Rent a jet ski in Ft. Lauderdale and head out to discover the intracoastal waterways & beach
In 1986, the city began a transformation process that changed Greater Fort Lauderdale from a spring-time college destination to a year-round, family-friendly retreat. The story of spring break’s history in Fort Lauderdale dates back to the 1930s – and its future is continually being told, retold and refashioned. Some of the old haunts – from hotels to bars – are still open, with proprietors keen to retell the tales of spring break’s heyday in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Success can be seen in the caliber of shops, restaurants and hotels along the beachfront. Your grandparents, parents – even you – might not recognize the Fort Lauderdale beach made famous by “Where the Boys Are.” Spring break has taken on a whole new appearance. Today, visitors include families and couples, meeting attendees and international travelers – and even a few college students.
Dive right in – the water’s better than fine. Just off Greater Fort Lauderdale’s 24 miles of pristine sands is a three-tiered living coral reef system and more than 76 artificial reefs that have made this one of Florida’s most popular dive destinations. Snorkelers can swim a few hundred feet off shore (remember your buddy and dive flag) to reefs that begin at less than 15 feet in depth in places like Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, just south of Anglin’s Pier at Commercial Boulevard; Greene Street, three blocks north of Hollywood’s North Beach Park; Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach; or at Shipwreck Park in Pompano Beach. (Click here to learn about more Greater Fort Lauderdale dive sites).
For those keen for serious shopping, Greater Fort Lauderdale takes its shopping very seriously. Domestic and international travelers are known to visit area shopping centers and mega-malls and buy suitcases just to bring home their new purchases. The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale: Accessible by car or Water Taxi (from the nearby GALLERYone – A DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel), this mall reflects Greater Fort Lauderdale’s upscale style. Sawgrass Mills (and nearby Ikea): The largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the U.S., Sawgrass Mills includes retailers Prada, Michael Kors, Saks OFF 5th, Bloomingdale’s Outlet, Coach, Judith Ripka, True Religion Outlet, TAG Heuer, Tumi, Tommy Bahamas Outlet, Giorgio Armani General Store, Burberry Outlet and Kate Spade, among scores of others. Some hotels run shuttles to area malls. The mall’s Bags To Go program will fetch and forward shoppers’ luggage to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood or Miami International airports. Las Olas Boulevard is known as Greater Fort Lauderdale’s “style mile,” lined with stores and restaurants of all kinds serving all tastes. Independently-owned boutiques feature couture, jewelry, home décor, art galleries and specialty gifts. The new Dania Pointe shopping, dining and lifestyle center continues to grow with stores including The Lindbergh Store, Designer’s Market, Sugarboo & Co. and Five Below and a long list of restaurants and nightlife options including Rodizio Grill and Bowlero.
10 Fun and Fast Facts about Fort Lauderdale
1) We have 23 incredible miles of beaches crammed into 36 square miles. That’s right. We’re nearly 2/3s beach, baby.
2) Speaking of beaches, did you know that six of our beaches are Blue Wave Certified? That means these beaches pass strict environmental standards for cleanliness and sustainability. (Want to visit one? They are Fort Lauderdale Beach, Dania Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood Beach.)
3) We once had snow. Yep, January 19, 1977 is the day that went down in history as the one time we witnessed snow. Sure, it quickly melted off, but guys: we had snow!
4) Before we were known as “Fort Lauderdale”, we were first called “Little River Settlement.” Hmm, it doesn’t have quite the same ring, does it?
5) We hope you’re not into conspiracy theories or easily put off by stories of the paranormal, because we’re actually considered the far western tip of the Bermuda Triangle.
6) Our very own Port Everglades is the third busiest cruise port in the world, serving some 4 million tourists each year. (Psst…did you know that we offer free shuttle transportation to Port Everglades?)
7) Our nickname is The Venice of America, thanks to our vast network of canals in the area. We have over 300 miles of canals and channels, which is called the Intercoastal Waterway.
8) If you like to stargaze, check out Buehler Planetarium over at Broward Collage. But if you have another type of stargazing in mind…
9) We’re home to many famous people, including musician Marilyn Manson, actor Lee Majors, and supermodel Niki Taylor. You may be able to spot some celebs hanging around at random times, too, as we’re a popular spot for filming movies. (Happy Gilmore, True Lies, and Caddyshack were all filmed in our neighborhood!)
10) We’re the home to the original Spring Break! Yes, droves of college students and fun-seekers flock to our beaches every spring. While Spring Break is now a national phenomenon, we got dibs on being the original hotspot back in the 1960s. (We’re much tamer now, though, we promise!)
Whether you’re coming for a cruise, or you’re here for a trip with the family, we’ve got you covered. Come for the sunshine, stay for the beaches, and sleep under our roof for the best in hospitality you can find in Fort Lauderdale!