Ft. Lauderdale

Introduction

Fort Lauderdale, with its well-known strip of beaches, restaurants, bars and shops, has undergone a major transformation. Once famous (or infamous) for the annual mayhem it hosted during spring break, the Florida city now attracts a more affluent, better behaved crowd. Its 300 miles of navigable waterways and innumerable canals permit thousands of residents to anchor boats in their backyards. On land, institutions like the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale and Museum of Discovery & Science give the city cultural resonance.

Less exposed than highly hyped Miami-Dade County, Broward County is a lot calmer and, according to some, a lot friendlier than the Magic City. In fact, a friendly rivalry exists between residents of both counties. Miamians consider themselves more sophisticated and cosmopolitan than their northern neighbors, who, in turn, dismiss the alleged sophistication as snobbery and actually prefer their own county's gentler pace.

With more than 23 miles of beachfront and 300 miles of navigable waterways, Broward County is also a great outdoor destination. Scattered amid the shopping malls, condominiums, and tourist traps is a beautiful landscape lined with hundreds of parks, golf courses, tennis courts, and, of course, beaches.

The City of Hallandale Beach is a small, peaceful, oceanfront town just north of Dade County's Aventura. Condos are the predominant landmarks in Hallandale, which is still pretty much a retirement community, although the revamped multimillion-dollar Westin Diplomat Resort is slowly trying to revitalize and liven up the area.

Just north of Hallandale is the more energetic, burgeoning city of Hollywood. Once a sleepy community wedged between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood is now a bustling area of 1.5 million people with an array of ethnic and racial identities: from white and African-American to Jamaican, Chinese, and Dominican. (Money magazine trumpeted the self-described "City of the Future" as having an ethnic makeup that mirrors what the U.S. will look like by the year 2022.) In 2004, the $300-million Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino debuted, with a 500-room hotel, spa, and 130,000-square-foot casino. This was exactly what the city needed to kick its slow renaissance up a notch. A spate of redevelopment has made the pedestrian-friendly center along Hollywood Boulevard and Harrison Street, east of Dixie Highway, a popular destination for travelers and locals alike. Some predict Hollywood will be South Florida's next big destination -- South Beach without the attitude and traffic jams. While the prediction is a dubious one, Hollywood is definitely awakening from its long slumber. Prices are a fraction of those at other tourist areas, and a quasi-bohemian vibe is apparent in the galleries, clubs, and restaurants that dot the new "strip." Its gritty undercurrent, however, prevents it from becoming too trendy.

Fort Lauderdale, with its well-known strip of beaches, restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops, has really undergone a major transformation. Once famous (or infamous) for the annual mayhem it hosted during Spring Break, this area is now attracting a more affluent, better-behaved yachting crowd. The Miami Herald business section discussed the changes in a 2006 article, "Upscale Inn Crowd," which agreed that "the city once famous for Spring Break antics undergoes a broad upgrade of its hotel stock." In fact, Starwood's new W Fort Lauderdale, a 346-room boutique hotel, opened at the end of 2008, as did the swanky Ritz-Carlton. And in 2009, Sir Richard Branson debuted his fleet of Virgin America jetliners in Florida with service from Fort Lauderdale, not Miami, to L.A. and San Francisco with more destinations, but not Miami, to come.

In addition to beautiful wide beaches, Fort Lauderdale, known as the Venice of America, has more than 300 miles of navigable waterways and innumerable canals, which permit thousands of residents to anchor boats in their backyards. Boating is not just a hobby here; it's a lifestyle. Visitors can easily get on the water, too, by renting a boat or by hailing a moderately priced water taxi.

Huge cruise ships also take advantage of Florida's deepest harbor, Port Everglades. The seaport is on the southeastern coast of the Florida peninsula, near the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport on the outskirts of Hollywood and Dania Beach. And with a $75-million cruise terminal expansion, Port Everglades is on its way to being the busiest cruise port in the world.

Get around

The east side of Fort Lauderdale, between down town and the beach, is crisscrossed with canals. It doesn't matter if you are in a car, on bicycles, or on foot, you have to cross the canals where the bridges are. This is one town where a good map can save you a lot of backtracking. Surprisingly the best road map of the East side of town is the 'Dolphus Waterway Map".

The US 1 does NOT intersect with Las Olas Boulevard. Your map is wrong if it says otherwise. The US 1 passes under the river in a tunnel and goes under Las Olas too, re-emerging only at Broward Blvd. to the north. This confuses many people who are trying to navigate around Fort Lauderdale.

By car

The easiest way to get around Fort Lauderdale and South Florida is by car. If you are renting—all the major national chains, and several local ones, can be found here—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 two miles west of the beach. You need to consult a map when on the East side of town because the canals divide up the city and you need to find the bridges.

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 boat

Fort Lauderdale is America's yachting capital, and as such has numerous boat charter and rental companies. There are many restaurants and bars along the intracoastal that cater to the passing yachtsmen and their guests.

Water Bus has 11 pickup/drop off locations in east Fort Lauderdale along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River. Float to and from the hotels, shopping, restaurants, beaches and nightlife. Slow and costly, but worth it for the view and romance.

By bicycle

When you visit the beach you will see that many locals bike to the beach. Things in Fort Lauderdale are close, but often further apart than a quick walk. A bike makes everything much closer, and you don't have to find parking. By bike, it is only 10 minutes from the beach to downtown, the supermarkets, or the malls. A bike creates its own breeze so biking is not only quicker and less effort than walking, it's often cooler too.

You can rent a bike, or, if you know you are going to be staying more than a couple of days, it may be more cost effective to buy a $100 bike from a big discount store and sell it or pass it on when you go home. (If you stay a week, you can just about pay for a bike in the money you save on parking.)

There are bike lanes on the road by the beach on A1A and on Las Olas Blvd. going between the beach and downtown and the Riverwalk. Ride in the same direction as the traffic. It is common to take to the sidewalks on the bridges or on major roads when the bike lane disappears.

Because most things are quite close and Florida is very flat, bicycles are a very green, very sane, and relatively quick way to get around. You also get to see more, hear more, and be able to stop easily along the way to take pictures, something that is difficult to do when in a taxi or a car.

By bus

⦁ Sun Trolley, ☎ +1 954-761-3543. An inexpensive trolley serving the downtown, beach, and convention center areas. It also provides a link from downtown to the Broward Blvd Tri-Rail station. If you're looking for a cheap scenic tour through Fort Lauderdale, ride the Sun-Trolley or take the 11 bus along Las Olas Blvd and A1A.

⦁ Broward County Transit (BCT), ☎ +1 954-357-8400. 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.

By taxi

Taxis are generally expensive, but available at almost any time and place.

⦁ Water Taxi, ⦁ [14]. via the Intracoastal waterway and New River. A different way to see the city, its beautiful waterfront mansions, and stately yachts. ⦁ edit

⦁ Yellow Cab, ☎ +1 954-777-7777. The largest company in the city. ⦁ edit

By train

Tri-Rail, ☎ +1 800-872-724. 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, since Tri-Rail trains can sometimes be thirty minutes to an hour late and has trains coming every two hours apart on the weekends so you will probably have better luck taking the city bus system. Tri-Rail also does not offer a very scenic tour as it is just a commuter line through the back sides of town.

Things to Do

Plan to spend at least an afternoon or evening cruising the Fort Lauderdale waterways by water taxi. Stroll the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk for a people-watching parade of young hipsters, big families and skaters and for rows of tacky souvenir shops, game rooms and snack bars. Head to peaceful Fort Lauderdale Beach to sun and swim in the unusually clear waters or hike the nature trails at Lloyd Beach. Get in 18 holes of golf at Emerald Hills or see multicolored sponges on a dive off Pompano Beach.

There are many things to do in Fort Lauderdale, but the beautiful beach is a prime attraction. There is 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. There is more parking on A1A, North of Sunrise Blvd.

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

You can rent a bicycle and explore along the beach, or head inland via Las Olas Blvd, to explore the upscale shops that line Las Olas towards the down town. From Las Olas the RiverWalk connects to the Arts and Entertainment district. Parking at some beach hotels is limited and with things quite close you will find bicycles are a good way to get around. Bicycle on 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 Galleria, about 10 minutes walk from the beach along Sunrise Blvd. The biggest by far is the huge Sawgrass Mills mega mall out on the west side of the city. With over 300 retail outlets it is one of the largest malls in the USA. 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. Popping down to visit the night clubs and restaurants along Hollywood Blvd near Young Circle is a close and interesting evening outing.

On Friday and Saturday evenings the bars and clubs along SW 2nd Street come alive with young people. If you are under 35 this is the place to be on weekend nights. Known by locals as Colee Hammock, this is the two blocks on SW 2nd St just West of the rail way tracks, near the Science Museum and Performing Arts Center. For tourists, or people over 35, there is the RiverSide complex with bars and restaurants just East of the same railway lines.

You can take overnight excursions to the Florida Keys or the Bahamas, but both are just too far away to make good day trips. There are also organized coach trips to the theme parks in Orlando but again a bit too far for day trips. If you are only here for a week it may not make any sense to take several days out to bus hundreds of miles to a different city when there is so much to do here.

Attractions

One If by Land, Taxi If by Sea -- Plan to spend at least an afternoon or evening cruising Fort Lauderdale's 300 miles of waterways the only way you can: by boat. The Water Bus of Fort Lauderdale (tel. 954/467-6677; www.watertaxi.com) is one of the greatest innovations for water lovers since those cool Velcro sandals. A trusty fleet of older port boats serves the dual purpose of transporting and entertaining visitors as they cruise through the "Venice of America." Because of its popularity, the water taxi fleet has welcomed several sleek, 70-passenger "water buses" (featuring indoor and outdoor seating with an atrium like roof).

Taxis operate on demand and also along a fairly regular route, carrying up to 48 passengers to 20 stops. If you're staying at a hotel on the route, you can be picked up there, usually within 15 minutes of calling, and then be shuttled to any of the dozens of restaurants, bars, and attractions on or near the waterfront. If you aren't sure where you want to go, ask one of the personable captains, who can point out historic and fun spots along the way.

Starting daily at 8am, boats run until midnight 7 days a week, depending on the weather. Check the website for exact times of pickup. The cost is $13 for an all-day pass with unlimited stops on and off and $7 if you board after 7pm. If you want to go to South Beach, it's $33 adults, $30 seniors, and $16 for children 4-11. Tickets are available onboard; no credit cards are accepted.

Bonnet House: 900 N. Birch Rd. (off Sunrise Blvd.)

• Hours Tues–Sun 9am–4pm
• Phone 954/563-5393
• Prices $20 adults

Little do most beachgoers suspect what lies behind the fence and wall of greenery a few yards away. This 35-acre spread named after the Bonnet lily is a trip back in time to 1921, when artist and collector Frederic Clay Bartlett built a gracious two-story manse in a kind of Caribbean plantation style, filled with art and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, where he wintered with a first, then a second wife (the latter of whom, Evelyn, some of the friendly and talkative volunteer guides even met). Visits are by 90-minute guided tour only, and a fascinating one at that.

Stranahan House: 335 SE 6th Ave (at Las Olas Blvd. at the New River Tunnel)

• Hours Daily 1–3pm. Tours are on the hour; last tour at 3pm
• Transportation Accessible by water taxi
• Phone 954/524-4736
• Prices $12 adults

Granted, Fort Lauderdale doesn’t exactly ooze history, but it’s here if you look for it. A case in point is the city’s oldest remaining edifice, tucked away alongside downtown’s New River. It dates back to 1901, when the eponymous Frank Stranahan built it as a trading post when this was still a frontier settlement and Seminole Indians would pull up in dugout canoes. Stranahan built another building for trade, turning this into a home for himself and his wife Ivy. Now it’s an interesting little museum of that era, a window into the roots of Fort Lauderdale. It can be visited by guided tour only, be sure to get there on time (1, 2, or 3pm)!

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: 3019 E. Sunrise Blvd. (btw. N. Fort Lauderdale Blvd. and Sunrise La.)

• Hours Daily 8am–sunset
• Phone 954/564-4521
• Prices $6 per vehicle

A block in from the beach, this rare and worthy spot of greenery is set amid the waterways, the sands, and the sprawl. Its preserves a peaceful patch of hammock (subtropical hardwood forest) in which you’re welcome to hike, bike, skate, kayak, canoe, fish, or picnic. There’s a visitor center with nature/history exhibits, but it’s closed for renovations and not expected to re-open until at least 2016; in the meantime, tours are available on audio as well as in person from park rangers each Friday at 10:30am, lasting 60 to 90 minutes.

Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale: 1 E. Las Olas Blvd. (at S. Andrews Ave.)

• Hours Tues–Wed and Fri–Sat 11am–5pm, Thurs 11am–8pm; Sun noon–5pm
• Phone 954/525-5500
• Prices $10 adults

An exceptional trove of modern art downtown, MOAFL has permanent collections including 50 sculptures; pop art by the likes of Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Rivers; 200 works from Europe’s postwar CoBrA (Copenhagen/Brussels/Amsterdam) movement; Pablo Picasso ceramics that’ll rock your crockery; and contemporary works from a wide range of exiled Cuban artists from across the planet. There are always great temporary shows cycling through, as well, bringing in not just fine art and ethnography (such as a recent one focusing on pre-Inca cultures of Peru), but photography documenting important history, such as images by Bob Adelman of America’s [‘]60s civil rights movement and from Roman Vishniac of Jewish life in Eastern Europe between the world wars. There’s also a nice little café here, along with a branch of Miami’s excellent Books & Books. Each Thursday evening there are lectures, films, and performances; check the website for those and other events.

Museum of Discovery and Science: 401 SW 2nd St (btw. SW 4th and 5th Aves.)

• Hours Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun noon–6pm. Movie theater closes later.
• Phone 954/467-6637
• Prices $14 adults

A swell example of a science museum that successfully leverages high tech and interactivity to make science fun for kids—and just as engaging for grownups—starting with a funky, 52-foot “kinetic-energy” sculpture out front called the “Great Gravity Clock.” One of the highlights on its two floors is an “EcoDiscovery Center” with simulated hurricane winds and Everglades airboat ride, and a chance to “dig” for fossils. Other cool stuff includes exhibits about space, minerals, and Florida flora and fauna including snakes, alligators, bees, even a living coral reef. Plus there’s a great hands-on area especially for tykes ages 6 and under. There are temporary exhibits like 2014’s “Goosebumps! The Science of Fear,” and the five-story IMAX screen is a big draw for young and old, too, with varied programming from nature films to Hollywood flicks.

