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By-the-water breaks don’t come classier than on holidays to Fort Lauderdale. They land you in the yachting capital of the world.
Florida’s no stranger to a standout swathe, and the beaches here all sing from the same hymn sheet. The leading lady of the line up is its namesake beach, which is fitted with eight miles of non-stop sand. City breaks here muster up more than just sunbathing though. Fort Lauderdale’s a big player on the state’s art and culture scene, with events like jazz festivals, street art showcases, and Broadway-style theatre shows filling its diary each month.
They don’t do things by halves in the sunshine state’s super-sized city. For starters there are mega-buck mansions sprawling across lengths and lengths of its riverbanks. It’s also home to a huge haul of yachts, many of which could be mistaken for luxury liners. They’re the thing that’s led to the city being dubbed the yachting capital of the world. And, with over 50,000 yachts registered here, you probably can’t argue with that. Checking out Fort Lauderdale’s love for living large is an activity in itself. You can go big-house hunting while cruising along the river in a water taxi. Or, if super-yacht spotting is more up your street, grab a seat in a harbourside bar, you might just get a glance of the odd celeb, too.
Its name on the yacht scene is not the only thing that’s given Fort Lauderdale a nickname. The criss-cross of boating canals lends this place the super-glam title of the Venice of America. 300 miles of inland waterways snake through Greater Fort Lauderdale, with over half of them running through the city itself. This nickname is given some extra backing by the gondolas that do trips up and down the New River, too. They’re not the only thing winding up and down the water though – water taxis are a big deal here. They offer up a great way to see the city at speed, or hop from beach to beach.
When it comes to exploring beyond the city’s borders, there are plenty of marks on the map that fit the bill for fun days out. But for a trip that ticks all the boxes, we reckon Miami’s up there. It’s around a 40-minute drive along the coast, local buses link up with the city in just over an hour, too. No mention of Miami goes without a nod to South Beach. Its seven-mile stretch offers up a lively twist on Fort Lauderdale’s cut of coast, with a string of sand-edged bars and nightclubs right the way along it. Things get livelier after dark, when big-name DJs take to the decks in top clubs across the downtown district. It’s not all go-go-go though, its Art Deco scene is well worth pressing pause for.
Fort Lauderdale doesn’t let the side down when it comes to Florida’s top-notch beach line up. Sandy swathes, palm-lined proms, and see-through seas are just a snapshot of what this place has up its sleeve.
Fort Lauderdale Beach is the biggest, and in many people’s opinion, the best. It stretches for eight miles, and palm trees and turquoise waters give this place classic Caribbean vibes from top to tail.
Secret spreads of sand are a little hard to come by, but the super-sized beaches offer plenty of room to find a quiet spot. Hillsboro Beach is a good choice for avoiding the crowds, be sure to pack your snorkels on trips here, as if you’re lucky you might just spot the odd turtle or two.
Fort Lauderdale’s Swap Shop plays host to the largest daily flea market in the world. Hundreds of stalls open here every single day of the year. It’s great for bargain buys on clothing, jewellery, and antique pieces.
With more than 500 shops and restaurants, Festival Marketplace should be a sure stop for shoppers. It’s no stranger to a sale, with items like fragrances, and big-brand clothing receiving double discounts.
Las Old Boulevard is dubbed as the style mile. And it’s pretty easy to see why, boutique-style shops share the street with rows of high-end restaurants. It’s also fitted with plenty of streetside cafés for tea stops, too.
Beachfront bars sit at the forefront of Fort Lauderdale’s chilled out evenings. Cocktails and sea views make a perfect pairing for relax-and-recharge nights out.
The city’s known for its music scene, which comes in just about as many flavours as a bag of pick ‘n’ mix. Jazz music headlines things, but if the blues are your calling, you’re covered, too. And, if you want to limber up and line dance, there are a handful of bars fitted with dancefloors perfect for cutting country-style shapes.
Fort Lauderdale doesn’t skip the queue when it comes to Florida’s love for fish tacos. There are tonnes of seafood spots to pick from, plenty offer veggie-friendly options, too.
The Fort Lauderdale cocktail is made using orange juice, sweet vermouth, and light rum. You can put it to the taste test in bars right across the city.
Scallop risotto’s another staple on seafood menus here. For something a little different head to a high-end restaurant where lobster butter and brandy is added to boost the flavour.
Don’t mistake this for any lime pie. This Floridian favourite is made using limes from Key West, and they’re typically tarter than your average fruit. It’s a sure shot for dessert, or as a tasty snack during the day.
This state-wide star has grown in popularity ever since it was introduced by Cuban communities decades ago. On this dish, roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles are sandwiched between two slices of Cuban bread.
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