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There's nothing more relaxing than a Fort Lauderdale vacation. Whether you're enjoying fancy cocktails at a local bar or reading your favorite magazine along the water's edge, your trip to Fort Lauderdale is the time to live out your beachy dreams. Many visitors choose to stay close to Hollywood Beach, situated just 11 kilometres from the center of town. However, you'll also find a great range of Fort Lauderdale vacation deals close to Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las Olas Beach, two other superb nearby options.
Florida’s city of canals and sunshine is the “Venice of America” and the perfect place to enjoy beach chic.
Fort Lauderdale is at the heart of South Florida’s Gold Coast, known for sunshine, golden beaches and watersports. With Latino-influence Miami to the south and posh Boca Raton to the north, Fort Lauderdale is a laid-back and central location along a 23-mile (37-kilometer) strip of beautiful beaches. The 300 miles (480 kilometers) of inland canals and waterways, towering luxury high-rise architecture and 100-year-old history all add to the city's immense appeal.
With tropical summers and relatively mild winters, Fort Lauderdale offers year-round activities. Remember to enjoy what Fort Lauderdale is famous for, its beaches. Relax at the uncrowded Dania Beach, dine in style at Fort Lauderdale Beach, or head to Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, a cute village by the ocean. Further north you will find a string of beaches and seaside communities, including Jupiter Beach and Palm Beach.
The palm-fringed beaches attract sun seekers and are a hub for outdoor fun, from rollerblading to surfing. Las Olas Boulevard has many of the area’s best restaurants, cafes, bars and boutiques. Close by, Riverwalk’s pink-paved sidewalk takes you past luxury yachts and cruise boats to the prestigious Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Shopping in Fort Lauderdale ranges from the upscale, air-conditioned comfort of the Galleria Mall to the eclectic Festival Flea Market Mall. Explore the Swap Shop, another emporium for bargain hunting, which hosts drive-in movies after dark.
Fort Lauderdale is also home to a handful of top museums and gardens. The Museum of Discovery and Science is great for families, with plenty of hands-on exhibits, animals and an IMAX theater.
Don’t miss the Flamingo Gardens, one of the longest established botanical gardens in South Florida. It features the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary, which has the most comprehensive collection of Florida's native wildlife in the state. Another family favorite is Butterfly World where you can walk among more than 80 species of butterflies in superb tropical rainforest gardens.
Blurring the line between spring-break capital and stylish retreat, this so-called Venice of America feels suitably exotic.
From Settlement to Spring Break
Fort Lauderdale is a city of many faces. What was once a small settlement on Florida's Atlantic Coast has quickly become a sun-soaked wonder and nightlife paragon for travellers of all stripes. Don't be dissuaded if you're not a party animal: Fort Lauderdale holidays aren't quite the up-all-night affairs that popular culture would have you believe, and the region's modern image strikes a stylish balance between the history of its iconic canals and the future of its upmarket boulevards.
Luxury, Leisure, and Lots of Fun
In fact, the city has become such a first-class mainstay that nearly every Fort Lauderdale hotel boasts a celebrity-worthy amenity or two. Here, luxury and leisure are one in the same; from the glittering beaches that beckon near the Strip to the trendy art events along Las Olas, a Fort Lauderdale vacation feels like a little piece of star-studded Santa Monica right here in the Sunshine State.
Life's a Beach
Of course, the breathtaking weather takes plenty of credit for that. This is one of the state's most stunning year-round paradises, and it's rare to find a freezing temp during even the darkest days of winter. You might come across some rain in the cooler months, but the mid-afternoon drizzle only heightens the city's romantic effects.
Top Things to See and Do
When it comes to things to do in Fort Lauderdale, it's better to ask what's not available rather than what is. This FL city offers nearly everything you could possibly imagine: championship golf courses, sprawling estates, and neon-flecked nightlife to name just a few choices. Start with some shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, head to the Riverwalk for glimpse at yacht-fueled luxury, or work on your tan near vibrant South Beach. Rent a car in Fort Lauderdale for your excursions to Miami and Everglades National Park, but traverse the city itself on foot whenever possible. It's the best way to see the European-inspired canals and bridges in action.
Fort Lauderdale Vacation Packages, Cheap Deals, and More
For the latest deals and discount prices on hotels, packages and cheap flights to Fort Lauderdale, make sure to use the travel tools at Expedia to book your getaway. Spring break has never looked so chic.
Ice cream parlors, a music stage and a water playground are among the highlights of the lively boulevard backing onto this picturesque beach.
With seven miles of flawless beach, a team of dedicated lifeguards and luxury retailers and restaurants, this is the perfect Florida vacation destination.
