Visiting South Florida

Wilton Manors is our home base, but South Florida is a lot bigger than The Drive. Whether you're flying in, sailing out, or just want to see what's beyond Broward, here's the lay of the land from people who live here.*

Getting your bearings

South Florida is three counties stacked north to south along the coast. Palm Beach County is at the top, Broward County is in the middle, and Miami-Dade is at the bottom. The Florida Keys trail off the southern tip, with Key West at the very end. Wilton Manors sits in the middle of Broward, just north of downtown Fort Lauderdale, which makes it a good base for exploring in either direction.

Distances look short on a map, but traffic on I-95 changes everything. A 25-mile drive can take 30 minutes or 90 minutes depending on the hour. Plan the big outings around rush hour, and don't try to squeeze three cities into one day.

Our WilMap™ Gaycationer Mode shows visitor-friendly businesses across the region, so you can scout before you go.

Getting here

By air. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) is the closest, about 10 miles from The Drive and an easy rideshare. Miami International (MIA) is about 30 miles south and often has more international flights. Palm Beach International (PBI) is about 45 miles north and can be the calmest of the three.

By sea. Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is about 5 miles from The Drive and is home to many gay cruises. PortMiami is about an hour south, and the Port of Palm Beach is to the north. If your cruise leaves from Port Everglades, look for bon voyage and after-cruise parties in Central Wilton Manors.

Getting around

A car or rideshare is the most practical choice for most trips. Uber and Lyft are everywhere, and Circuit covers short hops in parts of Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale.

For longer trips, Brightline runs fast trains between Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and beyond, so Miami or Palm Beach can make a car-free day trip. Tri-Rail is the slower, cheaper commuter option. In Fort Lauderdale, the Water Taxi is half transportation and half sightseeing tour along the canals and the Intracoastal.

Wilton Manors

This is the epitome of gay Fort Lauderdale, and probably all of gay Florida. Wilton Drive, or "The Drive," has the bulk of the bars, clubs, restaurants and shops, and it's walkable from the Rainbow Bridge to Five Points.

Fort Lauderdale

While Wilton Manors has most of the gay nightlife, Fort Lauderdale has a lot to offer in every category. Most places worth seeing are a short rideshare away.

Fort Lauderdale Beach. Here you'll find a cluster of gay guesthouses, Sebastian Street Beach (the gay beach), and great mainstream hotels.

Las Olas Boulevard. This is Fort Lauderdale's main strip for dining, wine bars, galleries and people-watching, from downtown out to the beach.

17th Street and the Intracoastal. Waterfront restaurants and marinas line this area near the port, and it's a good stop before or after a cruise.

Things to do. Ride the Jungle Queen, tour Bonnet House or the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, catch a show at the Broward Center, or spend a quiet morning at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.

Gay nightlife. The bars of yesteryear like The Copa, Cathode Ray and The Saint are long gone, but stalwarts remain, including Mona's, Ramrod, Le Boy, Slammer and Club Fort Lauderdale.

Oakland Park

Wilton Manors' neighbor to the north keeps getting more interesting. It has a growing food and brewery scene, plus the legendary Mai-Kai, a South Florida institution worth an evening on its own.

Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach is about 20 minutes north, with a quieter beach, a revitalized pier area and some excellent waterfront dining. It's a nice change of pace if you want ocean views without the crowds.

Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County ranges from the polished shopping and dining of Palm Beach and West Palm Beach to the arts and beaches of Lake Worth Beach and Delray Beach. Brightline makes it an easy day trip from Fort Lauderdale. For an overnight stay, fly into PBI or sail from the Port of Palm Beach.

Miami & South Beach

Miami and South Beach are about 25 miles away, but that can feel like a lot more in traffic. You may regret trying to squeeze them into a day. If you're going, stay overnight to avoid traffic and pricey rideshares, and enjoy it to the fullest. The Palace and Twist are South Beach staples, and Miami has virtually unlimited mainstream activities, bars and restaurants. Brightline is a good way to avoid driving.

Key West

Don't bother trying to do it as a day trip, because you have to stay there. Key West is about a four-hour drive down the Overseas Highway, or a short flight, and it's really a different trip altogether. It has its own gay guesthouses, resorts and nightlife, so give it at least two or three nights.

When to visit

Peak season runs from roughly November through April, with warm, dry days and the busiest event calendar. Summer is hot, humid and stormy most afternoons, but it's quieter and often cheaper. Hurricane season runs June through November, so check the forecast and consider travel insurance if you're booking in late summer or fall.

Visiting South Florida FAQs

*Always confirm hours, prices and travel times before you go. Things change quickly here.