Sawgrass Recreation Park: 1006 N. U.S. Hwy. 27, Weston, Fl

• Neighborhood WESTERN SUBURBS AND BEYOND
• Hours Airboat rides daily 9–5
• Phone 888-424–7262
• Prices $19.50; $40 night tours

A half-hour airboat ride through the Everglades allows you to view a good variety of plants and wildlife, from ospreys and alligators to turtles, snakes, and fish. Besides the ride, your entrance fee covers admission to an Everglades nature exhibit; a native Seminole village; and exhibits on alligators, other reptiles, and birds of prey. Super cool airboat nights tours are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:30 pm to experience the nocturnal world of the 'glades. Reservations required for night tours.

Billie Swamp Safari: Ochopee, FL

• Neighborhood Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, 1 1/2-hr. drive west of Fort Lauderdale
• Hours Daily 8:30am-6pm. Airboats depart every 30 min. from 9:30am-4:30pm. Swamp-buggy tours leave on the hour btw. 10am and 5pm. Reptile and Critter Shows daily
• Phone 800/949-6101
• Prices Free admission. Swamp Safari Day Package $49.95 adults. Individual tours $25

Billie Swamp Safari is an up-close-and-personal view of the Seminole Indians' 2,200-acre Big Cypress Reservation. There are daily tours into reservation wetlands, hardwood hammocks, and areas where wildlife (seemingly strategically placed deer, water buffalo, bison, wild hogs, ornery ostriches, rare birds, and alligators) reside. Tours are provided aboard swamp buggies, customized motorized vehicles specially designed to provide visitors with an elevated view of the frontier while they comfortably ride through the wetlands and cypress heads. The more adventurous may want to take a fast-moving airboat ride or trek a nature trail. Airboat rides run about 20 minutes, while swamp-buggy tours last about an hour. A stop at an alligator farm reeks of Disney, but the kids won't care. You can stay overnight in a native Tiki hut for $35 per night if you're really looking to immerse yourself in the culture.

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum: 34725 W. Boundary Rd., Clewiston, Florida

• Neighborhood Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, 1 1/2-hr. drive west of Fort Lauderdale
• Hours Daily 9am-5pm
• Phone 877-902–1113
• Prices $9

A couple of miles from Billie Swamp Safari is Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, whose name means "a place to learn, a place to remember." This museum documents the traditions and culture of the Seminole Tribe of Florida through artifacts, exhibits, and reenactments of rituals and ceremonies. The 60-acre site includes a living-history Seminole village, nature trails, and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through a cypress swamp. Guided tours are available daily, but call for exact times. Self-guided audio tours are available anytime. There are also children's programs.

Everglades Holiday Park: 21940 Griffin Rd., Fort Lauderdale, Fl

• Neighborhood WESTERN SUBURBS AND BEYOND
• Hours Daily 9–5
• Phone 954-434–8111
• Prices Admission $26.50 adults

This 30-acre park provides a decent glimpse of the Everglades and Florida's wild west circa 1950. Take an hour-long airboat tour, look at an 18th-century-style American Indian village, or catch the alligator wrestling. The airboats tend to be supersized and the experience very commercialized. Most episodes of Animal Planet's Gator Boys are filmed here.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, Fl

• Phone 866-502–7529; 800-937–0010

Since slots and blackjack tables hit Hollywood's glittering Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in 2008, smaller competitors have followed this lucrative trend on every square inch of Indian Territory. On the industrial flatlands of western Hollywood, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino serves as a magnet for pulsating Vegas-style entertainment and folks looking for 24 hours of casino, clubbing, and hedonism. Poker unfolds at 40 tables, to the delight of spectators, near a phalanx of slot machines, including 1000 penny slots! A theater just off the gaming floor hosts extravaganzas; and a 5,600-seat live performance venue showcases top performers, touring bands, and championship boxing. But the casino is just part of the story. The 4½-acre-pool complex, where a rock mountain doubles as a backdrop to a 182-foot-long waterslide, makes jaws drop. Partially embracing this landscaping is a starkly white 12-story tower. Dining options stretch from the memorabilia-packed Hard Rock Cafe for wings and burgers to Council Oak serving steak, chops, and seafood.

Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise: Bahia Mar Yachting Centre, 801 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale

• Hours daily 11am, 1:30pm, Mon & Tues 5:30pm, and Wed-Sun 6pm
• Phone (954) 462-5596
• Prices Adults $23.27-$48.95

The double-decker Jungle Queen Riverboat, named one of Fort Lauderdale's top attractions by USA Today, cruises up and down New River, the "Venice of America," while captains share facts both informative and humorous. Passengers can catch glimpses of Millionaire's Row and the homes of the wealthy and their mega yachts before stopping at the tropical isle.

Just a strong coconut's throw from the mainland, this exotic destination brings a bit of the tropics to Fort Lauderdale, surrounding its visitors with rare plants and brightly feathered macaws. The isle even houses an alligator exhibition to the delight of the crowd. There are also food and retail concessions available. In addition to trips into Fort Lauderdale's waterways, the vessel also takes passengers on dinner cruises. After voyaging down New River, passengers disembark to enjoy hearty barbecue meals and stick-to-your-ribs variety shows on the isle.

90-Minute Morning Sightseeing Cruise - A fully narrated, 90-minute morning cruise down the "Venice of America" sailing through Ft. Lauderdale Millionaire's Row with homes of the Rich and Famous, spectacular Mega Yachts, and sights beyond belief. Departs 11:00 am, year-round. Adult $23.27

3-Hour Sightseeing Cruise - Includes a visit to our Tropical Isle where you'll see an alligator show, birds, monkeys, and more. Departs 1:30 pm daily, year-round. Adult $25.95

90-Minute Evening Sightseeing Cruise - A fully narrated, 90-minute morning cruise down the "Venice of America" sailing through Ft. Lauderdale Millionaire's Row with homes of the Rich and Famous, spectacular Mega Yachts, and sights beyond belief. Departs 5:30 pm, Monday and Tuesday, year-round. Adult $23.27

Dinner & Show Cruise - Includes an All You Can Eat barbeque rib, chicken, and shrimp dinner on our tropical isle, and a laugh out loud variety show. Departs 6:00 pm, Wednesday-Sunday, year-round. Dinner and Show, Adult $48.95

Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse: Pompano Beach, FL

• Neighborhood Hillsboro Inlet, off A1A, Pompano Beach
• Hours Call for hours and tour times
• Phone 954/942-2102
• Prices Tours $15

Completed in 1907, the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, which rises 136 feet above water and marks the northern end of the Florida Reef, isn't just any lighthouse. It contains a 5,500,000-candlepower light and is the most powerful light on the east coast of the United States. And there's more history. This lighthouse was also made famous thanks to the most famous of the "barefoot mailmen," carriers of the first U.S. mail route between Palm Beach and Miami. Because there was no paved road on that route, the mailmen had to get through by boat and by walking the sand along the beach. James Hamilton was the most famous of these after disappearing delivering mail on the route just after October 10, 1887, presumably the victim of drowning or an encounter with a hungry alligator while trying to swim across Hillsboro inlet to retrieve his boat from the far side. His body was never recovered. A big trial ensued and his death still remains a mystery today. The original stone statue of the Barefoot Mailman by Frank Varga is permanently displayed on the shores of the Hillsboro inlet next to the Hillsboro lighthouse with an inscription dedicated to Hamilton. A fascinating story, that can be told in much more detail with a tour by the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society, given once every other month, usually on Saturdays. If the tour isn't available, go see it for yourself.

Butterfly World: 3600 W. Sample Rd, Coconut Creek, FL

• Neighborhood Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek
• Hours Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 11am-5pm
• Phone 954/977-4400
• Prices Admission $25 adults

After moving to Florida from Illinois in 1968, electrical engineer Ronald Boender decided to actively pursue his passion, raising local butterflies at his home and recording data on each. After realizing there was a need for farmed butterflies, Boender set up a company in 1984 and went one step further, building this butterfly house along with the founder of the world renowned London Butterfly House across the pond. Enter Butterfly World, renowned globally for its butterfly farm and research facility as well as its 10 acres of aviaries and botanical gardens. Kids especially love the "bug museum," which features some of the insect world's biggest celebrities -- all which kids are able to touch, if they dare, with the help of an expert. There's lots to see here in terms of flitting, fluttery things, so set aside at least 2 hours to, uh, flit around yourself.

Fort Lauderdale Beach: A1A from HOLIDAY DRIVE to SUNRISE BLVD.

The same downy sands that once welcomed America's youth-gone-wild (aka wild spring breakers) now frame a multi-mile shoreline of beachside sophistication. Alone among Florida's major beachfront communities, Fort Lauderdale's principal beach remains gloriously open and uncluttered. Walkways line both sides of the beach roadway, and traffic has been trimmed to two gently curving northbound lanes. Fort Lauderdale Beach unofficially begins between the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale and Hilton's Bahia Mar Resort, starting with the quiet South Beach Park, where picnic tables and palm trees rule. Going north, the younger, barely legal crowd gravitates toward the section of sand at the mouth of Las Olas Boulevard. The beach is actually most crowded between Las Olas and Sunrise Boulevards, directly in front of the major hotels and condominiums, namely in front of Beach Place, home to the Marriott time-share building and touristy places like Hooters and Fat Tuesday (and a beach-themed CVS Pharmacy). Gay men and women get their fix of vitamin D along Sebastian Beach, on Sebastian Street, just north of The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Families with children enjoy hanging out between Seville Street and Vistamar Street, between the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Atlantic Resort and Spa. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee). Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

Hollywood Beach and Broadwalk: A1A from DANIA BEACH BLVD. to HALLADALE BEACH BLVD.

The name might be Hollywood, but there's nothing hip or chic about Hollywood North Beach Park, which sits at the north end of Hollywood (Route A1A and Sheridan Street), before the pedestrian Broadwalk begins. And that's a good thing. It's just a laid-back, old-fashioned place to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. The film Marley & Me, starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson and filmed in Greater Fort Lauderdale, spurred a comeback for dog beaches in South Florida, and ever since then, the year-round Dog Beach of Hollywood in North Beach Park has allowed dogs to enjoy fun in the sun from 3 pm to 7 pm Friday–Sunday (4 pm to 8 pm during Daylight Savings Time). Farther south on Hollywood beach, the 2.5-mile Broadwalk is a delightful throwback to the '50s, with mom-and-pop stores, ice cream parlors, elderly couples going for long strolls, and families building sand castles on the beach. Thanks to millions in investment, this popular stretch of beach has spiffy features like a pristine pedestrian walkway, a concrete bike path, a crushed-shell jogging path, an 18-inch decorative wall separating the Broadwalk from the sand, and places to shower off after a dip. Expect to hear French spoken throughout Hollywood, since its beaches have long been a favorite getaway for Quebecois. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

Las Olas Boulevard: E. LAS OLAS BLVD

What Lincoln Road is to South Beach, Las Olas Boulevard is to Fort Lauderdale. The terrestrial heart and soul of Broward County, Las Olas is the premier street for restaurants, art galleries, shopping, and people-watching. From west to east the landscape of Las Olas transforms from modern downtown high-rises to original boutiques and ethnic eateries. Beautiful mansions and traditional Floridian homes line the Intracoastal and define Fort Lauderdale. The streets of Las Olas connect to the pedestrian friendly Riverwalk, which continues to the edge of the New River on Avenue of the Arts.

ART AND CULTURE CENTER OF HOLLYWOOD: 1650 Harrison St., Hollywood, Fl

• Hours Tues.–Fri. 10–5, weekends noon–4
• Phone 954-921–3274
• Prices Admission $7 adults

This is a visual- and performing-arts facility with an art reference library, a contemporary gallery exhibitions, an outdoor sculpture garden, and an arts school. It's southeast of Young Circle, melding urban open space with a fountain, a 2,000-plus-seat amphitheater, and an indoor theater. Nearby, on Harrison Street and Hollywood Boulevard, are cute lunch places, bluesy entertainment spots, and shops.

ARTS PARK AT YOUNG CIRCLE: 1 Young Circle, Hollywood Blvd. and U.S. 1, Hollywood, Fl

• Phone 954-921–3500

This 10-acre urban park has completely transformed the run-down traffic circle linking downtown Hollywood with its beaches into a beautiful, lively public space. There's no shortage of things to do here: a huge playground beckons for the little ones, a state-of-the-art amphitheater hosts regular concerts, and educational workshop spaces host regular events, like Friday glassblowing workshops and jewelry-making classes.

DEERFIELD ISLAND PARK: 1720 Deerfield Island Park, Deerfield Beach, Fl

• Neighborhood DEERFIELD BEACH
• Hours weekends 10am-4:30pm hourly departures
• Phone 954-357–5100-(phone inquiries taken at Quiet Waters Park)
• Prices free

Reached only by boat, this officially designated Urban Wilderness Area showcases coastal hammock island and contains a mangrove swamp that provides a critical habitat for manatees, gopher tortoises, gray foxes, raccoons, and armadillos. County-operated boat shuttles run from the dock at Sullivan Park 10–3 on weekends (on the hour only). Shuttles return to the mainland on the half-hour, with the last one departing the island at 4:30 pm. Amenities include two nature trails, one of which is a boardwalk, while the other leads to an observation platform.

DOWNTOWN HOLLYWOOD ART & DESIGN DISTRICT: Hollywood, FL

From 21st Avenue to Young Circle on Hollywood Boulevard and Harrison Street, the streets are peppered with boutiques, bistros, sidewalk cafés, and galleries featuring original artwork (eclectic paintings, sculpture, photography, and mixed media).

FLAMINGO GARDENS: 3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie, Fl

• Neighborhood WESTERN SUBURBS AND BEYOND
• Hours Daily 9:30–5
• Phone 954-473–2955
• Prices Admission $18 adults

Gators, crocodiles, river otters, and birds of prey lie in wait at Flamingo Gardens, with a walk-through aviary, plant house, and Everglades museum in the pioneer Wray Home. A half-hour guided tram ride winds through a citrus grove and wetlands area; and the gift shop helps you ship oranges, grapefruit and tangerines home.

FORT LAUDERDALE ANTIQUE CAR MUSEUM: 1527 S.W. 1st Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fl

• Hours Weekdays 10–4, Sat. 10–3
• Phone 954-779–7300
• Prices Admission $10 adults

Retired floral company owner Arthur O. Stone set up a foundation to preserve these eyepoppers. Nostalgia includes around two dozen Packard's (all in running condition) from 1900 to the 1940s, along with a gallery saluting Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This sparkling museum sports everything from grease caps, spark plugs, and gearshift knobs to Texaco Oil signage, plus a newer wing and an enlarged library.

