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Fort Lauderdale has a subtropical rainforest climate, which means all months of the year have a mean temperature of 18 C (65 F) or higher. As is typical in most tropical climates, there is a "wet/dry season". Much of the rainfall in Ft. Lauderdale falls in the hot and humid summer months from May though mid October. Daily thundershowers build up in the intense heat and quick, but intense, tropical downpours are common. Daytime temperatures are usually in the high 80sF or low 90sF with high humidity; nights are around 77F. The dry or low sun from November through April normally features sunny, dry, and warm weather with highs in the middle 70's and lows near 60 F. Some winters can be quite dry and brush fires and water restrictions in place. The warm tropical climate of Ft. Lauderdale gives the city a 12 month beach season.
South Florida has three airports with commercial service:
*Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport , located just two miles south of down town Fort Lauderdale [url=http://www.broward.org/airport].] It is a major airport and popular low cost carrier destination. This is most convenient airport to Fort Lauderdale. Spirit Airlines maintains a hub here; JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin America all also have substantial operations here. FLL is the main domestic airport for the South Florida region. It is also an emerging hub for flights to and from the Latin America and the Caribbean. There are some limited charter flights to and from Europe. Many passengers are bound for or coming from cruises using Port Everglades, some two miles away. Many taxis, cruiseline buses, and hotel/motel shuttles make access to either easy.
*[[Miami[/url]] International Airport , [url=http://www.miami-airport.com]]is located 25 miles south of Fort Lauderdale. It is the major international airport in South Florida, and known as 'The Gateway to the Americas'. Home of American Airlines Latin American hub with frequent flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and US west coast. It is a 40 minute drive, south, from Fort Lauderdale using I-95, but can be much, much slower during rush hour. You can catch the Tri-Rail from Miami airport to Fort Lauderdale station for about $4 a head. Then catch the linking bus, or get a cab from the station to the hotel. (More on Tri-Rail below).
You can take one of the shuttle vans from Miami Airport to Fort Lauderdale, price varies by destination but will be around $50 to $70 per passenger.
*Palm Beach International Airport , 1000 Turnage Boulevard, [[West Palm Beach[/url]], Phone: (561) 471-7420, [url=http://www.pbia.org].]This airport is another option. PBI, however, primarily serves the Palm Beach area and is the least convenient of the three airports for visiting Fort Lauderdale. Nevertheless, you can use Tri-Rail to get from Palm Beach Airport to Fort Lauderdale.
For general aviation:
*Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport , Located between Commercial Blvd and Cypress Creek Road just west of I-95 with entrances off West Commercial Boulevard at NW 12th Avenue, NW 15th Avenue and NW 21st Avenue and entrances off Cypress Creek Road at NW 10 Terrace and NW 24th Way and NW 28th Way. One of the ten largest general aviation airports in the country. Located in Fort Lauderdale, the airport is bounded by the cities of Tamarac to the West, Oakland Park to the South and Pompano to the North. Many privately owned aircraft are hangared or tied down here. Several air charter companies, with piston aircraft, turbo props and jets are based here. Air Ambulance services are also available.
** Sky Limo Air Charter [http://www.skylimoaircharter.com[/url]
** Jetset Charter [http://www.jscharter.com]
** Skymax Air Charter [http://www.skymax.com]
** Trinity Air Ambulance [http://www.trinityairambulance.com]
** Windsor Jet [http://www.windsorjet.com]
Tri-Rail, 1-800-TRI-RAIL, [url=http://www.tri-rail.com].]Tri-Rail is a commuter rail line linking [[Miami[/url]] Airport, Fort Lauderdale and [wiki=bda2667796bc5d0781a8b3a9d04e9361]West Palm Beach[/wiki] in [wiki=eeaca0ed2f6a35370c77de30792debb8]Florida[/wiki]. It is run by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. The 72-mile system has 18 stations along the South Florida coast. The train connects to the Metrorail in Miami at the Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer Station. For more detailed information refer to the entry. From Miami International Airport you can catch the Tri-Rail to Fort Lauderdale, and then a bus connects you the last mile downtown. Tri-Rail runs less frequently on weekends, so check the schedule [http://www.tri-rail.com/schedules_fares/train_schedules.htm].
