FORT LAUDERDALE

FORT LAUDERDALE

FALL & WINTER GUIDE 2011 ¨C 2012

The best places to eat, sleep and play

in Fort Lauderdale this fall and winter

With more than 50 million reviews and opinions, TripAdvisor makes travel

planning a snap for the 50 million travelers visiting our site each month.

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INTRODUCTION

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series of travel guides. In addition to the best hotels, restaurants and attractions for every type of traveler,

you¡¯ll get great advice about what to pack, how to get around and where to find the best views. Be sure

to check out the guides at .

You¡¯ll find reviews for more than

520,000 hotels, 125,000 vacation rentals,

155,000 attractions and 715,000 restaurants on

. Learn from other travelers

what to expect before you make your plans.

PACKING TIPS

1. Pack a small umbrella. Tropical

showers are common in the

afternoons, and while they rarely last,

walking in soggy shoes is never fun.

2. Reserve a convertible in advance. A

car is a must, and Fort Lauderdale is

more fun with the top down.

3. Don¡¯t underestimate the intense

Florida sun and end up looking like

a lobster. Bring sunscreen with a

high SPF and spend the hottest midday hours enjoying lunch on a shady

waterfront patio.

Inside

FORT LAUDERDALE

Canal-filled Fort Lauderdale, known as the ¡°Venice of America,¡±

has come a long way since its spring-break heyday. Gone are

the beer-swilling teens that took inspiration from 1960s beach

flicks and made the beachfront community their playground.

Instead, visitors will find luxury hotels, cosmopolitan restaurant

choices and exciting activities to complement the lovely palmlined beaches.

Take in the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale and the city¡¯s

oldest building, Stranahan House. Stroll caf¨¦- and shop-lined

Las Olas Boulevard. Experience untamed Florida with a

Seminole-style trip through the Everglades. Find adventure on

a jet ski or relax amid the natural beauty of Hugh Taylor Birch

State Park. Get a little crazy at the many nightclubs around the

Riverwalk, and then spend the next day lounging on the beach.

There are as many ways to enjoy the city as there are wild sea

oats waving along its shore.



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Top

VIEWS

FORT LAUDERDALE¡¯S BEST VIEWS

Given the flat terrain, sweeping water views

are as easy to come by as checking into one

of the many oceanfront high-rise hotels.

¡°That view from our room at The Atlantic

to the ocean will be treasured forever.¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member, Miami, Fla.

The Atlantic, 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach

Blvd., 954 567 8020

Where

to

Secret Woods is ¡°one of few places to

see the swamps, ferns and riverbanks as

they were¡± before Florida was developed.

¡°Two boardwalk trails allow access to the

swamp and river. You¡¯ll feel like you are in a

subtropical forest.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor Member,

Fort Lauderdale

Secret Woods Nature Center, 2701 W. State

Road 84, Dania Beach, 954 357 8884

PLAY

Either hoist the sails or rev the engines,

but get out on the water for the best

views of the city skyline and palm-lined

beaches. Bahia Mar Yachting Center is home

to a variety of boating options, including doit-yourself rentals and a variety of organized

excursions and charters.

Bahia Mar Yachting Center,

801 Seabreeze Blvd.

TOP 10 Attractions

1. Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, 1527 S.W. 1st Ave., 954 779 7300

6. Stranahan House, 335 S.E. Sixth Ave., 954 524 4736

2. Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, 900 N. Birch Road, 954 563 5393

7. Hugh Taylor Birch Park, 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd., 954 564 4521

3. Fort Lauderdale Beachfront

8. African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk

Blvd., 954 625 2800

4. Sawgrass Recreation Park, 1006 N. U.S. 27, Weston, 954 389 0202

5. Las Olas Boulevard, 954 937 7386

9. Everglades Holiday Park, 21940 Griffin Road, 954 434 8111

10. Laffing Matterz, Broward Center, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., 954 462 0222

FAMILIES

¡°Young at Art is definitely a place kids will enjoy.

It has an exhibit about recycling that includes a

slide. There¡¯s also a Global Village, where kids

can play the drums in Africa and make origami

in Japan. It¡¯s a fun place, but also educational.¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member, Tampa, Fla.

Don¡¯t miss the alligator show at the

Everglades. ¡°The trainer put his head in

the gators¡¯ mouth! For just $5.00, you can

hold a baby alligator. For an 8-year-old,

this is the greatest wildlife experience.¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member, Fort Lauderdale

Young at Art Museum, 11584 W. State Road

84, Davie, 954 424 0085

Everglades Holiday Park, 21940 Griffin Road,

954 434 8111

Las Olas Boulevard

Butterfly World, 3600 W. Sample Road,

Coconut Creek, 954 977 4400

¡°¡­watching the boats go

by is lovely.¡±

ROMANCE

With ¡°restaurants for every palate¡± and live

music venues for dancing, Las Olas Boulevard

has the makings of a perfect date spot. ¡°Several

shops stay open until 9 or 10 p.m. which is

great for an after-dinner stroll.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, San Francisco, Calif.

