Know anything to do in the Fort Lauderdale Area? And -- May I share my excitement?

[Bertha Venation]

I think I've posted about my trip before, but I'm going to post it again.

In February, Mrs. V., my sisters and I are going to celebrate my 50th birthday with a trip to Hollywood Beach, FL. If we're able to save enough, we're going to pay my sisters' way. And if we really save enough, we're going to fly them there (from CA) first class. Being able to do that will be my birthday present.

My sisters and I are very close, and I miss them deeply. They're the primary reason I'm homesick (although I also miss Huntington Beach, quite a lot). I think of this trip every day, and every now and then I go to the hotel website to look at everything; I go to Google street view to see the hotel; I go to the travel sites to price flights. Not ready to book yet, but I can't help but check everything out.

Besides laying out and swimming, the only thing we've actually planned is to go on a Segway tour. (That's one of the reasons I'm losing weight; the weight limit is 250.) I also want to go on a ride through the Everglades, but there seem to be hundreds of outfits that provide that service. How do I choose a good one?

What else? Can you suggest anything? Thanks!

[RebelOne]

1. Well, after living in South Florida for most of my life

until I moved here to North Georgia in the Atlanta area, I did not find too much to do. You should really go to Key West. It is a fun town. I have been there many times.

My other suggestion would be to go to Tennessee to the Smokey Mountains. Since I have lived here in North Georgia, I would much prefer going there than back to Florida. My daughter lives South Florida, and she knows I will not go down there to visit her because I am so happy to be out of there. So she comes to Georgia to see me.

[Bertha Venation]

4. Mrs. V. is from eastern Tennessee. But in the 12 years we've been together

I've only been to the Smokys once. It's just a matter of scheduling when we make trips to her folks' together. Now, all of her trips home are to tend to her elderly, frail mother.

But we will get there, back to the mountains again, probably in '14. Can't wait!

I'll see if everyone wants to go to Key West. We'll be there for a week.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Don't know too much about Ft. Lauderdale.

But many go out at night on deep sea fishing tours. Invariably, someone throws up. But, it's fun otherwise.

Suggest you try looking for tourist reviews on the internet. Also, if you want to try the Everglades, certainly an airboat ride would be more appropriate than a Segway, surely?

[Bertha Venation]

5. Hahahahahaha Excellent point!

that was funny

Since I don't travel much except to Tennessee (Mrs. V.'s family) and California (my family), I don't think to do things like looking online for tourist reviews. So thanks!

[kwassa]

3. I once lived in Ft. Lauderdale.

There is an old joke that Florida is a swamp surrounded by a beach, and that is true of south Florida. The beach is great in Ft. Lauderdale, the water much more clear than the west coast, and warm, too. I saw rays, and some small barracuda as I snorkled there.

Places to visit: I also recommend Key West, the most historic and varied place in the state. The Keys are a great place for seafood, and just an interesting environment. John Pennekamp State Park is a coral reef, entirely underwater, full of tropical fish, and glass-bottom boats take you out there, or at least use to. Key Largo.

http://www.pennekamppark.com/

South Beach in Miami is fun for those interested in trendy things, cool bars and such, art deco architecture.

Inland is not that interesting, basically tract housing, tropical version.

Here is a list of Lauderdale attractions.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g34227-Activities-Fort_Lauderdale_Florida.html

[Bertha Venation]

7. Thanks, kwassa!

That's a great site. I never even heard of it. Thanks!

[trof]

6. Take a water taxi.

fun

[kcass1954]

8. The first thing you do is call me. We'll have a drink or lunch or meet up or something...

I lived in east Hollywood for 24 years - we're in the western suburbs now, but not that far away.

The airboat ride in the Everglades is cool. Do it through Everglades Holiday Park - it's part of the county park system, and there are coupons on the website.

http://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/


The Okalee Indian Village is on the Hard Rock property. It's not an all-day thing, but it's an interesting several hours to learn about the Seminole tribe in Florida. And they've got alligator wrestling!

http://www.semtribe.com/TourismAndEnterprises/Hollywood/Okalee.aspx


If you are at all into fishing, the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame is in Dania.

http://www.igfa.org/Museum/Visit-the-Museum.aspx

[OriginalGeek]

10. I third visiting the Keys

and second a night at south Beach - You're on vacation! Club it up a little! lol
I enjoy doing stupidly touristy things when I'm away from home so if you do too, try to make some time for the Coral Castle in Homestead.

[avebury]

11. I would recommend looking up

www.viator.com. Select USA and Ft. Lauderdale. Viator.com if one of my favorite websites to look at for things to do when I travel. For Ft. Lauderdale they have:

Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise
Key West sail and snorkel trip from Ft Lauderdale
Day Trip to Key West
Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter

If you go into Fort Lauderdale there is a water taxi that you can buy a day pass for and explore an interesting part of the city.


I don't know how long you plan to be in Fort Lauderale but there are a lot of cruises that go out of Fort Lauderdale.