Solo Female Travel Fort Lauderdale: A Perfect Getaway

A business conference brought me to Fort Lauderdale, a perennially popular beach town on Florida’s east coast. As an outdoor, travel and gear writer with limited time to explore solo, I concentrated on activities in nearby Pompano Beach, from the new Jellyfish Museum to oceanview dining, along with a packing list of the gear that made the trip work smoothly.

Highlights

• Cambria Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach offered a comfortable upscale stay steps from the ocean without beachfront pricing
• Pompano Beach delivered one of my favorite day trips thanks to its relaxed pier scene and newly opened Jellyfish Museum
• I sampled dishes from more than a dozen local restaurants, and packed the sun-ready gear that kept me comfortable through it all

Editor’s note: The writer was hosted by Cambria Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Let us inspire your travels! Sign up for our newsletter now.

What to Do in Fort Lauderdale

Before the conference officially started, I had an afternoon to explore Fort Lauderdale along with nearby Pompano Beach. Between the waterfront restaurants, beach access, live music spots and walkable pier area, it made a great addition to my itinerary.

Fort Lauderdale felt easy to navigate solo because the beach areas are walkable and rideshares are easy to find throughout the city.

Jellyfish Museum

The Jellyfish Museum, which opened in March 2026, turned out to be my favorite stop of the day. It currently features 21 jellyfish species, with several more rotating through quarantine before joining the exhibits. I watched glowing jellies drift through darkened tanks and felt mesmerized walking room to room.

• Easy, low-key activity you can move through at your own pace, great for solo travelers
• A cool, dark break from the Florida heat
• New enough to feel fresh without the crowds

Pompano Beach & Fisher Family Pier

From the museum, I walked the Fisher Family Pier, browsed the small shops nearby and watched beachgoers splashing in the water. I stopped for a casual lunch right on the pier, window-shopped a little more, then ended the afternoon with a cocktail at a small beach lounge.

• Walkable pier with beach shops and water views
• Casual waterfront drinks at spots like Lucky Fish Beach Bar + Grill
• Easy to fill a few hours with no set plan, great for solo travelers, though it works just as well if you’re visiting with friends or a partner

Oceanic Restaurant

I ate lunch overlooking the water at Oceanic Restaurant, where the menu ranges from sweet tea-brined chicken and Churrasco steak and eggs to poke bowls and ceviche. The restaurant’s biggest draw sits at the back, where I sat: a breezy, shaded bar and patio facing the ocean and pier. After walking around in the heat, it was the perfect place to cool off with a cocktail and a few appetizers.

Broadway in Fort Lauderdale

One evening during the conference, I attended a Broadway showcase at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, with preview performances from The Outsiders, MJ The Musical, Chicago, Maybe Happy Ending and SIX: The Musical. Depending on when you visit, you can catch major touring Broadway productions in the city nearly year-round, which makes for a great solo night out beyond bars and restaurants.

• Touring Broadway shows run in Fort Lauderdale most of the year
• A relaxed alternative to nightlife for a solo evening
• Held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Where to Eat and Drink in Fort Lauderdale

During my trip to Fort Lauderdale, I sampled food and drinks from more than a dozen local restaurants through tastings and catered events during the conference. Here were my favorites that I’d recommend:

• Java & Jam: An all-day breakfast menu built around fresh bowls, benedicts, sandwiches and specialty coffee. Being celiac, I love that their menu clearly marks gluten-free, vegetarian and seed oil-free options.
• Florida Room: This place leans into wood-grilled flavors, from starters like wood-grilled artichokes to entrées such as wood-plank salmon and short rib “meatloaf,” with a seasonal dessert list to finish.
• Taste Restaurant & Bar: Laid-back offerings ranging from pizza and buffalo wings to sandwiches and even chocolate cake, with lighter vegetarian options mixed in. As a bonus, they also offer a full separate gluten-free menu.
• S3: Coastal Asian-inspired food blending sushi, seafood towers and steaks, with starters like Korean fried chicken bites and bang bang shrimp alongside handcrafted cocktails.
• Rooftop @1WLO: Rooftop cocktails with shareable bites like truffle fries and short rib tacos, plus a solid lineup of zero-proof cocktails for a lighter option.

Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale: Cambria Hotel

I stayed at Cambria Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach, which hit a sweet spot for solo travelers who want comfort and location without luxury resort pricing. The hotel sits across the street from the beach, so while my room didn’t overlook the ocean, I could walk to the sand in about three minutes.

My room had comfortable beds, strong air conditioning, a mini fridge and a coffee setup, with plenty of space to spread out between conference events, and the lobby and lounge gave it more personality than a standard chain property.

• Steps from the beach without beachfront pricing
• Boutique feel with hotel-standard comfort
• Quiet rooms, a welcome break after long humid afternoons outside

Most visitors stay near Fort Lauderdale Beach or Las Olas Boulevard, close to restaurants, nightlife and the ocean. A car helps for day trips like Pompano Beach, though rideshares work fine too, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport sits close to the beach hotel zones.

What to Pack for a Solo Trip to Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale’s heat and beach-heavy days call for a few non-negotiables. As an outdoor and travel writer, I test a lot of gear, so I’ve come to learn what travels well. Here’s what I’d consider must-haves, along with selections that I personally packed and recommend.

• Packable, sun-friendly footwear. For travel days, I packed Xero’s Z-Trail EV, a super packable sandal, and the Pagosa Fireside, an ultra-comfy outdoor slipper that’s great for the plane. Around town, I stuck to a sturdy pair of flip-flops like OluKai’s La’i T-Bar and comfortable sandals like Sanuk’s Yoga Sling 2, which I wore all over the conference floor.
• High-quality sunscreen. Suntegrity’s 5-IN-1 Tinted is a great tinted sunscreen, as it works well with makeup and you can’t tell it’s on.
• UPF-rated clothing accessories. The Solbari Wide Brim Sun Hat and Hand Covers offer UPF 50+ coverage for face and hands while staying lightweight.
• A beach umbrella. If you plan to spend time at the beach, I’d highly recommend a simple setup like the beachBUB, easy for solo travelers to set up alone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Female Travel in Fort Lauderdale

SheBuysTravel writers have been where you’re going. We share our ground-truth experience to save you time, money and energy, making your trips easier. Been There. Bought That. Since 2006.