Top 10 Places to Take Photos in Ft. Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale Photo Spots

The city of Fort Lauderdale, or the “Venice of America” as it is commonly referred to, is one of the most picturesque destinations in the United States. With one of the best beaches in the country, unique landmarks, and canal systems throughout the city, there are countless places to take photos in Ft. Lauderdale. 📸

However, there’s more to Fort Lauderdale than beautiful beaches. This vibrant and captivating city is located north of Miami with upscale bars and restaurants, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and many family-friendly activities and events. There are countless things to do in Fort Lauderdale!

Photo: Cheryl in Ft. Lauderdale for Flytographer. Allison and family capture their trip together in Ft. Lauderdale with a family photoshoot.

1. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

This picturesque 180-acre nature preserve is known as Ft. Lauderdale’s own “Central Park.” Visitors to this park can expect lush greenery, walking trails, and plenty of activities to enjoy. It’s no wonder Hugh Taylor Birch wanted to preserve this estate for everyone to enjoy — it’s a stunning oasis perfect for relaxation and exercise. 🌿With boat access from the Intracoastal waterway, you can easily access the park by both land and water.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a lively hub within the Fort Lauderdale community. The park’s vastness and variety of terrain lends itself to being the perfect place to enjoy recreational activities. You’ll see plenty of people walking, biking, and canoeing during your visit. So make the most of your time in the park — go for a hike through the many trails, enjoy a picnic in the dedicated picnic areas, or rent a canoe to paddle through the mile-long freshwater lagoon. 🛶

A famous photo spot within the park is the giant banyan tree. With an above-ground root system, the tree sprawls across a wide area and provides a unique backdrop for a photo.

Don’t forget to make some time for wildlife spotting! You can find hundreds of bird species in the park, foxes, squirrels, rabbits, snakes, and the famous gopher tortoises! 🐢

Photo: Cheryl in Ft. Lauderdale for Flytographer. Harpreet and family capture a family trip to Ft. Lauderdale at the Hugh Birch Taylor State Park with a family photoshoot.

2. Ft. Lauderdale Beach Park

When you think of Florida’s beaches, what comes to mind? Sugar-white sand, vibrant turquoise waters, and palm trees gently swaying in the breeze. Ft. Lauderdale Beach Park fits this description to a tee, making it one of the best places to take photos in Ft. Lauderdale to capture gorgeous beach shots. 🏖️

This park is stunningly beautiful in a typical Florida way and includes everything you need to maximize your fun in the sun! Think cooking grills, basketball and volleyball courts, a playground, a boat ramp, and an outdoor shower. For this reason, we recommend a sunrise shoot to capture that golden hour glow, followed by a leisurely morning enjoying all this carefully-curated park has to offer.

Photo: Cheryl in Ft. Lauderdale for Flytographer. Margarita celebrates a solo trip in Ft. Lauderdale at the Ft. Lauderdale Beach Park with a solo photoshoot.

3. Hollywood North Beach Park

Home to yet another stunning beach, Hollywood North Beach Park is a gorgeous photo spot in Greater Fort Lauderdale, in the south end of Broward County. With a palm-lined paved boardwalk, this is the perfect location to enjoy a casual walk, cycle, or skate before dipping your toes in the sand. 🌴

There’s also plentiful greenery, with a grassy area lined with trees adjacent to the beach. Grills and picnic tables are readily available, making this the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Sea turtles are known to make their nests here, so if you’re into snorkeling, you may get lucky and spot a turtle in the water. But, if not, you are guaranteed to see colourful tropical fish — a spectacular sight!

For incredible views, visit the Watch Tower. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the intracoastal waterway, where you can spot some amazing boats out on the water. 😍

Photo: Cheryl in Ft. Lauderdale for Flytographer. Jordana and family capture their trip together in Ft. Lauderdale at the Hollywood North Beach Park with a family photoshoot.

4. The Commercial Boulevard Pier

There are few places more picturesque than the Commercial Boulevard Pier. A classic wooden pier juts out into turquoise waters over a white sand beach — one of the most instagrammable places to take photos in Ft. Lauderdale! 📸

There is also many local activities to do in this area! Commercial Boulevard Pier is home to lively restaurants and local boutiques, so you’ll want to spend time perusing the businesses along this stretch.

The reefs near the pier are renowned if you’re into snorkeling or scuba. Crystal-clear water allows you to spot various tropical fish and rays. 🐠

Photo: Flytographer in Ft. Lauderdale. Brittany and family celebrate a birthday together in Ft. Lauderdale at The Commercial Boulevard Pier (Anglin’s Fishing Pier) with a family photoshoot.

5. Deerfield beach

If you’re looking to get a bit off the beaten path, Deerfield Beach is the place for you. Located just 20 minutes north of downtown Fort Lauderdale, this beach provides the same beautiful views without the crowds.

Even better, the Clean Beach Council has awarded this area with the ‘Blue Wave’ designation, meaning this area has excellent water quality, safety services, conservation efforts, and overall beach conditions. 🌊

For the adventure-seekers, Deerfield Beach has the longest “cable ski” course in the United States, a 2,700-foot oval system. A hybrid of wakeboarding, skiing, and surfing, cable skiing is an up-and-coming sport perfect for the adventurous traveller. 🏄

Photo: Cheryl in Ft. Lauderdale for Flytographer. Kaitlyn and family capture a day together in Ft. Lauderdale at Deerfield Beach with a family photoshoot.

