Usually, when you think of South Florida, you think of MIAMI! Ft. Lauderdale is its own city and truly feels a world away. Because of this, each city has a lot to offer visitors and they complement each other greatly. So when considering a trip down to sunny South Florida how do you decide on Miami vs. Fort Lauderdale? Don’t worry we are here to make that job easy for you!
Miami Vs. Fort Lauderdale: The Beaches
South Florida’s main tourist attraction is the beaches. With miles and miles of coastline, and wonderfully sunny year-round weather it is impossible to head to Florida without going to the beach. Both Miami and Fort Lauderdale have publicly accessible beaches as well as resorts on the beach.
From March-April both these cities are known for their spring breakers. This makes the beaches particularly rowdy and hard to visit if you’re looking for a family-friendly or quiet relaxing time on the beach. During that time of the year, I’d suggest heading to the gulf coast of Florida. The rest of the year both cities have wonderful beach access.
Miami: Beaches
When you think of Miami and beaches, you likely think of Miami Beach. This is the tourist hot spot! There are miles of beaches, fun lifeguard cabins, and within walking distance of many hotels and shopping. Miami Beach is perfect if you want the energy of a busy beach and city. Personally, we like to go a little further away and head to the beach on Key Biscayne.
Key Biscayne’s Bill Baggs park is a state park that is accessible by car and boat. It is generally quiet, especially in the mornings or further from the lighthouse. You can also tour the lighthouse. Virginia Key has free beaches. Matheson Hammocks also has lovely beach areas, it is more south. For all these beaches you’ll need to bring your own beach supplies such as chairs, towels, food, and any sand toys. Remember you cannot bring glass bottles on the beach in Florida.
Check out the best 48 hour itinerary for visiting Miami!
Fort Lauderdale: Beaches
Compared to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale has quieter, more family-friendly beaches. Due to the many canals, there are also more opportunities to experience beaches. The beaches will have far fewer crowds even during Spring Break. This also means it’ll be easier to find parking at the beach. Lauderdale-by-the-sea has wonderful snorkeling and relaxing beach area.
Similar to Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale has a lot of activities built around the beaches. They have a boardwalk, snorkeling, and some restaurants that are only accessible by boat. The beaches in Fort Lauderdale are also smaller and there aren’t nearly as many as there are in Miami.
Both Miami and Ft. Lauderdale will give you beautifully warm, deep blue water. Fort Lauderdale will have less seaweed on the beaches whereas Key Biscayne will have more seaweed. Overall, I do prefer fewer crowds and I generally go early in the morning to avoid the harsh noon sun so for me, Miami wins. It has more variety in beach options and allows people from all walks of life to enjoy the beach: couples, families, and solo travelers.
Winner: Miami ✅
Miami Vs. Fort Lauderdale: NightLife
South Florida is known for its nightlife. Both Miami and Fort Lauderdale have their fair share of nightlife. However, Miami is known for being THE spot for nightlife and clubs. Ft. Lauderdale has Las Olas Blvd, River Front, and the Hard Rock Cafe for its nightlife.
Miami is a party destination! There are clubs or bars in Brickell, South Beach, and Little Havana. One of my favorite bars is Blackbird, order their blackbird drink! Eleven is open for 24 hours. Club Liv is also popular with many celebrities performing there. Little Havana has the Ball and Chain bar which has live salsa. I will say because of this fame, Miami is more expensive.
Winner: Miami ✅
Miami Vs. Fort Lauderdale: Restaurants & Eating out
There is no shortage of restaurants when it comes to Miami and Fort Lauderdale. This area of South Florida is known for its cuisine and dining experiences. Fort Lauderdale has some pretty well-known staples such as Sea Watch on the Ocean. This seafood restaurant has been around for over 40 years. Be sure to get some seafood as you sit watching the ocean views.
Miami however, has even more restaurants than Fort Lauderdale. The restaurants there are also more culturally diverse. You can experience some truly authentic Cuban food. While Cuban food might be the most popular food found in Miami, it is not the only one. There is deep diversity from French Polynesia, the Caribbean, Asian fusion, and Greek. Miami wins this round hands down! It has so many more options than Fort Lauderdale.
Miami also has a lot of unique dessert places as well. To me, that’s the most important! That definitely adds to the reason why Miami has to be the winner. Between donuts, nitrogen ice cream, and cakes you can basically sustain yourself on sweets in Miami.
Winner: Miami ✅
There are so many unique places to eat at in Miami check them out here!
Miami Vs. Fort Lauderdale: Budget Friendliness
Traveling can be hard on the budget so when considering where to go for a vacation. So when considering where to go, is Miami or Fort Lauderdale cheaper? The truth is both of these cities are expensive. If you are looking for a truly budget destination then I’d recommend staying in Central and North Florida. South Florida is going to be some of the most expensive places when traveling in Florida.
Miami on a Budget
There are several ways to enjoy Miami on a budget. Since there are more hotel and restaurant options it is quite easy to find budget options. There is also the ability to go beach camping if that’s your speed. If you are looking at 4 or 5-star hotels then you’ll quickly learn that Miami is very expensive. Miami is also not very walkable depending on where you decide to stay so you will need to rent a car.