¡°There are lots of beautiful things to see at

Butterfly World: butterflies of all sorts,

flowering gardens, a swinging bridge and

birds from all over the world.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, Keller, Texas

Picnic in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, a 180acre sanctuary from city life in the heart of Fort

Lauderdale. ¡°The Intracoastal Canal runs right

along the Park, so watching the boats go by is

lovely.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor Member, Fort Lauderdale

Hugh Taylor Birch Park, 3109 E. Sunrise

Blvd., 954 564 4521

¡°What an amazing sailing adventure! My

husband and I had such a great time on the

Tropical Sailing sunset cruise. The moon

was rising at the same time as the sun was

setting. It was so romantic.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, Fort Lauderdale

Tropical Sailing, 954 579 8181

¡°¡­great for an after-dinner stroll.¡±

Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716

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Where

to

PLAY

BUDGET

Sawgrass Mills, Florida¡¯s largest outlet

mall, impresses with its variety and

pleasant salespeople. ¡°Great bargains are

everywhere. Bring your walking shoes,

get caffeinated and shop ¡®til you drop!¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member, St. Louis, Mo.

¡°The walking paths and boardwalks of the

Anne Kolb Nature Center provide fine

views of the Intracoastal Waterway, the

mangrove forests and West Lake. The view

from the observation tower is terrific.¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Sawgrass Mills, 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd.,

954 846 2351

Anne Kolb Nature Center, 751 Sheridan St.,

Hollywood, 954 926 2480

¡°You can swim with

nurse sharks.¡±

ADVENTURE

Thrills and challenges abound on the

mountain bike trails at Markham Park,

but they¡¯re ¡°not ridiculously hard for

intermediate riders, and beginners will

have fun on the Green trails.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, Miami, Fla.

Come face to face with resident marine life

on a scuba diving/snorkeling excursion to

one of more than 75 artificial reef sites just

offshore. ¡°Make sure you go to the Pompano

Dropoff. You can swim with nurse sharks.¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member, Columbus, Ohio

Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84,

Sunrise, 954 389 2000

South Florida Diving Headquarters, 2621 N.

Riverside Dr., Pompano Beach, 954 783 2299

What would a visit be without a day (or three)

at a Fort Lauderdale Beach? The sands are

¡°wide and welcoming¡± and ¡°the surf is perfect

for body or boogie boarding.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, San Francisco, Calif.

Fort Lauderdale Beaches, A1A between

Sunrise and Las Olas boulevards

TripAdvisor members have posted more

than 8,000,000 traveler photos on the

site. The good, the bad and the very

candid. It¡¯s almost like being there!

Don¡¯t miss the Gator Nights airboat tours at

Sawgrass Recreation Park. It was ¡°really

fun to go zooming through the Everglades

at night. We saw frogs, baby gators and a

couple of big ones, too. Their eyes glow red

in the flashlight.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor Member,

Bridgton, Maine

Sawgrass Recreation Park, U.S. 27,

954 389 0202

EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICAL

¡°The people who work at Stranahan

House are very devoted to the house and

to its history. Do not miss the tour¡± of the

city¡¯s oldest building.¡ªTripAdvisor Member,

Baltimore, Md.

Stranahan House, 335 S.E. Sixth Ave.,

954 524 4736

RELAXATION

Spot the houses of the rich and famous from

the decks of the Carrie B. ¡°There are seats

outside, in the fresh air and sunshine. We

often go on the cruise just for the ride.¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member

Carrie B Cruises, 440 N. New River Dr. E.,

954 768 9920

¡°We were enthralled by the amazing biodiversity

at the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation

and Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum. The animals and

plants, both cultivated and uncultivated, were

something to behold. The workers could not

have been kinder or more knowledgable. It¡¯s a

great day for all of the family. Don¡¯t miss it!¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member, Tecumseh, Mich.

Big Cypress Seminole Reservation and AhTha-Thi-Ki Museum, West Boundary Road,

863 902 1113

¡°The first Sunday of each month, there¡¯s a

Jazz Brunch along the Riverwalk. Pack a

picnic and bring a blanket. It¡¯s free to listen

to some of the best jazz in South Florida.¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member

SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch, Riverwalk,

954 828 5363

¡°If you are looking to step back in time,

take your family on the beautiful Bonnet

House Museum and Gardens tour.¡± The

1921 plantation-style home with artistic

touches has swans and monkeys patrolling

its lush grounds.¡ªTripAdvisor Member,

Fort Lauderdale

Bonnet House Museum and Gardens,

900 N. Birch Road, 954 563 5393

The Morikami Museum and Japanese

Gardens are a ¡°must-see! Beginning with

authentic Japanese architectural motifs like

styled bridges, lanterns, etc., the garden follows

a long path of beautiful plants and exotic flowers,

winding along a beautiful man-made pond. There

are several Zen rock gardens and an authentic

tea house. Truly a wonderful experience!¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member, Leeds, U.K.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens,

