Located north of Miami on Florida’s southeastern coast, the city of Fort Lauderdale is a lively, picturesque destination that features a more than 300-mile extended network of man-made, navigable canals. These meandering waterways are a prominent attraction of the city, and it is for this reason that Fort Lauderdale is often referred to as the ‘Venice of America.
While cruising the waterways of Fort Lauderdale is a favorite pastime for visitors, the city also offers a variety, of exciting and fun sights guaranteed to cater to all tastes.
Experience Life’s a Beach
Sun worshippers will be delighted with Fort Lauderdale’s twenty-three miles of golden sand beaches. These oceanfront enclaves like Deerfield Beach, Dania Beach, Hollywood Beach, Lauderdale by the Sea, Pompano Beach amongst others, provide the perfect setting for various sporting and recreational pursuits such as fishing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, beach combing and even championship golf.
Marvel at the Grand houses
Fort Lauderdale is home to some truly spectacular abodes, and if you have a penchant for design and interiors, you should include tours of the city’s famous private dwellings turned museums such as the stunning Bonnet House Museum and Gardens and the historic Stranahan House Museum, the oldest edifice in Broward County.
Traverse the New River aboard the Jungle Queen
The New River is the city’s main water body that connects to the Everglades before finally emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Since 1935, the Jungle Queen riverboats have been ferrying visitors to the city as they take in the fascinating sights and sounds of life along the river. The Jungle Queen cruise continues to be one the star attractions of the city.
Get acquainted with flora and fauna of Florida.
Alligators are almost synonymous with Florida, and no trip to the sunshine state is complete without a tour of the Everglades. The Everglades Holiday Park extends over twenty-nine acres of wetlands and offers ample opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with Florida’s famous reptiles by way of its airboat tours.
Outdoorsy visitors may also want in pencil in a visit to the Oceanside Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which offers various hiking and cycling trails and is home a plethora of native fauna like the gopher tortoise and the marsh rabbit.
Imbibe culture at the museums and performing arts center
The culture-loving tourist will delight in the city’s art offerings as Fort Lauderdale abounds with fabulous museums. Must visit institutions include the Museum of Discovery and Science, the NSU Art Museum, the Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum and the International Swimming Hall of Fame which has pools as well as an onsite museum. If you would instead like to take in a performance, then the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Fort Lauderdale is the place for you. This expansive venue has a year-round roster of a multitude of cultural events including dance, musical performances, theater and more.
Put the finger on the pulse of Fort Lauderdale on Las Olas Boulevard
Every city around the world has a unique vibe, and Fort Lauderdale is no different. A meander along its main drag, the Oceanside Las Olas Boulevard will lead you to discover chic eateries, quirky art galleries, fashionable boutiques and several bars and cafes that become the epicenter of all the action when the sun sets.
