edit Fort Lauderdale Travel Guide

• See the city from the water. Fort Lauderdale is America's yachting capital, and as such has numerous boat charter companies. It is a great way to see the area. There are many restaurants and bars along the intracoastal that cater to this clientèle.  Water Bus has 11 pick up/drop off locations in east Fort Lauderdale along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River. Float to and from hotels, shopping areas, restaurants, beaches, nightlife and more!

The city has a population over 170,000. Fort Lauderdale is located in the geographic center of the South Florida (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach) Metropolitan area, which has over 5.5 million people.

History

The first inhabitants of the land were Seminole Indians who arrived in the 18th century. During the Second Seminole War, Major William Lauderdale led his Tennessee Volunteers into the area and raised New River Fort on the site of the modern city in 1838. In 1893, a young Ohioan named Frank Stranahan arrived and built a house that served as the first trading post, post office, bank and town hall of the area. The house was built near the site of the New River Fort and still stands today as a museum, Stranahan House.

Fort Lauderdale was officially incorporated as a town in 1911, and became the seat of newly formed Broward County. It began as a predominantly agricultural community of dairy farms and citrus groves.

More growth came with establishment of the Naval Air Station, which is now Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. The infamous disappearance of Flight 19, which originated at Fort Lauderdale N.A.S led to the city being considered one point of the legendary Bermuda Triangle.

The city and its surrounding suburbs have experienced tremendous growth following the end of World War II, and the arrival of home air-conditioning. In the 1960s, Fort Lauderdale became the center of Spring Break after the debut of the movie "Where the Boys Are." It is now an anchor of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Metropolitan area, the nation's 6th largest area.

By plane

South Florida is served by four airports:

• Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (IATA: FLL), 100 Aviation Boulevard. A major airport, a popular low cost carrier destination, and the most convenient airport to Fort Lauderdale. Spirit Airlines maintains a hub here; JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Continental Connection all also have substantial operations here. FLL is South Florida's main domestic airport. It is also an emerging hub for Latin America and the Caribbean. There are limited charter flights to Europe.
• Miami International Airport (IATA: MIA), is located 25 miles south of Fort Lauderdale. It is the major international airport in South Florida, and is known as 'The Gateway to the Americas'. American Airlines Latin American hub is located here. There are also frequent flights to Europe and many direct flights to the US West Coast; it is a 20 to 30 minute drive from Fort Lauderdale using I-95.
• Palm Beach International Airport (IATA: PBI), 1000 Turnage Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Phone: (561) 471-7420, [4]. Primarily serves the Palm Beach area with flights to the Northeast Corridor.
• Fort Lauderdale Executive Aiport (IATA: FXE), West Commercial Boulevard and NW 21st Av. One of the ten largest general aviation airports in the country. It is located in the Cypress Creek area of the city.

By train

• Amtrak, 200 S.W. 21 Terrace, 1-800-872-7245. Provides service to cities up the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Amtrak has two stops in the Fort Lauderdale Area, one in Fort Lauderdale located on Broward Boulevard and I-95, and another one in the suburb of Hollywood on Hollywood Boulevard and I-95, the train then continues onto Miami going south or Boca Raton going north.
• Tri-Rail,1-800-TRI-RAIL. Tri-Rail is a commuter rail line linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, Florida. It is run by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. The 72-mile system has 18 stations along the South Florida coast. The rail connects to the Metrorail in Miami at the Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer Station.
  

By car

• Interstate 95 (I-95) is the major North-South artery along the East side of the city. It connects Fort Lauderdale with the downtowns in Miami and West Palm Beach and goes north to Jacksonville and beyond.
• Florida's Turnpike runs North-South west of the city. To the south it connects to Homestead and the Florida Keys. It runs north to Orlando and North Florida.
• I-595/I-75 connects Ft. Lauderdale to Florida's West Coast,including: Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota and the Tampa Bay area. 

