Nestled between Miami and West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach lies in the area where the Gulf Stream bends and the ocean waters are specifically warm and clear. The place got its name from the abundance of pompano, a tropical game fish drawn to warmer waters. There are many places to go in Pompano but visiting the lighthouse is what drew me to the area. I had a free day, so I decided to check out Pompano Beach, Florida. Come along with me as we discover the places to go in Pompano.

Hillsboro Inlet Park

The Hillsboro Inlet Park sits on the Hillsboro Inlet with views of the bridge, the ocean, and all the boats that come and go. But the best thing about this park is that it offers an outstanding view of the historic Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse. I was able to find a bench to sit back, relax and take in the views. Amenities in the park include a small playground for the kids that includes a slide and swing, benches, picnic pavilion, a restroom, and short piers for fishing. This is one of the places to go in Pompano if you want to photograph the lighthouse.

Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse

The Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse is 142 feet tall and was first lit in 1907. It is still a working lighthouse that produces the most powerful light of any remaining lighthouse in the United States — visible for 28 miles to sea. It is affectionately known as the Big Diamond.

Though the lighthouse is an icon in Pompano Beach, she sits on an active U.S. Coast Guard base and is normally not opened to the public. So, I was only able to view it from the inlet and the beach.

There are public tours available that are scheduled monthly that are well worth a visit. Tour guides will also tell you about the Barefoot Mailmen that carried mail between the Palm Beaches and Miami. The mail carriers would walk barefoot along the hard-packed sand along the water’s edge. The route consisted of walking along the beach, and rowing small boats across the inlets, even in poor weather. The most famous of this culmination of mail carriers was James E “Ed” Hamilton, who became the icon of the Barefoot Mailman. Hamilton met his demise by a shark or an alligator while performing his mail carrier duties.

Pompano Beach Pier

The Pompano Municipal Pier is one of the fabulous places to go in Pompano for some fishing and to catch some rays. This fishing pier measures almost 900 feet in length. The end of the pier is built in the shape of a Pompano Fish. There is always a lovely breeze to compliment the stunning city views of Pompano Beach. The pier is a very family-oriented place to take a walk or to go fishing. There is a rocky ocean bottom here that is good for catching snapper. There is no charge for people just walking on the Pier, but there is a charge if you want to go fishing.

The pier is part of the new Pompano Beach Fishing Village. The Village includes restaurants, a Hilton Tru-Home Hotel, and other retail shops and facilities surrounding the already built parking garage, just off of A1A.

The Pier is opened daily to the public from 7 am to 10 pm

Address: 222 N Pompano Beach Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33062-5100

Hit the Beach

With a name like Pompano Beach, you must have guessed by now that there is a beach here. How can you visit Pompano Beach without a trip to the beach? It is one of the most perfect places to go in Pompano for relaxation time. The city has added facilities like restrooms, showers, picnic areas, barbecue grills, and even outdoor playing areas for kids. Lifeguard stations dot the beach and are staffed during daytime hours.

Pompano Beach is a wide, sugary stretch of sand with miles of pristine seashore, fine sandy beaches, and calming breezes that sway through the palms.

Lunch at Lucky Fish Beach Bar & Grill

After a walk on the pier, it was getting near lunchtime, so I drifted into the Lucky Fish Bar & Grill for some island grub. They serve simple beach eats and tiki bar drinks, toes in the sand while watchin’ the waves at Pompano Beach. Add some palm trees for shade and a doze of a laid-back vibe. This describes the Lucky Fish Beach Bar & Grill at this open-air come-as-you-are beach bar.

The hostess showed me to my table to have lunch with a view overlooking the beach. An atmosphere this beachy requires one of those colorful cocktails. The bar serves tropical drinks such as Rum Runners, Pina Coladas, and Margaritas. I slurped down a frozen drink called a Miami Vice. It is a mix of a Pina Colada and a Strawberry Daiquiri. For lunch, Alisa brought me a cheeseburger. I thought this might be appropriate since I was in paradise.

The Goodyear Blimp Hangar at Pompano Beach Airpark

You have probably seen it over major sporting events, but did you know that Pompano Beach Airpark is home to the Goodyear blimp (also known as The Spirit of Innovation). It is a helium-filled airship. If you get to see it, you will be amazed at the glory of the blimp. I tried my best to get a photo but was only able to get this close.

Butterfly World

If you love rainbows and butterflies, then discovery and wonder take flight at the largest butterfly park in the world. At Butterfly World, you can walk through tropical, flowering gardens in six giant screened aviaries filled with twenty thousand LIVE exotic butterflies and the world’s most amazing birds. It is also the country’s largest free-flight hummingbird aviary and a lorikeet encounter. The Tropical Rain Forest Aviary is one of Butterfly World’s most popular attractions.  There are thousands of fluttering nectar feeders darting in and out of lush environments and waterfalls. You will encounter the Botanical Gardens, Macaw Landing, Butterfly Museum, A Live Bug Zoo, an outdoor cafe, gift shop, and garden center. This is the perfect adventure for the whole family! The park is actually in Coconut Creek, which is just on the outskirts of Pompano Beach.

Another area that I think you will love is the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens. It is a bit of a drive (About 17 miles north in Delray Beach) but will make you feel as if you traveled halfway around the world. It is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Taking inspiration from authentic Japanese gardens, here you’ll find serene landscapes and beautifully manicured gardens.

Hillsboro Antique Mall

After a visit to the Butterfly Garden, I headed over to the Hillsboro Antique Mall. I am not an avid collector of antiques, but I love to stroll around looking for bargains. There are over 200 antique dealers that have set up shop here. There are many unique items.

It was so much fun browsing row after row of the most interesting vintage collectibles. I love the retro items from the fifties & sixties. It brings back lots of memories of seeing items that were popular when I was growing up. Items that either my family had or my grandparents owned. It’s South Florida’s Largest Antique Mall located in Pompano Beach at the Festival Marketplace.

Festival Marketplace

The Festival Marketplace is full of merchants that sell everything from clothing, shoes, salon, furniture, artwork, a produce market, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrance, sunglasses, swimsuits, electronics, fruits and vegetables, and so much more. There is literally something for everyone. As hot as Florida can be in the summer, it was refreshing to visit a flea market that was indoors. There is a food court in the middle of the mall, so I took a break and had a glass of iced tea.

The Isle Casino

The last stop on my trip to Pompano Beach was to try my luck at the Isle Casino Pompano Park. The casino has 1,500 Vegas-style slots, 38 poker tables, and six on-site restaurants. There were plenty of slots to choose from, but I decided the best way to double my money was to fold it and put it back in my pocket.

These are just some of the places to go when you visit Pompano Beach. There are many others, but I was only able to spend one day here. Have you been to Pompano Beach? What did I miss? Leave me a comment below so that I can be sure to include during my next visit.