Fort Lauderdale, FL Road Trips

The first inhabitants of the land were Seminole Indians who arrived in the 18th century. During the Second Seminole War, Major William Lauderdale led his Tennessee Volunteers into the area and raised New River Fort on the site of the modern city in 1838. In 1893, a young Ohioan named Frank Stranahan arrived and built a house that served as the first trading post, post office, bank and town hall of the area. The house was built near the site of the New River Fort and still stands today as a museum, Stranahan House. Fort Lauderdale was incorporated as a town in 1911, and became the seat of newly formed Broward County. It began as a predominantly agricultural community of dairy farms and citrus groves. More growth came with establishment of the Naval Air Station, which is now Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. The city and its surrounding suburbs experienced tremendous growth following the end of World War II, and the arrival of home air-conditioning. In the 1960s, Fort Lauderdale became the center of Spring Break after the debut of the movie Where the Boys Are. It is now an anchor of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Metropolitan area, the nation's 6th largest metro area. Fort Lauderdale has a tropical rainforest climate. Summers are very humid with temperatures in the upper 80s °F and low 90s lasting into early fall. The city sees most of its rainfall in the summer (the wet season). Winter is warm and mild and mainly dry (the dry season) with mild temperatures that are occasionally broken up by some rain when cold fronts come through.

The most popular section of beach is where A1A runs alongside the beach, between Las Olas Blvd north to Sunrise Blvd. The "Elbo Room" bar, at Las Olas Blvd and A1A, was featured in the 1960s film Where the Boys Are. The movie led to the city's former reputation as a spring break mecca. The bar anchors the Southern end of the 'Strip', a strip of eating and drinking establishments that run along the land side of the beach road. Spring Break peaked in the mid 1980s and the city now attracts a more upscale crowd. Fort Lauderdale is in the midst of a luxury condo building boom, this is displacing the hotels that once lined the beach. The city is more cosmopolitan than most, having lots of Europeans and gay residents. The beach culture reflects the laid back nature of the community. You will find European food in the restaurants and bathers in thong swimsuits. 1 Beach Place, Located on A1A, north of Las Olas Blvd. A collection of bars, restaurants and retail stores connected to a Marriott hotel. 2 Bonnet House, 900 N Birch Rd, ☏ +1 954 563-5393. 3 Elbo Room, 241 South Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd (At the corner of Las Olas Blvd), ☏ +1 954-463-4615. The most famous spring break bar, and one of the few remaining from that period. The downtown area, especially around Las Olas Boulevard, has seen dramatic growth in the past decade, and now hosts many new hotels and high-rise condominium developments. Other improvements include a wide array of new boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. The entertainment district runs east–west along Las Olas Boulevard.

The beach. A prime attraction. There is parking just south of Las Olas Blvd or if that is full, there is plenty more under the Las Olas Blvd Bridge. The machines take cash or credit cards. There is more parking on A1A, North of Sunrise Blvd. Athletes enjoy running along the road by the beach in the early mornings. On Saturday mornings there is a continual stream. Best viewed from one of the numerous coffee shops or restaurants across the road from the beach. You can rent a bicycle and explore along the beach, or head inland via Las Olas Blvd, to explore the upscale shops that line Las Olas towards the downtown. From Las Olas the RiverWalk connects to the Arts and Entertainment district. Parking at some beach hotels is limited and with things quite close you will find bicycles are a good way to get around. Bicycle on the sidewalks if the traffic scares you. (updated May 2016) Boating. You can go boating on the miles of waterways. Take the water taxi, take a ride in a glass bottom boat or take one of the river cruises like the Jungle Queen. There is also sport or deep sea fishing. If boating is not your thing, then you can just watch the boats go by from the many waterfront bars and restaurants. (updated May 2016) SW 2nd Street. On Friday and Saturday evenings the bars and clubs along SW 2nd Street come alive with young people. If you are under 35 this is the place to be on weekend nights. Known by locals as Colee Hammock, this is the two blocks on SW 2nd St just West of the rail way tracks, near the Science Museum and Performing Arts Center.