FORT LAUDERDALE FIRE AND SAFETY MUSEUM: 1022 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fl

• Neighborhood DOWNTOWN AND LAS OLAS
• Hours Sat. 9–noon, Sun. noon–4
• Phone 954-763–1005
• Prices free

Following the harrowing fire of 1912, Fort Lauderdale residents pushed for more protection, finally opening what became known as Fire Station No. 3 (later No. 8) in 1927. This landmark, designed by architect Francis Abreu and retired from active duty in 2004, now functions as a historical, cultural, and educational facility with an expanding array of 1920's era equipment including a 1928 Ahrens-Fox piston pumper, as well as a 1942 parade engine. There's also a vintage police car. Rumor has it the fire station is haunted...

FORT LAUDERDALE HISTORY CENTER: 231 S.W. 2nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fl

• Hours Tues.–Sun. noon–4
• Phone 954-463–4431 Ext. 10
• Prices Admission $10 adults

Surveying city history from the Seminole era to more recent times, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society's museum has expanded into several adjacent buildings, including the historic King-Cromartie House (typical early 20th-century style Fort Lauderdale home), the 1905 New River Inn (Broward's oldest remaining hotel building), and the Hoch Heritage Center, a public research facility archiving original manuscripts, maps, and more than 250,000 photos. Daily docent-led tours run on the hour from 1–3 pm.

HARBOR BEACH: South Ocean Lane and southern tip of Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Fl

The posh neighborhood of Harbor Beach boasts Fort Lauderdale's most opulent homes along the Intracoastal Waterway. Due east of this community, and just south of Fort Lauderdale's South Beach Park, a stunning swath of beach has adopted the name of its neighborhood—Harbor Beach. This section offers some of the few private beaches in Fort Lauderdale, most of which belong to big hotel names like the Marriott Harbor Beach and the Lago Mar. (Only hotel guests can access these beaches.) Such status permits the hotels to offer full-service amenities and eating and drinking outlets on their bespoke slices of sugarloafed heaven. Amenities: water sports. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

IGFA FISHING HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM: 300 Gulf Stream Way, Hollywood, Fl

• Hours Mon.–Sat. 10–6, Sun. noon–6
• Phone 954-922–4212
• Prices Admission $10 adults

This creation of the International Game Fishing Association is a shrine to the sport. It has an extensive museum and research library where seven galleries feature fantasy fishing and other interactive displays. At the Catch Gallery, you can cast off virtually to reel in a marlin, sailfish, trout, tarpon, or bass. (If you suddenly get an urge to gear up for your own adventures, a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World is next door.)

LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA BEACH: Commercial Blvd. at Hwy. A1A, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fl

Especially popular with divers and snorkelers, this laid-back stretch of sand provides great access to lovely coral reefs. When you're not underwater, look up and you'll likely see a pelican flying by. Gentle trade winds make this an utterly relaxing retreat from the hubbub of Fort Lauderdale's busier beaches. That said, the southern part of the beach at Commercial Blvd. and A1A is often busy due to a concentrated number of restaurants at the intersection, including the wildly popular Aruba Beach Cafe. Going north from Commercial Blvd. the beach is lined with no-frills hotels and small inns for families and vacationers visiting Fort Lauderdale for longer periods of time, mainly Europeans. Look for metered parking around Commercial Blvd. and A1A. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee). Best for: solitude; snorkeling; swimming.

QUIET WATERS PARK: 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, Fl

• Neighborhood DEERFIELD BEACH
• Hours Nov.–Feb., daily 8–6; Mar.–Oct., daily 8–7:30
• Phone 954-357–5100
• Prices Park $1.50 weekends, free weekdays

Its name belies what's in store for kids here. Splash Adventure is a high-tech water-play system with slides and tunnels, among other activities. There's also cable water-skiing and boat rental on this county park's lake, and a skate park. Note that this space functions mostly as a public park for locals rather than as a tourist attraction and is located near a highway.

RIVERWALK: Fort Lauderdale, Fl

Lovely views prevail on this paved promenade on the New River's north bank. On the first Sunday of every month a free jazz festival attracts visitors. From west to east, the Riverwalk begins at the residential New River Sound, passes through the Arts and Science District, then the historic center of Fort Lauderdale, and wraps around the New River until it meets with Las Olas Boulevard's shopping district.

WEST LAKE PARK: 1200 Sheridan St., Hollywood, Fl

• Neighborhood HOLLYWOOD
• Hours Park daily 9–6:30; Nature Center daily 9–5
• Phone 954-357–5161
• Prices Weekends $1.50, weekdays free

Rent a canoe, kayak, or take the 40-minute boat tour at this park bordering the Intracoastal Waterway. At 1,500 acres, it is one of Florida's largest urban nature facilities. Extensive boardwalks traverse mangrove forests that shelter endangered and threatened species. A 65-foot observation tower showcases the entire park. At the free Anne Kolb Nature Center, named after Broward's late environmental advocate, there's a 3,500-gallon aquarium. The center's exhibit hall has 27 interactive displays.

Anne Kolb Nature Center: 751 Sheridan Street Hollywood, FL 33019

• Hours Park daily 9–6:30; Nature Center daily 9–5
• Phone 954-926-2480
• Prices Park, observation tower, and boardwalks free; nature center $1.50

The Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park's 1,500+ acres of coastal mangrove wetlands -- one of the largest urban parks in Florida -- is rich in native vegetation and wildlife, including many threatened and endangered species. Situated on about 20 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway, Anne Kolb Nature Center includes an exhibit hall with simulated mangroves, a 3,500-gallon aquarium, and a hands-on EcoRoom; an outdoor amphitheater; the Mangrove Hall rental facility; a 68-foot observation tower; an Intracoastal fishing pier; and nature, biking, and boating trails. Free admission weekdays.

Pier Fishing at Commercial Blvd, Atlantic Blvd, Hillsboro Blvd and Dania Beach. Each area has long piers into ocean, and fishing available.

Bahia Mar Marina. Just across from the beach. You can walk around the marina and look at luxury boats and yachts owned by the well-heeled. On one jetty there is a monument and plaque announcing slip F-18 as an American Literary Landmark - this is where author John D MacDonald's fictional hero, Travis McGee , moored his 52-foot houseboat The Busted Flush (21 Travis McGee novels were published).

BROWARD CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: 201 S.W. 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fl

• Phone 954-462–0222

More than 500 events unfold annually at this 2,700-seat architectural gem, including Broadway-style musicals, plays, dance, symphony, opera, rock, film, lectures, comedy, and children's theater. An expansion and a series of upgrades throughout 2013 and 2014 (to the tune of $40-million) made the Broward Center more fabulous than ever. The theaters were brought up to the highest technological standards and new dining and entertainment areas were added, including a superb bistro. An enclosed elevated walkway links the centerpiece of Fort Lauderdale's arts district to a parking garage across the street.

CINEMA PARADISO: 503 S.E. 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, Fl

• Phone 954-525–3456

This art-house movie theater operates out of a former church, south of New River near the county courthouse. The space doubles as headquarters for FLIFF, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, while still playing films year-round. FLIFF's web site is the easiest way to see what's playing on any given evening at the cinema. Just click on the "Cinema Events" tab on the homepage.

Free Museum Days in Broward

• Coral Springs Museum of Art: Free the first Wednesday of every month.
• Art and Culture Center of Hollywood: free many third Sundays of the month, noon to 4 p.m.
• Plantation Historical Museum, free entry, days and hours vary, 954-797-2722

Bank of America Museums on Us

On the first weekend of every month, anyone with a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card can get free admission to

• Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale, free the first full weekend of the month
• Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, free the first full weekend of the month
• IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in Dania Beach, free the first full weekend of the month

Active Pursuits

International Swimming Hall of Fame: 1 Hall of Fame Dr/SE 5th St

• Hours 9am-5pm
• Phone 954 462 6536
• Website www.ishof.org
• Prices adult $8

Basically, if you love swimming, you should already be at this museum, where the exhibits include 1,000's of photographs & Olympic mementos, from Johnny Weissmuller’s Olympic medals to Mark Spitz’s starting block.

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK: MM 102.5 OS, 102601 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, Florida, 33037

• Hours Daily 8–sunset
• Phone: 305-451–1202-for park; 305-451–6300-for excursions
• Website: www.pennekamppark.com, www.floridastateparks.org/pennekamp
• Prices: $4.50 for 1 person in vehicle, $8 for 2–8 people, $2 for pedestrians and cyclists or extra people (plus a 50¢ per-person county surcharge)

This state park is on everyone's list for easy access to the best diving and snorkeling in Florida. The underwater treasure encompasses 78 square miles of coral reefs and sea-grass beds. It lies adjacent to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which contains 40 of the 52 species of coral in the Atlantic Reef System and nearly 600 varieties of fish, from the colorful parrot fish to the demure cocoa damselfish. Whatever you do, get in the water. Snorkeling and diving trips ($30 and $55, respectively, equipment extra) and glass-bottom-boat rides to the reef ($24) are available, weather permitting. One of the most popular snorkel trips is to see Christ of the Deep, the 2-ton underwater statue of Jesus. The park also has nature trails, two man-made beaches, picnic shelters, a snack bar, and a campground. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

One of the best places to discover the diverse ecosystem of the Upper Keys is its most famous park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, located on U.S. 1 at MM 102.5, in Key Largo (tel. 305/451-6300; www.pennekamppark.com). Named for a former Miami Herald editor and conservationist, the 188-square-mile park is the nation's first undersea preserve: It's a sanctuary for part of the only living coral reef in the continental United States. The original plans for Everglades National Park included this part of the reef within its boundaries, but opposition from local homeowners made its inclusion politically impossible.

Because the water is extremely shallow, the 40 species of coral and more than 650 species of fish here are accessible to divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boat passengers. To experience this park, visitors must get in the water -- you can't see the reef from the shore. Your first stop should be the visitor center, which has a mammoth 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium that re-creates a reef ecosystem. At the adjacent dive shop, you can rent snorkeling and diving equipment and join one of the boat trips that depart for the reef throughout the day. Visitors can also rent motorboats, sailboats, sailboards, and canoes. The 2 1/2-hour glass-bottom boat tour is the best way to see the coral reefs if you don't want to get wet. Watch for the lobsters and other sea life residing in the fairly shallow ridge walls beneath the coastal waters. Remember: These are protected waters, so you can't remove anything from them.

Canoeing around the park's narrow mangrove channels and tidal creeks is also popular. You can go on your own in a rented canoe or, in winter, sign up for a tour led by a local naturalist. Hikers have two short trails from which to choose: a boardwalk through the mangroves, and a dirt trail through a tropical hardwood hammock. Ranger-led walks are usually scheduled daily from the end of November to April. Call tel. 305/451-1202 for schedule information and reservations.

Park admission is $8 per vehicle of two to eight passengers, $4 for single driver, $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists, plus a 50¢ Monroe County surcharge per person. On busy weekends, there's often a line of cars waiting to get into the park. On your way in, ask the ranger for a map. Glass-bottom boat tours cost $24 for adults and $17 for children 11 and under. Tours depart three times daily, at 9:15am, 12:15pm, and 3pm. Snorkeling tours are $23 for adults and $25 for children 17 and under; masks, fins, and snorkels cost $7 and the snorkel is yours to keep. Canoes rent for $12 per hour; kayaks are $12 per hour for a single, $17 per hour for a double. For experienced boaters only, four different sizes of reef boats (powerboats) rent for $160 to $210 for 4 hours, and $259 to $359 for a full day; call tel. 305/451-6325 for information. A minimum $400 deposit (or more, depending on boat size) is required. The park's boat-rental office is open daily from 8am to 5pm (last boat rented at 3pm); phone for tour and dive times. Reservations are recommended for all of the above. Also see below for more options on diving, fishing, and snorkeling off these reefs.

Air Tours over Fort Lauderdale and The Everglades

For a unique view of Fort Lauderdale, the Beach, The Everglades and surrounding cities take a scenic flight in an airplane and see it all. Fort Lauderdale Air Tours, Located on the South side of Pompano Beach Air Park, at 1401 NE 10 Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33060 (Between Atlantic Boulevard and Copan's Road, just West of US 1 / Federal Highway), ☎ +1 954 399-0049. See all Fort Lauderdale has to offer on a Scenic Air Tour.

Key West Sail and Snorkel Day Trip from Fort Lauderdale: Departs from Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport

• Hours Daily 6:20am
• Duration 15 hours
• Prices starting at $165

Whether you’re an experienced snorkeler or you want to try something new and exciting, you’ll find Key West to be the perfect destination for fun in the ocean. On a day trip from Fort Lauderdale, you’ll enjoy Key West’s clear waters and tropical marine life on a 3-hour sailing and snorkeling trip aboard a 50-foot (15-meter) catamaran.

After departing Fort Lauderdale there will be a brief stop in Miami to pick up additional passengers. As you make the trip from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, you'll cross 42 bridges and hop 32 islands in the stunning Florida Keys before reaching Key West, the southernmost city in the continental United States. Key West’s Caribbean atmosphere, street artists, outdoor cafés, lively restaurants and bars make it a fantastic vacation destination. Before the snorkeling cruise, you will have time to explore Key West on your own. Walk in Ernest Hemingway’s footsteps at the Hemingway House, and head to the waterfront to visit historic Mallory Square, a place where many gather every evening for the fun-filled sunset celebration. After sightseeing, your snorkeling cruise will begin. You’ll board the Aquaworld, a 50-foot (15-meter) catamaran, for the scenic cruise to the coral reef. Before entering the water to snorkel, your friendly and professional crew will be on hand to assist and instruct you. Descend the stairway into the water, and spend up to an hour discovering the wonders of the sea. You’ll see an abundance of coral and marine life as you swim along.

What's included: Day trip to Key West, Round-trip transportation, All taxes, fees and handling charges, 2-hours on the catamaran cruise and 1-hour of snorkeling time, and Snorkeling equipment

Day Trip to Key West: Departs from Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport

• Hours Daily 6:20am
• Duration 15 hours
• Prices starting at $99

Take a day trip from Fort Lauderdale to Key West to enjoy a fun Caribbean atmosphere, street artists, outdoor cafés and more. Key West’s leafy and lively streets have plenty to offer, but if you’d like more activity, there are upgrades available! Get out on the water on a glass-bottom boat ride, snorkeling cruise or parasailing adventure, or see the attractions on dry land on the Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour or the Conch Train.

