Jan 4: iFun

So it was almost the New Year when I was driving north on Federal Highway. I looked up at a billboard. And what did I see? A big promo for Fort Lauderdale tourism. As you might imagine, this is not the norm when you actually live in Fort Lauderdale. On the streets of wintry New York City right now, sure - there you expect to see a promotion for Fort Lauderdale tourism. Or in some equally cold place in January. The billboard on Federal Highway caught my eye, obviously, and a closer look showed me why this sign about this place was in this place. Because the folks who operate http://www.sunny.org/ have come up with a new way to help tourists enjoy their stay here. And maybe to help locals find what they're looking for too.

Called iVisitLauderdale, a new iPhone app now puts some of this area's places to go and things to do and spots to eat within index finger range of iPhone users. I think it's a clever idea: a sunny tourist destination with constantly updated info available easily for people on the go.

And it's totally free. Just head to the http://www.sunny.org/ homepage and look toward the upper right hand side, a little above the tab for this blog. It says, "New FREE iVisitLauderdale app." Click there and you'll see another page that allows you to learn more as well as to download the application. Simple. Ok, so what do you get on your iPhone once you've loaded iVisitLauderdale? Lots of stuff. Fairly useful stuff like GPS maps and driving directions to hotels, restaurants, attractions, spas. Pretty much whatever you're likely to want to find, it seems. Users can narrow their searches too, by name, price, location, type. Updates in real time give retail specials and store hours. And restaurant search categories include type of cuisine and proximity, meaning you won't have to go far to scarf down that Thai food you're craving. Another section called "Explore" centers on top points of interest along with directions, cost, hours and more. And the ‘iGuide" is an overview of Greater Fort Lauderdale beaches and many other ways to have fun around here. The iGuide also lets you check weather updates and transportation information among the news you can use. On top of these features, you can personalize your new application. So what the heck? It's free, right? If you have an iPhone and are coming to Fort Lauderdale, you may as well get the app for your visit. When you're walking along the beach some evening with a huge craving for Thai food, you'll thank me.