*Amtrak [url=http://www.amtrak.com],]200 SW 21 Terrace, 1-800-872-7245. Provides service to cities up the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Amtrak has two stops in the Fort Lauderdale Area, one in Fort Lauderdale located on Broward Boulevard and I-95, and another one in the suburb of Hollywood on Hollywood Boulevard and I-95. The train goes south to [[Miami[/url]] and north to [wiki=702e989bf025becf325e0bb91eb2586b]Boca Raton[/wiki].
Interstate 95 (I-95) is the major North-South artery along the East side of the city. It connects Fort Lauderdale with the downtowns in [wiki=0f5de708d2f6808ffb0c3893b2b8964a]Miami[/wiki] and [wiki=bda2667796bc5d0781a8b3a9d04e9361]West Palm Beach[/wiki] and goes north to [wiki=b33a61bf95996bae77aa10d2a4ea64dc]Jacksonville[/wiki] and beyond.
*Florida's Turnpike runs North-South west of the city. To the south it connects to Homestead and the [wiki=cb1e3c5c70ca92896b8e0e5a33b0e5f3]Florida Keys[/wiki]. To the North it connects to [wiki=d4d2ea493b6a2460e9b9f00712e0a234]Orlando[/wiki] and North Florida.
*I-595/I-75 connects Fort Lauderdale to Florida's West Coast (including Naples, Fort Myers, [wiki=2a2fd28e9d3a61f3731a35e79b3c6ee4]Sarasota[/wiki] and the [wiki=c242f0889a1e2003bd3af09de69a6daf]Tampa Bay[/wiki] area).
Greyhound Bus Lines, 510 NE 3 Street downtown, telephone 1-800-229-9424, [http://www.greyhound.com].
Port Everglades, on the south side of the city center, is the most active container port and second most active cruise port in Florida. It supports a high number of cruise ships with about ten thousand passengers arriving and departing each week.
Those able to drive here for a cruise may find Port Everglades somewhat more convenient and economical than Miami to park and stay overnight at local lodging, and then catch a shuttle to/from the ship's terminal. Numerous hotel/motel chains offer park/stay/cruise-shuttle packages. Most are also quite close to the airport.
The easiest way to get around Fort Lauderdale and South Florida is by car. If you are renting-all the major national chains, and several local ones, can be found here-it is substantially less money to rent a car from a location outside of the airport. The city is set up on grid system and is fairly easy to navigate. Downtown is roughly two miles west of the beach. You need to consult a map when on the the East side of town because the canals divide up the city and you need to find the bridges.
Broward County is served by three major Interstates (I-75, I-95, I-595) and some U.S. Highways including [wiki=d907d9c0ed5573b4bef5fd8a1f92bd50]U.S. Highway 1[/wiki], US 27 and US 441. It is also served by Florida's Turnpike and State Highway 869, also known as the Sawgrass Expressway.
Taxis are generally expensive, but available at almost any time and place.
* The largest company in the city.
* via the Intracoastal waterway and New River. A different way to see the city, its beautiful waterfront mansions, and stately yachts.
The county bus system. BCT provides for connections with the bus systems in other parts of the metropolitan area: Metrobus in Miami-Dade County and Palm Tran in Palm Beach County. Buses are available, but often slow and inconvenient. There is a push to increase bus service.
* An inexpensive trolley serving the downtown, beach, and convention center areas. It also provides a link from downtown to the Broward Blvd Tri-Rail station. If you're looking for a cheap scenic tour through Fort Lauderdale, ride the Sun-Trolley or take the 11 bus along Las Olas Blvd and A1A.
Commuter train which runs north and south parallel to I-95, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Tri-Rail provides access to South Florida's three major airports, as well as links to Miami's Metrorail. However, since Tri-Rail trains can sometimes be thirty minutes to an hour late and has trains coming every two hours apart on the weekends so you will probably have better luck taking the city bus system. Tri-Rail also does not offer a very scenic tour as it is just a commuter line through the back sides of town.
Fort Lauderdale is America's yachting capital, and as such has numerous boat charter and rental companies. There are many restaurants and bars along the intracoastal that cater to the passing yachtsmen and their guests.
