Traveling with a one-year-old can feel like a lot — between nap schedules, feeding needs, and stroller-friendly logistics, choosing the right destination matters. That’s why Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a surprisingly ideal spot for families with toddlers. From calm beaches to stroller-accessible activities, this sunny city offers the perfect balance of relaxation and family fun.

1. ʙᴀʙʏ-ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅʟʏ ʙᴇᴀᴄʜᴇꜱ

Fort Lauderdale’s beaches are known for their soft sand and gentle waves — a dream for little ones who are just starting to explore the world. Unlike more crowded Florida beaches, Fort Lauderdale’s shoreline has enough space to set up a cozy beach tent, lay out a towel, and let your baby safely play with sand toys or splash near the water's edge. Plus, many areas offer shaded spots and nearby restrooms for quick diaper changes.

2. ꜱᴛʀᴏʟʟᴇʀ-ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅʟʏ ʙᴏᴀʀᴅᴡᴀʟᴋꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴀʀᴋꜱ

The Fort Lauderdale Beach Promenade is a wide, smooth walkway perfect for stroller strolls with an ocean view. You’ll also find plenty of nearby parks like Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which has shaded trails, picnic areas, and even a little train that toddlers love to watch.

3. ᴇᴀꜱʏ ᴀᴄᴄᴇꜱꜱ ᴛᴏ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ-ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅʟʏ ʜᴏᴛᴇʟꜱ

Fort Lauderdale is full of resorts and hotels that cater to families. Many offer cribs, baby gear rentals, kitchenettes for prepping bottles and baby food, and even toddler-friendly pools. Staying near the beach also means you can head back for nap time without much hassle.

4. ʟᴀɪᴅ-ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴠɪʙᴇ = ʟᴇꜱꜱ ꜱᴛʀᴇꜱꜱ

One of the best parts about Fort Lauderdale is its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. You won’t feel rushed or out of place pushing a stroller through a cafe or dining at a beachfront restaurant with a high chair in tow. Most places are very accommodating for young families.

5. ꜱʜᴏʀᴛ ᴀɪʀᴘᴏʀᴛ ᴛʀᴀɴꜱꜰᴇʀ

If you're flying in, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is just 10 minutes from the main beach areas. That short travel time is golden when you’ve got a tired baby after a flight.

ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴀᴄᴋ ꜰᴏʀ ʙᴀʙʏ

Trust me, overpacking is real — but so is under-preparing. Here's what made my life easier:

Lightweight Travel Stroller – We used the Chicco Mini Bravo Plus, perfect for beach walks and navigating the airport. #affiliate
Baby Carrier – A must for naps on the go and hands-free airport juggling.
Swim Gear: - Baby swim suite, sunglasses & sun hats are a absolute must weather you’re hanging out by the pool or beach side #affiliate
- Top Picks: Babiators Sunglasses & Sun Hat
Swim Diapers + Rash Guard – Fort Lauderdale sun is no joke! Protect that baby skin #affiliate
- Top Pick: Pampers Splashers Swim Diapers
Suction Bowls + Snacks – Restaurant-friendly and keeps baby busy

ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴛᴀʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ʙᴀʙʏ

You’ll want:

A quiet location with beach access near and around restaurants/shops

We loved Hilton Fort Lauderdale — modern, clean, and mom-approved.

ʙᴀʙʏ-ᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇᴅ ʀᴇꜱᴛᴀᴜʀᴀɴᴛꜱ

These spots were super accommodating and stroller-friendly:

Maass Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale- Sophisticated ambiance and gourmet offerings & even baby friendly!
Vitolo – Family-friendly dining experience that combines authentic Italian cuisine with warm hospitality.
The Wine Garden– Delicious pizza and a "secret-garden vibe," making it an enchanting spot for family dinners

ꜰʟʏɪɴɢ ᴛɪᴘꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ 1-ʏᴇᴀʀ-ᴏʟᴅ

Schedule flights around baby nap time if possible
Feed during takeoff/landing to help with ear pressure
Don’t stress the cries — most people are kinder than you think

ꜰɪɴᴀʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴏɴᴇ ᴛɪʀᴇᴅ ʙᴜᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴍᴏᴍ 💕

Was it easy? Not always. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Fort Lauderdale is a great mix of relaxation and stimulation — for both mom and baby. With some prep and patience, it’s totally doable. So grab that sunscreen, pack the wipes, and get ready for sunshine memories. 🌴✨

ᴘɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴘᴏꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀᴠᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʙᴀʙʏ’ꜱ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ʙᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴛʀɪᴘ!

Ready to plan your mom-and-baby getaway? Explore my ʙᴀʙʏ ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴇᴄᴋʟɪꜱᴛ to make packing a breeze!

ᴡʜʏ ꜰᴏʀᴛ ʟᴀᴜᴅᴇʀᴅᴀʟᴇ ɪꜱ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴏɴᴇ-ʏᴇᴀʀ-ᴏʟᴅ