Pompano Beach is a small South Florida city that is fast evolving from a blip along the condo-lined miles of A1A to its own vibrant destination. Situated halfway between Fort Lauderdale to the south and Boca Raton to the north, it serves as a great home base for exploring the region, though you may choose to stay put. Here are six reasons to consider Pompano Beach for your next Florida vacation.
The beach is wide and less crowded.
As the name implies, the main attraction here is the 3.5-mile-long beach, which, at points, is 100 yards wide. Depending on when you visit — like any South Florida beach, the crowds swell around the major holidays and school breaks — you may have an entire stretch of sand all to yourself.
A gorgeous reconstructed pier is open for fishing and strolling.
The Pompano Beach Fishing Pier, newly renamed the Fisher Family Pier, opened in 2020 after an $11.5 million reconstruction. Access for sightseers is free-of-charge, while a daily fishing pass costs $6. Amenities along the nearly 900-foot-long pier include sail-like shade structures, wifi, and an underwater camera that lets you admire fish from above the deep blue waters.
You can dine oceanfront, no matter your budget.
Pompano Beach Fishing Village, a revitalized block anchored by the aforementioned pier, is home to a variety of restaurants for any budget. Grab a burger and fries at rapidly expanding, fast-casual chain BurgerFi (the original location can be found one town south in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea). Alternatively, splurge on fresh-caught seafood at Oceanic. Wake up to a massive breakfast sandwich at Lucky Fish. Or, enjoy the Mediterranean fare at Mora Grill, which is a ten-minute walk south.
The nightlife is vibrant, laid-back, and doesn't go too late.
Who doesn't love a dose of nightlife (or, let's be honest, an afternoon refreshment) while on vacation? It's easy to get your fix in and around the Pompano Beach Fishing Village. Head up to the open-air second floor of the Beach House for handcrafted cocktails. Take in panoramic views at the new Pier 6 Rooftop. Tap your toes to live music with a frozen daiquiri in hand at the tiki bar at Lucky Fish. Or, for a good old dive bar decked with floor-to-ceiling nautical decor and trinkets, head to the nearly 80-year-old Briny Irish Pub. Best of all, bars along the beach close by midnight, so you can enjoy a good night's rest, sans any noisiness.
From new builds to old favorites, accommodation options abound.
A joint-branded Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton began welcoming guests in April of 2021. Further north, Marriott Pompano Beach Resort offers direct access to a quieter stretch of beach with views of Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse and students learning to kitesurf. Plenty of classic mom-and-pop bed-and-breakfasts and motels are also available, like the well-rated Seahorse Guesthouse.
Getting around without a car is easy.
Much of Pompano Beach, especially around the fishing village development, is very pedestrian-friendly: The beach — along with all of the shopping, dining, drinking options you could ask for — is within short walking distance. Uber, Lyft, and local taxis are all widely available for jaunts to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, and beyond. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is only a 20-minute ride away (assuming there's no traffic).
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