Your day trip to Key West begins as you depart Fort Lauderdale and take the scenic drive south through the tip of Florida. There will be a brief stop in Miami to pick up additional passengers. You'll cross 42 bridges, including the Florida Keys’ famous Seven Mile Bridge, whose film credits include True Lies, 2 Fast 2 Furious, License to Kill, CrissCross and Up Close & Personal. During your visit, check out the Hemingway House and historic Mallory Square on the waterfront. Lunch is not included, but there are plenty of lively and laid-back restaurants lining Key West’s shady streets. Approximate free time in Key West is from 12pm to 6pm. Upgrade and combine your Key West visit with a glass bottom boat ride, a hop-on hop-off tour, a Conch Train ride, a snorkeling cruise or parasailing to your Key West trip. Glass-Bottom Boat: As you cruise through the clear turquoise water, gaze down through the boat’s glass bottom to discover part of the Florida Reef, the 3rd-largest coral barrier reef in the world. The reef is home to a variety of coral and tropical fish. Conch Train: Perfect for first time visitors, the fully narrated Conch Train Tour of Key West is a fun way to explore and learn about the island. Climb aboard and see the sights as the quaint open-air train winds through Old Town Key West. Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour: For an easy, pleasant way to get around town, add the fully narrated Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour to your day trip! The trolley makes stops at all of Key West’s must-see places. You can jump off wherever you want, visit the sights and re-board when you’re ready. Snorkeling Cruise: Take a three-hour snorkeling cruise in a 65-foot (19 meters) catamaran to the coral reef off the coast of Key West. You’ll discover a whole new world of underwater plant and marine life. Because of the warm tropical water, you can snorkel this reef year-round. Snorkel gear and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) on the catamaran are included. Parasailing: Float above the blue waters of Key West as you’re pulled behind a state-of-the-art parasailing boat. You’ll get bird’s-eye views of beautiful panoramic sights as you glide past the island.

Private Night Tour: Florida Everglades Airboat Ride: Departs from recreational park in Ft. Lauderdale

• Hours Daily between 6pm and 10pm
• Duration 1 hour
• Prices starting $45

For a fun and unique experience take a private night tour of the Florida Everglades by airboat. On your private tour you'll learn about the Everglades, Florida’s most remarkable natural treasure, as you blast over the swamp in a custom-made airboat – at night! In this 60-minute nighttime airboat adventure, visit exclusive locations in the Florida Everglades and discover the secrets of the untamed wilderness. This nighttime tour includes complimentary entrance to the exhibit area during daytime hours. Displayed pricing is based on 6 people in your party.

In this private Florida Everglades Airboat tour, your experienced captain will guide your craft across the river of sawgrass and cattails at speeds up to 40 mph (64 km), all under the cover of dark. As you glide across the swamp, you’ll hear the calls and rustling of the Everglades’ nocturnal creatures. Your guide will tell you stories about the Seminole Indians who lived in this wilderness, as well as the panthers, birds, snakes, frogs, fish and bugs that call this national wildlife preserve home. In addition to this fascinating airboat adventure, you’ll also gain entrance to exhibit areas during normal daytime hours. You’ll see many species both native and exotic to Florida, learn about a 1,000-pound alligator and interact with animals in the swamp yard exhibit. For the most in-depth and personal experience, take a small group private tour of the Florida Everglades’ and its unique subtropical ecosystem and animals.

What's included: Private 60-minute nighttime airboat ride and exhibit entrance (during daytime business hours).

Sea Experience: 801 Seabreeze Blvd

• Hours Daily 10:15am & 2:15pm
• Phone +1 954 770 3483
• website www.seaxp.com
• Prices snorkeling adult/child $35/21

Takes guests in a 40ft glass-bottom boat along the Intracoastal and into the ocean to snorkel on a natural reef, thriving with marine life, in 10ft to 20ft of water. Also offers scuba trips to multiple wreck sites and the Tenneco Towers from $55.

Carrie B: 440 N New River Dr E

• Hours Daily tours 11am, 1pm & 3pm
• Phone +1 954 642 1601
• website www.carriebcruises.com
• Prices tours adult/child $23/13

Hop aboard this replica 19th-century riverboat for a narrated 90-minute 'lifestyles of the rich and famous' tour of the ginormous mansions along the Intracoastal and New River. Tours leave from Las Olas at SE 5th Ave.

Gondola Man: SE 1st Ave

• Phone +1 201 919 1999
• website www.gondolaman.com
• Prices tour $150

Explore the 'Venice of America' with a romantic ride in an original Venetian gondola, accompanied by Italian music. The tour lasts roughly 75 minutes and takes you past the homes of the rich and famous.

Fort Lauderdale Parasail: 1005 Seabreeze Blvd

• Phone +1 954 462 7266
• Website www.ftlauderdaleparasail.com
• Prices flights $70-95

If you're curious how the mansions along Millionaires' Row look from above, sign up for a parasailing trip. You'll soar between 600ft and 1000ft above the waves while strapped securely to an enormous smiley-face parachute.

Fort Lauderdale Family Pirate Cruise: Central location in Fort Lauderdale

• Hours Daily tours 11am, 1pm or 3pm
• Duration 90 minutes
• Prices from $13

Prepare for high seas adventure on this high-spirited pirate cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway that’s fun for the whole family! The crew welcomes you with pirate ‘tattoos’ (face painting) and lessons in pirate slang. Use water cannons to keep villain ‘Barnacle Bill’ at bay as your search for sunken treasure. As you cruise along Florida’s Atlantic coast, admire the expensive homes and yachts in this pirate’s paradise. All kids will receive an official pirate certificate and a bag of pirate’s booty at the conclusion of the cruise.

Board the pirate ship Bluefoot at the Bahia Mar Yachting Harbor, near Fort Lauderdale Beach. Outfitted with safety equipment and black skull flags, your ship is ready for adventure! First, your family will learn some essential pirate phrases from the friendly, outgoing crew and get into character with face painting. Your voyage begins with the discovery of a message in a bottle that will lead to a search for a lost key to unlock a treasure chest. As you cruise along Fort Lauderdale's Intracoastal Waterway, relax and admire the extravagant homes and fancy yachts along the shore as the crew keeps your kids excited about the treasure hunt. Cold refreshments are available for purchase on board. Use water cannons to fight off the villain 'Barnacle Bill' before successfully completing your quest. At the end of your 1-hour cruise, triumphantly return to Bahia Mar Yachting Harbor, where all children will get an official pirate certificate and a bag of booty to take home. Arrrr!

Hollywood Beach Segway Tour: Central location within Hollywood FL

• Hours Daily tours 10am to sunset
• Duration 1 hour or 2 hours
• Prices from $60

Have a blast exploring the Fort Lauderdale area on this fun and entertaining Segway tour! Cruise down the wide, paved Hollywood Beach Boardwalk and pass the historic Garfield Street paddleboard courts on a 1-hour or 2-hour morning or afternoon Segway tour. On the 2-hour tour, you'll also ride on the Intracoastal Waterway dock and Dania Beach Pier. As you travel, listen by headset to your humorous local guide talk about the history of the Fort Lauderdale area and the Segway and do random celebrity impersonations. Complimentary ice cream completes this cool Florida coast experience.

Your tour departs from Hollywood Beach, just 15 minutes away from Fort Lauderdale. After meeting your expert guide at Hollywood Beach Resort for your morning or afternoon tour, don your safety equipment, hop aboard your Segway, and take a brief orientation session on the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk. Segways are easy to ride for all ages and allow you to cover lots more ground with less effort than you could by walking. Once you're comfortable on your Segway, it's time to roll down the boardwalk in style !As you travel down the wide, 2.5-mile Hollywood Beach Boardwalk along the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean, listen on your personal headset to your guide share the history of the area and the Segway, interspersed with humorous impressions of movie and television characters. On the 1-hour tour, ride a total of 4 miles past top boutiques and restaurants and the historic Garfield Street paddleboard courts, which have kept locals entertained since 1930. Explore more of the Fort Lauderdale area on the 2-hour, 8-mile tour, which takes you to the same attractions as the shorter tour plus the Intracoastal Waterway and the Dania Beach Pier, allowing you more time to glide alongside the clear turquoise ocean waters. Whichever tour you take, pause for photo ops along the way. Your guide will help capture action shots of you on your Segway and may even teach you a few tricks! The complimentary ice cream is the perfect way to cap off your south Florida Segway adventure, which concludes at its starting point in Hollywood Beach. Please note: there is a maximum of eight (8) passengers per tour guide.

Cycle Party Pub Crawl: Ft. Lauderdale Riverwalk

• Duration 2 hours
• Price $39

See some of Fort Lauderdale’s best sights on a guided quadracycle pub crawl. The cycle is a moving bar with seats — your pedaling provides the power that moves it through the streets. Let the guide show you all the cool spots for a drink and a bite to eat while steering you through crowds. Talk with friends or chat up locals as you ride and drink through Fort Lauderdale’s entertainment districts in style.

Your cycling pub crawl begins at the beautiful Riverwalk in Himmarshee Village & will take you to 2 or 3 of Fort Lauderdale’s best bars & restaurants. Gather your friends & hop aboard this roving bar, the cycle doesn’t serve drinks, but you can bring drinks with you from bars you stop at along the route (own expense). Cruise the downtown scene on a lively night as the center of attention, at a leisurely 5 miles per hour.

Don’t get lost in the crowd. On this mobile platform, you’ll stay face to face with your friends as you pedal to your next destination. Or don’t pedal, as the driver is able to do all the work, including steering and stopping, leaving you and your friends free to kick back and enjoy the warm coastal weather.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale has no shortage of bars to choose from, and your driver can dish the inside scoop on the best ones. Snack on savory bar bites at the Royal Pig Pub, sample craft beers at the American Social Bar or sip refined specialty cocktails at Tarpon Bend. After your tour has come to an end on the Riverwalk, continue exploring the vibrant bar scene on your own.

Boating

Often called the "yachting capital of the world," Fort Lauderdale provides ample opportunity for visitors to get out on the water, either along the Intracoastal Waterway or on the open ocean. If your hotel doesn't rent boats, try Aloha Watersports, Marriott's Harbor Beach Resort, 3030 Holiday Dr., Fort Lauderdale (tel.954/462-7245; www.alohawatersports.com). It can outfit you with a variety of craft, including jet skis, WaveRunners, and catamarans. Rates start at $65 per half-hour for WaveRunners ($15 each additional rider; doubles and triples available), $70 to $125 for sailboats, $60 to $70 for catamarans, $20 per person per hour for ocean kayaks, $25 an hour for paddleboards or $100 for an hour lesson, and $75 per person for a 15-minute parasailing ride. Aloha also offers a Surfing School ($50 -- though the waves are hardly rippin' here!) and a Coast Guard class (9am daily), through which adults can obtain their Florida Boaters License for $3. And for the treasure hunters, you can rent a metal detector for $20 per hour.

Fishing

The IGFA (International Game Fish Association) World Fishing Center, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach (tel. 954/922-4212; www.igfa.org), is an angler's paradise. One of the highlights of this museum, library, and park is the virtual-reality fishing simulator that allows visitors to actually reel in their own computer-generated catch. Also included in the 3-acre park are displays of antique fishing gear, record catches, famous anglers, various vessels, and a wetlands lab. To get a list of local captains and guides, call IGFA headquarters (tel. 954/927-2628) and ask for the librarian. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 3 to 16. The museum and library are open daily from 10am to 6pm. On the grounds is also Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, a huge retail complex set on a 3-acre lake.

• Flamingo Fishing. A drift fishing boat that makes 3 trips daily from the Bahia Mar Marina. The boat supplies all the equipment and supplies needed for deep sea fishing.
• Miss Bonita 2 Sport Fishing. The Miss Bonita II is a sport fishing charter that takes 3 trips daily from the Bahia Mar Marina. Our Trips includes all the equipment and supplies needed for deep sea fishing. Call for special rates and all inclusive trips.

Golf

More than 50 golf courses in all price ranges compete for players. Among the best is Emerald Hills, 4100 N. Hills Dr., Hollywood (tel. 954/961-4000; www.theclubatemeraldhills.com), just west of I-95 between Sterling Road and Sheridan Street. This beauty consistently lands on the "best of" lists of golf writers nationwide. The 18th hole, on a two-tier green, is the course's signature; it's surrounded by water and is more than a bit rough. The course is pricey -- Friday through Sunday, greens fees start at $150 for tee times after 1pm, and $175 for tee times before noon during high season; Monday through Friday, the fees are $125 before noon and $110 after 1pm. Rates are cheaper during the brutally hot summers.

Another great course is the Howard Watson-designed 18-hole Pembroke Lakes course at the Pembroke Lakes Golf Club, 10500 Taft St., Pembroke Pines (tel. 954/431-4144; www.pcmgolf.com), run by the same management company that runs the Miami Beach Golf Club and the recipient of a $7-million renovation that saw the addition of Paspalum Supreme Grass. Best of all, greens fees are almost rock bottom, ranging from $25 to $55 depending on time and season.

The Diplomat Golf Resort and Spa, 501 Diplomat Pkwy., Hallandale Beach (tel. 954/602-6000; www.diplomatgolfresortandspa.com), is across the Intracoastal from the Westin Diplomat Resort. It has fabulous golf facilities, with 8 acres of lakes and rolling fairways, plus a fantastic delivery service that brings lunch and drinks to your cart. You pay for the services, however, with greens fees of $139 to $179 during high season and $89 to $99 off-season. Twilight fees at 2pm cost from $39 to $89.

For one of Broward's best municipal challenges, try the 18-holer at the Orangebrook Golf Course, 400 Entrada Dr., Hollywood (tel. 954/967-GOLF [4653]; www.orangebrook.com). Built in 1937, this is one of the state's oldest courses and one of the area's best bargains. Morning and noon rates are $17 to $23. After 3pm, you can play for about $13, including a cart. Men must wear collared shirts to play here, and no spikes are allowed.

Scuba Diving

In Broward County, the best dive wreck is the Mercedes I, a 197-foot freighter that washed up in the backyard of a Palm Beach socialite in 1984 and was sunk for divers the following year off Pompano Beach. The artificial reef, filled with colorful sponges, spiny lobsters, and barracudas, is 97 feet below the surface, a mile offshore between Oakland Park and Sunrise boulevards. Dozens of reputable dive shops line the beach. Ask at your hotel for a nearby recommendation, or contact Neil Watson's Undersea Adventures, 1525 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale (tel. 954/462-3400; www.nealwatson.com).

