It depends what you’re looking for. Personally, I enjoy WPB more as it’s more relaxed and the downtown is more upscale. We have beautiful beaches and plenty of bars and other things to do like hiking, kayaking, drive shack, mini golf, etc.
I’ve also lived in Ft Lauderdale. It’s definitely a younger crowd (I’m 31) and much busier. Ft Lauderdale also has beautiful beaches and is closer to Miami if that matters to you. But it’s also further from Orlando if you like the whole Disney/Universal vibe from time to time.
West Palm Beach you can do a 3 mile walk around downtown and hit 5 breweries. You can rent space at E.R. Bradley's for your paddleboard, so when you get off the brightline you can walk down to the waterfront for some paddleboarding.
Palm Beach beaches are nice, but most of my favorite beaches are around the Juno Beach area, just a short drive away. Jupiter area is great for paddleboarding as well.
Tons of food options around downtown, in the warehouse district, good latin/cuban food in S. Dixie corridor.
You can find a place at that price range either south or north of downtown. Plenty of cottages for rent in Flamingo Park or one of the Northend neighborhoods.
I enjoy going to Ft. Lauderdale every now and then, but as far as having a dense / livable downtown nothing beats West Palm Beach.
Miami is known for its boom-boom-boom pulsing nightlife. Just ask Drake, Pitbull and the gang from MTV’s “Jersey Shore.”
But in a new national ranking of top cities for nightlife scene, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Pompano Beach all ranked ahead of the Magic City.
On Friday, Apartment Guide released its rankings for the 50 best cities for nightlife. The rental unit guide factored in “the ratio of bars, clubs, breweries and music venues to the population” of cities with more than 100,000 residents
It sounds like they didn’t actually spend any time partying at Club E11EVEN in downtown Miami, YOLO in downtown Fort Lauderdale or hit Clematis Street in West Palm Beach for the study. Researchers just did some math from their desks.
Fort Lauderdale named a 2019 bucket list travel destination, and there are some new reasons why Fort Lauderdale came in No. 9 in the report, while Orlando was No. 10. West Palm Beach came in No. 12, one spot behind Las Vegas.
Pompano Beach was No. 18, while Miami came in 25th. The Miami ranking referred to the city of Miami and not Miami Beach.
Fort Lauderdale was highlighted for having a nightlife-related business for every 1,637 people.
“Just north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale is known as much for its beaches as it is for Las Olas Boulevard, a bustling strip of bars, cafes and boutiques,” the study said.
It counted 57 bars, 38 clubs and two breweries among the nightlife amenities. “And when none of your crew wants to be the designated driver, you can always opt for a different kind of pub crawl aboard a group bike.”
The study didn’t say much about Miami except that it has a nightlife-related business per 2,328 residents, while West Palm Beach had such a business per 1,778 residents.
The Midwest dominated the top of the list.
St. Louis ranked first, followed by Cincinnati, Dayton, Green Bay, Wisconsin and Cleveland.
TL;DR: Apartment Guide used statistics to determine top cities which is why Ft Lauderdale, WPB & Pompano Beach could beat Miami
My boyfriend and I (22, 25, both boys) are planning an extra-long weekend in south Florida this April. We are trying to decide between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. We're looking to relax on the beach, which won't be a problem at either. But, we'd also like to go out at night. Which town has the better night life or how do they compare? We aren't looking for stereotypical Miami-like clubs, but lively bars and clubs with young crowds would be great. Which bars would y'all recommend in either place? Also, how is the gay scene in those places?
Other stuff: We aren't planning on renting a car, unless we absolutely have to. A couple touristy and/or local suggestions of what to do in addition to beaches and bars would also be great. Thanks!
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r/delta
Hi, there -
I’m doing a somewhat spontaneous trip to see a good friend in FL. He lives in West Palm, but said Ft. Lauderdale may be cheaper to fly to and from. Looking at the Delta prices there really isn’t much of a difference, so PBI may make more economic sense.
I’m curious what folks think of PBI and FLL. What’s better? I’ll be flying from/to DCA, my home airport. Thoughts?
level 1
· 6 mo. ago
Diamond | 2 Million Miler™
Both have beautiful new Sky Clubs. From DCA, You’re Stuck going through ATL no matter what, so I’d choose PBI.
level 2
Could end up going via LGA or DTW too
level 1
I personally prefer PBI since it’s smaller, shorter lines, and easier to get in and out of. I do sometimes find flights in FLL can be cheaper but if it’s a small difference I go with PBI for the ease of the airport.
level 1
PBI is much smaller, less traffic for arrival drop off and departure pick ups. Sky Club is small but will suffice. Most of the flights going to ATL are out of the gate directly across from the SC.
FLL, much nicer SC. FLL can be a nightmare.
If West Palm is where your friend is, then go PBI
level 1
If you're renting a car then definitely PBI.
The rental car
experience for Delta passengers at FLL can be a real shitshow. You get to choose between a long walk in brutal heat, or an overcrowded, understaffed, shared shuttle to the rental car center.
level 1
I95 from FLL to West Palm can be pretty busy. Use PBI and avoid the commute.
level 1
As someone who uses FLL once every three years or so, I’ve found it to be one of the worst large-ish airports in the country. Aware there’s a new Sky Club there, but all terminals are so badly in need of a top-to-bottom remodel. Like an airport stuck in the 1990’s. Awful dining and amenities. No real ground transportation. Traffic Fridays and during rush hour can be hellish.
level 2
You may have just sold me. I appreciate it!
level 1
Pbi. The last time I flew into fll I waited 45 minutes for the car rental shuttle. Granted, this was summer 2021
level 2
Luckily, I’ll be picked up and not needed a rental car. Still good info to have on FLL. Thanks so much!
level 2
I think I took the salt lake red eye to fll in 2019 and got in around 5:30 am. The shuttle didn’t start till 6 am for whatever reason thought it was odd to have flights landing and no shuttle available for a while
level 1
I fly to West Palm a few times a year. I've gone the flown into and out if FLL but I've never seen a significant cost savings when you add in the gravel time. It's only 45min and you could easily uber or take the Brightline but for me it's normally not worth it.
Miami and the Brightline would be a larger potential savings. Brightline from Miami to WPB is like $12.