Water Bus [http://www.watertaxi.com] has 11 pick up/drop off locations in east Fort Lauderdale along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River. Float to and from the hotels, shopping, restaurants, beaches and nightlife. Slow and costly, but worth it for the view and romance.
When you visit the beach you will see that many locals bike to the beach. Things in Fort Lauderdale are close, but often further apart than a quick walk. A bike makes everything much closer, and you don't have to find parking. By bike, it is only 10 minutes from the beach to downtown, the supermarkets, or the malls. A bike creates its own breeze so biking is not only quicker and less effort than walking, it's often cooler too.
You can rent a bike, or, if you know you are going to be staying more than a couple of days, it may be more cost effective to buy a $100 bike from a big discount store and sell it or pass it on when you go home. (If you stay a week, you can just about pay for a bike in the money you save on parking.)
There are bike lanes on the road by the beach on A1A and on Las Olas Blvd. going between the beach and downtown and the Riverwalk. Ride in the same direction as the traffic. It is common to take to the sidewalks on the bridges or or on major roads when the bike lane disappears.
Because most things are quite close and Florida is very flat, bicycles are a very green, very sane, and relatively quick way to get around. You also get to see more, hear more, and be able to stop easily along the way to take pictures, something that is difficult to do when in a taxi or a car.
For a unique view of Fort Lauderdale, the Beach, The Everglades and surrounding cities take a scenic flight in an airplane and see it all.
*See all Fort Lauderdale has to offer on a Scenic Air Tour.
The most popular section of beach is where A1A runs along side the beach, between Las Olas Blvd north to Sunrise Blvd.
The "Elbo Room" bar, located at Las Olas Blvd and A1A was featured in the 1960's film Where the Boys Are'. The movie led to the city's former reputation as a spring break mecca. The bar anchors the Southern end of the 'Strip', a strip of eating and drinking establishments that run along the land side of the beach road.
Spring Break peaked in the mid 1980's and the city now attracts a more upscale crowd. Fort Lauderdale is in the midst of a luxury condo building boom, this is displacing the hotels that once lined the beach.
The city is more cosmopolitan than most, having lots of Europeans and gay residents. The beach culture reflects the laid back nature of the community. You will find European food in the restaurants and bathers in thong swimsuits.
* A collection of bars, restaurants and retail stores connected to a Marriott hotel.
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* The most famous spring break bar, and one of the few remaining from that period.
The downtown area, especially around Las Olas Boulevard, has seen dramatic growth in the past decade, and now hosts many new hotels and high-rise condominium developments. Other improvements include a wide array of new boutiques, art galleries and restaurants.
The entertainment district runs east-west along Las Olas Boulevard. East Las Olas Blvd has a mile of upscale shops and restaurants. Across the railway lines, West Las Olas caters to a younger crowd. There are funky nightclubs and restaurants between the railway lines and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. In between East and West, there is a new set of shops called Riverside that sits on the RiverWalk. The RiverWalk runs along the north side of the new river, from the shops at Las Olas to the performing arts complex.
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* An upscale collection of store, restaurants and bars near downtown.
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[wiki=8184d1ee638283ef6bfded992879f093]Wilton Manors[/wiki] is a city surrounded by Fort Lauderdale. It is a popular area for gays and lesbians. It has many guesthouses, restaurants, and bars/nightclubs catering to its gay clientèle. The busy center of the city is Wilton Drive near NE 26 Street. This is only two miles north of downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Greater Broward County is home to 1.8 million people, and offers an wide array of activities.
*
* Collection of pre-war Packard automobiles and other memorabilia.
* Go here for exciting rides and to let loose.
* Come here to see exotic butterflies and to get in touch with nature.
* Swamp Buggy Eco-Tours, Aiboat Rides, Animal & Reptile Exhibits, Day/Overnight Packages and Exclusive Tours.
* Explore this ecosystem on a heart pounding ride, or a more relaxed airboat tour. Open year round.
* Here you can see our amazing wetlands and possibly an alligator or two.
* If you are an outdoors person, or just want to see our state bird you have to visit here.
* A large indoor/outdoor flea market with the country's largest drive-in movie complex (13 screens).
* A small park that preserves beachside ecosystems amid all the high-rise development. Highly recommended for nature lovers. Accessible by car, bicycle, or foot.
