Along Wilton Drive are not only bars and restaurants, but also facilities such as the Pride Center at Equality Park, the contact point and organizational engine of the community in the region, as well as the Island City Stage, a small stage with a focus on queer material. The highlight of the year is Stonewall Pride in June, with parade and festival, which draws large crowds to Wilton Manors each year. If you want to get to know Fort Lauderdale away from pure beach tourism, you will find your own approach in this queer story. The following locations will take you to the most important stations.