The Florida Beach Near Fort Lauderdale That Feels Like a Journey Through Time

A few miles from Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea feels designed to resist the rush toward bigger buildings and denser development. Palm trees lit at night, traditional cafés and restaurants, and outdoor tables line a compact coastal town that visitors can cross on foot.

The town covers only 1.5 square miles, or 3.8 square kilometers. Its retro character survives partly because municipal regulations prohibit new structures taller than 33 feet, roughly four floors. Local officials also encourage hotels and businesses to preserve the area’s original midcentury-modern style.

“Miami wants to be Hong Kong, Fort Lauderdale wants to be Miami and Pompano Beach wants to be Fort Lauderdale. Everyone wants to grow, but we don’t; we’re trying to preserve what we have while improving it,” town manager Linda Connors told Southern Living.

The preservation effort began taking shape about a decade ago. The local government widened sidewalks to make room for more terraces and outdoor areas, replaced paving stones in public spaces, added a plaza on Commercial Boulevard, and installed multicolored Adirondack chairs and umbrellas at Anglin’s Square. It also created a new logo.

Visitors can rent bicycles from Big Cat Bikes or use Circuit-By-The-Sea, a golf-cart shuttle that operates seven days a week and charges two dollars per passenger. Activities highlighted by Florida’s official tourism website include exploring downtown, diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, wildlife watching and visiting local parks. Dining is another major attraction, with restaurants concentrated in the town center.

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Miami wants to be Hong Kong, Fort Lauderdale wants to be Miami and Pompano Beach wants to be Fort Lauderdale. Everyone wants to grow, but we don’t; we’re trying to preserve what we have while improving it.