* .
Golfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and deep sea fishing are very popular sports in the area. The metropolitan area also offers the following spectator sports:
*The Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League play at BankAtlantic Center in suburban [wiki=4c88924788f419b562d50acfddc3a781]Sunrise[/wiki], Florida.
*The Miami Dolphins play at Dolphins Stadium in [wiki=b82a582c8fa8afe82d6720290d2f8e1b]Miami Gardens[/wiki], Florida. The stadium is 17 miles South-West of Fort Lauderdale.
*The Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association play at AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami, located 23 miles south of Fort Lauderdale.
*International Swimming Hall of Fame is located at Fort Lauderdale Beach.
*South Florida also hosts the college sports teams of Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and University of Miami.
*The Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League play at Lockhart Stadium in North Fort Lauderdale only 12 miles from the downtown area.
There are sports and events held year round; although less frequent in the summer due to the intense heat. There are so many local running races during the cooler months that they may be held just several weeks apart. Greater Fort Lauderdale Road Runners [http://www.GFLRRC.org] keeps a central listing of running races on their web site.
*The swimming Hall of Fame pool complex is one block back from the beach. A world class venue where top athletes swim. There are a number of national swimming meets through out the year.
*There are a good number of local Triathlons, mostly the shorter sprint distances.
Jungle Queen. Dinner cruise featuring sites along the New River in and around downtown.
*Pier Fishing at Commercial Blvd, Atlantic Blvd, Hillsboro Blvd and Dania Beach. Each area has long piers into ocean, and fishing available.
*Bahia Mar Marina. Just across from the beach. You can walk around the marina and look at luxury boats and yachts owned by the well-heeled. On one jetty there is a monument and plaque announcing slip F-18 as an American Literary Landmark - this is where author John D MacDonald's fictional hero, Travis McGee , moored his 52-foot houseboat The Busted Flush (21 Travis McGee novels were published).
* A drift fishing boat that makes 3 trips daily from the Bahia Mar Marina. The boat supplies all the equipment and supplies needed for deep sea fishing.
* The Miss Bonita II is a sport fishing charter that takes 3 trips daily from the Bahia Mar Marina. Our Trips includes all the equipment and supplies needed for deep sea fishing. Call for special rates and all inclusive trips.
*Rent an Exotic Car (http://www.ftlauderdaleexoticcarrentals.com) and go for a ride to some of the most prestigious beaches in Florida
Clothes Encounters, 1952 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Phone: +1 954-522-2228. Huge selection of funny t-shirts along with basic swimwear and gifts.
*Flagler Antiques, 720 Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale. 10,000 Square Feet of antiques.
*Orchids Care, 3369 West Fork Drive, Fort Lauderdale.Provide insightful tips and techniques on growing orchids. Orchids Care [http://www.OrchidsCare.org]
*Shop at Swap Shop. Get your hair braided there Phone: +1 954-583-2221. The Swap Shop is an older flee market located east on Sunrise Blvd. Along with getting your hair braided you can shop for fruits, vegetables, clothes, nick knacks, and you can practically find other things that other locations would not have.
*Zoo 14, 1208 NE 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Phone: +1 954-763-9666. Men's designer clothing and club wear.
*Lilac And Lilies Boutique, 2541 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Phone: +1 954-530-3109. Women's designer clothing and accessories.[http://www.LilacAndLilies.com]
Great atmosphere, outside seating available. Sandwiches to steaks served.
* Upscale restaurant featuring excellent service and great steaks. Incredible wine selection.
* Located at base of Riverside Hotel where Las Olas meets the Tunnel. Popular chain featuring a large menu and countless desserts. Moderately priced
* Excellent Brazilian rodizio. Great salad bar too.
* Small, family owned Mexican restaurant. Looks can be deceiving as excellent, yet affordable cuisine is served with a smile.
* After you dine on chef-prepared fare, their cutting-edge musical satire will leave you wiping tears of laughter from your eyes!
* Popular and reasonably priced. Outside seating is available and there is often live music.
* Popular national chain, serving non-traditional Chinese food.
Sub shop known for handing you some of the meat to sample while you are waiting for them to make your sub.
* At The Atlantic Hotel. Award winning restaurant featuring a Florida-Caribbean cuisine.
