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The common wisdom is that South Florida lives and dies by the automobile. Like me, most residents hop in their car to drive two minutes to the local store or restaurant or wherever. And I suspect many tourists do the same. Who can enjoy this area without wheels, right? So I was surprised this past week when my car was in the shop – my old Mustang needed a part that Ford doesn’t make anymore. Anyway, I was forced into a lot of walking, which was something I’d done by choice on my recent “local vacation.” Two different areas of town, but both times I really enjoyed absorbing the sights and sounds of Fort Lauderdale on foot. You notice things you wouldn’t notice otherwise, experience people along the way that you would barely notice if darting by them in a car.
That got me thinking. I could have a wonderful time visiting Fort Lauderdale, or Hollywood, or Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, for example, without a car rental. Same thing if I was settling into a resort like the Hard Rock. If I was looking to save a little money, I’d just hop a taxi to the hotel and then hoof it. That’s not only do-able – it can be fun, I now see. This was the surprising part for me. When you have a car, you rely on a car. When you don’t have a car, you rely on footpower – and gain a slower, richer perspective. I have nothing against cars, mind you. I’ve got mine back and I’m glad. And obviously a rental car gives any visitor a lot more flexibility to see the whole region. It’s just that some folks might think that every Broward County visitor absolutely needs a car to have a good time. I’m suggesting that walkers can savor things here in their own way. And maybe I’m suggesting that some of us locals, like me, leave the car keys at home once in a while too. If South Florida is paradise, why race through it all the time at top speed? Palm trees are prettier when they’re not just a green blur.
That got me thinking. I could have a wonderful time visiting Fort Lauderdale, or Hollywood, or Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, for example, without a car rental. Same thing if I was settling into a resort like the Hard Rock. If I was looking to save a little money, I’d just hop a taxi to the hotel and then hoof it. That’s not only do-able – it can be fun, I now see. This was the surprising part for me. When you have a car, you rely on a car. When you don’t have a car, you rely on footpower – and gain a slower, richer perspective. I have nothing against cars, mind you. I’ve got mine back and I’m glad. And obviously a rental car gives any visitor a lot more flexibility to see the whole region. It’s just that some folks might think that every Broward County visitor absolutely needs a car to have a good time. I’m suggesting that walkers can savor things here in their own way. And maybe I’m suggesting that some of us locals, like me, leave the car keys at home once in a while too. If South Florida is paradise, why race through it all the time at top speed? Palm trees are prettier when they’re not just a green blur.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 9:01 AM
Walk indeed! It's wonderful. Or bike! I see so much more of the world that way and feel the velvet air.
--Ft. Lauderdale resident
FT Lauderdale resident of 12 yrs and everything about this place is a fantasy. tropical heat, white sands, palms touching the beatiful blue skies as the beach breezes caresses every inch of youR golden tan skin..... but when the sun goes down.... get ready ladies and gentlemen the party is ready to begin,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ONLY ONE CLUE BEWARE OF GEORGIES ALIBI DONT FEED YOUR HARD EARNED CASH TO A CLUB IN WHICH THEIR MANAGEMENT STAFF HAS ONLY ONE WAY TO DEAL WITH ADVERSE SITUATIONS... IF YOU CALL.... ONLY EXPECT TO GET A RECEIVER SLAMMED DOWN ON THE OTHER END .............. CALL BACK????? SHHHHHHHH..... DONT ANSWER..... MAYBE THEY WILL GO AWAY... THIS IS THE TREATMENT YOU WILL RECEIVE FOR GIVING THEM YOUR TIME AND YOUR MONEY WHEN THERE ARE MANY OTHER BARS AND LOCAL CLUBS THAT ARE MUCH HAPPIER TO SEE YOU AND YOU WONT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT NASTY LINGERING SMELL OF STALE VOMIT THAT WONT GO AWAY
HI, I HAVE CAME TO FT. LAUDERDALE FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND THE LAST TWO TIMES I WALKED EVERYWHERE I WENT, AND MET ALOT OF PEOPLE I WOULD NEVER HAVE MET IF I DROVE, SO, I VOTE TAKE A WALK
HAVE A GREAT DAY
DE FROM OHIO
We live in a condo near the intersection of Las Olas and A1A. Needless to say we can and do walk along the beach nearly every day from either Las Olas north to Sunrise or Las Olas south to the Sheraton. Usually we have an ocean breeze which makes walking even in the summer heat enjoyable. Cross over the Las Olas bridge on foot and the temperature feels as though it is 10 degree (or more) higher then on the beach side of the bridge.
Casablances is the only really good restaurant on the beach (there is the restaurant at the Lago Mar Hotel, a hidden gem that few locals know about but that is another story). The Quarterdeck is a great value if you don't mind the noise and Hooters afords a great view of the beach and
The municipal parking lot under the Las Olas Bridge affords plenty of cheap parking so every visitor to Ft. Lauderdale who is not staying on the beach should park and walk. Our location also makes it easy to walk up and down Las Olas Blvd.(Louie Louie has a great brunch. It will be interesting to see how the new "super-condos" such as St. Regis and the Las Olas Beach Resort will change the character of the beach. Rumor has it that the block south of the Las Olas Beach Resort (adjacent to the Marriot Beach Place) is the future home of a hard Rock Hotel.
The beach is surprisingly busy for the summer ... our little secret is out.
Keep blogging .. we need to get the word out.
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