Fort Lauderdale Tourism: More than Just a Beach Town

Established on March 27, 1911 the city of Fort Lauderdale sits pleasantly on the southeast coast of Florida, between Miami and Palm Beach, and encompasses a good 33 square miles. The city is bustling with over 180,000 residents that call Fort Lauderdale home, making it the seventh largest city in Florida. It has been dubbed the “Venice of America” because it is situated by the New River and the Atlantic Ocean, and crisscrossed by numerous inland waterways. It truly lives up to its nickname.

The city’s true name (Lauderdale) originated from a Seminole War encampment built in 1838 near the banks of the New River. Major William Lauderdale was the leader of a detachment of Tennessee volunteers that marched along the east coast of Florida in order to capture Seminole lands and fight the elusive Indian warriors. In the end, there would be three forts named after Major Lauderdale, and today’s Fort Lauderdale is the only one out of those three that still remains.

So much to do and see

There are so many things to discover in Fort Lauderdale that it might take more than one vacation to take in all that it has to offer. There are many parks to choose from as well as beaches, museums, performing arts venues, restaurants, theaters, cultural events and much more. Summer vacations here are unlike any others. There are over 3,000 hours of sunshine every year and the ocean breezes are endless. The world famous Fort Lauderdale beach offers the perfect opportunity for recreation, relaxation and enjoyment—but there’s so much more.

The Riverwalk’s picturesque beauty serves as a backdrop to the city’s historic district that features the Museum of Discovery and Science, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Art and the Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum. For scholars and students, downtown Fort Lauderdale is home to the Broward Community College, Florida Atlantic University and the award-winning Broward County Main Library. The city combines the charms and the welcoming character of a small town with the educational, cultural and artistic resources of a busy metropolis, but always seems to be in perfect balance.

 

Parks, recreation and fun

There are several parks in Fort Lauderdale that are open to the public 365 days a year. Plantation Heritage Park, Tree Tops Park, Markham Park, Bubier Park and Colohatchee Park are among the available choices, but one of the most popular parks in the city happens to be Hugh Taylor Birch Park. This park is very family oriented and offers an array of activities and fun for all to enjoy. There are concession stands, rollerblade rentals, souvenir vendors, guided Segway tours and every April the March of Dimes hosts the annual “Walk for Babies” there, too.
There are over 200 species of birds in the park, which makes it a great place for bird watching.

Visitors to Hugh Taylor Birch Park can also rent canoes and cruise in a freshwater lagoon, or stay on dry land to cast a fishing line from the seawall. For nature lovers, there are many short and long hiking trials to venture on and discover local plant life, as well as observe the exotic wildlife in the park. There is also beach access via a pedestrian tunnel, and the park also offers places to camp for families and group organizations.

Your adventure awaits you

Port Everglades is also one point of interest that any visitor is sure to enjoy. Originally known as Lake Mabel, it was established as a deep-water harbor back in 1927 and since then has blossomed into one of Florida’s most popular tourist destinations. More than 5,300 ships call this place home, which makes it a great place to hop aboard one of the many magnificent ships and cruise the ocean waters.

Visitors that fly into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport are only minutes from Port Everglades and many choose to stay at one of the hotels nearby and others will take advantage of the area from the cruise ships that anchor offshore. The parks, the glades, the sun, the fun—it’s easy to get caught up in all of the wonders of Fort Lauderdale. The beauty of Fort Lauderdale will charm any visitor while the beaches, the ocean, the views and the ports all merge into one beautiful and exciting wonderland. That makes Fort Lauderdale more than a mere beach town, and more like a town full of unique memories waiting to happen. Your adventure awaits you in Fort Lauderdale today, and they’re saving some special memories just for you.