Dixie Divers

• Website: www.dixiedivers.com
• Address: 455 S Federal Hwy, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
• Hours: 8 AM - 7:30PM
• Phone: (954) 420-0009

Tennis

There are hundreds of courts in Broward County, and plenty are accessible to the public. Many are at resorts and hotels. If yours has none, try the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center, 701 NE 12th Ave. (off Sunrise Blvd.), Fort Lauderdale (tel. 954/828-5378), famous as the spot where Chris Evert trained. There are 18 lighted clay courts and three hard courts here. Nonresidents of Fort Lauderdale pay $6 per hour before 4pm and $7 after. Reservations are accepted after 2pm for the following day, but cost an extra $3.

Beaches

The southern part of the Gold Coast, Broward County, has the region's most popular and amenities-laden beaches, which stretch for more than 23 miles. Most do not charge for access and all are well maintained. Here's a selection of some of the county's best, from south to north:

Hollywood Beach, stretching from Sheridan Street to Georgia Street, is a major attraction in the city of Hollywood, a virtual carnival of young hipsters, big families, and sunburned French Canadians who dodge bicyclers and skaters along the rows of tacky souvenir shops, T-shirt shops, game rooms, snack bars, beer stands, hotels, and miniature-golf courses. Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, modeled after Atlantic City's legendary boardwalk, is the town's popular beachfront pedestrian thoroughfare, a cement promenade that's 30 feet wide and stretches along the shoreline for 3 miles. A recent makeover added, among other things, a concrete bike path, a crushed-shell jogging path, new trash receptacles, and the relocation of beach showers to each street end (all of them are accessible for people with disabilities). Popular with runners, skaters, and cruisers, the Broadwalk is also renowned as a hangout for thousands of retirement-age snowbirds who get together for frequent dances and shows at a faded outdoor amphitheater. Despite efforts to clear out a seedy element, the area remains a haven for drunks and scammers, so keep alert.

If you tire of the hectic diversity that defines Hollywood's Broadwalk, enjoy the natural beauty of the beach itself, which is wide and clean. There are lifeguards, showers, restroom facilities, and public areas for picnics and parties.

The Fort Lauderdale Beach Promenade, along the beach, underwent a $26-million renovation and looks fantastic. It's especially peaceful in the mornings, when there's just a smattering of joggers and walkers; but even at its most crowded on weekends, the expansive promenade provides room for everyone. Note, however, that the beach is hardly pristine; it is across the street from an uninterrupted stretch of hotels, bars, and retail outlets. Also nearby is a retail-and-dining mega complex, Beach Place, in the throes of its own renovation that will add newer, hipper stores, bars, and restaurants, on Florida A1A, midway between Las Olas and Sunrise boulevards.

On the sand just across the road, most days you'll find hard-core volleyball players who always welcome anyone with a good spike, and you'll find an inviting ocean for swimmers of any level. The unusually clear waters are under the careful watch of some of Florida's best-looking lifeguards. Freshen up afterward in the clean showers and restrooms conveniently located along the strip. Pets have been banned from most of the beach in order to maintain the impressive cleanliness; a designated area for pets exists away from the main sunbathing areas.

Especially on weekends, parking at the oceanside meters is nearly impossible. Try biking, skating, or hitching a ride on the water taxi instead. The strip is located on Florida A1A, between SE 17th Street and Sunrise Boulevard.

Dania Beach's John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, 6503 N. Ocean Dr., Dania (tel. 954/923-2833), consists of 251 acres of barrier island, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, from Port Everglades on the north to Dania on the south. Its natural setting contrasts sharply with the urban development of Fort Lauderdale. Lloyd Beach, one of Broward County's most important nesting beaches for sea turtles, produces some 10,000 hatchlings a year. The park's broad, flat beach is popular for both swimming and sunning. Self-guided nature trails are great for those too restless to sunbathe. Admission to the park is $6 per vehicle of two to eight people, $4 for single occupant, and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The posh neighborhood of Harbor Beach boasts Fort Lauderdale's most opulent homes along the Intracoastal Waterway. Due east of this community, and just south of Fort Lauderdale's South Beach Park, a stunning swath of beach has adopted the name of its neighborhood—Harbor Beach. This section offers some of the few private beaches in Fort Lauderdale, most of which belong to big hotel names like the Marriott Harbor Beach and the Lago Mar. (Only hotel guests can access these beaches.) Such status permits the hotels to offer full-service amenities and eating and drinking outlets on their bespoke slices of sugarloafed heaven. Amenities: water sports. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA BEACH: Especially popular with divers and snorkelers, this laid-back stretch of sand provides great access to lovely coral reefs. When you're not underwater, look up and you'll likely see a pelican flying by. Gentle trade winds make this an utterly relaxing retreat from the hubbub of Fort Lauderdale's busier beaches. That said, the southern part of the beach at Commercial Blvd. and A1A is often busy due to a concentrated number of restaurants at the intersection, including the wildly popular Aruba Beach Cafe. Going north from Commercial Blvd. the beach is lined with no-frills hotels and small inns for families and vacationers visiting Fort Lauderdale for longer periods of time, mainly Europeans. Look for metered parking around Commercial Blvd. and A1A. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee). Best for: solitude; snorkeling; swimming.

The dog-friendly Canine Beach (cnr Sunrise Blvd & N Atlantic Blvd) is the 100-yard swath running from E Sunrise Blvd to lifeguard station 5. Weekend permits $7. Opening hours 3-7pm winter, 5-9pm summer

Wildlife Watching

Turtle Trail -- In May, June, and July, the John U. Lloyd Beach is crawling with nature lovers who come for the spectacular Sea Turtle Awareness Program. Park rangers begin the evening with a lecture and slide show while scouts search the beach for nesting loggerhead sea turtles. If a turtle is located -- plenty of them usually are -- a beach walk allows participants to see the turtles nest and, sometimes, their eggs hatch. The program begins at 9pm on Wednesday and Friday from mid-May to mid-July. Call tel. 954/923-2833 for reservations. Walks last between 1 and 3 hours. Comfortable walking shoes and insect repellent are necessary. The park entrance fee of $4 to $6 per carload applies.

Spectator 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.
• The Miami Dolphins play at Dolphins Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
• NBA's Miami Heat play at AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami.
• 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.
• NASL's Fort Lauderdale Strikers play at Lockhart Stadium in North Fort Lauderdale.

Baseball fans can get their fix at the Fort Lauderdale Stadium, 5301 NW 12th Ave. (tel. 954/828 4980; www.theorioles.com). where the Baltimore Orioles play spring-training exhibition games starting in early March; call tel. 954/776-1921 for tickets. General admission is $10, a spot in the grandstand $14, and box seats $20; admission for kids 14 and under is $4. During the season, the Florida Marlins play at Marlin's Park, 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL 33125. Tickets go on sale in January for $4 to $100; call Ticketmaster (tel. 305/358-5885; www.ticketmaster.com) to purchase them.

Pompano Park Racing, 1800 SW Third St., Pompano Beach (tel. 954/972-2000), has pari-mutuel harness racing from October to early August. Admission is free to both grandstand and clubhouse.

Wrapped around an artificial lake, Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino, at U.S. 1 and Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Hallandale (tel. 954/454-7000; www.gulfstreampark.com), is pretty and popular, especially after its multimillion-dollar renovation, with a spanking-new casino and restaurants. Large purses and important horse races are commonplace at this recently refurbished suburban course, and the track is often crowded. The most recent renovation has transformed it into a world-class, state-of-the-art facility with shops, bars, higher-end restaurants, 20 luxury suites, private accommodations for top players, and more. It hosts the Florida Derby each March. Call for schedules. Admission and parking are free. From January 3 to April 25, post times are 1:15pm Wednesday through Sunday, and the doors open at 11:30am.

Jai alai, a sort of Spanish-style indoor lacrosse, was introduced to Florida in 1924 and still draws big crowds that bet on the fast-paced action. Broward's only fronton, Dania Jai Alai, 301 E. Dania Beach Blvd., at Florida A1A and U.S. 1 (tel. 954/920-1511), is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening.

In the sport of ice hockey, the young Florida Panthers (tel. 954/835-7000) play in Sunrise at the BankAtlantic Center, 2555 NW 137th Way (tel. 954/835-8000). Tickets range from $15 to $100. Call for directions and ticket information.

Shopping

Malls surround Fort Lauderdale, but the best shopping is within the city. Bargain hunters scavenge the off-brand shoes, bags and jewelry in the "fashion" stores on Hallandale Beach Boulevard. Hollywood Boulevard offers everything from Indonesian artifacts to used and rare books, leather bustiers and handmade hats. Dozens of shops line the pedestrian-friendly strip just west of Young Circle. The art galleries are clustered along Harrison Street, just east of Dixie Highway. Called the antiques capital of the South, Dania boasts more than 100 dealers selling collectibles and fine antiques within one square mile. For upscale boutiques, browse the only beachfront mall, The Gallery at Beach Place.

It's all about malls in Broward County and, while most of the best shopping is within Fort Lauderdale proper, other areas are also worth browsing.

Dania is known as the antiques capital of the South because within 1 square mile of Federal Highway, the city has more than 100 dealers selling everything from small collectibles to fine antiques. Parking is best along Federal Highway, on the "row," where Federal Highway meets U.S. 1. For information on "Antique Row," call tel. 954/924-3627. Also in Dania is the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA), at the intersection of I-95 and Griffin Road (tel. 954/920-7997; www.dcota.com), a 775,000-square-foot interior-design center with furniture showrooms (featuring everything from ultramod to classic), designer studios, and, from time to time, fabulous sample sales. You'll never know who you may see here: just before he got hitched Matt Damon and his then-fiancée (now wife) were there furnishing their zillion-dollar Miami Beach manse.

The area's only beachfront mall, the Gallery at Beach Place, is in Fort Lauderdale on Florida A1A just north of Las Olas Boulevard. This 100,000-square-foot giant sports the usual chains, such as Sunglass Hut, as well as chain bars and restaurants such as Hooter's. While views of the ocean are fantastic, the shopping isn't so great, with only about 12 stores, one of them being a CVS Pharmacy.

Other more traditional malls include the upscale Galleria, at Sunrise Boulevard near the Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Broward Mall, west of I-95 on Broward Boulevard, in Plantation. Galleria, Fort Lauderdale's most upscale mall is just west of the Intracoastal Waterway. The split-level emporium entices with Neiman Marcus, Dillard's, Macy's, an Apple Store plus 150 specialty shops for anything from cookware to exquisite jewelry. Chow down at Capital Grille, Truluck's, P.F. Chang's, or Seasons 52, or head for the food court, which will defy expectations with its international food-market feel. The mall itself is open Monday through Saturday 10–9, Sunday noon–6. The stand-alone restaurants and bars, like Capital Grille and Blue Martini Fort Lauderdale, are open later.

If you're looking for unusual boutiques, especially art galleries, head to quaint Las Olas Boulevard, located west of A1A and a block east of Federal Highway/U.S. 1, off SE Eighth Street, where there are hundreds of shops with alluring window decorations (like kitchen utensils posing as modern-art sculptures) and intriguing merchandise such as mural-size oil paintings. Las Olas Boulevard is the heart and soul of Fort Lauderdale. Not only are fifty of the city's best boutiques, thirty top restaurants, and a dozen art galleries found along this beautifully landscaped street, but Las Olas links Fort Lauderdale's growing downtown with its superlative beaches. Though you'll find a Cheesecake Factory on the boulevard, the thoroughfare tends to shun chains and welcomes one-of-a-kind clothing boutiques, chocolatiers, and ethnic eateries. Window shopping allowed. On the edge of the Arts and Science District is Las Olas Riverfront, a retail complex on the water with a few restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and boutiques. While it's not worth a trip on its own, if you're in the area, you may want to take a quick stroll there.

For bargains, there's no better place than America's sixth-largest mall, Sawgrass Mills, 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd. (tel. 954/846-0179), featuring over 350 name-brand outlets such as Off Fifth and Nordstrom Rack. This alligator-shaped megamall draws 26 million shoppers a year. The mall claims to be the second-largest attraction in Florida—second only to Disney World. Though that claim is probably an exaggeration, you should prepare for insane crowds even during non-peak hours and seasons. Nearby is Florida's first ever Ikea, 151 NW 136th Ave. (tel. 954/838-9292; www.ikea.com), purveyor of all things sleek and Swedish -- everything from furniture to meatballs.

For those who grew up in Fort Lauderdale, the Swap Shop's, 3291 W. Sunrise Blvd. (tel. 954/791–7927), cheesy commercials of yesteryear will forever remain. "Where's the bargains?" "At the Swap Shop!" The South's largest flea market, with 2,000 vendors, is open daily. Perhaps the most fun shopping in town, the state's biggest flea market has acres of stalls selling everything from underwear to antique cookie jars to pink lawn flamingos, and a carnival atmosphere of mariachi music, hot-dog trucks and a 14-screen drive-in movie theater. The flea market is slightly northwest of downtown. While exploring this indoor–outdoor entertainment-and-shopping complex, hop on the carousel, try some fresh sugarcane juice, or stick around for movies at the drive-in.

SUGAR CHEST ANTIQUE MALL, 960 N. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach (tel. 954/942–8601), Bargain hunters and antique junkies browse the 200 vendors' collectibles and antiques.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Fort Lauderdale is slowly shedding its image as a raucous college party town of beer guzzlers and starting to attract a savvier clientele in search of something less lowbrow. While South Beach is hip and hopping, Fort Lauderdale has vastly improved the quality of its nightlife by welcoming earthy and sophisticated bars and clubs, especially downtown on Las Olas Boulevard. If you're looking for a quiet night out, you'll find a few low-key bars and lounges in Hollywood.

Nightlife

Fort Lauderdale no longer mimics the raucous antics of Animal House as far as nightlife is concerned. It has become hip to the fact that an active nightlife is vital to the city's desire to distract sophisticated, savvy visitors from the magnetic lure of South Beach. While Lauderdale is no South Beach, it has vastly improved the quality of its nightlife by welcoming places that wouldn't dare host wet-T-shirt or beer-chugging contests. It also lacks the South Beach attitude, which is part of the attraction.

Hollywood's nightlife seems to be in the throes of an identity crisis, touting itself as the next South Beach, while at the same time hyping its image as an attitude-free nocturnal playground. Here's the real deal: At press time, Hollywood nightlife was barely awake, with the exception of a few bars and one struggling dance club. If you're looking for a quiet night out, it's probably your best bet. But don't come too late -- after midnight, the city is absolutely deserted.

For information on clubs and events, pick up a free copy of Fort Lauderdale's weekly newspaper City Link, or the Fort Lauderdale edition of the New Times.

My Big Fat Greek Restaurant: 3445 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

• Hours Mon–Fri 10:00am–10:00pm; Sat noon–10pm; Sun and Holidays noon–9pm
• Phone 954/961-5030
• Prices main courses average $12–$18
• Cuisine Type Greek
• Website http://www.mbfgr.com/

Waterfront dining with huge portions and authentic Greek food. Friendly staff, great ambiance, and night time entertainment. Weekends feature belly dancing, bouzouki players, and Greek stepping waiters, so be prepared to yell Opa! at least once. "When walking into My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, authenticity is evident throughout. We have brought the atmosphere of Greece right to South Florida. We have captured some of the most stunning elements including visualizations of Greece's ancient and present-day natural beauties and customs. Since ancient times, Greeks have considered eating and drinking sacred. We do the same by offering only the best of the best of both. Everything we do is a tribute to Greece. We only use the finest of ingredients in all our dishes including fresh herbs and pure 100% extra virgin olive oil. We also have a full bar. Come and taste the Greek Cuisine oasis right here in South Florida. "

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, Fl

• Hours 24/7
• Phone 866-502–7529
• Price free

The glitzy, Vegas-style Seminole Hard Rock Casino is the superlative gaming and entertainment complex in Florida. Though located in a somewhat downtrodden area of inland Hollywood, once inside the Hard Rock enclave, you'll be mesmerized by the excitement radiating from the 145,000-square-foot casino, the 5,500-seat arena (Hard Rock Live), a dozen restaurants, and near dozen bars and nightclubs. The casino has blackjack, baccarat, three-card poker, more than 2,500 gaming machines, and just under 100 tables. It's open 24/7 and is connected to a hotel tower and entertainment complex, including great nightlife options such as an Improv Comedy Club, an outpost of the famous European club Pangaea, a classic piano bar, and two other multilevel nightclubs. While weekends are guaranteed party-hard mayhem, not all clubs are open on weekdays so check Hard Rock's detailed, user-friendly website for schedules. The Seminole Hard Rock is not to be confused with its neighbor, the smoky and seedy Seminole Casino of Hollywood.

ELBO ROOM: 241 S. Fort Lauderdale Blvd.

• Phone: 954-463–4615

The "Elbo Room" bar, located at Las Olas Blvd and A1A was featured in the 1960's film Where the Boys Are'. The movie led to the city's former reputation as a spring break mecca. The bar anchors the Southern end of the 'Strip', a strip of eating and drinking establishments that run along the land side of the beach road. You can't go wrong wallowing in the past, lifting a drink, and exercising your elbow at the Elbo, a noisy, suds-drenched hot spot since 1938. It seems like nothing has changed here since Fort Lauderdale's spring break heyday, and the clientele still includes far too many scantily clad girls that will do anything for booze. At least the bathrooms were redone in 2011. The watering hole phased out food (except for light nibbles) ages ago, but kept a hokey sense of humor: upstairs a sign proclaims "We don't serve women here. You have to bring your own."

Riverfront is a collection of stores and bars on the west side of the downtown district. Las Olas Riverfront is full with stores, restaurants, a movie theater and entertainment. During the winter season, 2nd St is periodically closed off for a giant street party.

Beach Place is on A1A across from the beach. It has many bars and restaurants, and is very popular on the weekends.

ARUBA BEACH CAFÉ: 4331 1 Commercial Blvd (At El Mar Dr), Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

• Hours Mon-Tue: 11am-1amWed-Sat: 11am-2amSun: 9am-1am
• Phone 954-776–0001

This casual beachfront eatery is always crowded and always fun. Open for lunch and dinner. A fun place for all ages with free live music from techno, pop to the Beatles every day at 10:00PM.

Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise: Bahia Mar Yachting Centre, 801 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale

• Hours 6pm
• Phone (954) 462-5596
• Prices Adults $23.27-$48.95

The double-decker Jungle Queen Riverboat, named one of Fort Lauderdale's top attractions by USA Today, cruises up and down New River, the "Venice of America," while captains share facts both informative and humorous. Passengers can catch glimpses of Millionaire's Row and the homes of the wealthy and their mega yachts before stopping at the tropical isle.

Just a strong coconut's throw from the mainland, this exotic destination brings a bit of the tropics to Fort Lauderdale, surrounding its visitors with rare plants and brightly feathered macaws. The isle even houses an alligator exhibition to the delight of the crowd. There are also food and retail concessions available. In addition to trips into Fort Lauderdale's waterways, the vessel also takes passengers on dinner cruises. After voyaging down New River, passengers disembark to enjoy hearty barbecue meals and stick-to-your-ribs variety shows on the isle.

Dinner & Show Cruise - Includes an All You Can Eat barbeque rib, chicken, and shrimp dinner on our tropical isle, and a laugh out loud variety show. Departs 6:00 pm, Wednesday-Sunday, year-round. Dinner and Show, Adult $48.95

ROSIE'S BAR AND GRILL: 2449 Wilton Dr.

• Phone: 954-563–0123

Rosie's is consistently lively, pumping out tons of pop tunes and volumes of joyous laughter to surrounding streets. The former Hamburger Mary's has become an institution in South Florida as the go-to gay-friendly place for cheap drinks, decent bar food, and great times. Most of the fun at Rosie's is meeting new friends and engaging in conversation with the person seated next to you. Drink specials change daily. Sunday brunch with alternating DJs is wildly popular.

TAP 42 BAR AND KITCHEN: 1411 S. Andrews Ave.

• Phone: 954-463–4900

With 42 rotating draft beers from around the USA, 50-plus bourbons, a few dozen original cocktails (including beer cocktails), and 66 bottled craft beers, awesome drinks and good times headline a typical evening at classy cool Tap 42. Although the indoor/outdoor gastro-pub is a bit off the beaten path, it's well worth the detour. The 42 drafts protrude from a stylish wall constructed of pennies, surfacing more like a work of art than a beer-filling station. The venue attracts large crowds of young professionals for nights of heavy drinking and highly caloric new-age bar eats.

TARPON BEND: 200 S.W. 2nd St.

• Phone: 954-523–3233

This casual two-story restaurant transforms into a jovial resto-bar in the early evening, ideal for enjoying a few beers, mojitos, and some great bar food. It's consistently busy, day, night, and late night with young professionals, couples, and large groups of friends. It's one place that has survived all the ups and downs of downtown Fort Lauderdale

BLUE MARTINI FORT LAUDERDALE: Galleria Fort Lauderdale, 2432 E. Sunrise Blvd.

• Phone: 954-653–2583

A hot spot for 30something-plus adults gone wild, Blue Martini's menu is filled with tons of innovative martini creations (42 to be exact) and lots of cougars on the prowl, searching for a first, second, or even third husband. And the guys aren't complaining! The drinks are great and the scene is fun for everyone, even those who aren't single and looking to mingle.

The Field Irish Pub & Eatery: 3281 Griffin Rd

• Hours: Sun & Mon: 11am - 12am, Tue-Thu: 11am - 1am, pm), Fri & Sat: 11am - 2am (Kitchen: 12am)
• Phone: (954) 964-5979

A little piece of Ireland in South Florida. Live music night starting at 7:30. " Our public house is much more a farmhouse than a bar. Cozy and intimate, charming and quaint like a piece of Ireland frozen in time. That means you’ll see no neon shamrocks here. Vintage books adorn our walls and if you look close enough, you might even find out where that quarter Irish in you comes from. So forget your worries and join us for a pint. We’ve been told we do the Best Pint in South Florida. If Guinness ain’t your thing, we have a full liquor bar and a menu big enough to match. Our farmhouse started life as a cottage, where the old fireplace and chimney stack remain as the centerpiece of our three snug dining rooms. Banter and laughter adjoins in the adjacent pub and music rooms. We have a big outdoor patio perfect for a Florida sunset. Then there’s the old banyan tree. A field just isn’t complete without a tree."

ROUND UP COUNTRY WESTERN CLUB: 9020 W. State Rd. 84, Davie

• Phone: 954-423–1990

Round Up Country Western Club, South Florida's hot country-music venue, is in the heart of Broward's horse country, with a quartet of bars, drink specials, food, dance lessons, large-screen TVs, and theme nights (Whiskey Wednesdays, Beer Pong Thursdays, Friday Ladies Night, and the like). Open Wednesday through Sunday from 6 pm–4 am; closed Monday and Tuesday.

Stache: 109 SW 2nd

• Hours 5pm-4am
• Telephone: +1 954 449 1044

Stache is a sexy 1920s drinking den serving crafted cocktails and rocking a crossover classic rock/funk/soul/R&B blend. At weekends there's live music, dancing and burlesque. Dress up; this is where the cool cats come to play.

Dicey Riley’s: 217 SW 2nd St

• Telephone: +1 954 522 2202

Your standard Irish pub with traditional cuisine, draft Guinness and Bass and live Irish bands Tuesday to Saturday.

Lulu's Bait Shack: 17 S Atlantic Blvd

• Opening hours 11am-1am
• Website www.lulusbaitshack.com

Lures 'em in with buckets of beer, bowls of mussels and fishbowl drinks at the ocean's edge.

Cinema Paradiso: 503 SE Sixth St

• Telephone +1 954 525 3456
• Website www.fliff.com/Cinema_Paradiso

This funky church-turned-cinema offers plush velvet seats, film festival entries, independent and European films, and plenty of kid-friendly programs. It's a great rainy-day standby. Events and films are posted on its Facebook page.

Wreck Bar: 1140 Seabreeze Blvd

• Hours 5:30-11:30pm
• Telephone: +1 954 524 5551

After one too many cocktails you might wonder whether you're seeing things as you look through the Wreck Bar's 'portholes' to see MeduSirena, Fort Lauderdale's fire-eating mermaid, start her Friday and Saturday shows. Advice: keep drinking and enjoy this piece of priceless Florida kitsch. The show begins at 6:30pm, but you'll want to get there early for a seat.

Mai-Kai: 3599 N Federal Hwy

This old-school Polynesian joint is pure kitsch, with Vegas-style dinner shows and froofy tiki cocktails (try the potent 'mystery drink'). Mai-Kai is a short drive north of downtown Fort Lauderdale toward Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Tonic Lounge & Club: 837 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd

• Hours 5pm-2am Sun-Thu, to 3am Fri & Sat
• Website www.tonicclubandlounge.com

Ocean views and sky-slicing laser displays provide a perfect backdrop for your beachside party at this rooftop lounge. More-focused drinkers can retire for pub-style drinking downstairs in McSorley's

Blue Jean Blues: 3220 NE 33rd St

• Hours 11-2am Sun-Thu, to 3am Fri & Sat
• Telephone: +1 954 306 6330
• Website: www.bluejeanblues.net
• Prices pizza $4-13

Get away from the beach for a low-key evening of jazz and blues at this cool little neighborhood bar. There's live music seven nights a week and four afternoons, featuring a who's who of the southern Florida music scene. It also serves a mean pizza. From East Sunrise Blvd head north for 2.3 miles and then turn left onto NE 33rd Street.

GEORGIE'S ALIBI: 2266 Wilton Dr.

• Phone: 954-565–2526

A Fort Lauderdale GBLT institution, Georgie's Alibi is an anchor for the Wilton Manors gay community. The gargantuan pub fills to capacity for $3, 32-ounce Long Island Iced Tea Thursdays (from 9 pm 'til close). Any night of the week, Alibi stands out as a kind of gay Cheers of Fort Lauderdale—a neighborhood bar with darts, pool, libations, and some eye candy, offering a no-frills, laid-back attitude.

KIM'S ALLEY BAR: The Gateway, 1920 E. Sunrise Blvd.

• Phone: 954-763–2143

Around since 1948, Kim's Alley Bar is the ultimate no-frills South Florida dive bar, a neighborhood spot in a strip mall near the Intracoastal. It has two smoke-filled bar areas, a jukebox, and pool tables that provide endless entertainment (if the patrons aren't providing enough diversion).

LIVING ROOM AT THE W: W Fort Lauderdale, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.

• Phone: 954-414–8300

The large living-room-like space next to the lobby of the W Fort Lauderdale transforms into a major house-party-style event, mainly on weekends. There are plenty of plush couches, but it's usually standing-room-only early for this South Beach–style throw down, with great DJs, awesome libations, and an easy-on-the-eyes crowd. A breezy and beautiful outdoor area is idyllic for the overflow, as is the downstairs lounge, Whiskey Blue (which is only open Thursday–Saturday).

MAGUIRE'S HILL 16: 535 N. Andrews Ave.

• Phone: 954-764–4453

With the requisite lineup of libations and pub-style food, this classic Irish pub is good for no-frills fun, fried eats, and daily live music. It's famous locally as the oldest award-winning Traditional Irish Pub and Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Live music is on tap every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night.

O LOUNGE: 333 E. Las Olas Blvd.

• Phone: 954-523–1000

This lounge and two adjacent establishments, Yolo and Vibe, on Las Olas and under the same ownership, cater to Fort Lauderdale's sexy yuppies, business men, desperate housewives, and hungry cougars letting loose during happy hour and on the weekends. Crowds alternate between Yolo's outdoor fire pit, O Lounge's chilled atmosphere and lounge music, and Vibe's more intense beats. Expect flashy cars in the driveway and a bit of plastic surgery.

OFF THE HOOKAH: 111 S.W. 2nd Ave.

• Phone: 954-761–8686

After a not-very-visible $21-million renovation in 2012, the downtown space formerly home to Voodoo Lounge returned as Off the Hookah. Totally revamped from top to bottom and filled with VIP areas, Hookah attempts to reinstate the late-night electro and pop parties that made downtown Fort Lauderdale famous circa 2006. The club also regularly hosts local and national talent. The long-running Sunday gay-straight mixer, Life's a Drag, continues on from its Voodoo days. It's a fun-filled night of drag performances and incriminating debauchery.

PARROT LOUNGE: 911 Sunrise La.

• Phone: 954-563–1493

An old-school Fort Lauderdale hangout, this dive bar/sports bar is particularly popular with Philadelphia Eagles fans, those longing to recall Where the Boys Are, and folks reminiscing about Fort Lauderdale's big-hair, sprayed-tan, Sun-In-bright 1980s heyday. This place is stuck in the past, but it's got great libations, wings, fingers, poppers, and skins. 'Nuff said.

ROK: BRG: 208 S.W. 2nd St.

• Phone: 954-525–7656

Downtown Fort Lauderdale warmly welcomed this personality-driven burger bar and gastro-pub in early 2011, giving the grown-ups something to enjoy in teenage-infested downtown. The long and narrow venue, adorned with exposed-brick walls and flat-screen TVs is great for watching sports and for mingling on weekends. Locals come here for the great cocktails and beer selection.

SIDELINES: 2031-A Wilton Dr.

