I have a friend who is torn between Miami or Ft. Lauderdale for her late fall vacation? Which would you choose & why? I wasn't much help. She is not big on partying, but likes to shop, nice dinners, maybe a little jazz. Would like nice hotel on the ocean (big plus). It would be a vacation for her & fiance'.

Jazz?

In FLL: O'Hara's Jazz & Blues Cafe. 722 East Las Olas Blvd. Tel: 954-524-1764 Music Line 954-524-2801 Voted best jazz & R&B club since 1990.
In Miami: The Attic. 320 Crandon Blvd. 2nd Floor. Tel: 305.361.1111. Cotton Club style scat jazz. Dinner and full bar served.

Anymore suggestions? Tandoori Girl are you choosing Ft.Lauderdale over Miami? Which place would you recommend?

Thank you!

why doesn't she just visit both places. Stay in Ft. Lauderdale and go for a day to Miami - they are only 26 miles or so away from each other.

I don't think it's as easy as picking one location or the other. I think which hotel she chooses will make a bigger difference. Miami seems to attract more foreigners (Europeans, South Americans) and feels a bit more vibrant to me. Both have nearby shopping. (What kind of shopping does she want?) What's the hotel budget and how old are they?

We love Fort Lauderdale for shopping and especially restaurants. A nice oceanfront hotel is the Beachcomber in Pompano Beach. Pompano is adjacent to Fort Lauderdale-all the same area. If you have a car, no problem-Justs drive up A1A and you can't tell when FL becomes Pompano. Anyway, just checked and Beachcomber offers oceanview rooms for $99 in Oct. Friends just stayed there and had a beautiful room. They were remodeling rooms, so would check to see if they're finished and be sure to ask for a remodeled room if she goes. http://www.beachcomberhotel.com

Any more advice?

Without knowing anything about your friend, I can only tell you what I would choose and that would be Miami. As I said earlier, I find it more vibrant and cosmopolitan. I like the fact that there's a lot of ethnic food. I love visiting Vizcaya (Italianate Palazzo on Biscayne Bay). In addition to Linclon Rd shops, the Bal Harbor Shopping Center is not far and there's also the Aventura Mall.

I would pick South Beach because you don't need a car.

I would stay in one of the hotels in the Lincoln Road area because; they are nicer, they are oceanfront, they are out of all the hoopla, and you can walk everywhere.

I love Ft. Lauderdale and LBTS but you need a car to get around. Also, I think they are most fun with a boat.