Getting around Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is half the fun on a vacation: One of Fort Lauderdale's main drags is a river (the New River, to be specific), so visitors to Fort Lauderdale can hop on a water bus and take in the sights.
This South Florida city's extensive system of waterways and reputation for gracious living have made Fort Lauderdale one of the country's largest yachting centers. Fort Lauderdale restaurants and bars overlook the canals and are accessible by water or from land by taxis and, believe it or not, from rickshaws. Several of Fort Lauderdale's special events—including a winter holiday boat parade that draws local, national and international celebrities—revolve around boating and the water.
Redevelopment in the 1990s left Fort Lauderdale awash in museums, art galleries, restaurants, hotels and chic sidewalk cafes, all appealing to visitors. An elegant beachfront promenade attracts upscale vacationers from all over the world, including the spring-break college crowd. Fort Lauderdale was popularized by and is still often remembered for the 1960s beach movie Where the Boys Are.
More sedate than it used to be (but livelier than Palm Beach, its northern neighbor), Fort Lauderdale has more to offer visitors than most beach towns.
Location
Port Everglades is a 2,190-acre/887-hectare seaport located within the cities of Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and Dania Beach. Each year more than 4 million cruise passengers board ships at its 12 terminals, making it the world's second-busiest cruise-ship facility. The city predicts 7 million cruise passengers yearly by 2020.
The port, which is about 3 mi/5 km southeast of downtown Fort Lauderdale and even closer to the beaches, is at the southern end of the 17th Street Causeway and about 2 mi/3 km northeast of the airport. Secured parking lots are adjacent to the terminals (parking is US$15 per day). The Quay shopping center, which has shops and restaurants (including the popular Bimini Boatyard restaurant), is within walking distance, but to reach other destinations you'll need a cab, bus or rental car. Visitor information is available at kiosks around the terminals.
Shore Excursions
Most of the ships that dock at Port Everglades offer guided excursions for cruise passengers who are booked on afternoon or evening flights. Some passengers may want to tack on an extra day or two at the beginning or end of their cruise. Although packaged excursions are often pricier than sightseeing on your own, the advantage is that you don't have to spend time making arrangements.
Typical tours from Fort Lauderdale go to the Everglades for exhilarating airboat tours where passengers are guaranteed sightings of wild alligators and a variety of colorful birds, to the old paddlewheel Jungle Queen for a sightseeing cruise past scores of the biggest waterfront mansions in the country, and to The Swap Shop, Florida's largest flea market.
There are also jaunts to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino's entertainment complex or tours of cultural sites highlighting landmarks and the arts district. If flying in and out of Miami, trips include South Beach's art-deco district, and the shopping at the fabled Coconut Grove and Coral Gables' Miracle Mile.
Tours are designed to suit diverse interests and age groups, including a variety of watersports and activities.
Excursions and their prices vary. Check with your ship's excursion staff or travel agent for additional information.