6. Hallandale Beach

Located at the southern end of Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach is the ideal destination for those looking to experience the classic Florida coastline. You’ll find high-rises along the palm tree-lined streets that run directly beside white sandy beaches. This is Fort Lauderdale in all its beachside glory, giving Miami Beach vibes. ☀️

You’ll find North City Beach Park just steps away, home to a unique photo opportunity. Here, you will find the famous Beach Ball Water Tower, designed by Jim Weinberg. This colourful attraction provides an extraordinary backdrop for your photos, making this destination a must-see and one of the most phenomenal places to take photos in Ft. Lauderdale!

Photo: Cheryl in Ft. Lauderdale for Flytographer. Jesse and friends and family enjoy a trip to Ft. Lauderdale at Hallandale Beach with a friend photoshoot.

7. The Westin Fort Lauderdale

Located at the end of Las Olas Boulveard, The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is an absolutely stunning property that overlooks Las Olas beach. In the heart of the entertainment district, you’ll feel the vibrant soul of Fort Lauderdale come to life in this area! Wander along Las Olas Boulevard to discover various local art galleries and lively eateries. Be sure to spend some time at Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, a charming park on the banks of the New River with a wide array of galleries and museums. 🎨

The property itself is set directly on the beach, lined with palm trees, boasts a sparkling outdoor pool with spacious veranda, and has beach chairs and umbrellas scattered across the sand. A picture-perfect scene. ✨

Photo: Daniel in Ft. Lauderdale for Flytographer. Kathryn and family capture an unforgettable day together in Ft. Lauderdale at The Westin Fort Lauderdale with a family photoshoot.

8. Hillsboro Inlet & Lighthouse

Located midway between Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse marks the northern tip of the Florida reef. It’s situated on beautiful grounds overlooking the inlet and is home to 100-year-old wooden cottages where Coast Guard members rest between work.

For incredible views of the Hillsboro Inlet, climb up to the top of the lighthouse’s spiral staircase, where you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the beaches of Hillsboro and Pompano, complete with a full view of the reef that runs along the entire beach.

Be sure to spend some time exploring the beach! You can carefully climb the rocks at the mouth of the inlet to take in a different view of the lighthouse. For an evening you won’t soon forget, we recommend a golden hour photo shoot followed by watching the sun set over the rocks in one of the very best places to take photos in Ft. Lauderdale. 🌅

Photo: Daniel in Ft. Lauderdale for Flytographer. RoseMary and family capture a family trip to Ft. Lauderdale at the Hillsboro Inlet & Lighthouse with a family photoshoot.

9. Red Reef Park Boca Raton

If you enjoy nature and wildlife, then Red Reef Park in Boca Raton is a must-visit! Situated between Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, this clean, family-friendly beach is home to diverse marine life. You can find various fish, including marlings, blue runner, bonefish, barracuda, and countless other varieties of saltwater fish. These fish are plentiful year-round, making this park an attractive destination for anglers, both local and visitors alike. 🎣

The crystal clear waters make for excellent snorkeling, and the gentle waves offer a calm swimming opportunity for swimmers of all levels.

Photo: Flytographer in Ft. Lauderdale. Angela and partner celebrate their engagement in Ft. Lauderdale at Red Reef Park Boca Raton with a couple photoshoot.

10. Laura Ward Park & Beach

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, a small community just north of Fort Lauderdale, has several mini-parks, known as portals, that act as entrances to the beach. Each of these little parks is named after prominent community members.

Laura Ward Park is named after Laura Cheek Ward, a town administrator in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in the early 2000s known for making things happen. She introduced the idea of these beach portals and went on to raise two million dollars to create them. 💪

This particular portal can be found at the intersection of El Mar Drive and Washingtonia. Pass through open green space sprinkled with picnic tables on your way to the beach, where a unique treasure awaits in one of the best places to take photos in Ft. Lauderdale. 

Aside from the beautiful stretch of sand and sparkling turquoise waters, you’ll come across the SS Copenhagen, a shipwreck that rests on a reef in up to 30 feet of water. This is one of Florida’s eleven archaeological sites — a wonder to explore for snorkelers and divers alike! While you can’t see it from the beach, there is an educational display where you can learn more and see photos of the site.

Photo: Flytographer in Ft. Lauderdale. Rosa and family enjoy a beautiful day in Ft. Lauderdale at Laura Ward Park & Beach with a family photoshoot.

Capturing Memories in Ft. Lauderdale

There’s no doubt that Fort Lauderdale is a vibrant and fun-filled destination. No matter what you choose to do, the south Florida city will leave you in awe with its gorgeous beaches, lively neighbourhoods, and rich arts scene. From white-sand beaches to colourful murals, you will find there are many things to do and places to take photos in Fort Lauderdale. Book a Flytographer shoot to capture your memories in this vibrant city full of unique opportunities. ✨