Fort Lauderdale Local Guide and Deals

Roughly 30 miles north of Miami's hustle and bustle, Fort Lauderdale offers a variety of cuisines, shopping, sightseeing and nightlife. Savvy travelers also visit the city to enjoy its expansive beaches, intricate architecture and slightly slower pace. There are plenty of things to do in Fort Lauderdale for all ages, making it well suited for a family vacation or simple weekend getaway. With over 30 dining options, 10 art galleries and 65 shopping venues, Las Olas Boulevard is a shopper's paradise and is usually at the top of visitors' lists of Fort Lauderdale things to do. Go shoe shopping at Ibiza, pick up a new outfit at Tommy Bahama or grab some beachwear at Aqua. Visit the Las Olas Farmer's Market every Sunday, or simply window shop to find Fort Lauderdale deals. Bellagio, one of the area's newest and most contemporary art galleries, is a great way to spend the afternoon before grabbing a snack at Cheese Culture or EVOO Market. Las Olas springs to life after the sun goes down, offering a variety of dining options. Nosh on Thai, Korean and Vietnamese delights at Wild East Asian Bistro or sample traditional Brazilian barbeque at Chima. Grab a post-dinner cocktail at the trendy Solita, or keep it a bit more casual at Big City Tavern. Although the Las Olas Boulevard venues accommodate all ages, much of the under-40 set congregates at The Gallery at Beach Place, where Tequila Joe's, Fat Tuesday and Soprano's Piano Bar keep the evening alive. Fort Lauderdale's beaches flank Route A1A, which is also where many of the city's hotels are located. Although a bit aged, the Bahia Mar is a popular place to stay as it has expansive views of the beach. For more luxurious accommodations, the Marriott, Hilton or Sheraton hotels are the places to be. Many of the beach hotels offer watersports, including jet skiing and parasailing.