Fort Lauderdale Highlights - Florida

Fort Lauderdale Highlights

 23 miles (37 kms) north of Miami

With more than 50 golf courses in and around the Fort Lauderdale area, many being championship links, the area is a popular vacation destination with golfers.

Sometimes referred to as the "Yachting Capital of the World," Fort Lauderdale provides numerous opportunities to hoist a sail or go cruising along the Intracoastal Waterway or on the open ocean.

Scuba divers rate the area as one of the best in North America.

With excellent water temperatures and visibility, snorkelers and divers are attracted by a great off-shore natural reef, 18 major shipwrecks and 81 man-made artificial reefs.

There is a dive site at Jupiter onto a 17th century wreck site. The waters throughout the area are home to a diverse array of fish and marine creatures.

All types of fishing are popular including drift-boat fishing, deep-sea charters or simply casting a line from the pier. The modern, and expensive ($32 million) International Game Fish Association World Fishing Center is angler's heaven.

This combined museum, library, and park has a virtual-reality fishing simulator, in which the "angler" reels in a computer-generated catch. The 3-acre park has displays of antique fishing gear, record catches, famous anglers and various vessels.

The historic 1921 plantation home and estate, Bonnet House, provides a glimpse of Florida history. The large two-story waterfront residence and gardens was the home of Evelyn Bartlett, wife of acclaimed artist Frederic Clay Bartlett.

Stranahan House is a prime example of the "Florida Frontier" architecture and Fort Lauderdale's oldest standing structure. The "father of Fort Lauderdale," Frank Stranahan built the house in 1901.

A popular attraction with visitors is paddle wheel steamer dinner cruises and sightseeing tours that take visitors past Old Fort Lauderdale, the new downtown and Millionaires' Row.

Visitors interested in gambling can board one of several casino day cruises out of Port Everglades.

Photos courtesy of Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau