Experience Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Proud Multiculturism History
The Cultural connections are both delightful and extensive.
Greater Fort Lauderdale’s vibrant multicultural scene is sure to educate, enlighten and delight visitors. Indeed, the community encompasses everything from Latin American, Black and Caribbean cultures. Thanks to its welcoming vibe, it’s no wonder variety is one of the region’s strengths—and why it’s so popular with multicultural-travel adventurers.
All of this and more is highlighted by the cultural landmarks, historically significant sites and assorted events that span the region’s 31 connected but distinctly individual communities, each of which is marked by its own personality.
Miramar, the “Cuban city”
For example, the entire city of Miramar, named after the Cuban city just outside of Havana, has seemingly been designed around the notions of multicultural and multiethnic diversity. This is made clear by its motto “Beauty & Progress” and the many ways visitors can experience the area’s forward-thinking ethos, which has been described as “a vibrant, active and progressive community with something for everyone to enjoy.” One example of this? The Miramar Latin Music Festival which kicks off annually in September.
Additionally, the 800-seat Miramar Cultural Center | Artspark offers a mélange of world-class art and entertainment throughout the year, including movies, orchestras, comedy showcases, fan-favorite comic expos, and theater. In keeping with this, the Miramar Regional Park offers live concert performances and any number of festivals. The Ansin Family Art Gallery is presents exhibits that act as vital teaching tools regardless of who’s visiting, be it a child or an adult—or both.
The Cultural Center’s Africana Arts & Humanities
The African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale explores the historical and contemporary experiences of Black people in the country. Its main and children’s libraries showcase Blackhistory with books that provide personal insight into the African-American experience.
The Cultural Center’s Africana Arts & Humanities Festival (formerly known as the South Florida Book Festival) is a multi-day event featuring music, author engagement and community conversation. The March 2025 festival explored the rich cultural and artistic legacy of the Harlem Renaissance, which saw a rebirth of African-American artistic expression centered in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood during the 1920s and 1930s.
Clewiston’s Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation
Clewiston’s Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation provides insight into the living history and culture of the Florida-native Seminole people. The onsite Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, which means “a place to learn, a place to remember” in the Seminole language, houses and exhibits more than 200,000 works of art and other treasured historic objects, through which visitors can learn about the Seminole people and their rich cultural and historical ties to Southeast Florida. An authentic Seminole Village adds to this educational opportunity, with tribal members demonstrating how—using traditional techniques—their world-famous arts and crafts are made.
The City of Wilton Manors hosts a wide variety of cultural events throughout the year, such as the Annual Canoe Race to Wilton Wonderland, the Stonewall Street Festival & Parade, the Halloween Spooktackular, and the Woof and Wine event at the Colohatchee Dog Park. Even if visitors aren’t traveling with their fur babies, they’re still invited to enjoy the doggie play area to mingle with like-minded dog owners and sample wine and appetizers.
Dine Out Lauderdale
Speaking of which, Dine Out Lauderdale, which runs through August and September annually, is the perfect way to get a taste of the many cultures that make up the region. Participating restaurants include Wilton Manors’ Spanish-inspired Candela Restaurant, La Mexicana Taco Bar and Ethos Greek Bistro; Dania Beach’s Mexican-focused Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval, Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse and the third-generation, family-owned Cuban venue Padrino’s Restaurant; and Miramar’s Rosalia’s Kitchen, an Italian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant.
With residents representing an astounding 170-plus countries, Greater Fort Lauderdale is a veritable melting pot—and why so many visitors come to the region solely to experience other cultures, ethnicities, languages, arts and cuisine. Indeed, there’s something for everyone to connect with here.
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