Fort Lauderdale has countless dining options. Among the most popular areas are Las Olas Blvd, Olde Town Fort Lauderdale, and the Beach. 1 Big City Tavern, 609 Las Olas Blvd, ☏ +1 954-727-0307. Great atmosphere, outside seating available. Sandwiches to steaks served. 2 Capital Grille, 2418 E Sunrise Blvd (Galleria Mall). Upscale restaurant featuring excellent service and great steaks. Incredible wine selection. 3 Cheesecake Factory, 600 E Las Olas Blvd, ☏ +1 954-463-1999. At base of Riverside Hotel where Las Olas meets the Tunnel. Popular chain featuring a large menu and countless desserts. 4 Chima Steakhouse, 2400 E Las Olas Blvd, ☏ +1 954-712-0580. Excellent Brazilian rodizio. Great salad bar too. 5 Jalisco, 700 N Federal Hwy, ☏ +1 954 462-9695. Small, family-owned Mexican restaurant. Looks can be deceiving as excellent, yet affordable cuisine is served with a smile. 6 PF Chang's, 2418 E Sunrise Blvd (Galleria Mall), ☏ +1 954-565-5877. Popular national chain, serving non-traditional Chinese food. 7 Alibi, 2266 Wilton Dr, ☏ +1 954 565-2526. Wilton Manors. Gay bar & casual restaurant (hamburgers & sandwiches). Friendly, diverse "straight-friendly" crowd; lunch & dinner served both indoors & outside under covered patio area. Very reasonably priced. 8 Thai Me Up, 2389 Wilton Dr (on the main drag in Wilton Manors), ☏ +1 954-202-0000. M-Th 11:30AM-10:30PM, F 11:30AM-11PM; Sa 1:30PM-11PM, Su 5PM-10:30PM. Thai and Asian-fusion food. Great food, great atmosphere, enjoy the patio year 'round 9 Mai Kai, 3599 N. Federal Highway, ☏ +1 954 563-3272.

Fort Lauderdale's former reputation was built by Spring Break, and the city still does not disappoint. There are countless places to have a drink from little 'hole in the walls' to the ultra chic. 1 Aruba beach cafe, 1 Commercial Blvd (take commercial avenue east to end), ☏ +1 954-776-0001. open for lunch and dinner. A fun place for all ages with free live music from techno, pop to the beatles every day at 10PM. average $15 to $30. 2 ZEN BAR (Marando Farms), 1401 SW 1st AVE (South of Davie & West of Andrews, behind Tap 42), ☏ +1 954 937-8546, [email protected]. M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM. Cold-pressed raw, organic juices and smoothies. Zen Bar offers a wide selection of superfoods & also features a beautiful collection of crystals. Riverfront is a collection of stores and bars on the west side of the downtown district. Beach Place is on A1A across from the beach. It has many bars and restaurants, and is very popular on the weekends. Elbo Room famous spring break landmark at Las Olas Blvd and A1A. 3 Shooters, 3033 NE 32 Avenue (On the Intracoastal Waterway, south of Oakland Park Blvd), ☏ +1 954-566-2855. Very popular with the yacht crowd, as there are boat slips available. (updated Apr 2022) 4 Flossie's Bar and Grill, 3985 Ravenswood Rd (On the opposite side of I-95 from the airport. Outdoor tiki bar with live music some nights. Popular biker hangout.), ☏ +1 954-583-9656. (updated Apr 2022) 5 Georgie's Alibi, 2266 Wilton Dr. At the Shoppes of Wilton Manors. Wilton Dr. and NE 6 Ave.

1 Lauderdale by the Sea Vacation Rental Villa by the Ocean (Rentals Vacation Management), ☏ +1 954-771-7705. Steps to the beach in one of the safest cities in South Florida, public tennis and basketball courts, and access to sport fishing. Close proximity to over 50 public championship golf courses. Minutes to downtown Ft. Lauderdale, Las Olas Blvd., and the Performing Arts Center and numerous fine dining establishments. 20 minutes to Ft. Lauderdale Airport. 2 Bahia Mar, 801 Seabreeze Blvd, ☏ +1 954-764-2233. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. A beachside resort that offers an array of leisure pursuits, including a yachting center, a charter fishing fleet, and a championship golf at Grande Oaks Golf Club. 3 The Bonaventure Resort & Spa Fort Lauderdale Hotel, 250 Racquet Club Rd, ☏ +1 954-389-3300. Full-service spa, two 18-hole PGA championship courses and five inviting pools. 4 Days Inn Ft Lauderdale/Oakland Park, 1595 West Oakland Park Blvd, ☏ +1 954-484-9290. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 5 Embassy Suites, 1100 SE 17th St, ☏ +1 954-527-2700. An all-suite hotel in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. (updated Jun 2017) 6 Comfort Suites Weston - Sawgrass Mills South, 2201 N. Commerce Pkwy, ☏ +1 954-659-1555, fax: +1 954 659-1191. 7 Hyatt Place, 91 SW 18th Ave, ☏ +1 954-922-0436. Rooms with free Wi-Fi, refrigerator, flat screen TV. Guests have access to free airport shuttle, free parking, free breakfast, pool and fitness center. $113. 8 Hyatt House Fort Lauderdale Airport - South & Cruise Port, 90 SW 18th Ave, ☏ +1 954-922-0271.

