First time to Fort Lauderdale

My boyfriend and I are thinking of spending a weekend in Fort Lauderdale. Can anyone recommend a reasonable hotel? How far is Miami? And I love beaches...which beach is the nicest??? South Beach? Good nighlife? Sorry for all the questions.

Thanks in advance.

First time to Fort Lauderdale

Hi 1:

The beach question everyone will argue about. If you want fashion and bodies, then you might like South Beach better...

Miami is about 25 miles south of the Fort Lauderdale International Airport, and you will need a car for it to be economical if you fly into Fort Lauderdale.

I think Fort Lauderdale Beach is the best, and there are plenty of bars, dance clubs, eateries and the like to enjoy right on A1A between Las Olas Boulevard and Broward Boulevard. The hotels can be pricey (over $200 a night) for anything not a dump...you just have to search the sites for rates.

If you stay in Ft. Lauderdale, check with the hotel -- they might have a shuttle to/from the airport. If you stay in Miami, you might check the miami board, or the miami beach board, and fly into Miami.

Whatever you decide, have fun!

Lisa

First time to Fort Lauderdale

Thanks Lisa for your help.

Don%26#39;t care for fashion and bodies...just for a clear beautiful swimmable ocean!!! And some heat...since it%26#39;s freezing up here! lol.

We will be flying to Fort Lauderdale for sure....it%26#39;s much cheaper than flying into Miami. But I do think renting a car is a good idea...from the airport??? How about West Palm beach...just trying to get ideas on what to do when I%26#39;m there.

Thx.

West Palm is roughly 40 miles to the North of Fort Lauderdale. It%26#39;s further from FLL than Miami.

If you want the nicest beaches in the area, check out the John U. Lloyd Beach area. Completely unspoiled by commercial development. It%26#39;s just south of Fort Lauderdale. Normally I would say you need a car to get there but a catamaran sailboat called Spirit Of Lauderdale is running limited ferry service there for a small fee. Ride a boat to get to the beach.

I just looked up the prices on their site, it%26#39;s $55 per adult but that includes round trip and lunch at the Loggerhead Cafe at the park.

http://www.tropicalsailing.com/schedule.htm

There is actaully an area of Fort Lauderdale beach known as ';South Beach'; (sorry, don%26#39;t mean to confuse you!) That has public grills, volleyball nets, a fitness area, basketball court, and is the widest stretch of beach we have so you can find a nice private spot. If you are into sports or grilling food on the beach (which i am!) its fantastic! If you prefer a more see and be seen ';scene';, the beach right around Las Olas Blvd. (the main drag) and the Elbo room bar is a good place for people watching. A hundred yards north of that is ';Beach Place'; which is a 3 story outdoor mall of restraunts bars and shops. If you want to eat, drink, or shop while at the beach...its got you covered. Heading further North around sunrise blvd is an interesting area of ';divey'; bars (not really the right word...but if you check it out i think you%26#39;ll see what i mean) which is a fun area. North of that is alot more laid back and quiet with free parking along A1A if you get there early enough. Fort Lauderdale is a fantastic beach town, no doubt.

As for South Beach, Miami... while fun, and a great place to see once (or twice!) in your life, I much prefer the Fort Lauderdale scene.

Thanks to everyone for your help....Very helpful!