Miles of lagoons and waterways make Greater Fort Lauderdale one of the most popular areas on Florida’s Gold Coast. Getting around Greater Fort Lauderdale is half the fun: One of the city’s main thoroughfares is the New River, where you can hop on a water taxi and take in the sights.
This South Florida city, known as the “Venice of America,” has 300 miles of navigable waterways, has a reputation for gracious living and is one of the country’s largest yachting centers. Restaurants and bars overlook the canals, and several of the city’s special events, including a Winterfest Boat Parade that draws local, national and international celebrities, revolve around boating and the water. Major redevelopment in the 1990s left Fort Lauderdale with an abundance of excellent museums, art galleries, restaurants, hotels, and sidewalk cafes.
Several nearby coastal communities make up Greater Fort Lauderdale. To the north are Pompano Beach (where sportfishing is a favored pastime), Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (a small seaside oasis) and Deerfield Beach (virtually untouched by beach erosion). To the south are Port Everglades (the country’s second-busiest port, frequented by five star cruise lines), Dania Beach (known for its antiques), Hallandale Beach (a seaside community formerly home to retirees but now popular with younger folks, as well) and Hollywood (its Broadwalk parallels the ocean).
Las Olas Boulevard, which follows the New River as it flows toward the Atlantic Ocean, is Fort Lauderdale’s upscale shopping and dining district. If you are a history buff, the restored Victorian home of city founder Frank Stranahan, now a museum, can easily be included in a boulevard stroll.
The picturesque Riverwalk serves as the cornerstone of the City’s arts, science, cultural and historic district. At the far west end of the boulevard is Las Olas Riverfront, an entertainment and retail complex.
Getting around Greater Fort Lauderdale is part of the sightseeing experience: the water taxi takes passengers between hotels, restaurants, theaters and nightclubs. At night, the twinkling lights along the canals make the ride quite romantic.