Since our daughter started elementary school a few years ago, spring break has become a treasured chance to escape, spend quality time together, and enjoy some much-needed warm weather. Last year’s spring break in Cape Canaveral checked many boxes, and we almost repeated that trip this year. Instead, we challenged ourselves to explore a new part of Florida — and we’re so glad we did. If you’re planning a family getaway or already dreaming about next year’s spring break, here’s a recap of our family trip to South Florida.
Where We Went
Our top priority was guaranteed beach weather, so South Florida was the natural choice for hot temperatures in early April. Last year we wasted four days driving to Florida and back, so this time we decided to fly — our first family flight with both kids and the dog. A couple of airlines fly direct to Fort Lauderdale from Richmond, VA, and we remembered Fort Lauderdale fondly from a past trip, so anything within a 30-minute drive from that airport felt ideal.
We ended up staying just north of Fort Lauderdale in Pompano Beach and spent time in nearby Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lighthouse Point, and Deerfield Beach. We never actually set foot in Fort Lauderdale proper, but everything we wanted was close by.
We hadn’t flown as a family since a 2012 trip to Hawaii when our daughter was almost two. That trip included a rough red-eye home that left us wary of flying with little ones for years. But with an almost-eight-year-old and a four-year-old, a two-hour direct flight to Florida felt manageable.
The flight went better than expected. We flew Spirit Airlines and, despite extra fees for many add-ons, it was noticeably cheaper than our other options. We even brought our chihuahua, Burger, who has travelled with us before and was unfazed. A rental minivan gave us plenty of room for luggage, car seats, beach gear, and the dog crate. Spirit allowed us to check car seats and strollers for free, which made logistics easier.
Where We Stayed: A Private Rental
Last year’s trip taught us the value of renting a house for spring break. While a hotel can work, a private rental often provides more space and fewer shared walls — a real advantage with kids and a dog. This year we searched Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway for pet-friendly homes with private pools within 30 minutes of the Fort Lauderdale airport and found a lovely detached house in Pompano Beach on HomeAway.
The rental was fantastic. The kids loved having the pool to themselves and Burger enjoyed roaming the yard. The interior was casual and kid-friendly — exactly what you want when traveling with children. The listing noted that the beach was within walking distance, which turned out to be optimistic, but the short drive to the shore and convenient parking made up for it. We happily drove a few minutes to the beach each day.
The house sat on Terra Mar Island in the Intracoastal Waterway, a quiet residential pocket away from the oceanfront high-rises. Surrounded by tall foliage, the property felt private and secluded, and we often skipped the beach to spend the day by the pool. The hosts provided beach chairs, towels, and a beach cart but warned that they didn’t supply toys. A previous guest left a few toys and a float, and we picked up a few extras at a nearby CVS to leave for future renters.
What We Did: Beach, Pool, And Eat
We’re relaxed vacationers, and this destination suited that style perfectly. Rather than pack our days with sightseeing, we focused on togetherness: long hours at the beach and pool, breaking only for meals and naps. The kids spent most of their time building in the sand and inventing pool games, which is exactly what we wanted from spring break.
We mostly visited the beach at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea because it’s charming, about five minutes away, and has easy, affordable parking. The beach was never crowded and had gentle waves perfect for kids. We did make a quick trip to the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, but a thunderstorm cut that visit short; once the rain stopped, the kids were back in the pool.
Where We Ate: Good Food With Good Views
We ate breakfast at the house to save money and enjoyed lunches and dinners at local spots. Thanks to Instagram suggestions from readers, we discovered several memorable places. Our first dinner was at the aptly named Beach House in Pompano Beach. The open-air dining and woven lanterns made the setting special, and the restaurant was very kid-friendly. I had ceviche and Sherry raved about a salad she loved.
One standout experience was Cap’s Place in Lighthouse Point, where you take a small free boat shuttle from the dock to the restaurant. The building sits on an old beached barge and has a long history dating back to Prohibition. The food wasn’t our favorite of the trip, but the boat ride and storied setting made it a unique experience.
We also enjoyed The Nauti Dawg Marina Cafe in Lighthouse Point, which offered casual waterfront dining where the kids could watch boats come and go. While waiting for a table we explored a colorful row of nearby townhouses and counted the sunbathing lizards — a silly little family game that kept everyone entertained.
Another favorite was Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar at the Beachcomber Resort, where we ate under a large tiki hut with a direct view of the ocean. The setting made dinner feel special even when menus were similar across restaurants.
We found most restaurants kid-friendly with casual menus featuring seafood, salads, and burgers. We also grabbed casual lunches at spots like BurgerFi, Lunch Room, and Aruba Beach Cafe. A particularly fun and personal surprise was a coffee shop called Bean & Barnacle, which reminded us of nicknames from our family’s past. We stopped for gelato and enjoyed the quirky interior.
We’ve been home for more than a week and we’re still missing Florida. It was one of our best family trips — relaxing, rejuvenating, and a reminder that flying with kids can be easier than we feared. If you’re planning a trip to South Florida, this area is a great option for families who want reliable warm weather, family-friendly dining, and the option of a private rental with a pool.
For more travel inspiration from our past trips, here are a few posts we’ve shared:
- 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