Fort Lauderdale, Florida, known as the Venice of America, offers extensive waterways, beautiful beaches, and boating attractions perfect for memorable family reunions. This coastal destination provides diverse water activities and cultural experiences.
Stroll along this vibrant street featuring shops, restaurants, galleries, and entertainment with a European-style atmosphere perfect for family dining and shopping.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a 180-acre urban oasis nestled between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, offering a rare natural escape in the heart of Fort Lauderdale's beach district. Reunion groups can reserve covered pavilions with grills for up to 50 people, making it ideal for family cookouts with ocean breezes. The park features kayak and canoe rentals on a freshwater lagoon, a scenic coastal hammock trail, and direct beach access through a pedestrian tunnel. Its central location means family members staying at nearby hotels can easily walk or bike to the gathering.
NSU Art Museum houses one of the largest collections of contemporary art in Florida within a striking building designed by architect Edward Larrabee Barnes on Las Olas Boulevard. The museum offers guided group tours that can be customized for families with mixed ages, making complex contemporary art accessible and engaging for everyone from children to grandparents. Their outdoor sculpture garden provides a relaxed gathering space, and the museum cafe offers a convenient lunch spot for groups. Discounted group admission is available for parties of 10 or more with advance reservation.
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is a mile-long linear park along the New River connecting arts, science, and historical attractions in a scenic waterfront setting perfect for family strolls and gatherings. The park hosts free monthly events including outdoor movies, live music, and food truck gatherings that provide built-in entertainment for reunion groups. Reunion families can rent water taxis that stop at multiple Riverwalk locations, creating a fun hop-on-hop-off sightseeing experience. Shaded benches, playgrounds, and open green spaces accommodate all ages and mobility levels.
Bonnet House is a historic 35-acre estate featuring a charming plantation-style home, lush tropical gardens, and resident monkeys set between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Guided tours reveal the artistic legacy of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett through their eclectic art collection, whimsical murals, and beautifully landscaped grounds. The estate's expansive gardens with orchid collections, swan ponds, and mangrove wetlands provide stunning photo opportunities for family reunion portraits. Group tours of 10 or more receive discounted rates and can be arranged for private experiences.
Sawgrass Recreation Park offers authentic Florida Everglades airboat tours through sawgrass marshes where families can spot alligators, turtles, and exotic birds in their natural habitat just minutes from Fort Lauderdale. The park's exhibit village features reptile shows, a butterfly garden, and close encounters with native wildlife that captivate visitors of all ages. Group airboat tours accommodate up to 18 passengers per boat, making it easy to keep reunion families together during the adventure. Night tours are also available for a unique experience seeing nocturnal Everglades wildlife.
Fort Lauderdale Beach Park offers a wide stretch of golden sand along the iconic A1A beachfront with dedicated picnic areas, volleyball courts, playgrounds, and the famous wave wall promenade that separates the beach from the bustling strip of restaurants and shops. The park's pavilions can be reserved for group events, providing shaded gathering spaces with ocean views perfect for reunion cookouts or catered meals. Lifeguards patrol the beach year-round, and the gentle Atlantic waves create safe swimming conditions for families with children. The beachfront promenade connects to miles of walkable shoreline, and nearby water sports rentals offer parasailing, jet skiing, and paddleboarding for adventurous family members.