Miles of Lagoons and waterways make Fort Lauderdale
one of the most popular areas on Florida’s
Gold Coast. Getting around Fort Lauderdale
is half the fun: One of the city's main thoroughfares
is the New River, where you can hop on a water
bus or taxi and take in the sights. This South
Florida city's extensive system of waterways
and a reputation for gracious living have made
it one of the country's largest yachting centers.
Restaurants and bars overlook the canals, and
several of the city's special events, including
a winter holiday boat parade that draws local,
national and international celebrities, revolve
around boating and the water.
Major redevelopment in the 1990s left Fort Lauderdale
with an abundance of excellent museums, art galleries,
restaurants, hotels, and chic sidewalk cafes. An
elegant beachfront promenade attracts upscale vacationers
from all over the world. Once known strictly as a
tourism-based economy, Fort Lauderdale now supports
a diverse range of industries, including marine,
manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, high
technology, avionics/aerospace, film and television
production.
Incorporated on March 27, 1911, the City of Fort
Lauderdale is situated on the southeast coast of
Florida, centrally located between Miami and Palm
Beach. Encompassing more than 33 square miles with
a population of nearly 167,000, Fort Lauderdale is
the largest of Broward County's 30 municipalities
and the seventh largest city in Florida. It is strategically
located along a stretch of wide, white-sand beach.
Several nearby coastal communities make up Greater
Fort Lauderdale. To the north are Pompano Beach (where
sportfishing is a favored pastime), Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
(a small seaside oasis) and Deerfield Beach (virtually
untouched by beach erosion). To the south are Port
Everglades (the country's second-busiest port, frequented
by top cruise lines), Dania Beach (known for its
antiques), Hallandale Beach (a seaside community
formerly home to retirees but now popular with younger
folks, as well) and Hollywood (its Boardwalk parallels
the ocean).
Las Olas Boulevard, which follows the New River
as it flows toward the Atlantic Ocean, is Fort Lauderdale's
upscale shopping and dining district. If you are
a history buff, the restored Victorian home of city
founder Frank Stranahan, now a museum, can easily
be included in a boulevard stroll. The picturesque
Riverwalk serves as the cornerstone of the City's
arts, science, cultural and historic district.
At the far west end of the boulevard is Las Olas
Riverfront, an entertainment and retail complex.
Getting around Fort Lauderdale is part of the sightseeing
experience: Water taxis ferry passengers between
hotels, restaurants, theaters and nightclubs until
midnight. At night, the twinkling lights along the
canals make the rides quite romantic.
Though most of Florida's professional teams are based
in Miami-Dade County, South Florida is home to
the NFL's Miami Dolphins, MLB's champion Florida
Marlins and the NBA's Miami Heat. The NHL's Florida
Panthers play in nearby Sunrise. In spring, South
Florida is a mecca for baseball teams: Fort Lauderdale
hosts the Baltimore Orioles, and a neighbor to
the north, Jupiter, is the temporary home of the
St. Louis Cardinals and Montreal Expos.
Some of the less traditional shopping areas, frequented
mostly by locals, are of great interest to the visiting
treasure hunter. Antique buffs may want to head to
Dania Beach's Antique Row with its dozens of shops
within a few blocks along Highway 1. Bargain shoppers
will enjoy Pompano Beach's Festival Flea Market which
houses more than 650 vendors, an arcade and a farmers
market, and the Swap Shop, the state's largest indoor/outdoor
flea market. Sawgrass Mills is a vast, totally enclosed,
climate controlled shopping city. This super sized
outlet mall is so large that it is marked off inside
with street signs. There is never a slow day at Sawgrass
Mills.
Fort Lauderdale retains a fun-loving, beach town
atmosphere, but it also offers activities ranging
from contemporary art exhibits to Major League Soccer
games. At the heart of the city's cultural life is
the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which
hosts operas, ballets, theater productions, symphony
concerts and other performances by both local and
touring companies.
Fort
Lauderdale offers an outstanding quality of life,
highlighted by a semi-tropical
climate, rich
natural beauty and array of cultural, entertainment
and educational amenities. Embraced by the Atlantic
Ocean, New River and a myriad of scenic inland waterways,
Fort Lauderdale truly lives up to its designation
as the "Venice of America."
Useful
Informations:
Local Seasons:
Fort
Lauderdale is a complete city offering year round
enjoyment, regardless of the
season. Winter
tends to be the busiest time of year when people
from the north come to experience the beautiful beaches,
with swaying palm trees and warm ocean breezes, not
to mention theater, festivals, great shopping, and
a host of sports activities. However, at any time
of year, the city is alive with tourists from throughout
the world. When summer arrives there is an influx
of visitors from both South America as well as Europe,
making this truly an international destination. Spring
and fall tend to be less crowded and are wonderful
for enjoying all the city has to offer with a few
less people. With temperatures during this time hovering
in the 80’s F during the day and the 70’s
at night; visitors can work on the perfect tan during
the day, and then enjoy a splendid meal while dancing
the night away, or taking in one of the numerous
cultural events taking place year round. Whatever
the reason for visiting and regardless of the time
of year, Fort Lauderdale offers its visitors warm
sunny days and nights to remember.
How to Get There:
By Car
Fort Lauderdale is easily accessible via Interstate
95 or the Florida Turnpike from the north or south
and Interstate 595/75 from the west.
By Plane
Fort
Lauderdale – Hollywood
International Airport
320 Terminal Drive - Fort
Lauderdale FL 33315
954-359-6100
Conveniently located just south of the city and
approximately 3 miles from the beach, 1 mile from
Port Everglades.
The airport is served by many of the national airlines,
a host of charter airlines as well as many of the
regional and local carriers.
By Train
Amtrak
200 S.W. 21 Terrace
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
800-USA-RAIL
By Bus
Greyhound
515 NE 3RD ST
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-764-6551
Car Rental
Taxis
Yellow Cab 866-457-4141
Getting Around Town
By far the best way to see the city and enjoy all
it has to offer is by either personal or rental car.
In addition, there are various other means of transportation
available.
Broward County Transit
954-357-8400
Public buses serve 410 square miles with 40 routes.
Tri-Rail
800-TRI-RAIL
A 67-mile commuter line links Broward, Palm Beach
and Miami-Dade counties, with free shuttles to the
airport.
Port Everglades
954-468-3539
Port Everglades is a favorite for more than 35 cruise
ships and the US Navy.
Water Taxi/Water Bus
954-467-0008
Hop
aboard one of Water Taxi’s
boats and step ashore at major stops along the
waterways.