* Outside tables under umbrellas. It's where the locals go for coffee and breakfast.
Mai-Kai, 3599 N. Federal Highway. Phone: 954-563-3272. Tiki-themed restaurant featuring Polynesian food and live shows.
*Rosie's, Wilton Drive. Great hamburgers and lite fare, with large outdoor seating area. Fun gay-themed restaurant, with live music on weekends.
*Red Cow, 1025 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (954) 652-1524. Excellent BBQ with a relaxed vibe.
*Georgies Alibi, 2266 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, Phone: 954-565-2526. Gay bar & casual restaurant (hamburgers & sandwiches). Friendly, diverse "straight-friendly" crowd; lunch & dinner served both indoors & outside under covered patio area. Very reasonably priced.
Pomperdale' 3055 East Commercial Boulevard (954) 771-9830 An excellent New York Jewish style deli.
* The Village Grille 4404 El Mar Drive Lauderdale-By-The-Sea (954) 776-5092. [url=http://www.villagegrille.com/]]. Great place for breakfast, lunch and dinner or just drinks. Next to the beach. $8-$12. Try the banana nut pancakes, they are to die for.
* Laspada's Original Hoagies' 4346 Sea Grape Dr Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (954) 776-7893 [http://www.laspadashoagies.com/[/url] . Hole-in-the-wall serving mouth-watering hoagies. Five minute walk to the beach.
Riverfront is a collection of stores and bars on the west side of the downtown district.
*Tarpon Bend, 200 SW 2 Street (Old Town). Great beer specials and popular on weekends.
*Voodoo Lounge, 100 SW 2 Avenue,Old Town. Popular dance club.
Beach Place is on A1A across from the beach. It has many bars and restaurants, and is very popular on the weekends.
*Elbo Room famous spring break landmark at Las Olas Blvd and A1A.
*Fat Tuesday's, Beach Place. Great ocean views and strong frozen drinks. Perfect combo for fun.
*Shooters is on the Intracoastal Waterway, south of Oakland Park Blvd. Very popular with the yacht crowd, as there are boat slips available.
*A fun place for all ages with free live music from techno, pop to the Beatles every day at 10:00PM
Grady's Bar at 905 S. Andrews Avenue is a hangout for locals, open since 1940. Cheap drinks and food, cash only.
*Flossie's Bar and Grill 3985 Angler's Avenue on the opposite side of I-95 from the airport. Outdoor tiki bar with live music some nights. Popular biker hangout.
Georgie's Alibi, [http://www.georgiesalibi.com/] at the Shoppes of Wilton Manors. Wilton Dr. and NE 6 Ave.
*Hunter's Fort Lauderdale, a nightclub at Shoppes of Wilton Manors. Wilton Dr and NE 6 Ave.
Roxanne's on Main, [http://www.roxannesonmain.com/] on the corner of Dixie Highway and Oakland Park. Music, drinks and food.
In order to make local phone calls, all ten digits of the phone number are required. As such, you'll notice that all local phone numbers include an area code. Currently the local area codes are (954) and (754), both local so you don't dial a 1 first but do dial the area code.
i.e. You dial 954 555 1212 or 754 555 1212
To call anywhere else you must dial 1 then the area code. i.e. To call to Miami from Fort Lauderdale you dial 1 (305) 555 1212
Area codes for Miami are (305) or (786) and for Boca Raton and Palm Beach it is (561).
Fort Lauderdale is served by two English-language newspapers, the Sun-Sentinel|South Florida-Sun Sentinel and The Miami Herald, as well as two Spanish language|Spanish-language newspapers El Sentinel del Sur de la Florida|El Sentinel and El Nuevo Herald.
Fort Lauderdale is considered to be part of the Miami media market, which is the 12th largest radio market and the 17th largest television market in the United States. Television stations serving the Miami area include WAMI (Telefutura), WBFS (UPN), WBZL (WB Television Network|The WB), WFOR (CBS), WHFT (TBN), WLTV (Univision), WPLG (American Broadcasting Company|ABC), WPXM (i television network|i), WSCV (Telemundo), WSVN (Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX), WTVJ (NBC), WPBT (PB), and WLRN (also PBS).