Fort Lauderdale on a Budget
Fort Lauderdale isn’t much cheaper than Miami unless you are choosing to live there long-term. Since it is a smaller city than Miami there are fewer options for hotels and restaurants which makes it harder to find less expensive options. Both Fort Lauderdale and Miami have apartment rental options to help reduce lodging costs. Going that route will actually make Ft. Lauderdale cheaper. Even though you cannot beach camp, there are several short-term rental options that reduce costs. You will also need to rent a car in Ft. Lauderdale.
Winner: Fort Lauderdale ✅
Miami Vs. Fort Lauderdale: Activities
Activities in Ft. Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is a luscious outdoor city! This city has many nature-based activities. Not only on the beach but Ft. Lauderdale offers wonderful opportunities to go snorkeling and scuba diving. The laid-back atmosphere and beautiful landscaping further lend to Ft. Lauderdale’s outdoor activities.
The Mockingbird Trail is a must-do in this city. It showcases the urban artwork as it blends with the natural environment. Additionally, there are many museums in Ft. Lauderdale as well. Hitting the water gives you plenty of activities as well! But it is really a city set up for a laid-back and relaxed vacation.
Activities In Miami
Miami is truly a city of many attractions! There are walking tours in Little Havana, food tours, and many many water activities. Given the luxurious nature of Miami, there are tons of different attractions and activities to experience. Head to Vizcaya for a gorgeous Italian mansion with luxurious estates.
There’s also Miami Zoo, Jungle Island, and Monkey island to experience some of the incredible wildlife in South Florida. There’s also the proximity to the everglades that gets you close to alligators and rescued animals at the outpost. If you love shopping there are many places to check out especially Bayside by the water.
Check out all the Unique things to do in Miami
Winner: Miami ✅
Miami Vs. Fort Lauderdale Better for Families?
For a more family-friendly, slower way of life, you go to Fort Lauderdale. This city is smaller and allows for more exploration. The beaches and outdoor activities really are geared towards families with children. It is also slightly cheaper to head to Ft. Lauderdale. If you’re a family that prefers a faster pace then definitely head to Miami.
Winner: Fort Lauderdale ✅
Miami Vs. Fort Lauderdale Better for Couples?
I think Miami is better for couples. While the laid-back vibes of Ft. Lauderdale can be better for relaxing, however, I think Miami has more options for romance. Both cities have ample resorts, and Miami gives you more nightlife and outings. There are also more romantic restaurants in Miami to choose from. I also think that Miami has more outings and activities geared toward couples.
Winner: Miami ✅
FAQs about Miami vs. Fort Lauderdale
Which is cheaper Miami or Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale is cheaper than Miami. Miami is a younger, richer city. It is known for its nightlife and high rollers. Fort Lauderdale is more family-friendly and quieter than Miami. It is about 26% cheaper to live in Ft. Lauderdale than it is to live in Miami and maintain the same standard of living.
How far is Miami from Ft. Lauderdale?
Miami is about 30 miles from Fort Lauderdale. Depending on the time of day and traffic it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and 40 minutes to go between these two cities.
Which airport is larger?
Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) is the smaller airport. While it is not regional by any means, it can be a great airport to fly into to save some money. Miami International Airport (MIA) is one of the largest airports in the US. It is the gateway to Latin America. We will fly through MIA to get to Buenos Aires. But for domestic flights, I’d look at FLL to see if you can find a cheaper flight option (like through JetBlue or SouthWest).
How can you get from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale?
There are a couple of ways to go from Miami to Fort Lauderdale and back. For the sake of consistency, I’ll be talking about going between MIA and FLL.
🚙- It is about a 45-minute to 1 hour: 15-minute drive from FLL to MIA. Both airports have ample car rental options.
🚌- There are several bus options to go from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami. Tickets range from $6-$53 each way.
🚈- The Tri-Rail is a train system in South Florida that goes from West Palm Beach to Miami. There is a shuttle from the Ft. Lauderdale airport to the train station. This goes directly to MIA. The fees vary depending on which zone you’re traveling from.
Are Miami and Fort Lauderdale Safe?
Yes, they are both safe! Miami has some areas that may be a little more unsafe. Downtown Miami is more empty and sketchier feeling on the weekends. Since they are both cities, I would recommend exercising caution. There will always be places that are less safe than others within a city. Additionally, in all my time in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, I never felt particularly unsafe.
When is the best time to visit Miami or Ft. Lauderdale?
Winter is the most popular time of year to visit Miami and Fort Lauderdale. This is because you can escape the cold and snow to a warm paradise by the beach. The next most popular time would be spring break in March and April. The good thing about Florida is that the weather can be temperate most of the year. I would recommend January and February as the best time to visit.
August and September is the height of hurricane season and the warmest time of year. This makes it the worst times to visit. For warmer months while still avoiding crowds I’d recommend late April through May. You can avoid the hurricane season and the warmest time of year.
In Conclusion- Is Miami better than Fort Lauderdale?
Honestly, it depends. If you are looking for a more fun atmosphere, a variety of restaurant choices, and some luxury thrown in then Miami is the choice for you. However, if you are looking for a relaxed laid-back vacation then Fort Lauderdale is the place for you. The best part is that because they are so close to each other you can start your vacation in Miami and then finish in Fort Lauderdale or vice versa. We prefer to go to Miami, but that’s just our personal choice!
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