Designated as the ‘Venice of America’, the beautiful city of Fort Lauderdale in Florida, boasts of some of the best beaches in America and an extensive system of inland canals. It is located approximately 23 miles north of Miami, in the east central position of Broward County. Blessed with a semi-tropical climate, rich natural beauty, and good entertainment facilities, Fort Lauderdale is one of America’s top tourist destinations. Whether you want to marvel at the breathtaking coral reefs, explore the trendy boutiques and the amazing restaurants, or experience the culture of the city, Fort Lauderdale has something to offer for everyone.
Although the famous seven mile stretch of beach continues to be the major draw here, there are a host of other activities that you can do. These include strolling, biking, or skating along the Atlantic boulevard and the beach promenade, or taking part in the many water sports available, such as kite surfing. One of the prominent tourist highlights of the city is the water taxi tour along the scenic inland waterways. So whether you are vacationing with your family or traveling alone, there is a wealth of tourist attractions here, just waiting to be discovered.
Major Tourist Attractions in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale Beach: The sparkling seven miles of award-winning beaches, offer a host of recreation activities. The signature beach front promenade, along with the newly constructed wavewall, are the notable highlights of this famous coastline. People can stroll along and simply sit by or choose to participate in the vast range of activities which include boating, wind surfing, jet skiing, volleyball, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, and rollerblading. It also features an array of shops, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and entertainment venues. Nearby attractions include the Las Olas Marina and the Fort Lauderdale Aquatics Center.
Museum of Art – Fort Lauderdale: One of the most exciting venues for cultural activities, the Museum of Art features an ever-changing menu of exhibitions. They run an ambitious education program that offers art classes in a variety of media and subjects, for all ages and skill levels. There are also weekly and monthly special events, ranging from jazz and classical concerts to lectures and yoga classes. The permanent collection of the museum features American and European modern and contemporary art, Picasso ceramics and contemporary Cuban art, as well as a comprehensive collection of works, by the American impressionist William Glackens.
Fort Lauderdale Historical Museum: For those who want a glimpse into the history of Fort Lauderdale and Florida, the historical museum exhibits three of Fort Lauderdale’s oldest structures: the New River Inn, the Philomen Bryan House, the King-Cromartie House and even a replica of the city’s first schoolhouse. The Fort Lauderdale Historical Museum is open Tuesday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a perfect place to enjoy the scenery and sunshine of South Florida, with a path for rollerblading, biking, walking and jogging, a lagoon for canoeing, two marked nature trails, volleyball nets, play areas, and a visitors center. Open the year round, from 8am to sunset, the park fees are $3.25/per vehicle (up to 8 people) or a walk-in fee of $1 per person.
Flamingo Gardens: Featuring 60 acres of lush botanical gardens, the Flamingo Gardens in Fort Lauderdale allows tourists to enjoy the rich natural beauty of Florida. There are enclosures of flamingos, bobcats, and alligators, along with an interesting ‘birds of prey’ center. The garden’s wildlife sanctuary includes citrus groves, exotic and native plants and Florida’s indigenous ‘champion’ trees. The gardens are open to public, from 9:30 to 17:30, with discounts available on passes for senior citizens, students, military, and AAA members.
Along with these notable attractions, Fort Lauderdale tourism offers some exciting sightseeing tours and cruises. From the interesting Fort Lauderdale ghost tour, which offers a tour along the allegedly haunted areas and attractions, to the Glassbottom boat tours, which explore Fort Lauderdale’s stunning coral reefs and other underwater attractions, the attractions in this stunning city never fail to amaze. So go ahead and enjoy the thrill of the action, of thoroughbred horse racing at the Pompano race track or catch an exciting ‘Miami Dolphin’s’ football game at the dolphin stadium, and discover why the city has become the preferred destination for vacationers and business travelers seeking a seaside retreat.
