Fort Lauderdale of today is a destination that will keep the well-traveled with a discriminating taste satisfied. The year-round mild temperatures make the sandy beaches an ideal relaxing spot during daytime. At night, however, the long boulevards 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 explorers paradise.
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101 NE 3rd Ave, Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale
+1 954 765 4466
The City
Besides its former reputation as a Spring Break hotspot, today’s Ft. 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 on big flea markets, the place has offers for every one and every pocket. Moreover, Fort Lauderdale hosts one of the world’s largest Drive-In cinemas for the perfect retro experience on screen.
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, Museum of Art and Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum, and Museum of Science and Discovery.
Do & See
There are many options for the adventure seeker as well as the relaxed traveler. With museums, historical mansions and architecture, and even alligator-spotting swamp rides, all types of visitors will be entertained.
International Swimming Hall of Fame
NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale
Billie Swamp Safari
Stranahan House
Museum of Discovery and Science
Swap Shop
Fort Lauderdale Boat Tours
Butterfly World
Las Olas Beach and Boulevard
Bliss Spa
Fort Lauderdale Historical Society
Fire and Safety Museum
EZride Surf School
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Sea Experience
Flamingo Gardens
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
Jungle Queen Cruises
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Bonnet House
Dining
Some of the finest Florida dining is in this area of the state, where seafood meets creativity and fusion possibilities are endless.
Bimini Boatyard Bar and Grill
Café Vico
Chima Brazilian Steakhouse
Canyon Restaurant
Grille 66 & Bar
Casa D’Angelo
Thai Spice
Anthony’s Coal Fried Pizza
Steak 945
Bao Bar & Asian Kitchen
Hardy Park Bistro
The Pirate Republic Bar, Seafood & Grill
Casablanca Cafe
Sage French Cafe
Cafes
For either lingering over coffee and a scone or grabbing a quick sandwich on a busy day of sightseeing, these cafés could fill every afternoon of your trip.
Stork’s Bakery and Coffee House
Coconuts
Green Bar & Kitchen
El Guanaco
Gilbert's 17th Street Grill
Bars & Nightlife
People are drawn to the quality of life in Fort Lauderdale. The beach climate and cultural and entertainment aspects draw visitors and residents alike.
Poorhouse
Qbar Burgers & Blues
Posh Lounge
Culture Room
McSorley's Beach Pub
American Social Bar
Tap 42 Bar & Kitchen
The Dive Bar
Elbo Room
Lulu's Bait Shack
Parrot Lounge
Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar & Cafe
Laser Wolf
Blue Martini
Scandals Saloon
LauderAle Brewery
Stache
Funky Buddha Brewery
Himmarshee Public House
Shopping
Those with a taste for design will have a hard time choosing how to spend their time shopping in Fort Lauderdale.
Antique Row
Design Center of the Americas
The Gallery at Beach Place
Las Olas Boulevard and Las Olas Riverfront
The Galleria Mall
Harbor Shops
Coral Ridge Shopping Plaza
Ross Dress for Less
Swap Shop
A1A Guitars & Art
Westfield Broward Mall
Pompano Citi Centre
Radio-Active Records
The Colonnade Outlets
Gateway Shopping Center
Couture Upscale Consign
Dania Historic Antiques District
Adventure Sports
Essential Information
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.
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.
Hollywood International Airport
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 12 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
Website: www.broward.org/airport
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
+1 561 841 4200
Palm Beach County’s public bus transportation offers regular services throughout Palm Beach County.
Tri-Rail
+1 800 874 7245
This rail service provides transportation between West Palm Beach and Miami, with stops at many locations 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
+1 800 872 7245
Long- and short-distance rail service throughout the United States.
Supershuttle
+1 800 258 3826
Exclusive share-ride door-to-door transportation to and from Palm Beach International Airport. 24-hour service. No reservations needed for arriving passengers.
Taxi
Various taxicab options are available:
Yellow Cab: +1 954 777 7777
B&L Services: +1 954 565 6400
Infinity Transportation: +1 954 252 5466
Ambassador Taxi Services: +1 954 779 7777
Taxi Service Incorporated: +1 954 851 0909
Intercity Taxi: +1 954 633 8975
West Broward Airport & Taxi: +1 954 680 4009
Expert Taxi Inc: +1 954 463 8294
Hello Harry Here Taxi: +1 954 755 1111
Ride sharing apps, such as Uber, are also commonly used.
Post
The main Fort Lauderdale Post Office is located at 400 NW 7th Avenue and there are several mail boxes around the city.
Address: 400 NW 7th Ave, Fort Lauderdale
Phone: +1 954 761 3228
Pharmacy
Numerous locations at CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid, most grocery stores, and various independent and chain store retailers.
Telephone
Country code: +1
Area code: 954
Electricity
Flat 2 or 3-prong plugs are standard, with 110-115 volt adapters available in many electrical shops and discount variety stores.