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Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Travel Notes

Fort Lauderdale has grown from the onetime spring break party capital into an upscale vacation destination. The sparkling white beaches can be enjoyed almost all year round thanks to the always warm climate. The waterways surrounding the city are the favorite way to tour.

About Fort Lauderdale

Once a prime spring break destination, Fort Lauderdale has worked hard to rid itself of the party image to bring a more sophisticated and relaxed clientele to its beautiful beaches. known as the "Venice of America" for its labyrinth of intricate canals, Fort Lauderdale offers numerous gondola tours to take visitors through miles of breathtaking scenery. It is also home to 42,000 resident yachts and one hundred marinas and boatyards.

Fort Lauderdale got its name from several forts built during the Second Seminole War which lasted from 1835 to 1842. The forts were named after Major William Lauderdale, commander of a detachment of soldiers who built the first fort. In 1911, Ft. Lauderdale was incorporated and became the county seat of Broward County in 1915. The forts are now gone and have given way to such sights as "Millionaire's Row."

Beaches!

In addition to the seven miles of beaches that are a popular tourist destination, Fort Lauderdale is host to other great attractions. Some of these attractions geared toward the nature lover include the Everglades, the Flamingo Gardens and Wray Botanical Collection, as well as snorkeling and scuba diving.

In the greater Fort Lauderdale area there are a number of kid-friendly destinations that will be enjoyed by parents, too. Picasso's Interactive Art Studio and Cafe offers day camps for the kids and pottery classes for the adults. The Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre offers theater arts classes and camps for both young children and teens. Not to be missed is the Dolphin Swim by Keys Adventure Tours. The whole family can swim with the dolphins and take home memories for a lifetime.

With its extensive bus service, it's an easy and affordable way to see many of Fort Lauderdale's attractions throughout the day. Another fun option is the Sun Trolley. These fun trolleys are air-conditioned, wheelchair accessible, and have bike carriers. The best part is that the trolleys are free except on weekends when routes cost just a dollar.

There are also many discount travel packages visitors can find online, offering significant savings for air fare, hotels, and car rentals. A trip to Fort Lauderdale doesn't have to be expensive.

Fort Lauderdale, with it's miles of beaches, sunshine, and beautiful canals, is a popular tourist destination that offers something for everyone. It is a wealthy city accessible to all who want to see it first-hand and enjoy a vacation of a lifetime.

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