monalua

Just found out today my job will sending me to Ft. Lauderdale in June 08 for a conference. I know very little about Florida, but am trying to decide if I should bring my husband and stay a few extra days. Would it be worth it for 3-4 days? What would you recommend in Ft. Lauderdale, and what other areas of Florida are within driving distance? Of course I will do a lot more research on this, but just looking for some input to make my decision to stay longer. Thanks!

tchoiniere

Miami / South Beach / Everglades aren't far from there. It would definitely be worth it. But temps will be very hot and humid. IT will be the offseason and hotels should be cheap.

Myer

Just a bit of info for you planning.

June & September are the rainest months. Unless you are very lucky, it will rain just about every day.

Fret not!!!

These aren't weather system (we're not discussing hurricanes here) but a building up of clouds followed by a torrential downpour and then clearing later in the day.

With that in mind, do you beach stuff early while the sky is blue and the sun is out. It will cloud ove progrssively until the rain start about noon or so. Then it will clear in mid/late afternoon and give you a nice evening (with humidity).

Because of that, the temperature very rarely goes above 92 degrees.

And because of the humidity, your skin will be soft as a baby's butt.

Definitely worth it. Ft Lauderale has a fair number of restaurants. Las Olas.

South Beach is about a half hour south.

GoTravel

I personally love Fort Lauderdale.

Miami can be a bit much while FLL is more laid back.

Ride the water taxi.

Eat, shop, and walk Las Olas.

Spend time on the beach.

Where are you staying? You'll definitely need a car.

LLindaC

Have you considered a cruise? RCCL's Enchantment is a very nice ship doing 4 night cruises from there. It goes to Key West and Cozumel on the short schedule. We've been on the ship 3 times and really enjoy it.

KayF

We really enjoyed an Art Deco Walking Tour in South Beach, Miami. It's a short drive from Fort Lauderdale.

http://www.mdpl.org/Tours/guidedtours.html

One tip is to get there early as parking can be hard to find and the walks only go once a day, so you don't want to miss the start.

Kay

TTess

Take the boat cruise through the waterways. Shop and dine on Las Olas. Have you hair done at Yellow Strawberry by Jesse Briggs. Shop at Sawgrass Mills.

ccolor

We took the day sightseeing cruise (not dinner) and had a good time on the Jungle Queen boat.

http://www.junglequeen.com/

xkenx

Bonnet House (on the Intracoastal, just south of Sunrise Hwy) is a very interesting historical home and gardens. Nearby is Butterfly World. In Delray Beach (about 20 min north) see Morikami Gardens, one of the finest Japanese Gardens outside of Japan itself.

wow

Where are you staying? We can suggest nearby things to do. Are you flying into FLL airport?

(Hey, GoT...aren't you leaving for FLL soon?)

GoTravel

Hi wow!

I was supposed to leave Tuesday the 22nd but instead I'm leaving this Sunday!

I am so looking forward to sticking my cold toes into some hot sand!

I'm running the Miami Marathon Sunday the 27th and can't wait!

LLindaC

Hi GoT...good luck in the race! We'll be in FLL the 25, leaving on a cruise the 26.

GoTravel

Linda, I'll probably be having cocktails at Big City Tavern on Las Olas that evening so if you happen to come by, I'll be sitting outside with my girlfriend and her hubby waiting for Mr.GoTravel to get in town!

Stop by and have drinks with us!

wow

Hi, GoT! So that's the 20th...Well, have a wonderful time "toe sticking" & whatever else you do! Remember to have that drink @ Charlie's Crab for me.
I will be thinking about you on Sunday Jan 27 (I am doing a "Walk for Memories" that morning for Alzheimers...working my way up to a run...what you are doing is very impressive!...Miami Marathon! Wow!