Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale is a thin strip of sand bordered by a shadeless but attractive boardwalk and pretty wave wall. The wave wall opens up to the beach at each intersection, graced by a white swirl. The ocean is a vibrant aquamarine color from a distance. Up close, it is clear yet with a strange brownish hue not seen at other South Florida beaches. Is this because of the 700,000 tires dumped off shore? Or pollution from the cruise ships coming into the harbor? Despite the color, a swim is lovely at this beach.

Condos that have had better days fill the side streets of Atlantic Blvd, the street that runs alongside the beach. The crowd that congregates on the beach is not the most attractive, either. And there are a fair number of sleezy guys out to hit on girls.
There are a number of overpriced restaurants opposite the beach along Atlantic Avenue, from surf 'n turf style ones to classy brasseries. Some have loud rock music playing even in the morning. The view is amazing, though the noise from the traffic is very loud. A great place to eat is Bubba Gump Shrimp, across the street from the beach with picnic tables facing the ocean.
Don't bother with the International Swimming Hall of Fame since it is being renovated and won't reopen until 2025 or later. The exhibits were quite plain too, and the gift shop just has professional swimsuits.
If you walk south on the boardwalk you come to the Sheraton Beach Hotel, which looks like a cruise ship stranded on the sand. Here there are a ton of sand volleyball courts and young people gather on the weekend to play. The beach is wider here and there are even some wispy pine trees creating shade by the picnic tables back from the beach. A multi-colored playground in the sand makes for a nice spot for kids to climb. And there are even basketball courts in the sand! The feel here is fun, setting the mood for your holiday!
While in Fort Lauderdale, check out the Museum of Discovery and Science- it's incredible! Just outside the museum is a great little area with restaurants and walks along the river called Old Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk.
For another gorgeous beach, visit Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, a ten minute drive to the north.
A wonderful place that will fill you with delight is WMODA, Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts, a twenty-minute drive south of Las Olas Beach. 

Directions

Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdaleruns along Atlantic Blvd between Sunrise Blvd and Holiday Dr. A wave wall and boardwalk runs the entire length of the beach. You can park in various parking lots with $5 an hour parking. These parking lots have meters that allow credit cards and give you a receipt to put in your car.

Click on map for interactive view