where does one begin to sing the praises of greater fort lauderdale?

start with money magazine, which named it the best big city to live in -- anywhere in the united states.

ask the more than 9.4 million visitors to the area last year, including

1,208,000 from overseas and 458,000 from canada.

talk to the 4.4 million people who sailed on one of the 65 cruise ships based at port everglades. or just touch base with anyone who enjoys the 3,000 hours of annual sunshine and the 77-degree average temperature.

the vote is unanimous. greater fort lauderdale clearly ranks as one of the world's most desirable destinations.

the distinction is well deserved. whatever you want to do during your stay; it's available in abundance.

if you're a beachgoer, we have 23 miles of smooth sand and crashing waves. settle in with a good book and a bottle of lotion and you won't have a care left in the world.

if you'd rather be on the water, your choices range from entertaining sightseeing cruises on the intracoastal waterway to exciting snorkel and dive excursions to hard-fought battles with some of the greatest sport fish in the ocean. with 82,000 resident yachts, 110 marinas and boatyards, and more than 300 miles of inland waterways with over 422 canals, (giving the city its "venice of america" nickname). you're never far from a nautical treat.

do your tastes run to shopping? you can find the finest merchandise or the biggest bargains at one of our 12 major shopping malls or countless specialty shops. from exclusive las olas boutiques to bustling flea markets, you're certain to find anything you'd want.

looking for a relaxing lunch, a romantic dinner, or a pulsating dance floor? with some 3,500 restaurants and more than 110 nightclubs, you can dine on distinct cuisine at every meal and enjoy diverse live music every night.

arts and culture abound, as well.  museums and galleries display marvelous fine art, hands-on science fun, and historical highlights, while performing arts venues offer stellar performances of popular and classical music, dance, theatre, comedy, opera, and everything in between. and don't miss the many outdoor art festivals, craft shows, and concerts under the stars.

then there's the area's incredible sports scene. four professional teams call south florida home -- baseball's marlins, the national football league dolphins, basketball's heat, and the florida panthers hockey team. add more than 60 golf courses, tennis, swimming, biking, skating, water-skiing, and much more and you know you've come to a true sports paradise.

greater fort lauderdale's future looks even brighter: with the opening of beach place on the ocean, the las olas riverfront and the new world aquarium, expansion at port everglades, and the fort lauderdale/hollywood international airport, and countless other enhancements. the area gives you more reasons to visit all times of the year.

greater fort lauderdale extends a hearty greeting today and looks forward to welcoming you to one of the world's "greatest locations" for years to come!

 

welcome to greater than ever fort lauderdale!

with 23 miles of beaches, 300 miles of inland waterways, 82,000 resident yachts and 110 marinas and boatyards fort lauderdale will more than wet your appetite for adventure.

we cordially invite you to sample the many tropical pleasures and hidden treasures to be found in greater fort lauderdale. long renowned as one of the world's most appealing vacation spots, our area is teeming with more to do than ever before. day and night, above and under the water, from the sunny atlantic shores to the unspoiled reaches of the everglades, you'll always find something to fulfill your vacation fantasies.

for starters, you'll enjoy basking in the sun and frolicking in the waves as you experience our 23 miles of sandy beaches, stretching from hollywood on the south to deerfield beach on the north. as you move inland, you can explore a full 300 miles of palm tree-shaded waterways that are lined with numerous special sightseeing attractions.

be sure to explore the heart of downtown fort lauderdale on trendy las olas boulevard, which serves up an outstanding selection of fine boutiques, eclectic galleries, charming sidewalk cafes, and action-packed nightspots in a chic, ever-changing landscape. it's a people-watchers delight -- morning, noon, or night.

throughout the region, you can take advantage of our diverse cultural options, natural wonders, festivals and celebrations, world-famous shopping, and award-winning cuisine. from ways to play to places to stay, you'll find everything you need to create a memorable stay in our sun-kissed destination.

best of all, we keep getting better and better. in 2004, we welcomed a record 12.3 million visitors to our sunny shores. before the end of the year 2005, nearly $2.5 billion have been invested in tourist-related infrastructure and facilities in greater fort lauderdale.

for more information and to receive a free copy of our vacation planner, contact the greater fort lauderdale convention and visitors bureau by calling 1-800-22-sunny or visit us online at www.sunny.org.

experience the wonders of greater fort lauderdale. we promise to be here with a warm welcome.

 

greater fort lauderdale convention and visitors bureau