• Phone: 954-563–8001

One of the most popular and consistently busy joints on "The Drive" is this spacious sports and video bar that taps into the butch side of gay culture. The bar is often locally awarded the “Best Gay Bar in South Florida,” and its all-welcoming vibe draws crowds both young and old, men and women. Expect large crowds during major football and basketball games.

THE MANOR: 2345 Wilton Dr.

• Phone: 954-626–0082

Inspired by The Abbey in West Hollywood, The Manor sought to offer a one-stop gay party shop in the heart of the Wilton Manors gayborhood. It didn't quite work out that way, but the multifaceted two-story enclave is still open Friday for the campy pop night Bubble Gum Fridays and the circuit-party style Epic Saturdays.

Restaurants and Dining

It took a while for a more varied epicurean scene to reach these shores, but Fort Lauderdale finally has several fine restaurants. Spurred on by luxury hotels and restaurant upgrades, ethnic options now join the legions of surf-and-turf joints in Pompano Beach and downtown. Las Olas Boulevard has so many eateries, from fusion and southwestern to Caribbean and seafood, that it's impossible to go hungry.

My Big Fat Greek Restaurant: 3445 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

• Hours Mon–Fri 10:00am–10:00pm; Sat noon–10pm; Sun and Holidays noon–9pm
• Phone 954/961-5030
• Prices main courses average $12–$18
• Cuisine Type Greek
• Website http://www.mbfgr.com/

Waterfront dining with huge portions and authentic Greek food. Friendly staff, great ambiance, and night time entertainment. Weekends feature belly dancing, bouzouki players, and Greek stepping waiters, so be prepared to yell Opa! at least once. "When walking into My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, authenticity is evident throughout. We have brought the atmosphere of Greece right to South Florida. We have captured some of the most stunning elements including visualizations of Greece's ancient and present-day natural beauties and customs. Since ancient times, Greeks have considered eating and drinking sacred. We do the same by offering only the best of the best of both. Everything we do is a tribute to Greece. We only use the finest of ingredients in all our dishes including fresh herbs and pure 100% extra virgin olive oil. We also have a full bar. Come and taste the Greek Cuisine oasis right here in South Florida. "

Rustic Inn Crabhouse: 4331 Ravenswood Rd (btw. SW 42nd Ct. and SW 45th St)

• Hours Mon–Sat 11:30am–10:45pm; Sun noon–9pm
• Phone 954/584-1637
• Prices Sandwiches $8–$22; main courses $13–$20
• Cuisine Type Seafood

The word “rustic” in the name isn’t just a marketing ploy—this seafood joint just west of the airport has been kicking around since the year Disneyland opened, and the fact that it has practically zero ambience doesn’t bother anybody a whit. Sitting in a noisy, woody dining room with a checkerboard linoleum floor and hanging lobster traps (or outside on the covered deck next to a canal), all they care about is whacking away at crustaceans with wooden mallets. The house specialty is garlic crabs—[“]world-famous,” they aver—but there’s plenty else on the menu (lots but not all of it fried, and not all of it fish, shrimp, or mollusks). A word of advice: If you do go for the crabs, don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want to see ruined.

JAXSON'S ICE CREAM PARLOUR & RESTAURANT: 128 S. Federal Hwy., Dania Beach, Fl (Btwn SW 1st & SW 2nd St)

• Hours Mon-Thu: 11:30am-11pm; Fri-Sat: 11:30am-12am; Sun: 12pm-11pm
• Phone 954-923–4445
• Prices $12–$18
• Cuisine Type AMERICAN

This 1950s landmark whips up malts, shakes, and jumbo sundaes from ice creams prepared daily on premises, plus sandwiches and salads, amid an antique-license-plate decor. Owner Monroe Udell's trademarked Kitchen Sink—a small sink full of ice cream, topped by sparklers—for parties of four or more goes for $12.75 per person (no sharing). Those wanting a sample before committing to a flavor, think again. The oh-so-popular Jaxson's doesn't give samples!

ARUBA BEACH CAFÉ: 4331 1 Commercial Blvd (At El Mar Dr), Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

• Hours Mon-Tue: 11am-1amWed-Sat: 11am-2amSun: 9am-1am
• Phone 954-776–0001
• Prices $18–$25
• Cuisine Type Caribbean

This casual beachfront eatery is always crowded and always fun. One of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea's most famous restaurants, Aruba Beach serves a wide range of American and Caribbean cuisine, including Caribbean conch chowder and conch fritters. There are also fresh tropical salads, sandwiches, and seafood. The café is famous for its divine fresh-baked Bimini bread with Aruba glaze (think challah with donut glaze). A band performs day and night, so head for the back corner with excellent views of the beach if you want conversation while you eat and drink. Sunday breakfast buffet starts at 9 am.

Johnny V: 625 E. Las Olas Blvd. (btw. SE 8th Ave. and S. Federal Hwy.)

• Hours Daily 11:30am–3pm; Sun–Thurs 5–11pm; Fri–Sat 5pm–midnight
• Phone 954/761-7920
• Prices Main courses $28–$38
• Cuisine Type Floribbean

Chef Johnny Vinczencz may originally hail from Ohio, but since the 1990s he’s been making tropical waves in South Florida at various distinguished venues, collecting snappy nicknames along the way like “Caribbean Cowboy,” and “Guava Gaucho.” At his contemporary-stylish latest and greatest, smack in the middle of downtown Las Olas Boulevard, the cowboy rustles up some mighty imaginative grub if you’ve got the budget for it. The Caribbean does indeed wash over the menu (a la jerk-seared local black grouper), but there are hints of Spain, Italy, and Asia in there, too. The 350-label wine list is exceptional, and another unusual touch is the international cheese selection. Mmm, cheese.

Casablanca Cafe: 3049 Alhambra St (at N. Fort Lauderdale Blvd.)

• Hours Sun–Thurs 11:30am–10:45pm; Fri–Sat 11:30am–11:30pm
• Phone 954/764-3500
• Prices Main dishes $20–$34
• Cuisine Type Mediterranean

There are a ton of swell dining spots along the beachfront, but you must remember this: As time goes by, few have been able to match the ambience and romance of this historic neo-Mediterranean manse turned restaurant and piano bar, tucked rather unexpectedly onto a corner amid the condos and hotels. Chef Dario Marquez comes up with tasty victuals such as walnut chicken, which besides walnut crust also involves goat cheese, saffron risotto, spinach pesto, roasted red peppers, and balsamic reduction. There’s also nightly live entertainment. There are no reservations, so (especially on weekends) you might want to show up before 7pm or after 9pm, or expect a wait of an hour (but hey, there’s a bar for that).

Casa D'Angelo: 1201 N Federal Hwy

• Hours Daily 5:30-10:30pm
• Phone +1 954 564 1234
• Website http://casa-d-angelo.com
• Prices Main courses $25-50
• Cuisine Type Italian

Chef Angelo Elia presides over an impressive kitchen specializing in Tuscan and southern Italian dishes, many handed down by his mother. Seasonality and quality translate into intense flavors and delightful textures: the sunburst taste of just-ripe tomatoes, peppery arugula, silken sea bass and surprisingly spicy cinnamon gelato. The restaurant stocks one of the finest wine lists in the state. The restaurant sits canal-side on North Federal Hwy, 1.4 miles north of East Sunrise Blvd.

Green Bar & Kitchen: 1075 SE 17th St

• Hours 11am-9pm Mon-Sat, 9am-3pm Sun
• Phone +1 954 533 7507
• Website www.greenbarkitchen.com
• Prices Main courses $8-14
• Cuisine Type Vegan

Discover bright flavors and innovative dishes at this cult vegan eatery. Instead of pasta-layered lasagna, slithers of zucchini are layered with macadamia ricotta and sundried tomatoes. Almond milk replaces dairy in cold-pressed fruit smoothies, and the delectable cashew cup gives Reese's a run for its money. To reach it from the beach continue south on A1A and cross the Intracoastal Waterway to Southport. After two miles turn right into the shopping mall.

Chima: 2400 E Las Olas Blvd

• Hours 5:30-9:30pm Mon-Thu, to 10pm Fri, to 10:30pm Sat, 4pm-9pm Sun
• Phone +1 954 712 0580
• Website www.chima.cc
• Prices all-you-can-eat dinner $49.50
• Cuisine Type ARGENTINE

Gaucho-costumed servers herd a never-ending cavalcade of meats from table to table in this Brazilian churrasco -style steakhouse. And while that may sound campy, it's not: Chima's upscale locale is one of the nicest on Las Olas.

Café Martorano: 3343 E. Oakland Park Blvd. (btw. NE 33 Ave. and N. Ocean Blvd.)

• Hours Daily 5:45–11pm
• Phone 954/561-2554
• Prices Main courses $18–$48
• Cuisine Type Italian

Yo, cuz! Steve Martorano is quite the piece of work—a big tattooed lug of a South Philly DJ-turned-restaurant guy who set up shop in a strip mall on a busy thoroughfare in 1993, and went on to become a Lauderdale icon. His café is loud, it’s festive, it’s glitzy black-and-mirrors, complete with disco ball, and the menu is tasty Italian-American soul food all the way (the meatballs especially have a deserved rep). Honestly, it’s turned into a bit of a mozzarella-cheesy shtick by now, and it’s not everyone’s cup of Chianti, but the place remains a crowd pleaser and even something of a celebrity magnet (hey, there’s now a CM at Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood as well as at the Rio in Las Vegas, so they’re obviously pushing the right buttons, goombah).

Coconuts: 429 Seabreeze Blvd (btw. E. Las Olas Blvd. and SE 5th St.)

• Hours Mon–Sat 11:30am–10pm; Sun 10am–10pm
• Phone 954/525-2421
• Prices Sandwiches $10–$16; main courses $14–$27
• Cuisine Type American

A block in from the beach, dockside on the Intracoastal, Coconuts sports a very local-South-Florida feel to it and a loyal local following to match. Choice of dining is indoors, out on a shaded deck, or right down dockside with a front-row seat to the passing boats, paddle boarders, and pelicans. Top choices include the lobster roll, fish tacos, coconut cheesecake, and the blue-crab “scoobies” appetizer, marinated in butter, garlic, and chili. And if you can make it here for Sunday brunch, you’ll find the likes of chocolate chip pancakes, a variety of tasty Benedicts, and a weekly changing French toast. The young, fresh-faced waitstaff, meanwhile, does its best to live up to the restaurant’s widely displayed tagline, “Be nice.” A lovely bunch of coconuts, indeed.

Sublime: 1431 N. Federal Hwy. (btw. NE 14th Ct and NE 15th St.)

• Hours Tues–Sun 5:30–10pm
• Phone 954/615-1431
• Prices Main courses $15–$19
• Cuisine Type Vegetarian

Even confirmed carnivores could be won over by the magic wrought here with mushrooms, rice, all manner of veggies, and a kind of textured soy called gardein (in sliders, I couldn’t tell it wasn’t hamburger, and prepared in lemony piccata sauce over mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach, it’s a dead ringer for chicken). The stuff’s amazingly good, and the kitchen does wonders with it. Cocktails such as the “pomtini” are also inventive and tasty, and I’d go back just for the soy-milk Key lime cheesecake. The ambience is cool and contemporary, with uplit areas, skylights, and picture windows with water coursing down. Owned by the president of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, Sublime contributes all of its profits to animal welfare.

Sunfish Grill: 2775 E. Oakland Park Blvd. (at Bayview Dr.)

• Hours Mon–Sat 5–10pm
• Phone 954/561-2004
• Prices Main courses $18–$32
• Cuisine Type Seafood

One of the things I especially love about South Florida dining is the swell stuff that comes to us fresh from the ocean, and I’m thankful we’ve got the likes of the Sunfish, a couple of miles in from the beach, which since the 1990s has maintained a sterling reputation for fresh, creative, yet not overly gimmicky seafood. Owner-chef Erika DiBattista, who founded the place with her ex-husband, and executive chef Bill Bruening continue to please their loyal following with a seasonal menu including signatures like spaghetti tuna Bolognese, Asian pear and arugula salad, and crab-crusted Scottish salmon. And room for dessert is an especially dandy idea, because that’s Erika’s thing, and both her “Symphony of Chocolate” and her very pointy “Not the Usual Key Lime Pie” will totally rock your sweet tooth... even if you don’t have one.

The Floridian: 1410 E. Las Olas Blvd. (at SE 15th Ave.)

• Hours Daily 24 hours
• Phone 954/463-4041
• Prices Main courses $9–$17
• Cuisine Type Diner

Cherish is the word I use to describe “the Flo.” It’s been holding down the fort on a less than lovely downtown stretch of Las Olas since 1937, but it looks like except for refreshing some of the photos of celebs and pols, time pretty much stopped here in the 70s (I guess [’]cause that’s the way, aha, aha, they like it, to paraphrase KC and the Sunshine Band on the juke last time I was in). I’m talking mirrors, drop ceiling, and hanging plants—plus waitresses who just might greet you with a “Hiya, hon!” The menu is voluminous, the diner fare hearty and good, the portions generous

OceanView Delight: 845 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. (at NE 9th St.)

• Hours Daily 7am–8ish pm
• Phone 954/630-1351
• Prices Sandwiches $7–$13; platters $6–$14
• Cuisine Type Mediterranean/Sandwiches

In business since 2010 and owned by a South African–Turkish couple, this tiny beachfront hole-in-the-wall (just four tables inside and another four out on the sidewalk) is part of a mini-neighborhood of bars and shops across from a more northerly stretch of Fort Lauderdale beach. The specialties tend to be light and often on the healthy side, such as wraps, subs, and smoothies (banana nut, yum), and all-day breakfast. They also do a dandy job with shish kebabs and hummus platters. They’ll even deliver it all to your spot on the sand. And yes, although the traffic can get a little busy at times, the ocean view is indeed a delight.

GRAN FORNO CAFE: 704 E Las Olas Blvd (At SE 6th Ave) and1235 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fl

• Hours Closed Mon. Daily: 7am-11pm
• Phone 954-467–2244
• Prices $12-18
• Cuisine Type Italian CAFÉ

The gamble of importing an entire Italian bakery direct from Brescia, Italy definitely paid off. Most days, the sandwiches, fresh baked breads, and pastries sell out even before lunchtime. All products are made fresh daily (except Monday), beginning at 4 am, by a team of bakers who can be seen hard at work through the café's glass windows. Customers line up at the door early in the morning to get their piping-hot artisanal breads, later returning for the scrumptious paninis and decadent desserts. A second branch, five blocks east on Las Olas at 704 E. Las Olas Blvd., called Gran Forno Pronto, offers full service and a more extensive menu seven days a week, but it's only open until 7 pm.