4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach,

561 495 0233

Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716

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What¡¯s

the

TOUR

How to Get Around

Water taxis are a ¡°wonderful, interesting¡±

(albeit leisurely) way to travel between

destinations. ¡°The captain and mate will

have running commentaries. I can¡¯t imagine a

cruise tour giving much more information.¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member, Covington, Ky.

When taking ¡°regular¡± taxis, watch the

meter and show the drivers the destination

on a map. Don¡¯t assume they¡¯ll take a direct

route.

WHERE

to

Rental car drivers should watch out for

residential permit parking requirements,

particularly at night near the beach.

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eat

TOP 10 Restaurants

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Gilbert¡¯s 17th Street Grill, 1821 Cordova Road, 954 768 8990

Luigi¡¯s Coal Oven Pizza, 1415 E. Las Olas Blvd., 954 522 8888

Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, 2400 E. Las Olas Blvd., 954 712 0580

Canyon Southwest Caf¨¦, 1818 E. Sunrise Blvd., 954 765 1950

Cafe Sharaku, 2736 N. Federal Hwy., 954 563 2888

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Valentino¡¯s Cucina Italiana, 1145 S. Federal Hwy., 954 523 5767

Market 17, 1850 S.E. 17th St., Suite 109, 954 399 0017

Hibiscus Cafe, 3000 N. Federal Hwy., Suite 6, 954 533 7224

Cafe Seville, 2768 E. Oakland Park Blvd., 954 565 1148

Coconuts Waterside Grill, 429 Seabreeze Blvd., 954 525 2421

FAMILIES

Franco & Vinny are purveyors of old

school Italian food in a casual atmosphere.

¡°We had pizza, salad and beer, and it was

one of the best pizzas I¡¯ve ever eaten.¡±¡ª

TripAdvisor Member, Columbus, Ohio

Franco & Vinny¡¯s, 2884 E. Sunrise Blvd,

954 565 6000

ROMANCE

Caf¨¦ Vico ¡°is the best Italian food I have

had outside of Italy. A great place for a

romantic dinner with a loved one or just a

get together with friends.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, Louisville, Ky.

Caf¨¦ Vico, 1125 N. Federal Hwy.,

954 565 9681

BUDGET

¡°The food is always excellent at Lester¡¯s

Diner, from the sandwiches to the Greek

sampler platter. I cannot imagine that it

would be any cheaper to make this food at

home!¡±¡ªTripAdvisor Member

Lester¡¯s Diner, 250 W. State Road 84,

954 525 5641

¡°Yes, I know Five Guys is a chain restaurant,

however, this is the best burger I¡¯ve ever

eaten. I could eat here two or three nights

a week, easily. Your kids will love it; your

parents will love it. Burgers and fries just

don¡¯t get any better than this.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, Fort Lauderdale

Be prepared to get messy at Tom Jenkins¡¯

Bar-B-Q. ¡°You know a joint is good when

kings, queens and paupers are face down

in BBQ sauce and sides.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, Bristow, Va.

Tom Jenkins¡¯ Bar-B-Q, 1236 S. Federal Hwy.,

954 522 5046

Five Guys, 1818 Cordova Road, Harbor

Shops, 954 358 5862

Dine on nouvelle Mexican cuisine with the

locals at Eduardo de San Angel, where

¡°the service and ambiance are excellent,

and the food is spicy but so flavorful and

beautifully presented.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, Grayslake, Ill.

Eduardo de San Angel, 2822 E. Commercial

Blvd., 954 772 4731

Alegria Tacos ¡°is just a hole in the wall, but

they make the best Mexican food. The tacos

are served with your choice of meat on soft

corn tortillas, a dash of fresh salsa and a

sprinkle of cheese. Delicious.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, Fort Lauderdale

¡°The atmosphere at Casablanca is cozy

and romantic, and the food was outstanding.

The prices are reasonable compared to

other restaurants along the beach. The

outside dining gives you a view of the

ocean.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor Member, Virginia

Casablanca Caf¨¦, 3049 Alhambra St.,

954 764 3500

¡°You can¡¯t beat the service or the prices¡± at

La Bamba. ¡°Try the Carne Asada or one of

the great margarita specials.¡±¡ªTripAdvisor

Member, Fort Lauderdale

La Bamba, 4245 N. Federal Hwy.,

954 568 5662

Alegria Tacos, 3801 N. Andrews, 954 563 7170

Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716



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