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| LOCATION & MILES: | Broward County encompasses 1,197 square miles (766,016 acres), with 23 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach, stretching between Palm Beach County on the northern perimeter and Dade County on the southern. It has a resident population of almost 1.8 million, with nearly 167,000 residing in Fort Lauderdale, the largest municipality and the seat of county government. Broward County is bounded on the west by 505,600 acres of Everglades (occupying about 2/3 of the county). 300 miles of navigable waterways within Broward County, lend it the nickname "Venice of America." |
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31 MUNICIPALITIES: |
Oceanside: Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Hollywood, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach, Sea Ranch Lakes. Inland: Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Davie, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, Lazy Lakes, Margate, Miramar, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Southwest Ranches, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Park, Weston and Wilton Manors. |
| CLIMATE: | Broward's climate is tropical with an average year-round temperature of 77°F / 25°C and 3,000 hours of sunshine. Winter temperatures average a mean of 66° F / 19° C; summer, a mean of 84° F / 29° C. January is the coolest month of the year and August is the warmest. The heaviest rainfalls occur during August and September. |
| SPORTS: | Water Sports -- There are more than 23 miles of beaches in Broward County that are perfect for sailing, swimming, kiteboarding, windsurfing, water skiing, boating, deep-sea fishing, parasailing and SCUBA diving
Boating -- The Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, along with more than 300 miles of canals and waterways throughout the County, are perfect for any kind of boating. There are several sailing schools throughout Broward plus 148 marinas and 35 boat repair yards that provide boat fuel as well as supplies. Fishing -- This is one of the few areas in the world where both freshwater and salt water fishing are within 20 minutes of the angler. In addition to more than 200 freshwater species that can be caught in the county's lakes, there are deep water fishing fleets located in each of the seven cities that line the Atlantic coast, plus four municipal piers. Baseball -- Fort Lauderdale is the spring training home of the Orioles. The Florida Marlins play at LandShark Stadium. Golf -- There are more than 60 courses in Broward ranging from the exclusive Grande Oaks Club to a par 3. Hockey -- The BankAtlantic Center, home of the NHL Florida Panthers, located in Sunrise, Florida Tennis -- There are more than 550 public and private tennis courts throughout Broward County. Racing -- Greyhound racing at Mardi Gras RaceTrack & Gaming Center; harness racing at the isle casino & racing at pompano park; Jai-Alai at Dania Jai-Alai and thoroughbred racing at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. Gaming -- Broward hosts four Seminole Indian casinos, including the Hard Rock Casino. Located on tribal grounds in Hollywood and Coconut Creek, the halls are open seven days a week with games beginning at noon and jackpots worth more than $100,000. |
| ATTRACTIONS: | ANNE KOLB NATURE CENTER -- is a 1,430 acre wetland and habitat for native wildlife. BEACH PLACE -- is a 100,000 square foot entertainment, retail and dining complex on A1A BILLIE SWAMP SAFARI -- lets you experience a Seminole Indian reservation in the Everglades via swamp buggy and airboat BASS PRO SHOPS OUTDOOR WORLD -- mega sporting goods store BUTTERFLY WORLD -- is a three acre park with a screened habitat to showcase live butterflies and hummingbirds from five different ontinents. EVERGLADES HOLIDAY PARK -- gateway to 750,000 acres of unspoiled Everglades; airboat rides, tours and fishing. FESTIVAL FLEA MARKET MALL -- over 800 shops plus Market Street FLAMINGO GARDENS -- offers free flight aviary museums, tram tours of orange groves, nature walks, and gift shops. FORT LAUDERDALE ANTIQUE CAR MUSEUM -- permanent displays of pre-war Packard Motorcars and memorabilia GOODYEAR BLIMP BASE -- is one of only four bases in the world. HOLLYWOOD OCEANFRONT BROADWALK -- 2.2 mile oceanfront pedestrian promenade which parallels the beach IGFA FISHING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM -- features galleries, marina and conservation center LAS OLAS BOULEVARD -- bustles with energy day and night and is home to chic boutiques, galleries and eateries LAS OLAS RIVERFRONT -- is an entertainment and retail complex on the New River MAI KAI POLYNESIAN RESTAURANT AND REVUE -- features Polynesian cuisine and exciting dinner show in authentically recreated village RIVERWALK ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT -- is a 22-block district along the New River in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale which runs from chic Las Olas Boulevard west to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts SAWGRASS MILLS – world's largest discount, outlet mall featuring more than 350 specialty stores and the Colonnade Outlets, an outdoor, high-end shopping district. SAWGRASS RECREATION PARK -- offers airboat rides, Indian village, live alligator, reptile & birds of prey exhibit plus camping, boating & fishing SWAP SHOP -- largest indoor/outdoor flea market in the South WANNADO CITY -- America's 1st indoor role playing theme park for kids XTREME INDOOR KARTING |