PELICAN LANDING: Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six, 2301 S.E. 17th St. Causeway, at end of main dock, Fort Lauderdale, Fl

1. Hours Daily: 11am-10pm
2. Phone 954-525–6666
3. Prices $12-18
4. Cuisine Type SEAFOOD

In this age of globalization and instant information, it's nearly impossible to remain the city's "best-kept secret," but somehow Pelican Landing has managed to do exactly that. Located on a second-story terrace in the Pier Sixty-Six Marina, the serene outdoor restaurant serves mouthwatering beach-shack-style eats surrounded by picturesque panoramas of boats, sea, and sunset. The fish is caught daily, served blackened or grilled, presented with sides, on a salad, or in a burrito. The ceviches and conch fritters are some of the best in South Florida. And matched with frozen drinks and pitchers of mojitos, you'll quickly reach a state of "paradise found!"

ZONA FRESCA: 1635 N. Federal Hwy. (Btwn NE 16th Ct & NE 17th St), Fort Lauderdale, Fl

• Hours Sat-Thu: 11am-9pmFri: 11am-10pm
• Phone 954-566–1777
• Prices $7-12
• Cuisine Type Mexican, Southwestern

A local favorite on the cheap, Zona Fresca serves healthful, Mexican fast food with the best chips, salsas, burritos, and quesadillas in town. Everything is made fresh on the premises, including the authentic salsas, presented in a grand salsa bar. Zona is busy seven days a week for both lunch and dinner and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. It's likely to be your best (and cheapest) lunch in Fort Lauderdale.

AMERICAN SOCIAL: 721 E Las Olas Blvd (Btwn SE 6th & SE 8th Ave), Fort Lauderdale

• Hours Mon-Wed: 11:30am-1am; Thu-Sat: 11:30am-2am; Sun: 11:30am-12am
• Phone 954-764–7005
• Prices $12-18
• Cuisine Type Bar Food, American (New), Gastropub

A charming slice of Americana in the heart of Las Olas Boulevard, American Social flaunts a sexy nerd vibe, packing the house nightly with Fort Lauderdale's hottest twenty- and thirtysomethings. The intimate restaurant and bar are adorned with framed Life magazine covers and library books, fostering an ambience that is oh-so-Boston. The drinks here rock, and the modern American cuisine is equally awesome. Choose from 16 beers on tap or some tantalizing mixology (e.g. the Strawberry Honey Smash—vodka, strawberries, simple syrup, honey liqueur, and fresh lemon juice). Feast on the seafood mac-and-cheese skillet, shrimp pesto flatbread, and the full gamut of gourmet burgers with sides of Parmesan and truffle fries or sweet-potato fries. Arrive early on weekends as the restaurant quickly reaches capacity.

BIG CITY TAVERN: 609 E Las Olas Blvd (At S Federal Hwy), Fort Lauderdale

• Hours Sun-Thu: 11:30am-2am; Fri-Sat: 11:30am-3am
• Phone 954-727–0307
• Prices $25+
• Cuisine Type American (New)

A Las Olas landmark, Big City Tavern is the boulevard's most consistent spot for good food, good spirits, and good times. The diverse menu commingles Asian entrées like pad Thai, Italian options like homemade meatballs and cheese ravioli in a toasted garlic marinara, and American dishes like the grilled skirt-steak Cobb salad. Don't forget to ask about the crispy flatbread of the day, and make sure to save room for the homemade desserts. The pistachio brown-butter bundt cake with honey-roasted spiced peaches and pistachio gelato, the caramelized banana sundae in a Mason jar, and the devil's-food-cake ice-cream sandwich are all heaven on earth. Big City is open late into the night for drinks, desserts, and even offers a special late-night menu.

COCO ASIAN BISTRO & BAR: 1841 Cordova Rd (At SE 18th St), Fort Lauderdale

• Hours Mon-Thu: 11:30am-10:30pm; Fri-Sat: 11:30am-11pm; Sun: 11:30am-10pm
• Phone 954-525–3541
• Prices $18-25
• Cuisine Type Asian Fusion, Bistro, Sushi, Vegetarian-Friendly

The best of Thai and Japanese cuisine unite under one roof at Coco Asian Bistro & Bar, a locally famous gastronomic gem in a jazzy Fort Lauderdale strip mall. Chef Mike Ponluang's expansive menu spans authentic Asian to pan-Asian flavors more suited to the American palate to downright avant garde interpretations of Asian cuisine. You'll never go wrong with the traditional pad Thai or the variety of classic curries; but there are also dishes like the Emerald Scallops, a decadent marriage of diver scallops, asparagus, and portobello mushrooms in a green curry, as well as the off-the-menu lobster pad Thai served in the shell. The oversize sushi rolls are beautifully crafted, often mingling at least five flavors, fostering utter sushitopia. Try, for example, Mike's Roll, a taste explosion of tuna, spinach, avocado, tempura flakes, and kampyo rolled in sweet, black sticky rice and served with sweet chili sauce for dipping. The artisan cocktails are also excellent; don't leave without having a lycheetini or two!

MARKET 17: 1850 SE 17th St (Btwn Eisenhower Blvd & Portside Dr), Fort Lauderdale

• Hours Sun-Mon: 5:30pm-10pm; Tue-Sat: 5:30pm-10:30pm
• Phone 954-835–5507
• Prices $25
• Cuisine Type American (New), Local/Organic

Using only the best ingredients from regional farmers and local fishermen, Market 17 leads the organic farm-to-table revolution in South Florida. The menu at this chic restaurant shifts seasonally, lending to an ever-changing kaleidoscope of mouthwatering creations. The Florida wahoo crudo in citrus marinade and the pan-basted Florida yelloweye snapper with leek puree are two local favorites. The desserts, too, are outstanding and include homemade ice creams in flavors like bananas Foster, chocolate cake batter, and ginger and honey. For something awesome and different with a small group, Market 17 offers "dining in the dark," where dinner is served in a blacked-out room, forcing you to rely on your senses of touch, taste, and smell to figure out what you're eating and drinking.

ROCCO'S TACOS & TEQUILA BAR: 1313 E Las Olas Blvd (Btwn SE 13th & SE 15th Ave), Fort Lauderdale

• Phone 954-524–9550
• Prices $12-18
• Cuisine Type Mexican

The busiest spot on the Las Olas strip, Rocco's is more of a scene than just a restaurant. With pitchers of margaritas a-flowin', the middle-age crowd is boisterous and fun, recounting (and reliving) the days of spring break debauchery from their preprofessional years. In fact, Rocco's drink menu is even larger than its sizeable food menu. Guacamole is made tableside, and Mexican dishes such as chimichangas and enchiladas have been reinvented (and made far less spicy) for the American palate. Expect a wild night and lots of fun!

ROYAL PIG PUB: 350 E Las Olas (At SE 3rd Ave), Fort Lauderdale

• Hours Mon-Thu: 11am-12am; Fri-Sat: 11am-2am; Sun: 12pm-11pm
• Phone 954-617–7447
• Prices $18-25
• Cuisine Type Gastropub, American (New)

Fort Lauderdale's coolest gastro-pub revels in doling out hefty portions of Cajun comfort cuisine and potent, creative libations. As the name implies, this is indeed the place to be a pig and unapologetically pig out on the beer and butter-soaked New Orleans–style BBQ shrimp; grilled fish-of-the-day atop cheese grits and mussel étouffée; sweet-potato fries with honey-cider drizzle; and grilled free-range turkey burgers loaded with exotic condiments. Plenty of folks come here just for the awesome drinks. In fact, it's one of Fort Lauderdale's busiest watering holes. The pub's arched ceilings are lined with flat-screen TVs, and the bar occupies nearly half the restaurant. Rub elbows with Fort Lauderdale's yuppies and hotties over dragon fruit cosmos and spiked, cucumber and mint berry lemonades.

3030 OCEAN: 3030 Holiday Dr (At Seabreeze Blvd), Fort Lauderdale 33316

• Hours Daily: 6pm-10pm
• Phone 954-765–3030
• Prices $25+
• Cuisine Type SEAFOOD

3030 Ocean has been the talk of the town for decades. Previously under the direction of celebrity chef Dean Max, Fort Lauderdale's most legendary fish and seafood restaurant is now helmed by another top chef—Paula DaSilva of 1500 Degrees fame (who, interestingly enough, got her start at 3030 more than a decade ago). Constantly evolving with new flavors and fusions, 3030 Ocean gives plenty of great reasons to return time and time again. The ahi tuna poke—a tuna tartare tossed with macadamia nuts, chili sauce, and cucumber—is so fresh, it melts in your mouth. The pan-seared branzino over gnocchi and sautéed Maine scallops over curried corn puree are nothing short of experiential. The martini menu is also heaven sent, advancing mixology with basil-and-passion-fruit martinis, Bellini martinis, and acai-and-sage martinis.

HOLLYWOOD PRIME: 3555 S Ocean Dr (Btwn Seacrest Pkwy & Magnolia Ter), Hollywood

• Hours Tue-Sat: 5:30pm-11pm
• Phone 954-602–8347
• Prices $25+
• Cuisine Type STEAKHOUSE

Hollywood's superlative choice for fine dining, the intimate 15-table Hollywood Prime is a classic American steakhouse done right. A living slice of golden age glamour, the restaurant's ambience recalls a bygone era of dress-up dining in South Florida, where decked-out patrons are rightfully treated as VIPs. Perfected steakhouse classics headline the menu: jumbo shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque, onion soup gratinée, Caesar salad, 21-day dry-aged prime steaks including a 28-ounce prime porterhouse and an 18-ounce prime rib eye as well as a 3 1/2-pound Maine lobster (yes, you read correctly!). All this is complemented by a wine list with more than 600 fine wines. It doesn't get much better than this. Oh wait, it does! The key lime pie is a divine intervention of creamy tart pie, buttery crust, fresh whipped cream, and white chocolate.

LOBSTER BAR SEA GRILLE: 450 E Las Olas Blvd (Btwn SE4th & 5th Ave), Fort Lauderdale

• Hours Lunch Mon-Fri: 11:30am-2:30pm; Dinner Sun-Wed: 5:30p-10pm; Thu: 5:30pm-11pm; Fri-Sat: 5:30pm-12am
• Phone 954-772–2675
• Prices $18-25
• Cuisine Type Seafood, Steakhouses

A spectacular, high-design restaurant at the crossroads of Las Olas's financial and shopping districts, Lobster Bar Sea Grille brings a much-needed infusion of sophisticated dining to the Fort Lauderdale scene. The intricately tiled archways and high ceilings of the restaurant recall New York's Grand Central station while the nautical-inspired decor is meant to evoke an ambience of fine dining on a yacht. Mission accomplished. The seafood and fish selections here are sublime, specializing in simply prepared, fresh whole fish and flash-fried lobster tails. There's also a range of custom-aged prime steaks with the full gamut of sides from Parmesan-baked asparagus to cauliflower gratin.

OCEAN 2000: 2000 N Ocean Blvd (Btwn NE 21st & 20th St), Fort Lauderdale

• Hours Sun-Thu: 7am-4pm+5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat: 7am-4pm+5pm-11pm
• Phone 954-556–7667
• Prices $25+
• Cuisine Type American (New)

This waterfront restaurant and lounge at the Pelican Grand Beach Resort is a favorite of locals in the know, renowned for its stunning Atlantic ocean views and excellent fish and seafood (prepared with a Latin flair). Expect succulent and savory dishes that include local fish ceviche, swordfish “sashimi style”, and Florida yellowtail snapper á la plancha (skillet-grilled). If indulging in the wildly popular Sunday brunch or a casual seaside lunch, make sure to request seating on the oceanfront patio, arguably the best seats in any house in Fort Lauderdale. Come nightfall, the slick dining room comes to life, illuminated by futuristic chandeliers, ubiquitous candles, and the moonlight over the ocean through oversized windows.

SAIA SUSHI: Sonesta Fort Lauderdale, 999 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fl

• Phone 954-302–5252

The superlative locale for getting your sushi fix in Fort Lauderdale, SAIA offers innovative rolls and perfectly executed classics as well as a great selection of hot Thai and Japanese dishes. SAIA's master chef, Subin Chenkosorn, hails from the renowned Blue Sea at the Delano in Miami and has brought his amazing skill set to the Fort Lauderdale shoreline. The stylish restaurant doubles as a gregarious lounge come late evening, perfect for enjoying another round of saketinis, soju-based cocktails, and other specialty drinks like the divine SAIA-rita and Ruby Foo, after a fabulous dinner.

STEAK 954: 401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd (At Granada St), Fort Lauderdale

• Hours Breakfast Daily: 7am-11am Lunch Mon-Fri: 11:30am-3pm Dinner Sun-Thu: 5:30-10pm; Fri-Sat: 5:30pm-11pm Brunch Sat-Sun: 11am-3pm
• Phone 954-414–8333
• Prices $25+
• Cuisine Type American (New), Steakhouses

It's not just the steaks that impress at Stephen Starr's superstar restaurant. The lobster and crab-coconut ceviche and the red snapper tiradito are divine; the butter-poached Maine lobster is perfection; the raw bar showcases only the best and freshest seafood on the market; and the ice cream sandwiches are pure foodie fantasia. Located on the 1st floor of the swanky W Fort Lauderdale, Steak 954 offers spectacular views of the ocean for those choosing outdoor seating; inside, there's a sexy, sophisticated ambience for those choosing to dine in the main dining room, with bright tropical colors balanced with dark woods and an enormous jellyfish tank spanning the width of the restaurant. Sunday brunch is very popular, so arrive early for the best views.

Charlie’s Bar-B-Q: 1571 S Federal Hwy Hours

• Hours Daily: 10:30am-7pm Mon-Sat
• Phone +1 954 522 7659
• Prices Dishes $6-12$25+
• Cuisine Type BBQ

Get your ribs and chicken fix handled at Charlie’s. It’s bare bones on the inside, but you can smell that sweet, smoky barbecue from across the parking lot.

Shuck N Dive: 650 N Federal Hwy

• Hour Daily: 11am-11pm
• Phone +1 954 462 0088
• Prices Mains $7-20
• Cuisine Type Cajun

A cluttered shrine to Louisiana State University and the New Orleans Saints, this unassuming strip-mall restaurant serves up a mean Cajun menu.

Frommers: https://www.frommers.com/destinations/fort-lauderdale

Fodors: https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/florida/fort-lauderdale-and-broward-county

Wikitravel: https://wikitravel.org/en/Fort_Lauderdale

Lonely Planet: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/florida/fort-lauderdale