Want to escape the frigid winter and transplant yourself on a beach in the sun for a week or two? You will be happy to know the Fort Lauderdale area is home to over 20 miles of soft, golden sand beaches perfect for working on your tan or playing in the ocean. There are plenty of beaches to choose from and many have all the services and amenities you could possibly want. Fort Lauderdale Beach is probably the best known and most popular. This was once a party mecca for college students on spring break but has now transformed itself into a laidback beach community. You will find lots of restaurants, cafes, shops and entertainment as well as an abundance of beach activities including jet skiing, volleyball, boating and windsurfing. The beach is very laid back and accepting to people of all kinds. Hollywood Beach is another popular beach with a casual atmosphere and known for its free outdoor entertainment. Take a stroll along the unique Ocean Broadwalk. Pompano Beach is a family friendly area and offers playgrounds and kid friendly entertainment. Another family favourite is the beaches of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. The calm beaches are perfect for swimming and there are also beautiful shaded spots perfect for picnic lunches.

The Fort Lauderdale area is also home to exquisite landscapes, vegetation and wildlife. The Flamingo Gardens are a tourist favourite with 60 acres of scenic botanical gardens and wildlife sanctuary. At the Flamingo Gardens you will have a chance to spot birds of prey, alligators, bobcats, jaguars and of course flamingos. Swamp Safaris are another intriguing adventure. Take an airboat or swamp buggy tour through mangrove swamps and visit with alligators, snakes and other swamp critters. Fishing tours are another popular activity in Fort Lauderdale, whether it is deep sea fishing or fishing the inland lakes for largemouth bass. Fantastic Fishing Tours are one of the best when it come to deep sea fishing and their expert captains will help you reel in sailfish, shark, wahoo, snapper or grouper. Bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee is phenomenal. Let Hawghunter Guide Service take you out to the lake and show you where to catch the big ones. They are so good that they even make the promise, “No Fish, No Pay!” Looking for something exciting for the little ones? Quiet Waters Amusement Park is anything but quiet. Their high tech water play systems with slides, tunnels, pools and even cable waterskiing are unbelievable. The whole family will enjoy this day trip.

Fort Lauderdale also has awesome shopping opportunities. Those who love a good deal will appreciate the designer outlets at Sawgrass Mills as well as the Festival Flea Market which has over 500 stores selling brand name goods at less than outlet prices. For shopaholics this is reason enough to go to Fort Lauderdale. The eclectic and trendy shops and galleries of Olas Atlas Boulevard should not be missed. Dania Historic Antique District is home to dozens of dealers and shops to find that something special. And for true bargain hunters, you do not want to miss the Swap Shop, south Florida’s largest indoor/outdoor flea market. Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District is another great place to find trendy shops as well as cultural attractions, parks and fantastic restaurants. As for entertainment, you could take in a professional sports game like the Florida Marlins or Florida Panthers who play close by or test your luck at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Whatever you decide to do, Fort Lauderdale will satisfy your every want and need. There really is no bad time to go to Fort Lauderdale as it enjoys a sub-tropical climate. Winters are mostly mild and warm although the occasional cold front can pass through and summers are generally hot and humid. In the summer months the average highs are between 30˚C and 35˚C and it never gets much lower than 24˚C. The winter months tend to be much more comfortable with highs averaging around 18˚C to 24˚C. The nights and early mornings can be quite cool so make sure to pack a sweater.