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Things To Do
Sports & Outdoors
Sunny weather and easy accessibility make Fort Lauderdale a destination for sports enthusiasts. Water sports take the lead in fun activities for the whole family.
The Florida Panthers hockey team plays at the BankAtlantic Center in the Sunrise area of Fort Lauderdale. For tickets and more information, call 954-835-7000.
Popular Fort Lauderdale golf courses include the Inverrary Country Club in Lauderhill and the Jacaranda Golf Club in Plantation. The city offers courses designed by famed luminaries such as Robert Trent Jones and Joe Lee.
Greater Fort Lauderdale was named to the Top 10 World's Best Wreck Diving, Marine Life and Value Dive Destinations by the readers of a popular diving magazine. Find an excellent selection of colorful marine life while diving at Barracuda Reef, Hog Heaven and the Wreck of the Jim Atria.
The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex is home to the Fort Lauderdale Aquatics, the Jack Nelson Swim School, the Fort Lauderdale Dive Team and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. For more information, call 954-828-4580. 501 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Arts Museums & Landmarks
The Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment district in downtown Fort Lauderdale is home to various museums and exhibitions aimed at family fun and excitement.
The Museum of Discovery and Science offers hundreds of interactive exhibits geared toward Florida wildlife. A blockbuster IMAX theater adds extra excitement. For more information, call 954-467-6637. 401 S.W. Second Street, Fort Lauderdale.
The Museum of Art-Fort Lauderdale provides complimentary admission the first Sunday of each month. The museum offers an ever-changing menu of exhibitions along with art classes, yoga lessons and jazz concerts. For more information on current exhibits, call 954-525-5500. 1 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Learn about Fort Lauderdale’s rich and colorful past at the Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum. The complex includes the New River Inn, the Philemon Bryan House and a replica of an 1899 schoolhouse. For more information, call 954-463-4431. 219 S.W. Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
Dining
Led by culinary mastermind Mark Militello, Mark’s Las Olas offers signature dishes made with conch, mouthwatering gourmet pizzas and delicious desserts. Unexpected ingredients make this restaurant worth the trip. For reservations, call 954-463-1000. 1032 Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
A favorite of locals, Deli Den serves delicious kosher specialties including cheese blintzes, matzo balls and inexpensive bagel sandwiches. Kids eat for free every Monday and Thursday. For more information, call 954-961-4070. 2889 Stirling Road, Hollywood.
The upscale Fish offers a traditional seafood menu with eclectic touches. For reservations, call 954-527-5433. 1850 SE 17th Street, Causeway, Fort Lauderdale.
Experience oceanfront dining at 3030 Ocean Restaurant, where a delectable raw bar attracts locals and tourists alike. Live jazz adds to the already lovely ambience. For reservations, call 954-765-3030. 3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale.
Shopping
Greater Fort Lauderdale shopping excursions range from designer outlet malls to balmy open-air markets. Shopoholics can scavenge designer finds at Sawgrass Mills and browse the tony shops of Las Olas Boulevard.
Featuring the only David Yurman outlet in the nation, The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills is home to many recognizable designer names. Neiman Marcus Last Call shares space with Miss Sixty, Burberry and Coach. The open-air promenade is located adjacent to the ever-popular Sawgrass Mills. For more information, call 954-846-2300. 1800 Sawgrass Mills Circle, Sunrise.
Just two blocks north of Las Olas Boulevard, The Gallery at BeachPlace blends casual dining with outdoor shopping and nightlife. The area stretches along the beach for a lovely atmosphere. For more information, call 954-764-3460. 17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Anchored by Lord & Taylor and Macy’s, The Fashion Mall at Plantation offers indoor shopping and a varied food court. The mall is located right across from the Broward Mall for one-stop shopping. For more information, call 954-370-1884. 321 N. University Drive, Plantation.
Events
International and top local artists will take the stage at the Hollywood Beach Latin Festival on August 20, 2006. Sizzling Latin food and colorful arts and crafts attract more than 50,000 people every year. For more information, call 954-921-3404.
Located across from the Museum of Art, the Las Olas Art Festival features works by more than 250 artists. Purchase unique jewelry and snag some original artwork September 2 and 3, 2006. For more information, call 954-525-5500.
Often referred to as the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale hosts the famed International Boat Show. Featuring more than 1,600 seaworthy vessels, the show exhibits everything from super-yachts to speedboats. The show runs from October 26 to 30, 2006. For more information, call 954-764-7642.
Gay Pride Events and Gay Parades in Fort Lauderdale
Neighborhoods
Downtown
The downtown area now attracts young professionals seeking high-rise lofts. Trendy Las Olas Boulevard is the main downtown attraction with its chic boutiques, stylish hair salons and myriad of restaurants. Other desirable attractions include Riverfront Cruises along the coastline and the Seldom Seen Gallery.
Hollywood
Hollywood is home to the Downtown Hollywood Art and Design district, where quaint sidewalks lead guests to trendy boutiques and sidewalk cafes. The area also showcases cultural venues such as the Hollywood Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hollywood Playhouse. Some say the Hollywood Beach is the best in the area.
Beaches
What says South Florida more than the beach? More than seven miles of sparkling sand are punctuated by premier restaurants and shops on Fort Lauderdale Beach. The most crowded portions lie between Sunrise and Las Olas. Although not as popular, the northern beaches are just as nice, and stretch from Sunrise to Oakland Park Boulevard.
Airport
Serviced by more than 25 U.S. and international airlines, the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is near numerous major attractions. The airport is less than three miles from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, the Broward General Medical Center and the Museum of Art-Fort Lauderdale.
West
A bevy of smaller cities including Plantation, Miramar, Coral Springs and Tamarac make up West Fort Lauderdale. Stylistic architectural touches are most prevalent in Weston, just minutes from the Everglades.
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