By bus

By boat

By Car

The easiest way to get around Fort Lauderdale and South Florida is by car. If renting, it is substantially less money to rent a car from a location outside of the airport. The city is set up on grid system, and is fairly easy to navigate. Downtown is roughly 2 miles west of "The Strip," or main beach area.

Broward County is served by three major Interstates (I-75, I-95, I-595) and some U.S. Highways including U.S. Highway 1, US 27 and US 441. It is also served by Florida's Turnpike and State Highway 869, also known as the Sawgrass Expressway.

By Taxi

Car Taxis are generally expensive, but available at almost any time and place.  Yellow Cab is the largest company in the city.

Getting a cab in Fort Lauderdale doesn't always mean that you'll be traveling in an automobile!  Try the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi or on Las Olas Boulevard, catch a horse and carriage!.

By Mass Transit

Broward County Transit (BCT) The county bus system. BCT provides for connections with the bus systems in other parts of the metropolitan area: Metrobus in Miami-Dade County and Palm Tran in Palm Beach County. Buses are available, but often slow and inconvenient. There is a push to increase bus service.

 

Sun Trolley. An inexpensive trolley serving the downtown, beach, and convention center areas. It also provides a link from downtown to the Broward Blvd.

Tri-Rail.  Commuter train which runs north and south parallel to I-95, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Tri-Rail provides access to South Florida's three major airports, as well as links to Miami's Metrorail. However, Tri-Rail trains can sometimes be thirty minutes to an hour late, and you will probably have better luck taking the city bus system. Tri-Rail also does not offer a very scenic tour -- if you're looking for a cheap scenic route through Fort Lauderdale, try the 11 bus along Las Olas Blvd and A1A

By Foot

Fort Lauderdale has a humid subtropical climate. The city does experience cold fronts from November through March, however most of the year is warm and humid, and the summers are reminiscent of a true tropical climate. In addition, the city sees most of its rain in the summer (wet season) and is mainly dry in winter (dry season). The wet season, which is hot and humid, lasts from May to September, when it gives way to the dry season, which features mild temperatures with some invasions of colder air, which is when the little winter rainfall occurs — with the passing of a front. The Atlantic hurricane season largely coincides with the wet season.

In addition to its sea-level elevation, coastal location and position just above the Tropic of Cancer, the area owes its warm, humid climate to the Gulf Stream, which moderates climate year-round. A typical summer day does not see temperatures below 75 ºF (24 ºC). Temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s (30-35 °C) accompanied by high humidity are often relieved by afternoon thunderstorms or a sea breeze that develops off the Atlantic Ocean, which then allow lower temperatures, although conditions still remain very muggy. During winter, humidity is significantly lower, allowing for cooler weather to develop. Average minimum temperatures during that time are around 59 ºF (15 ºC), rarely dipping below 40 ºF (4 ºC), and the equivalent maxima usually range between 65 and 75 °F (18-24 °C).

Fort Lauderdale receives abundant rainfall, one of the highest among major U.S. cities. Most of this rainfall occurs from mid-May through early October. It receives annual rainfall of 63.8 inches (1488 mm). 

Emergency telephone number for fire, police and rescue emergencies is 911.

Crime

Fort Lauderdale can be as safe or as dangerous as you want it to be. If you pay attention and avoid specific areas, the possibilty of experiencing crime is lessened substantially. Auto theft is a problem in the city. Never leave valuables in a visible place, and always lock your car doors. Another possible problem is that due to the amount of traffic, South Florida drivers are somewhat impatient. Keep in mind the number of senior citizens on the road, and be alert at all times. As long as you're careful as a pedestrian, there shouldn't be a high risk of getting hit at all.

Things to See

Fort Lauderdale Beach (The Strip)

The heart of the world famous strip is A1A between Las Olas Blvd north to Sunrise Blvd. The intersection of Las Olas and A1A is the "ground zero" of Fort Lauderdale Beach, and is the site of the "Elbo Room" bar featured in the 1960's film Where the Boys Are. This led, in large measure, to the city's former reputation as a spring break mecca.

Spring Break peaked after 1984, and the city attracts a more upscale crowd today. Fort Lauderdale is in the midst of a luxury condo building boom, this is displacing the hotels that once lined the beach.

The city is more cosmopolitan than most, having lots of Europeans and gay residents. The beach culture reflects the laid back nature of the community. You will find European food in the restaurants and bathers in thong swimsuits.

• Beach Place A collection of bars, restaurants and retail stores connected to a Marriott hotel.
• Bonnet House
• Elbo Room The most famous spring break bar, and one of the few remaining from that period.

Downtown/Las Olas Blvd

The downtown area, especially around Las Olas Boulevard, has seen dramatic growth in the past decade, and now hosts many new hotels and high-rise condominium developments. Other improvements include a wide array of new boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.

The entertainment district runs east-west along Las Olas Boulevard. East Las Olas Blvd has a mile of upscale shops and restaurants. Across the railway lines, West Las Olas caters to a younger crowd: There are funky nightclubs and restaurants between the railway lines and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. In between East and West, there is a new set of shops called Riverside.

East Las Olas Blvd has a mile of upscale shops and resturants. Across the railway lines, West Las Olas caters to a younger crowed: There are funky nightclubs and resturants between the railway lines and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. In between East and West, there is a new set of shops and bars called Riverside that sits on the RiverWalk. The RiverWalk runs along the north side of the new river, from the shops at Las Olas to the performing arts complex.

• Broward Center for the Performing Arts
• Las Olas Boulevard An upscale collection of store, restaurants and bars near downtown.
• Museum of Art
• Museum of Discovery and Science
• Old Fort Lauderdale Village & Museum
• Stranahan House

Wilton Manors

Wilton Manors, a city surrounded by Fort Lauderdale. It is a popular area for gays and lesbians. It has many guesthouses, restaurants, and bars/nightclubs catering to its gay clientle. The busy center of the city is Wilton Drive near NE 26 Street. This is only two miles north of downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Suburban Fort Lauderdale/Broward County

Greater Broward County is home to 1.8 million people, and offers an wide array of activities.

• African American Research Library and Cultural Center
• Antique Car Museum Collection of pre-war Packard automobiles and other memorabilia.
• Boomers! Rollercoaster Park Go here for exciting rides and to let lose.
• Butterfly World / Tradewinds Park Come here to see exotic butterflies and to get in touch with nature.
• Cypress Airboat Rides Explore this ecosystem on a heart pounding ride, or a more relaxed airboat tour. Open year round.
• Florida Everglades Holiday Park Here you can see our amazing wetlands and possibly an alligator or two.
• Flamingo Gardens and Wray Botanical Collection If you are an outdoors person, or just want to see our state bird you have to visit here.
• Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop A large indoor/outdoor flea market with the Thunderbird Drive-In Movie Theatre.
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
• Sawgrass Mills One of the world's largest shopping malls.

Things to Do

There are many things to do in Fort Lauderdale, but the beautiful beach is a prime attraction. There parking just south of Las Olas Blvd or if that is full, there is plenty more under the Las Olas Blvd Bridge. The machines take cash or credit cards. (Parking on A1A, north of Sunrise Blvd is free.)

Athletes enjoy running along the road by the beach in the early mornings. On Saturdays mornings there is a continual stream. Best viewed from one of the numerous coffee shops or restaurants on the other side of the road.

You can rent a bicycle and explore the beach, Las Olas Blvd and the RiverWalk. Parking at some beach hotels is a little short and things are close so bicycles are a good way to get around. Use the sidewalks if the traffic scares you.

You can go boating on the miles of waterways, take the water taxi, or take one of the river cruises like the Jungle Queen. There is also sport or deep sea fishing. If boating is not your thing, then you can just watch the boats go by from the many waterfront bars and restaurants.

There is plenty of shopping. The metropolis has lots of malls. The closest to the beach is the Galaria, about 10 minutes walk from the beach, but the biggest by far is the huge Sawgrass Mills out on the west side of the city. With over 300 retail outlets it is one of the largest malls in the USA. After Disney World, Sawgrass Mills is the second most visited tourist attraction in Florida! There is also the 'Swap Shop', that bills itself as 'the largest Drive-In movie theater and daily flea market in the world.'

From Fort Lauderdale you can take a day trip to Miami's South Beach, or closer to home, Hollywood beach. Day or overnight trips to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas are also very popular. Popping down to visit the night clubs and restaurants along Hollywood Blvd near Young Circle is a close and interesting evening outing.

Sports

Golfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and deep sea fishing are very popular sports in the area. The metropolitan area also offers the following spectator sports:

• The Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League play at BankAtlantic Center in suburban Sunrise, Florida.
• The Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball and the Miami Dolphins play at Dolphins Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The stadium is 17 miles southwest of Fort Lauderdale.
• The Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association play at AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami, located 23 miles south of Fort Lauderdale.
• The Baltimore Orioles conduct Spring training in the city at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.
• International Swimming Hall of Fame is located at Fort Lauderdale Beach.
• South Florida also hosts the college sports teams of Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and University of Miami.

Other

• Jungle Queen Dinner cruise featuring sites along the New River in and around downtown.
• Pier Fishing at Commercial Blvd, Atlantic Blvd, Hillsboro Blvd, and Dania Beach. Each area has long piers into ocean, and fishing available.

Fort Lauderdale, and South Florida in general, is a shoppers paradise. There is something to satisfy everybody's shopping desires.

Shopping Malls

• Galleria Mall, Sunrise Blvd and Bayview Dr. Fort Lauderdale's regional mall. Has over 200 stores including: Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Dillard's, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
• Sawgrass Mills, located in city of Sunrise at Sunrise Blvd and NW 136 Ave. One of the world's largest malls for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
• Broward Mall, located in Plantation at Broward Blvd, and University Drive.
• Coral Square Mall, located in Coral Springs at Atlantic Blvd. and University Dr.
• Festival Flea Market, located in Pompano Beach on Sample Rd, just east of Florida's Turnpike. Large indoor flea market.
• Pembroke Lakes Mall, located in Pembroke Pines at Pines Blvd. and Flamingo Rd.
• Pompano Square, located in Pompano Beach at US1 (Federal Hwy) and Copans Rd.
• Aventura Mall, large, upscale regional mall located in Aventura.
• Boca Town Center, large, upscale regional mall located in Boca Raton.
• Swap Shop. 1 954-583-2221. The Swap Shop is an older flea market located west on Sunrise Blvd. at a drive-in movie. Along with getting your hair braided you can shop for fruits, vegetables, clothes, nick knacks, and practically any other things other locations would not have.

Independent Stores

• Archives Book Cafe, 1948 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Phone: 1 954-764-8212. Good selection of hard to find books and has a small coffee shop and cafe.
• Clothes Encounters, 1952 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Phone: 1 954-522-2228. Huge selection of funny t-shirts along with basic swimwear and gifts.
• Flagler Antiques, 720 Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale. 10,000 Square Feet of antiques.
• Shop at Swap Shop. Get your hair braided there Phone: 1 954-583-2221. The Swap Shop is an older flee market located east on Sunrise Blvd. Along with getting your hair braided you can shop for fruits, vegetables, clothes, nick knacks, and you can practically find other things that other locations would not have.
• Zoo 14, 1208 NE 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Phone: 1 954-763-9666. Men's designer clothing and club wear.

• Port Everglades is the nation's second busiest port for Cruise ships|cruise ships, after Port of Miami. There are many cruises of varying lengths (1 day to several weeks) available to choose from.
• Miami. The sunny southern city in the sunny state of Florida. To most people who have not visited Miami, just think of Sonny Crocket and Ricardo Tubbs in a speedboat chasing some drug dealers. Be your own judge and come over to find out what Miami really is like: a melting pot of cultures, a warm and friendly city on one of the most beautiful spots in the world, a city of great architecture and the perfect starting point for exploring the rich variety of sights and sounds in Florida.
• Everglades National Park