Hi all. We're heading to Ft. Lauderdale soon and want to go to the beach! Where are the nicest ones? We prefer beaches that are more natural than those lined with high story buildings. I know that's getting harder and harder to find in Florida. My least favorite beach area would be somewhere like Wildwood, NJ - honky tonk boardwalk, etc. Knowing that, where would you recommend? We're traveling with our 2 boys, who love the water. Thanks, Karen

if your looking for a natural type setting for a beach try heading down south about 30 to 40 minutes.There youll find key biscayne,at the southern end of it is cape florida state park,great beach.

If you don't want to go south, go to Delray Beach (linton blvd off I95, then east to A1A, over drawbridge, then north for approximately 2 miles) where the beach is truly unique, clean and fun.

Or you can stay closer to Ft Lauderdale and go to John U. Lloyd State Park. You get to it by taking U.S. 1 south to Dania Beach Blvd and heading east to the ocean. You'll first arrive at Dania Beach (free) and it you want to go to the park, just follow the signs. I think it's about $5 to get in and they have nature walks, etc.

As a treat after the beach, take the family to Jaxson's Ice Cream parlor on U.S. 1 just a few blocks south of Dania Beach Blvd (when heading back, turn left onto U.S. 1 and it will be on your right before you get to the next light. Warning: the sundae's are huge and not cheap, however, you definitely get what you pay for. All the ice cream is made onsite and absolutely delicious.

Dania Beach is the first one I thought of while reading your post. It's close to Ft Lauderdale airport and seemed very "low key" both times I visited.

Just wanted to add that Dania Beach is a very pretty and well kept beach.