Port Review: Fort Lauderdale, USA

It’s a city with a reputation as the party-hard playground for spring breakers, but Fort Lauderdale also attracts a more sophisticated crowd, and cruise travellers, thanks to its great beaches and al fresco lifestyle.

Overview 

Set against an attractive system of canals reminiscent of Venice, Fort Lauderdale is famous for its boats and more than 12 kilometres of sparkling beaches. The city's signature beachfront promenade highlights Fort Lauderdale's world famous coastline which also features an array of shops, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and entertainment venues. Beach goers can participate in a wide range of activities from boating, wind surfing, jet skiing and volleyball to snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and rollerblading. 

The Facts

Location: Southeastern coast of Florida.

Language: English. 

Currency: US Dollar.

Docking/Anchoring: Ships dock at the ]Port Everglades Cruise Terminal which is one of the largest and busiest terminals in the world. It is located less than 3 kilometres  from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, major interstates and Florida's Turnpike System.

Transport: There are taxis outside of the pier, and most cruise lines offer shuttle services to the airport. The most convenient way to get around Fort Lauderdale if you’re staying for more than a few days is with a rental car.

Don’t Miss

The beach and its promenade form the heart and soul of Fort Lauderdale and this is where you can dip your toes into the Atlantic, catch a few rays and people watch with plenty of good eateries and souvenirs all within easy reach.

The Riverwalk and Las Olas Riverfront curves along the New River from Stranahan House to to the Broward Center for Performing Arts. The walk is picturesque and takes in a slew of restaurants and shops and this is where you can also pick up one of the many river cruise operators in the area.

Best Photo Op

The beachfront promenade offers up the best photo ops and if you want to get an aerial view, try one of the hotels right on the ocean front, like the Hilton.

Shopping

Like most cities in Florida, Fort Lauderdale has many malls, and Las Olas Riverfront is essentially a giant al fresco shopping centre with hundreds of stores and restaurants with live entertainment every day. Another big shopping mall is The Galleria (2414 East Sunrise Blvd) and this is where you’ll find the big name brands like Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Macy’s. Swap Shop is Florida’s biggest flea market (3291 Sunrise Blvd) and you can pretty much buy anything you need including clothes and groceries, to things you really don’t need like pink lawn flamingos. Swap Shop has a carnival atmosphere with buskers and music, hot dog trucks and a drive-in movie theatre.

Food and Drink

The Las Olas Riverfront is as much a restaurant destination as it is a shopping joint and you’ll find a wide range of eateries in its sprawling layout. The scene in Fort Lauderdale does change constantly but Casa D’Angelo (1201 North Federal Hwy) is an authentic Tuscan restaurant which has a deserved reputation, and if you’re looking for something a little more American then Lester’s Diner (250 West State Rd) is a camp greasy spoon joint which has been a hit with locals since the 1960’s. 

Pick Of The Excursions

A great way to see the city, and by far the most popular excursion, is one of the boat tours of the “Venice of America” and they usually last around three to four hours and take you past Fort Lauderdale’s finest boulevards and include a shopping stop at Las Olas Boulevard. 

The Everglades is a vast and unique area packed with lush vegetation and teeming with wildlife - including alligators. The interior of the Florida tropical wetlands is essential for many visitors, not only for an exhilarating ride on an airboat; part of the tour is usually an alligator wildlife show.

Ship’s tours also take in Miami to the south and usually include the art deco district of South Beach, Collins Avenue with its trendy hotels and nightclubs and the classic sandy beaches of the city.