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Fort Lauderdale
The 'Venice of America' is located at the centre of the Sunshine State's Gold Coast and Florida's Fort Lauderdale is now a popular chic and casual town resort, which was once the ideal college crowd destination of the USA. Fort Lauderdale is a city of islands, built on a network of canals, rivers, bays and waterways, fronted by 23 miles (37km) of sun-kissed golden sands washed by the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Boating is, of course, a favourite pastime, as is cycling, roller-blading or simply strolling along the scenic palm tree-fringed beachfront promenade which gives on to the magnificent beaches. Nearby, divers are delighted by one of the only living coral reefs in the United States accessible from shore, and there are sporting facilities galore throughout the city, particularly some wonderful golf courses. Those with a cultural bent are well catered for at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Grand Opera, the annual renowned Film Festival and numerous art galleries and museums. Fort Lauderdale justly boasts that it has the facilities and attractions to please any visitor, young or old, seeking fun in the sun; and if that is not enough the exciting city of Miami lies only 40 miles (64km) away, just begging to be explored on a day trip or two.
The sophisticated shopping area of Fort Lauderdale is Las Olas Avenue, which is lined with designer boutiques, sidewalk cafes that look out over the river, art galleries and restaurants. Here window-shoppers chat in a dozen languages while others rest their feet and watch the passing parade from the shady cafes. For more frenetic shopping action head off about 10 miles (16km) west to Sunrise Boulevard and you can plunge into the Swap Shop Circus where more than 12-million shoppers a year sift through the goods at 800 open-air canopied vendor stalls selling brand name items at bargain prices. The circus also actually features circus shows, and boasts the world's largest 13-screen drive-in movie theatre. Right nearby is Florida's largest retail and entertainment centre, Sawgrass Mills, with almost two miles (three km) of mall housing more than 400 stores and kiosks. The Oasis food court here holds more than 30 popular eateries. Antique-collectors enjoy the treasure-trove of the Dania Beach Historic Antique Shopping District, home to dozens of antique shops and the Antique Center Mall.
The choice of cuisine in Fort Lauderdale is vast and visitors can try gourmet treats from the traditional Southern cooking, French nouvelle or even genuine German sausage. The inner man and woman is catered for in more than 3,500 restaurants covering greater Fort Lauderdale, ranging from intimate cafes to al fresco waterfront terraces, quaint bistros and ethnic eateries to cosy steakhouses. Like elsewhere in Florida the local treat is fresh seafood. Occasionally some of the more popular restaurants band together for promotional months during which special fixed price menus are offered at bargain prices.
Fort Lauderdale is a hive of activity as the sun goes down. Although there is plenty of action to be had, nightlife here tends to be sophisticated rather than wild, and most of the fun is over by 3am at the latest. On offer after dark are coffee bars, music clubs, jazz clubs, comedy clubs, numerous theme bars and outdoor cafes with music. Night owls tend to stroll from place to place in the popular Himmarshee Village area, a block or two west of downtown, where many trendy establishments are situated. Another hot spot is Beach Place on the beachfront where there is plenty of nocturnal entertainment.
Holidays in Fort Lauderdale offer a wide range of water based act ivies, including sailing, boat excursions, scuba diving, excellent fishing opportunities or taking a trip on a yacht to a coral reef. Numerous operators provide services for these recreational water sports. The less energetic can enjoy the year-round sunshine and tropical climate simply toasting on the golden sandy beaches. The city also boasts numerous attractions to entertain young and old in the form of museums, parks, golf courses and nature areas. Those who have the time and inclination to venture further afield can make excursions to the nearby pulsating city of Miami, the renowned Everglades National Park or Key West, the southernmost part of the United States. Despite Fort Lauderdale's attempt to shake off the college Spring Break image, a downside of the resort is that much of America's youth still gather there every year. Many holidaymakers complain that the city's beaches and surrounds are scruffy, and that finding parking at the busy main beach can be a problem, particularly at weekends.
