Fort Lauderdale has outgrown its reputation for being a party city. The clubs are still bumping, but the students have grown up and returned for sophisticated jazz concerts and cocktail parties. Spectacular beaches and a Venetian warren of waterways make this coastal gem a favourite with all comers.
Always happening, Port Everglades is continually inhabited by vast cruise ships bound for the Caribbean and Mexico. Fort Lauderdale has more going on behind its coastline, however, with plenty of top-notch museums, stately houses and art galleries to explore on package holidays in Fort Lauderdale.
It's simple to book a flight to and hotel in Fort Lauderdale from the UK. Direct flights run from Dublin to Fort Lauderdale regularly, as do flights from Cork. US dollars can be purchased at a favourable rate, although many places also take credit cards, making weekends in Fort Lauderdale a breeze.
Year round, Fort Lauderdale is a welcome haven in life's storm. However, December through to April is the most enjoyable time to visit, since the heat is less fierce during these months. As a result, many visitors flock here like seagulls to avoid winter weather. Summer and fall can signal hurricanes and rain, though hotel prices also dip during these seasons. Package holidays in Fort Lauderdale can be timed to coincide with the Rock the Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival in April or a host of smaller events throughout the summer.
Discover the Museum of Discovery and Science, where you'll come face to face with an enormous kinetic energy sculpture as you enter. This greeting is just a small taste of the exhibition's entertaining and interactive exhibits. Experience Gizmo City, an enthralling Everglades re-creation and 4D performances at the IMAX cinema.
Skate along the promenade beneath rustling palms, or recline on the white sand beach. At seven miles long, the beach offers plenty of space and different sections to suit various visitors. Diving, snorkelling and fishing are all highly recommended. Catch a river cruise before eating al fresco on Las Olas Riverfront, which transitions into a party venue come nighttime.
Fort Lauderdale's sights stretch beyond the beach to fascinating art collections and rare orchids. Here's what to see by the seashore:
Southern Florida abounds with offbeat cuisine, and Fort Lauderdale is full of culinary creations to sample. Try a Decadent Dog at B Square. This foot-long Kobe beef hot dog is topped with lobster, truffle oil, garlic butter and coleslaw, and comes with a side of Parmigiano truffle fries. Cool down with a milkshake from Cupcake Galleria, where your shake comes cupcake-topped.
While sushi burritos have made their way around the world, such is their popularity, they can be traced back to this neck of the woods. They are still made and consumed with gusto at Phat Boy Sushi & Kitchen. Alternatively, how about a mash up between two favourites? At New York Grilled Cheese, you can enjoy mac and cheese between grilled bread lashed with hot butter.
Take away more than a tan when you leave Fort Lauderdale. You'll find some of the best items at the wittily named Forget Something Gift Shop, which is packed with Floridian gifts and momentos. For culinary momentos, stop in at Alex's Flamingo Groves & Gift Shop, where gift baskets and cakes accompany a vast marmalade collection.
Stock up on Florida Gator Poop at Beach King, where quirky gifts and trinkets are found in abundance. Shells and artworks in wood and metal compete with shark teeth for your attention. Wear your Lauderdale love on your sleeve with a trip to Jezebel Vintage Clothing, which sells a variety of clothing and assorted gifts, many proudly bearing the 'Fort Lauderdale' tag.