The City’s Other Side
Florida’s most famed and feared aquatic animals are found far from the sandy white beaches to which tourists frequently flock. While Ft. Lauderdale’s majestic coastline is no doubt worth a visit, be sure not to overlook the city’s other natural treasure, the Everglades National Park, home to one of America’s largest alligator populations. Not only does it house enough gators to make the University of Florida green with envy, the Everglade’s swamp, marsh and wetlands also protects some of the state’s most endangered species, including the Florida panther, the American crocodile and the West Indian manatee. In total, the park boasts over 350 species of birds, 300 species of fish (both saltwater and freshwater), 40 species of mammals and 50 species of reptiles, balancing a delicate and diverse ecosystem amid the surrounding human development. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by admin under Things to Do | Permalink | Comments OffFort Lauderdale’s Top 3 Beaches
If you’re vacationing in Florida, chances are you’re looking to spend some time in the sun. Lucky for you, Fort Lauderdale is home to some of the best beaches the Sunshine State has to offer. Set your expectations high, because this 23-mile stretch of white sand crystal water beaches has yet to disappoint.
- Deerfield Beach: This beautiful seashore has won more awards than any other Greater Fort Lauderdale beach. A great family destination, Deerfield Beach offers a variety of fun beach activities offered at few places around the world. For example, go fishing off Deerfield pier or try waterskiing…without a boat! At Ski Rixen, an innovative waterskiing system based on cables pulls you across the smooth waters of the coast. Of course, the option to sit back and relax is always available. The beach is lined with numerous open air eateries so you won’t have to sacrifice your tanning while you grab a bite to eat.
- Pompano Beach: Named for the saltwater fish found exclusively off its shore, Pompano Beach is a sport lover’s dream vacation spot. Whether you want to play volleyball on the beach or shake the sand out of your shoes and tee up for a game of golf, Pompano Beach offers it all. The Pompano fish isn’t the only ‘exclusive’ part of this shore. It is also home to the Pompano Seafood Festival and Fishing Rodeo. Plus, the water is the clearest and warmest around due to a bend in the Gulf Stream. Read the rest of this entry »
Bye Bye Beaches
Leave your bathing suits at the hotel and take a break from the hot sun. Fort Lauderdale beaches may be hard to resist, but just wait until you see what else the city has to offer. Whether a resident or a tourist, these fun attractions are a great alternative to the beach, especially on rainy days.
The Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop is Florida’s second largest tourist attraction (second only to Walt Disney World)…a pretty big feat considering the size of the Sunshine State. What makes this place so popular? Well, it’s probably a combination of being the largest drive-in theater in America and the largest daily flea market in the world. The drive-in theater portion of the Swap Shop contains 14 screens for your viewing pleasure, and the flea market is both an indoor and outdoor collection of fun (and cheap) trinkets that are great for browsing or buying. Better yet, the Hanneford Family Circus performs daily in the Swap Shop food court, providing entertainment for the 12 million or so people who visit each year.
Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex
Located on Seabreeze Boulevard, the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex is home to anything and everything aquatic. Complete with an Olympic sized swimming pool and 3 meter springboards, the FLAC offers swim camps, lessons, aerobics, and clubs. If you’d rather play tourist for the day, the FLAC is also home to the International Swimming Hall of Fame. This world-renowned swimming shrine immortalizes the achievements of athletes in competitive swimming, water polo, diving, marathon swimming, and synchronized swimming.
Posted by admin under Things to Do | Permalink | Comments OffExperience Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
Known as a ‘low-key get-away’, Lauderdale by the Sea is a small seaside village located on a barrier island just east of Fort Lauderdale. If you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing vacation, this is the place for you.
One of this beach village’s most enticing attractions is the three tier natural coral reef system. The reef is one of Florida’s only coral reef systems close enough to shore for visitors to swim out for snorkeling or diving. The beautiful underwater sights consist of gorgeous multicolored corals and a wide variety of aquatic wildlife that will make your eyes bulge. See fish of all sizes, watch eels slither through coral caves, and experience it all in the wild (not through the thick glass found in aquarium tanks).
