Fort Lauderdale hosts a wide variety of attractions tailor-made for the traveler who's away from home alone. Looking for culture,entertainment,shopping? It's here!
Swap Shop, 3501 W. Sunrise Blvd. The largest indoor/outdoor flea market in South Florida, the Swap Shop is loaded with bargains outdoors in Fort Lauderdale sunshine and indoors with air conditioning. If you can't find it here, it's not worth buying. You'll see everything from fine fragrances to vintage clothing; when you want to rest your feet, take in a free circus show. Live performers man this attraction every day but Tuesday.
Hall of Fame Aquatic Complex, 501 Seabreeze Blvd, by the beach. Featuring a wave-shaped museum and exhibition hall, the ISHOF showcases memorabilia from diving and swimming greats like Mark Spitz and Johnny Weismuller, and a host of others important to the sport. Lots of aquatic info here: get interactive with the hall's library and historical archives, and even find a film to float your boat in its Huizenga Theater. There's a swim flume, dive well and a pair of fifty-meter pools that host a variety of ongoing events. Open Monday through Friday 9-7 and weekends 9-5.
Fort Lauderdale Beach, A1A at the Atlantic Ocean: Stretching from Las Olas Blvd. at the south end to Oakland Park Blvd. at the north, this pristine mix of
clear aquamarine water and clean sand is the perfect spot to swim, tan or lean up against a gently-swaying palm. The south end is the happening place, bordered by shops, clubs and restaurants to fit any budget. For a spot away from the crowd, roll out your beach blanket on the north end. Lifeguards patrol daily 10-5 from Las Olas north to Sunrise Blvd; beyond that, you're on your own. Either way, there's plenty of parking--much of it free--and there are no beach fees anywhere.
Water Taxi, 651 Seabreeze Blvd.: Running daily 9 a.m. to midnight, and with tickets available at home base or anywhere along the route, the Water Taxi is a transportation bargain. Five bucks gets you an all-day unlimited pass up and down the Intracoastal Waterway and New River from Oakland Park Blvd. to the 17th Street Causeway. There's lots to see along the way, both on and off the water. More info, schedules and stops at: watertaxi.com
Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, 900 North Birch Road. Just south of Sunrise Blvd., wedged between the Intracoastal and Fort Lauderdale beach, is the Bonnet House, donated estate of husband and wife artists Frederic Clay Bartlett and Evelyn Fortune Bartlett. Stroll by yourself or catch the guided tour of this lush, tropics meets Europe plantation home, filled with the work of the former owners. Named after the marsh flowers that once dotted the land before construction, the House also hosts juried art shows and the annual Young Artists Music Series. Hours and more info at: bonnethouse.org
Cinema Paradiso, 503 SE 6th Street. Former church turned art house, the theater hosts the annual Fort Lauderdale Film Festival, internationally renowned and running over a month in duration. Even when it's not festival time, the Cinema screens independent films from the corners of the globe, seven days a week. Its cafe serves up a limited refreshment menu, but where else can you sip chilled champagne with your popcorn? Visit fliff.com for events and schedules.
Spirit of Fort Lauderdale Fountain, Las Olas Blvd. and Andrews Ave. Bridge. For relaxation and a great photo op, check out the show at the Fountain; half-hour music presentations kick off Monday through Friday at 7:30 am, noon and 5 pm to 11 p.m. on the hour; on weekends shows run consecutively from 9 am until 11 p.m.. Lighting and interactive water dance to pop, jazz and classical tunes make this stop a dazzling display.