South Florida has three airports with commercial service: 1 Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL IATA), 100 Terminal Drive (located just two miles south of down town Fort Lauderdale), ☏ +1 954 359-1200. It is a major airport and popular low cost carrier destination. This is the most convenient airport to Fort Lauderdale. Spirit Airlines maintains a hub here; JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United all have substantial operations here. FLL is the main domestic airport for the South Florida region. It is also an emerging hub for flights to and from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. To other parts of the world El Al operates flights to Tel Aviv from here. There are also some limited charter flights to and from Europe. Many passengers are bound for or coming from cruises using Port Everglades, some two miles away. Many taxis, cruise line buses, and hotel/motel shuttles make access to either easy. Miami International Airport (MIA IATA), is 25 miles (40 km) south of Fort Lauderdale. It is the major international airport in South Florida, and known as 'The Gateway to the Americas'. Home of American Airlines' Latin American hub and an operational base for Frontier Airlines. There are frequent flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe and many direct flights to the US West Coast; it is a 40-minute drive south of Fort Lauderdale using I-95, but can be much, much slower during rush hour. You can catch the Tri-Rail from Miami airport to Fort Lauderdale station for about $4 per person.

The east side of Fort Lauderdale, between down town and the beach, is criss crossed with canals. It doesn't matter if you are in a car, on bicycles, or on foot, you have to cross the canals where the bridges are. This is one town where a good map can save you a lot of backtracking. Surprisingly the best road map of the East side of town is the 'Dolphus Waterway Map". The US 1 does not intersect with Las Olas Boulevard. Your map is wrong if it says otherwise. The US 1 passes under the river in a tunnel and goes under Las Olas too, re-emerging only at Broward Blvd. to the north. This confuses many people who are trying to navigate around Fort Lauderdale. The easiest way to get around Fort Lauderdale and South Florida is by car. If you are renting—all the major national chains, and several local ones, can be found here—it is substantially less money to rent a car from a location outside of the airport. The city is set up on grid system and is fairly easy to navigate. Downtown is roughly two miles west of the beach. You need to consult a map when on the East side of town because the canals divide up the city and you need to find the bridges. Broward County is served by three major Interstates (I-75, I-95, I-595) and some U.S. Highways including U.S. Highway 1, US 27 and US 441. It is also served by Florida's Turnpike and State Highway 869, also known as the Sawgrass Expressway. Taxis are generally expensive, but available at almost any time and place. Yellow Cab, ☏ +1 954-777-7777. The largest company in the city. Water Taxi.

Fort Lauderdale can be very safe but there are some parts of town you should probably avoid if you are on foot at night. Like all cities, you should ask advice on what areas are safe and what to avoid. The areas likely to be frequented by the tourists, along the beach, shopping along Las Olas and down town are safe. This would be the NE and SE parts of the city. You should use more caution if the address is on the West side of the city NW or SW. The intersection of Andrews Ave and Broward Blvd designates the NW NE SW SE sections of the city. Avoid the NW and SW areas, especially at night. The central part of Broward County West of Andrews Ave to the Florida turnpike is not a place for tourists. Suburban cities that should be avoided include Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill and especially Sistrunk. Rental cars stand out as obvious targets for thieves, so never leave valuables in a visible place (put any purchases or valuables in the trunk) and always lock your car doors. Tourists may find South Florida drivers get impatient with the heavy traffic during high season. Try to plan your route before setting off and remember that US1 tunnels under Las Olas Blvd and the river. It may look like the two intersect on a map but they don't. South Florida has quite a few senior citizens on the road mixed in with their crazy teenaged offspring, so be alert. Emergency telephone number for fire, police and rescue emergencies is 911.