Travel, Vacation, Holiday and Tourism information around the world

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. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts houses two theaters, which provide a venue for the Symphony of the Americas, Broadway road shows, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and top-name performers. 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. The passage of a casino gambling law has revitalized this resort town, and the former Hollywood Dog Racing Track, Pompano Harness Racing facility and Gulfstream Race Track have built multimillion-dollar casinos and entertainment venues attracting more tourists and businesses to the area.