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Guide to Fort Lauderdale, USA - Florida
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Fort Lauderdale
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Fort LauderdaleKnown to be the hotbed of the Spring Break crowd, Fort Lauderdale is usually associated with rowdy adolescents and alcohol. For a few weeks from March to April, students from up and down the east coast, and even some from the west, make their way to the partying capital. However, during the rest of the year, Fort Lauderdale is a very neat and tidy city with a tropical twist, and youll be pleased with not only the weather, but its great blend of historic and cultural sites and its state-of-the-art science center.
When to go:
Fort Lauderdale is home to the Spring Break crowd from late March to early April. Any other time is great for visitors to experience the city without the floods of youngsters disrupting what could be a relaxing vacation. The weather stays fairly consistent year-round, peaking in August, and reaching a low of about 65F (18C) in January. The climate is tropical, so dont be surprised if unexpected rains come during your stay. We suggest visiting in autumn simple because the landscape seems much more beautiful with all the colors that come out in their full glory.
Getting there and around:
Traveling to Fort Lauderdale will almost undoubtedly mean youll be arriving at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (few carriers from international locations fly only to the larger Miami International Airport). Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International holds its own very well, today it being home to more than three dozen airlines, showcasing great, modern, flier friendly terminals, and plenty of clean, quick and cheap transportation options. The airport is about 16km from downtown, so you have to choose from the public services available, or private car agencies. We suggest using public services only because they are cheaper, and provide less hassle.
You can choose between shuttles, buses, or taxis. Taxis do get you to precise locations, though what would be the fun of traveling around Fort Lauderdale closed off from the warmth, and fresh breezes? We recommend riding a shuttle to downtown and then hopping on a trolley to roughly the location where youll be staying. If you intend to stick around downtown for much of your stay, use the trolley. Theyre not fast, but some are free, and you get to experience the sights at a great pace.
For more far reaching destinations take a taxi. Itll be easier to hail a taxi than to study the bus routes and arranging your schedule to catch a ride to a destination on the outskirts of the city.
Attractions:
You should start your discovery of Fort Lauderdale at the Museum of Art. Here youll find some of the worlds best pieces by Picasso, Matisse, Dali, and Warhol. It may not be the largest museum youve ever visited, and the pieces displayed do seem to be a bit crowded sometimes, but that doesnt take away from the fact that the Museum of Art has a very impressive collection. Visiting the city during autumn will allow you to catch the Hortt Memorial Exhibition & Competition, which is quite spectacular. All of the best local artists have their works showcased here. Youll get to view some very unique and one-of-a-kind artistry, and maybe even witness some purchases, which do occur occasionally.
The Museum of Discovery & Science is another fascinating establishment, and here both you and the kids will be occupied with the most modern technology intertwined with the exhibits to provide an unparalleled experience of, yes, science and discovery! Outside youll notice the Great Gravity Clock, the states largest kinetic energy sculpture. Inside, there are the brilliantly done Florida Ecoscapes, where you can walk through 10 man-made ecosystems; from forests to swamps, youll see endangered animals and hear the sounds of just about every creature you can think of. Then you can make your way to a simulated NASA exhibit, where you can strap yourself into a chair and virtually experience a launch up to a satellite. There is also a massive IMAX theatre here with helmets and goggles for the screenings.
A few historic sites in Fort Lauderdale are the Stranahan House and the Bonnet House. Both show splendid tropical gardens around Victorian style homes quite large in size. The Bonnet House is only accessible through a tour.
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