| SIGHTSEEING TOURS: | A ADMIRAL'S CRUISE LINE – 2 ½ narrated tours A WATER FANTASEAS -- luxury yacht charters CARRIE B SIGHTSEEING CRUISES -- offers sightseeing cruises. DISCOVERY CRUISE LINE -- sails to Grand Bahama Island. FORT LAUDERDALE DUCK TOURS FORT LAUDERDALE TROLLEY TOUR – 2-hour narrated tour GRAND FLORIDIAN – Sunday brunch cruises GONDOLA TOURS – authentic tours in the heart of the "Venice of America" JUNGLE QUEEN RIVERBOAT -- offers old-time sightseeing cruises along the canals with dinner and entertainment. M. CRUZ RENTALS – segway tours and bicycle rentals RIVERFRONT CRUISES -- offers sightseeing cruises onboard a 55-foot catamaran. ROYAL HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES -- offer hansom cab rides along Greater Fort Lauderdale's most fashionable boulevard. SEAESCAPE CRUISES -- day and night cruises with casino action TROPICAL SAILING -- 2 hour ocean sightseeing cruise on a catamaran WATER BUS OF FORT LAUDERDALE -- is the perfect way to tour the Intracoastal or take an "Historic Cruise" of the New River. |
| NATURAL ATTRACIONS: | In addition to its Blue Wave beaches and waterways, Broward County has 288 parks, 69 miles of live coral reef in a three-tier natural reef system, and the Everglades. Its 81 artificial reefs and 18 major shipwrecks provide divers with a unique mix of tropical underwater experiences. |
| CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: | Museums and Historic Sites -- AFRICAN AMERICAN RESEARCH LIBRARY/CULTURAL CENTER AH-TAH-THI-KI MUSEUM -- Seminole heritage BILLIE SWAMP SAFARI -- Everglades experience BONNET HOUSE -- one of the few remaining ocean-front estates BROWARD ART GUILD BUEHLER PLANETARIUM AND OBSERVATORY BUTTERFLY WORLD CORAL SPRINGS MUSEUM OF ART FLAMINGO GARDENS FORT LAUDERDALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FULL MOON KAYAK HILLSBORO INLET LIGHT STATION -- historic light marks the northern limit of the Florida Reef INTERNATIONAL GAME FISHING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME MUSEUM OF ART | FORT LAUDERDALE MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY AND SCIENCE/3D IMAX7 MY JEWISH DISCOVERY PLACE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OLD DILLARD MUSEUM SAWGRASS RECREATION SEA EXPERIENCE GLASSBOTTOM BOAT STRANAHAN HOUSE -- Broward's oldest existing structure THIRD AVENUE ART DISTRICT YOUNG AT ART CHILDREN'S MUSEUM -- hands-on children's museum |
| Libraries -- There are 28 libraries in Broward County including an eight-story, 260,000-square-foot main research and resource center in downtown Fort Lauderdale. It has earned architectural recognition for its unique design and was voted the #1 library in the United States in 1996. A $14 million, 60,000 square foot African America Research Library and Cultural Center opened October 2002. | |
| PERFORMING ARTS: | Theater -- ASHANTI CULTURAL ARTS BAILEY HALL -- features concerts and ballets BANKATLANTIC CENTER -- features top named stars BROWARD CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS -- state of the art complex featuring two theaters CORAL SPRINGS CENTER FOR THE ARTS -- features music, dance and concerts CINEMA PARADISO -- home to the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival FORT LAUDERDALE PLAYERS HARD ROCK LIVE HOLLYWOOD BEACH THEATER HOLLYWOOD CENTRAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER LAFFING MATTERZ MOSAIC THEATRE PARKER PLAYHOUSE -- pre-and post-Broadway productions POMPANO BEACH AMPHITHEATER PUBLIC THEATER OF SOUTH FLORIDA STAGE DOOR'S 26TH STREET THEATRE STORY THEATRE PRODUCTIONS -- features children's productions FORT LAUDERDALE CHILDREN'S THEATRE -- features children's productions. THEATER UNDER THE STARS -- open-air bandshell in Hollywood; additionally, there are a number of neighborhood theaters located in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Pompano Beach |
| MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS: | Orange Bowl (Jan) Las Olas Art Festival (Jan/Sept) Hollywood CanadaFest (Jan) Live Racing at Gulfstream Park (Jan-Apr) A1A Marathon (Feb) Seminole Tribal Fair (Feb) Florida Renaissance Festival (Feb-Mar) Orioles Spring Training (Feb-Mar) Florida Marlins Baseball (Apr-Sept) National Week of the Ocean Sea-son (Apr) OceanFest Consumer Dive Show (Apr) Pompano Beach Seafood Festival (Apr) Fleet Week USA (Apr) Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo (May) Turtle Walks (June-July) Fort Lauderdale Family Fun Beachfront Celebration (July 4) Hollywood 4th of July Celebration (July 4) Hollywood Beach Latin Festival (Sept) Hollywood Beach Clambake (Sept) Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (Oct/Nov) Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (Oct/Nov) Oktoberfest (Oct) Bank of America Viva Broward (Oct) Florida Panthers Hockey Season (Oct–Apr) Dine Out Lauderdale (Oct/Nov) Broward County Fair (Nov) Christmas on Las Olas (Dec) OceanDance (Dec) Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade (Dec) Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade (Dec) Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade (Dec) |
| SHOPPING: | Sawgrass Mills, the world's largest discount mall and featuring the new high-end Colonnade Outlets, Festival Flea Market Mall and Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop, the largest indoor/outdoor flea market in the South, offer more buys for the buck. Shopping malls such as The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, featuring Neiman-Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, are complemented by traditional Florida shopping avenues such as Las Olas Blvd., Dania Beach Antique Row and beach boutiques. |
| DINING & ENTERTAINMENT: | More than 4,000 wining and dining establishments and 132 nightclubs are located in Broward County |
| ACCOMMODATIONS: | Broward offers more than 550 lodging establishments, with more than 33,000 hotel rooms, ranging from luxurious high-rises to smaller motels (many included in the SUPERIOR SMALL LODGING program, which sets standards of quality for properties of less than 50 rooms). The diverse mix of Greater Fort Lauderdale accommodations encompasses oceanfront and inland properties, specialized spa resorts, business, meeting, and convention facilities |
| CONVENTION CENTER: | The 600,000-square-foot GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE/BROWARD COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER, at Port Everglades, is the centerpiece of a mixed-use retail complex spanning 33 acres. |
| ACCESSIBILITY: | International Airport -- Broward County is served by the Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood International Airport. Airlines include: Air Canada, Air Jamaica, AirTran, Air Transat, Allegiant, American, America West, Avianca, Bahamasair, CanJet Airlines, Cayman Airways, Continental, Delta/Delta Connection, Frontier, JetBlue, Lynx Air, Maestro Airlines, Northwest, Southwest, Spirit, Sunwing, US Airways, WestJet and Yellow Air Taxi.
Executive Airports -- Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at the northwest corner of the city, and North Perry Airport, six miles west of Hollywood, and Pompano Beach Airpark, serve private and executive planes. Cruise Ships -- Port Everglades is the busiest cruise port in the world serving more five-star cruise ships than any other port in the nation. Over 40 cruise ships depart from twelve ultra-modern terminals, including: Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Costa, Crystal, Cunard, Discovery Cruise Line, Holland America, MSC Italian Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Silversea.
Discovery Cruise Line offers day cruises to the Bahamas. |
| Train -- Amtrak Bus -- Greyhound |
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| Rental Cars -- Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport's beautiful new Rental Car Center opened January 2005. The Rental Car Center has brought most of the major rental car companies under one roof. At more than 4 million square feet, the nine-level structure is the largest consolidated rental car facility in the United States and one of the largest parking garages in Florida. Levels 1 through 4 are the new home of Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, Hertz, National, Royal, and Thrifty. Levels 5 through 9 are public parking.
Local Transportation -- The Broward County Mass Transit bus system connects all municipalities and interconnects with Palm Beach and Dade Counties. Discounted weekly visitor passes for unlimited transportation are available. Taxis and limousine companies operate throughout the county; the Water Taxi system provides transportation to shops, attractions and restaurants. |
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| FURTHER INFORMATION: | Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau 100 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Telephone: (800) 22-SUNNY, (U.S. and Canada), Fax: (954) 765-4467 Meeting Planners/Tour Operators: (800) 356-1662 Website: www.sunny.org Media Inquiries: jtaylor@broward.org |
01/2009
