Fort Lauderdale is a destination that will satisfy the well-traveled with a discriminating taste. The year-round mild temperatures make its sandy beaches an ideal relaxing spot during the daytime. At night, however, the long boulevard turns into a vibrant party mile with clubs, bars and pubs as far as the eye can see. With some of the best restaurants, shops, and boutique hotels in the state, this city is a hip explorer's paradise.
Besides its former reputation as a Spring Break hotspot, today’s Fort Lauderdale is an affluent international business center. Moreover, it is well-known for its boat manufacturing and leisure time industry, which have earned it the nickname “Venice of America.”
Whether you like to relax in luxury spas, or rather go second-hand shopping at big flea markets, the place has offers for everyone and every pocket. Moreover, Fort Lauderdale hosts one of the world’s largest drive-in cinemas for the perfect retro experience.
Centrally located between Miami and Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale was originally named after Major Lauderdale, as were the three forts in the city. While none of these forts exist today, the place is now a desirable location for new or relocating businesses. It supports a diverse range of industries, such as film and television production, finance, marine, manufacturing, aerospace, insurance, and real estate.
Riverwalk, the foundation of the city’s art and historic district, features the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the Museum of Science and Discovery, among others.
There are many options for the adventure-seeker as well as the relaxed traveller. With museums, historical mansions, architecture, and even alligator-spotting swamp rides, all types of visitors will be entertained in Fort Lauderdale.
International Swimming Hall of Fame
NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale
Billie Swamp Safari
Stranahan House
Museum of Discovery & Science
Swap Shop & Thunderbird Drive-In Theater
Butterfly World
Las Olas Beach & Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale Historical Society
Fire & Safety Museum
EZride Surf School
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Sea Experience
Flamingo Gardens
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Jungle Queen Cruises
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Some of the finest Florida dining is in this area of the state, where seafood meets creativity and fusion possibilities are endless.
Boatyard
Cafe Vico
Chima Steakhouse
Canyon Restaurant
Casa D’Angelo
Thai Spice
Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza & Wings
Steak 954
Casa Sensei
Pirate Republic Seafood Restaurant
Casablanca Cafe
For either lingering over coffee and a scone or grabbing a quick sandwich on a busy day of sightseeing, these cafes could fill every afternoon of your trip.
Stork’s Bakery & Coffee House
Coconuts
El Guanaco Taqueria Y Antojitos
Gilbert's 17th Street Grill
Poorhouse
Culture Room
McSorley's Beach Pub
American Social Bar
Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar
Elbo Room
Lulu's Bait Shack
Parrot Lounge
Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar & Cafe
Laser Wolf
Blue Martini
Scandals Saloon
LauderAle Brewery
Stache Drinking Den + Coffee Bar
Funky Buddha Brewery
Posh Lounge
Those with a taste for design will have a hard time choosing how to spend their time shopping in Fort Lauderdale.
West Palm Beach Antique Row Art & Design District
Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA)
The Gallery at Beach Place
Las Olas Boulevard & Las Olas Riverfront
The Galleria
Harbor Shops
Coral Ridge Mall
Ross Dress for Less
Swap Shop
Westfield Broward Mall
Pompano Citi Centre
Radio-Active Records
The Colonnade Outlets
Gateway Shopping Center
Couture Upscale Consign
Dania Historic Antiques District
Adventure Sports
Passport / Visa
Citizens of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Kingdom of Brunei can visit the United States for up to 90 days without applying for a visa (as well as citizens of Andorra, Lichtenstein, Monaco and San Marino). Citizens of these countries must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before traveling. All other travelers must obtain a visa before visiting the United States. International travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the country.
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Best Time to Visit
Fort Lauderdale comes alive during winter, from December to mid-spring when temperatures are at their warmest and snowbirds flock south to escape cold winters. Weather can be unpredictable during the summer and fall months (June-November), which are also when the risk of hurricanes is at its highest.
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Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Hollywood International Airport is the main airport for the Fort Lauderdale area. There are four main terminals serving a number of airlines, including domestic carriers Continental, American, JetBlue, Delta, Southwest, Northwest, AirTran, Spirit, and US Airways, as well as international carriers like Air Canada, Air Jamaica, and Finnair.
Just a few miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale, the airport offers easy access to major roadways including I-95, I-75, I-595, U.S. 1, and Florida’s Turnpike to destinations in South and Central Florida. The airport is also in a prime location for those taking cruises, just two miles from Port Everglades, from where most cruise ships leave.
There is a commuter train (Tri-Rail) that connects the airport to Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County. BCT bus route 1 runs through Broward County.
There are plenty of rental car companies offering over 5,400 cars in one accessible location. As of recently, Uber cars also have access to the pick-up areas of the airport.
Address: Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale
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Website: www.broward.org/airport
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Public Transport
There is a number of bus and rail services available in the area of Fort Lauderdale. For selected destinations, you can also get on a shuttle.
Palm Tran
Palm Beach County’s public bus transportation offers regular services throughout Palm Beach County.
Tri-Rail
A commuter rail line linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, with stops at many locations in between. The Palm Beach International Airport is accessible by Tri-Rail from the West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station located at 203 South Tamarind Avenue. A Palm Tran shuttle carries passengers to/from the Tri-Rail station to PBIA.
Amtrak
Long- and short-distance rail service throughout the United States.
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Taxi
Various taxicab options are available. Fort Lauderdale Taxi Cab is one of the better options. Ride-sharing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, are also commonly used.
Fort Lauderdale Taxi Cab
+1 954 591 3282
Address: Fort Lauderdale Taxi Cab
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Phone: +1 954 591 3282
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Post
The main Fort Lauderdale Post Office is located at 400 Northwest 7th Avenue and there are numerous mailboxes around the city.
Address: 400 Northwest 7th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
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Phone: +1 800 275 8777
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Pharmacy
Numerous locations at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Rite-Aid, most grocery stores, and various independent and chain store retailers.
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Telephone
Country code: +1
Area code: 954
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Electricity
Flat 2 or 3-prong plugs are standard, with 110-115 volt adapters available in many electrical shops and discount variety stores.
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