10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Fort Lauderdale

The Galleria Mall is anchored by Macy’s, Dillard’s, H&M, and Neiman Marcus, along with over 100 stores by internationally recognised brands. Some of the mall’s most popular stores include Coach, Michael Kors, Free People, and Pandora.

There are also excellent dining options to enjoy, such as P.F. Chang's, Blue Martini, and Truluck's. Families can spend some time at the onsite Florida Children's Theatre, which showcases live performances and creative drama classes. You can find The Galleria on Sunrise Boulevard, about 1 mile west of Fort Lauderdale Beach. An excellent way to get there is by taking the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi.

The Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop combines shopping, dining and entertainment in a 180,000-sq-ft complex on West Sunrise Boulevard. It’s one of South Florida’s most popular tourist attractions, housing a 14-screen drive-in theatre, international food court, and an 88-acre flea market with over 2,000 local vendors.

Car enthusiasts can explore the Ferrari Museum for free – highlights include the ultra-rare Ferrari 275 GTB/C and the Ferrari Testarossa, which was featured in the Miami Vice TV series. Established in the 1960s, the Thunderbird Drive-in attracts those looking to catch the latest films without having to leave the comfort of their vehicle.

The Design Center of the Americas is a modern home furnishing centre on Griffin Road, about 6 miles west of Dania Beach. The 782,000-sq-ft building has more than 45 showrooms full of stylish and contemporary pieces for homes, yachts, and offices. Some of the many brands represented here are Giovanni Rossi Fine Art, Michael Taylor Collections, and Armazem Design.

If you're feeling a bit hungry when exploring the Design Center of the Americas, visit Cay Café to enjoy modern American dishes – must-tries include the classic Caesar salad, Cuban sandwich, and beef burger.

Westfield Broward Mall is anchored by Macy’s, J.C. Penney’s, and Dillard’s, as well as over 70 stores by popular high-street brands. The shopping centre is located in the suburb of Plantation, about 7.5 miles west of Fort Lauderdale. You can find a wide range of fashion brands, including Aldo, Spencer’s, Pandora, and Victoria’s Secret.

There are more than 20 dining outlets within the mall – Starbucks, Panda Express, and Chick-Fil-A are among its most popular options. Regal Cinemas is Westfield Broward Mall’s onsite movie theatre, where you can take a break from shopping by catching the latest films. The Art Society is a rotating gallery space that supports mostly local artists.

Coral Ridge Mall, located at the crossroads of Oakland Park and Federal Highway, is one of the oldest shopping centres in Fort Lauderdale. It’s home to over 45 stores and is anchored by Target, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Some of America’s popular brands are available here, including Old Navy, Bath & Body Works, and Home Goods.

Besides shopping, you can watch the latest films at AMC Dine-In, which also has a restaurant and bar. Stick around for lunch to enjoy Coral Ridge Mall’s many restaurants, including Einstein Bros. Bagel, Subway, and Publix.

The Gallery at Beach Place covers 100,000 sq ft of retail and dining space near Fort Lauderdale Beach. It’s more of a place to eat rather than to shop, though you still can find around a dozen stores within the 3-storey complex. CVS Pharmacy is an excellent choice to pick up beach essentials like sunscreen.

Dining-wise, you can find chain restaurants and bars such as Hooter's, Taco Bell, Beach Cigar Bar & Hookah Lounge, and Häagen-Dazs Beach Place. Live musical performances and events often take place at The Gallery, especially in the summer.

Festival Marketplace is an indoor market with more than 250 independent stores selling jewellery, cosmetics, home décor, and clothes. Established in 1986, it’s on Pompano Beach, around 15 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. Most of the stores within this European-style marketplace offer off-season branded goods at affordable prices, along with the latest fashion and accessories by independent designers.

You can also shop for fresh produce and speciality food like olives, cheeses, and artisan bread at the onsite Going Bananas Farmer's Market. Festival Marketplace has over a dozen restaurants serving global cuisines, including Chinese, Italian, and Middle Eastern.

The Arts and Antiques district covers a block-long street along US-1, close to Dania Beach Boulevard. You'll find over 100 locally-owned art galleries and antique shops selling just about everything, from vintage furniture, glassware and linens to paintings, jewellery, and sculptures. The friendly store owners are always happy for a chat in case you need help finding a unique souvenir to take back home.

After a day of shopping, head to one of many cafés and restaurants in and around Dania’s Arts and Antiques district for a bite. You can also make your way to West Lake Park to enjoy a picnic with views of its onsite marina.