Located north of Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach is an ocean-side Floridian community named after a fish found off the Atlantic coast. It’s home to palm-fringed beaches and a historic black-and-white lighthouse that guards one of the entrances to the Intracoastal Waterway.
Things to do in Pompano Beach
Be sure to stroll along the Pompano Beach Pier, which forms part of a newly developed entertainment and dining district known as the Fishing Village. Enjoy the Beach House Restaurant’s waterfront views or relax at the Lucky Fish Bar and Grill with its open-air tiki bar. Adjacent to the pier is a palm-dotted park with a children’s playground and picnic pavilions.
Nearby is the historic Hillsboro Lighthouse, which has been watching over the Hillsboro Inlet since 1907. Join a guided tour to learn about its fascinating history and the “Barefoot Mailman”, who once delivered post along this stretch of coastline. Climb the 175 stairs that lead to the top of the lighthouse for sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean.
Interested in the colonial history of Pompano Beach? Take a step back in time at Sample-McDougald House, an early-20th-century Georgian Revival home that is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was moved to its current location in 2001 and offers unique insight into the lifestyle of pioneers in South Florida. Wander through the property’s period-furnished rooms and explore the surrounding parklands, which include a heritage edible garden.
Getting around Pompano Beach
Pompano Beach is around 20 minutes’ drive from Fort Lauderdale and 25 minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America and the Caribbean. Trains connect from Miami to the Pompano Beach railway station and buses travel throughout the city.