Fort Lauderdale's charm is found both in its uniqueness as well as in its typical southern Florida Art Deco appeal. Not just a spring break haven anymore, Fort Lauderdale continues to establish itself as a complete travel destination along the southeast Florida coast. Located equidistant from the nearby cities of Boca Raton and Miami, Fort Lauderdale makes for a good vacation base. The growing collection of hotels">Fort Lauderdale hotels offer accommodations for all needs and compliment an array of Fort Lauderdale attractions that will have you wanting to come back for more. Consider the following list of things to do in Fort Lauderdale Florida the next time you are in town.

Hit the Beach

Greater Fort Lauderdale features 23 miles of sunny beaches and they are easily accessed from a number of the area's more popular hotels and restaurants. Spending a fun-filled day at the beach is a great idea for Fort Lauderdale things to do. Strolling and jogging along the palm-lined beachfront promenade offers relaxation and rejuvenation. At nearby Hollywood Beach, you can enjoy the casual atmosphere and the 2½ mile Broadwalk, while families will find Pompano Beach a welcome spot with playgrounds on the beach and family-style festivities. Fishing is best enjoyed at the beaches of Lauderdale By The Sea and Dania Beach, where the piers offer a great spot to cast your line.

Shop Until You Drop

From souvenirs to designer watches, you'll find it all when perusing the multitude of exciting shopping opportunities in Fort Lauderdale. The city's Sawgrass Mills is the largest outlet mall in the nation, offering hundreds of designer wares, and looking for bargains here is among the more fun things to do in Fort Lauderdale Florida for shopaholics. Along trendy Las Olas Boulevard, galleries and charming boutique stores are the perfect spots to find that something special, and if antiques are what you are after, spend an afternoon in Dania. From department stores to flea markets, you could easily spend a whole lot of time, and a bunch of money, exploring Fort Lauderdale's shopping opportunities. Chances are, it will be money well spent.

Fort Lauderdale Map

Book a Small Cruise

Cruising the area waters is surely a popular idea for things to do in Fort Lauderdale and you'll find plenty of companies in the city offering everything from glass bottom boating adventures to one or two-day cruises to the Bahamas. Take guided sightseeing cruises that last a few hours or spend from half a day to a week with a luxury yacht charter. There are a few options available as well for those who would like to captain there own ship, provided you meet the requirements.

Visit the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art

This small, yet complete museum re-opened to the public on September 7, 2007 after undergoing renovations and various enhancements. The Museum of Art offers an eclectic mix of permanent and ever-changing exhibits that combine to make this a must-visit among Fort Lauderdale attractions for art lovers. It also features a schedule of engaging events and art classes for the public. The Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art is located at One E. Las Olas Blvd., in the heart of Fort Lauderdale's Arts and Entertainment District. Closed on Tuesdays and major holidays, the museum is open all other days from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Cast a Line with a Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charter

Fishing is definitely one of the most popular things to do in Fort Lauderdale Florida, and a trip out to sea with Fort Lauderdale fishing charter is sure to appeal to both the avid fisherman and the novice angler. Among the various area companies, you'll find an array of charter options, including drift and sport fishing and even Bahamas fishing charters. The seasoned fishermen of Fort Lauderdale charters will do all in their experienced power to make sure you make that big catch during your trip. Charter fishing trips can start as low as $30 per person for a short trip on a shared boat, and you can expect to pay from $500 on up for private charters depending on where you decide to go and the amount of time at sea.

Explore Sawgrass Recreation Park

Get in touch with nature at this wonderful recreational park. Head out to explore the beginnings of the Florida Everglades on an airboat tour, visit a re-created Indian village and view the array of creatures at the wild animal exhibit. Head to one of the park's private islands for an unforgettable night camping or to book a special party. The possibilities here are truly impressive and you could easily find days worth of things to do in Fort Lauderdale at this one spot. The standard airboat tour lasts about half an hour and you can rent other boats for fishing and enjoy a full or half day out on the water. Sawgrass Recreation Park is located at 1005 N. Highway 27.

Hit the Links at an Area Golf Course

Fort Lauderdale's prime position along the southeast coast of Florida means that year round, golf remains one of the prime Fort Lauderdale attractions. When it's cold up north, the fairways here are green and the warm sun is shining. Find over 40 great Florida golf courses in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, where a mix of private clubs, municipal facilities and resort courses have golfers more than covered. Teeing it up at Fort Lauderdale golf courses deserves to make any golfer's list of Fort Lauderdale things to do, and the accessibility and affordability of these courses is sure to make your Fort Lauderdale golfing experience all the more agreeable.