10 Best Things to Do in Pompano Beach, Florida

By VacationIdea Staff on May 19, 2022 - Updated

Kevin Ruck/stock.adobe.com

Pompano Beach is a sun-kissed city just north of Fort Lauderdale that is home to beautiful beaches, pristine offshore living coral reefs, huge marinas, and beachside playgrounds. Often called ‘the Heart of the Gold Coast,’ the seaside city has many attractions and activities, including the 1,000-foot-long Pompano Beach Pier, the 1900s Hillsboro Lighthouse at the entrance to the Hillsboro Inlet, and over 50 well-maintained parks and urban spaces offering a wealth of outdoor recreational activities.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Plantation Historical Museum

The Plantation Historical Museum is a quaint museum dedicated to the history of the region with several permanent exhibits featuring artifacts from the Seminole and Tequesta tribes, and historically significant families. Other notable features of the museum’s exhibits include Plantation’s first fire truck, memorabilia from the Police departments, and an in-depth look at the Everglades. The museum is surrounded by exquisitely manicured gardens and grounds and a Butterfly Garden used for education and meditation, and a small gift shop sells books, gifts, and souvenirs.

511 N Fig Tree Ln, Plantation, FL 33317, Phone: 954-797-2722

2.Tri-Rail, Pompano Beach, Florida

The Tri-Rail is South Florida’s premier commuter rail system that connects West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, and has 18 conveniently located train stations throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

3.Festival Marketplace, Pompano Beach, Florida

The Festival Marketplace is a quarter-mile long shopping mall with over 250 shops in Pompano Beach that offers an open-air, old-world market indoors. Built in 1986 as an outlet mall, the marketplace was later transformed into a European-style market selling a variety of brand name products at bargain prices. The market houses over 500 stores, fragrance outlets, clothing shops, home décor stores, unique boutiques, cosmetic and jewelry stores, and globally-inspired restaurants. The mall is also home to the Going Bananas Farmer's Market that sells fresh produce, fruits, vegetables, and flowers, as well as delicious deli fare and fresh seafood, and a wide selection of handcrafted items and gifts.

13000 Whiskey Creek Rd, Tillamook, OR 97141, Phone: 800-551-6949

4.Sample-McDougald House, Pompano Beach, Florida

The Sample-McDougald House, also known as the Sample Estate or Pinehaven, is a 4,700-square-feet historic house museum dedicated to showcasing early 20th century lifestyles and the heritage of two of Pompano Beach's prominent families. Built in 1916, the house was originally constructed on the Dixie Highway and later moved to its current location on Northeast 10th Street in Centennial Park. The museum is a beautiful example of typical south Florida architecture from the early 20th century and offers visitors a chance to learn more about the agricultural and coastal history of the region. The five-acre park around the house offers lovely areas for picnicking and an edible heritage garden.

450 NE 10th St, Pompano Beach, FL 33060, Phone: 754-307-5446

5.Bangin' Banjo Brewing Company, Pompano Beach, FL

Located in Powerline Park, Bangin' Banjo Brewing Company is a locally-owned microbrewery that produces a variety of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, barrel-aged beers, and seasonal releases. The family- and pet-friendly tasting room has warm, earthy décor, plenty of comfortable seating and picnic tables, and serves 20 taps, a selection of craft sodas, hand-selected wines, and a variety of cider. Year-round brews include Cypress Creek Cream Ale, OJ Session IPA, and Hop of the Muffin, and rotating and seasonal beers include Kinda British, Tamatoa, This is the Way and Yadda Yadda Yadda.

3200 NW 23rd Ave #500, Pompano Beach, FL 33069, Phone: 954-978-3113

6.Calypso Restaurant, Pompano Beach, Florida

Calypso Restaurant is a Caribbean -style restaurant in the Garden Isles Shopping Center that serves traditional Caribbean fare, fresh seafood, hearty curries, and Jamaican jerk. The café has bright, comfortable island-style décor and comfy tables and chairs, and serves a wide range of dishes made locally-sourced ingredients such as fresh fish and meats, organic salads and vegetables, and Caribbean sauces and spices. Signature dishes include platters of crab, conch, clams, oysters, shrimp, and yellowtail snapper, Jamaican Jerk Pork and Chicken, and rotis, and curries. A full-service bar offers a range of beverages, including craft beers on tap and by the bottle, casual wines, and handcrafted cocktails, and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday.

460 South Cypress Road Garden Isles Shopping Center, Pompano Beach, FL 33060, Phone: 954-942-1633

7.J Mark's Restaurant & Bar, Pompano Beach, Florida

J Mark's Restaurant & Bar is a classic, locally owned eatery that serves a diverse menu of New American cuisine, craft beers on tap and by the bottle, casual wines, and handcrafted cocktails. The family-friendly restaurant boasts comfortable indoor seating, warm lighting, and spacious patio seating for alfresco-style dining. Seasonally-changing menus feature made-from-scratch dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients such as Hawaiian rib-eye steak, crisp walnut shrimp, Baja chicken, and vegetarian options like steamed broccoli and roasted carrots. The restaurant has a private banquet room for special events and functions and hosts a happy hour every day.

1490 NE 23rd St, Pompano Beach, FL 33062, Phone: 954-782-7000

8.The Foundry, Pompano Beach, Florida

The Foundry is a hip, industrial eatery on Atlantic Boulevard with a casual dining area, comfortable counter seating, elegant yet laid-back lounge areas, and a full-service bar. The Foundry is steeped in history paying tribute to the workers who helped build its foundation with many of the features sourced from cities around America. The ceiling is made of wood from a tobacco barn from Kentucky in 1902, a large metal sliding door from 1880 hails from Philadelphia, and shag lamps dating back to the 1950s. The creative menu features contemporary dishes made from locally sourced ingredients like meatballs with polenta, braised rabbit, and stacks of handmade sushi. A full-service bar offers craft beers on tap and by the bottle, casual wines, and handcrafted cocktails, and the restaurant is open for dinner Monday through Sunday and weekend brunch.

2781 E Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33062, Phone: 754-205-6977

9.Umberto's Pizza, Pompano Beach, Florida

Umberto's Pizza is a casual pizza chain that serves traditional Italian cuisine and wood-fired pizzas in a warm and welcoming setting. The family-friendly restaurant has a laid-back dining area with comfy seating and a full-service bar and serves a menu of hearty, authentic fare ranging from wood-fired pizzas with various toppings, handmade pasta, freshly prepared salads, ocean-fresh seafood, and grass-fed meats and chicken dishes. A full-service bar offers craft beers on tap and by the bottle, casual wines from Italy, and handcrafted cocktails, and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, daily.

2780 E Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33062, Phone: 954-784-7110