After spending a relaxing day on the beach, take a stroll to the pier and enjoy a quality meal at the Aruba café where “good food, drinks, friends, and laughter are always the catch of the day”. We also recommend trying 101 Ocean, Lauderdale by the Sea’s casual yet classy restaurant with great food and an even greater bar. If you still have room (who are you kidding, you can always make room for dessert), head over to the Ice Cream Shop where you’ll become known on a first name basis and served first rate ice cream.
Posted by admin under Lauderdale by the Sea | Permalink | Comments OffTop Ten Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale
When vacationing in a place like Fort Lauderdale, your schedule probably goes a little something like: eat, beach, eat, shop, eat, sleep, repeat. Even if you fluctuate from these activities, one thing’s for certain…you’ll be doing a lot of eating. Lucky for you, Fort Lauderdale has over 4,100 restaurants for you to choose from. Here’s a list of the top ten so you don’t have to sort through the thousands of options.
- Blue Moon Fish Co.: Located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, this white tablecloth casual eatery employs two of the country’s finest chefs. The restaurant’s dockside location allows you to enjoy an expertly crafted gourmet meal while gazing out at a dreamy parade of yachts as they drift along the waterway.
- 15th Street Fisheries: Offering a fantastic waterfront view and the freshest seafood available, this dockside delicacy is a must. With a prime location in historic Lauderdale Marina, the restaurant features upstairs dining, a dockside café, fun upbeat entertainment, and even tarpon feedings while you wait for your table. Not to mention the food is practically straight out of heaven.
- La Brochette Bistro: Run by Lebanese American Chef Aboud, this storefront fine dining restaurant is top of the line. Our advice, don’t even look at the menu until you hear the specials—Chef Aboud adds his seafood dishes daily so the freshness is unbeatable.
- Tarpon Bend Food and Tackle: This fun loving eatery serves American classics in addition to fresh catches and seasonal raw bar items. Perfect for group gatherings, Tarpon Bend is best known for their legendary happy hour.
- Himmarshee Bar & Grille: This timeless Bar & Grille serves authentic cuisine in a comfortable setting. Its lunch menu offers some of the best business deals in the city and the Happy Hour is a no brainer. Read the rest of this entry »
The “Venice of America”
Fort Lauderdale may not be as culturally rich as Venice, Italy, but its expansive and intricate canal system is reason enough to nickname the Florida city the “Venice of America”. This American version of an Italian city got its name from Major William Lauderdale, the commanding officer in charge of building a series of forts in Florida during the Second Seminole War.
Located in the South Florida metropolitan area (23 miles north of Miami), Fort Lauderdale is a popular tourist destination as well as a great place to live. Home to over 42,000 resident yachts and 100 marinas and boatyards, Fort Lauderdale is one of the largest major yachting centers of the south. Boat owners and non-boat owners alike can enjoy the many opportunities a yacht center has to offer. Couples frequently rent yachts for romantic private getaways and eligible bachelors host classy yacht parties nightly. Also, the waters of Fort Lauderdale provide valuable fishing opportunities offshore and out in the deep sea.
Even if you don’t partake in the boating scene, the city and its surrounding area contain over 4,100 restaurants and more than 120 nightclubs. Between the shopping and beach opportunities during the day and the dining and nightlife options during the evening, Fort Lauderdale never witnesses a dull moment.
While “Venice of America” is suitable for the city’s waterways and boating activity, Fort Lauderdale has another nickname that isn’t quite as conventional. Dubbed “Fort Liquordale” by college students, the city has no shortage of beaches, bars, or nightclubs…making it an optimal spring break destination for college students. Don’t worry though; strict laws have been enacted to prevent the mayhem associated with these yearly visits. In fact, the city actively discourages college students from flocking to the area, decreasing college spring breakers from 350,000 in 1985 to 10,000 in 2006. Now, the city is a perfect combination of culture, leisure, and fun for the whole family…college students included
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