Since our daughter started elementary school a few years ago, spring break has become a precious chance to escape, enjoy family time, and soak up much-needed warm weather. Last year’s trip to Cape Canaveral checked a lot of boxes, and we almost repeated it, but this year we challenged ourselves to try a new part of Florida—and we’re so glad we did. If you’re planning a family spring break or just dreaming ahead, here’s a clear recap of our recent trip to South Florida, what we loved, and practical tips you can use.
Where We Went
Our top priority was guaranteed beach weather, so South Florida made sense for an early April getaway. We decided to fly this time: the direct flight was short and far less time-consuming than the long drive we did the year before. Fort Lauderdale was the most convenient airport for us, and we spent our days in the quieter coastal towns north of it—Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lighthouse Point, and Deerfield Beach—so we barely set foot in Fort Lauderdale itself.
We hadn’t flown as a family since our daughter was very small, so this was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. The short direct flight went better than expected. We flew a budget airline and brought our chihuahua, Burger, who handled the trip like a champ. Bringing a dog meant some extra planning, but being able to travel together made it worthwhile.
We rented a minivan so there was room for luggage, car seats, and beach gear. We brought our own car seats because we weren’t certain late-night arrivals would allow us to rent them reliably. The extra space was invaluable for the dog crate, strollers, and all the gear a family of four needs for a week of beach time.
Where We Stayed: A Private Rental
After learning the benefits of a rental home on previous trips, we again opted for a private house with a pool rather than a hotel room. A detached home with a private pool felt like the right choice for privacy, comfort, and budget—sometimes a house ends up being cheaper per person than multiple hotel rooms.
We found a pet-friendly rental in Pompano Beach with its own pool and enclosed yard. The kids could splash freely in the pool and Burger had full run of the yard, which was a huge perk for everyone. The interior was casual and kid-friendly, exactly what you want on a family trip where sand and sunscreen are constants.
The listing overstated the walking proximity to the beach, but the short drive was no problem. Parking was usually easy and inexpensive, and the quiet residential neighborhood on Terra Mar Island made the house feel private and secluded while still being close to restaurants and beaches.
The yard’s tall foliage provided great privacy. We skipped the beach several afternoons because we were perfectly happy lounging by the pool. If you travel with kids, having a private pool will change how relaxed your trip feels.
The host noted there were no provided beach or pool toys beyond chairs, towels, and a beach cart. A previous renter had left a few toys and floats, which was a great surprise for us. We also bought a few inexpensive toys at a nearby store and left them for future renters—small gestures like that can be a big help to families who travel light.
What We Did: Beach, Pool, and Relax
We’re relaxed vacationers who prefer downtime over packed itineraries. This trip was mostly beach, pool, and meals. The kids built forts in the sand, played in the waves, and swam in the private pool for hours. We enjoyed leisurely mornings at the house and headed out for lunch or dinner when we were ready.
Our favorite local beach was Lauderdale-By-The-Sea—charming, easy to park at, and not overcrowded. It felt family friendly and had calm enough water for the kids to play safely. We did try to visit the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk one day, but a thunderstorm cut that plan short. Even wet, the trip remained a win: by the time we headed back to the house the rain had passed and the kids jumped right back into the pool.
Where We Ate: Casual Eateries with Views
We typically ate breakfast at the house to save time and money, and then enjoyed lunches and dinners out. Local recommendations from friends were invaluable—many of the restaurants we tried were kid friendly and had memorable settings more than show-stopping cuisine. Still, the combination of good food and great views made each meal feel special.
One standout was a beachfront spot in Pompano Beach where the open-air design and ocean breeze made for a relaxed family dinner. Another unique experience was a restaurant in Lighthouse Point that you reach by a short free boat ride—built on an old barge with an interesting history, it was a fun story and a memorable evening even if the food wasn’t the highlight.
We also enjoyed a marina café right on the water where kids could watch boats come and go, and a tiki-bar restaurant with a table under an oversized hut right by the sand. In short: location mattered more than haute cuisine—the views and kid-friendly atmospheres were what made meals feel special.
One charming find was a local coffee and gelato shop with a name that made us laugh because it echoed family nicknames from years past. We stopped for gelato and enjoyed the playful interior—small discoveries like that added personality to the trip.
Most restaurants in the area offered simple menus of seafood, salads, and burgers and were casual and welcoming to families. Many had kids’ menus and no strict dress codes, which made dining out easy with little ones in tow.
We’re home now and still missing the sunny days. The trip ranks among our favorite family vacations: relaxed, full of water time, and refreshingly low-stress. If you’re considering a family spring break in South Florida, a short flight, a rental house with a private pool, and a few easy beachfront meals could be just the recipe for a great trip.
Past trips you might enjoy reading about: our anniversary in Puerto Rico, a family summer in Destin, and a two-part trip to Hawaii covering how we saved money and what we did while there.
- Our Anniversary Trip to Puerto Rico
- A Summer Vacation to Destin, Florida
- Hawaii Part 1: How We Saved Money
- Hawaii Part 2: What We Did