Ft. Lauderdale Overview

Palms sway and sea oats rustle along seven miles of sand in Fort Lauderdale, a sun-drenched playground of seaside cafes, picturesque waterways, a chic gas-lit shopping street, and a leisurely lifestyle that makes later seem like far too much pressure.

Districts

Once upon a time, one could look down the road along Fort Lauderdale beach and inland along U.S. 1 and see flat land and the occasional scrubby palmetto as far as the eye could see. No more.

Now villages meld into adjoining towns, towns into cities, suburbs into each other and the entire county has become one sprawling megalopolis that stretches from the sea to the Everglades and from the northern border of Miami to the southern border of Palm Beach and beyond.

Enormous and rapid growth, marked by a continuing influx of young, old and everything in between, representing a variety of cultures and outlooks on life, continues apace, making the region one of the most vibrant in all of South Florida.

While all that melding was going on, however, each of the communities that comprise what is loosely known as Greater Fort Lauderdale has fiercely protected its own identity, proud of its history and its growth, its amenities and its diversity.

Entertainment

Fort Lauderdale is nothing if not entertaining.

Today, you won't find cavorting students hanging from the lampposts but you will still find the satisfying selection of to-dos that has long drawn sun-seekers. Diversions are wide- ranging, from discos to down-under adventures among the just-offshore reefs, from alligator feedings to riverboat rides through a myriad of canals that have given this seaside city the nickname Venice of the Americas.

Dining and Drinking

Once billed as the possessor of more restaurants per capita than any city in the nation, Fort Lauderdale loves—and virtually lives in—its restaurants.

Hardly a party goes by in the city that the discussion doesn't turn to the latest great restaurant find, the favorite seafood haven, the best spot for steak, a great waterside spot or a new romantic-dining discovery.

You will soon discover that folks here do business, entertain, meet, greet, and, oh yes, eat, at dining spots chic or simple, tucked in from sea to suburb, from urban core to the back of beyond, from shopping center to chic street. Nightclubs, discos, dance spots? Of course. Fort Lauderdale didn't earn its Fort Liquordale nickname for nothing!

Where To Stay

Whether you want to view the ocean and hear early morning waves breaking along Fort Lauderdale’s famous beach, relax in luxury amid serene Everglades preserves on its western borders, or anything in between, there’s a wide variety of accommodations to fit every comfort, style and budget.

It’s all here: charming bed and breakfasts in historic inns, tall high rises with spectacular sights, private beaches and designer swimming pools, or simple but convenient motels within walking distance to sand and surf. Amenities offered are numerous and varied from health clubs and pet sitters to business traveler services and childcare, or just the basic pot of coffee to start the day.

Most accommodations are seasonal in prices. During the summer months from May to September, rates are lowest. Many have multilingual staff.

Did You Know?

There are 23 miles of beach in Fort Lauderdale. There are also 25 miles of Intercoastal waterways and 165 miles of navigable canals. Fort Lauderdale is renowned as a spring break headquarters for hundreds of thousands of party hearty refugees from colleges across the country.

Orientation/Geography

Fort Lauderdale is located in the center of South Florida's Gold Coast between Palm Beach and Miami.


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