SEE FORT LAUDERDALE : More than just a place for spring break.

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Table of Contents:
DOWNTOWN FT LAUDERDALE
1960s FORT LAUDERDALE
HISTORIC FT LAUDERDALE.

You can see Fort Lauderdale has some old Florida remaining. — Fort Lauderdale is a nice mix of old and new.

People know the name Fort Lauderdale, but many cannot tell you much about it.

It is somewhere near Miami. It’s where kids go for spring break.

But there is much more to it.

Did you know many consider it the Yachting Capital of the World?

You will see Fort Lauderdale has thousands of boats. — The Fort Lauderdale boat show is famous.

Did you know it is a Friendship Sister City with Venice Italy? Ft Lauderdale has over 160 miles of canals.

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Downtown.

Historical Fort Lauderdale

The Ft Lauderdale Historical Society has managed to save several of Ft Lauderdale’s first buildings with a downtown block.

History Museum – is in the 1905 New River Inn. Here, you can learn about local Archaeology, Fashion, and Military History. There are also Seminole Culture displays.

Fort Lauderdale has an amazing historical society. — The New River Inn.

1899 Schoolhouse Museum – Looks pretty much the same as when Ivy Stranahan was the school teacher.

Many of these buildings are within walking distance of each other. — The schoolhouse is small as there are only nine students at the time of construction.

1949 Hoch Heritage Research Center – began as an annex for the post office. Today it houses an impressive library of more than 400,000 historical newspaper clippings, photos, maps, and architectural blueprints.

You can see Fort Lauderdale over the years at the center. — The historical center.

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale.

With a permanent collection of over 7000 pieces, the museum offers many styles. Permanent collections, African and Latin collections include paintings, sculpture, photography, and more.

Fort Lauderdale attracts many world-class exhibits. — The art museum is a block from the River Walk.

Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum, Inc.

Set in a restored 1927 firehouse, this non-profit museum is a great view into everything fire-related. The collection includes vintage fire pumpers. The museum is four blocks west of the Broward Center of Performing Arts.

The fire trucks alone are worth a visit. — Small but with an interesting collection.

Museum of Discovery and Science

The largest of its kind in Florida, this is a great place to wear out kids. Lots of hands-on and simulators. If they are not careful, they may also learn something. There is also an I-Max theater. Check out the bowling ball “sculpture” in the courtyard.

More for kids, parents will find some interesting displays. — Check out the clock run by bowling balls in the atrium.

Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

The center plays host to Broadway shows concerts, opera, ballet, and more with two theaters. It sits adjacent to the Museum of Discovery and Science on the Middle River.

Fort Lauderdale hosts international entertainment. — The Broward Center hosts a wide variety of shows on its two stages.

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale.

A lovely path winding along the Middle River connecting numerous galleries, museums, and restaurants.

Historic Stranahan House Museum.

The 1901 residence of local pioneers Frank and Ivy Stranahan, the open it as a trading post. They would convert it five years later into their home when the town needed a larger trading store. It is the oldest still-standing structure in Broward County. The house is on the Riverwalk north shore.

What a difference 120 years can make. — Would the Stranahans recognize their old neighborhood?

Seminole Statue.

This is a 12-foot bronze statue of an Indian girl playing under palmetto fronds. It is on the south shore of the River Walk. The statue honors the Seminole Indians who were a part of Ft Lauderdale’s history.

Too bad there is not much native history to preserve. — The Seminole girl is across the river from the Stranahan House.

Scenic Boat Rides.

There are numerous ways to see the Venice of America from the water without owning a boat.

Carrie B. Cruises.

Departing from the River Walk, this faux sternwheeler cruises down the Middle River past elaborate mansions and celebrity homes. It then follows the Intercoastal to Port Everglades, home to megayachts and cruise ships (seasonally.) There is a bar and snacks available for purchase.

The tour boats all take a similar course. — Departing from the River Walk / Los Olas area.

There are water taxies tghat will stop at select areas along the waterways. They have less narration but are a great way to see Fort Lauderdale.

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The 1950s and 60s Fort Lauderdale.

Unfortunately, few treasures remain from the 1950-1960s Fort Lauderdale.

Pier Sixty-Six Hotel.

Built by the Phillips 66 Petroleum company in the early 1960s, this iconic tower is a Ft. Lauderdale landmark.

This is a Fort Lauderdale landmark to many. — The Iconic Pier Sixty Six.

The Wreck Bar Mermaid Show.

Several times a week since the 1950s, mermaids perform a show behind windows along the bar.

The Wreck Bar has a family friendly show and a little more risque adults-only show later at night. — Once popular, there are now less than ten Mermaid Shows left in America.

The Jungle Queen.

There has been a Jungle Queen sightseeing boat since 1935.

The dinner cruise is straight out of slapstick, 1960s family fun. — Currently, the fourth boat to carry the name Jungle Queen.

Mai-Kai.

Opening in 1956, the Mai-Kai was a local take on Chicago’s Don the Beachcomber. Unfortunately, damage from a tropical storm in the fall of 2020 forced the owners to shut. The family put the property up for sale in the spring of 2021. Its future is in question.

Both were a major part of post-war Florida. — Tiki Bars and Polynesian food seem to be on the endangered list.

Gateway Theater.

Opening in 1951, the Gateway Theater is still showing movies.

They have the best popcorn in Fort Lauderdale. — The Gateway Theater, where the movies are.

North

Old Dillard Museum

Built on land belonging to Frank Stranahan, this was the city’s first school for African-American students dating to 1907. Visits are by reservation only.

Once on the edge of town, it is now considered downtown. — The Old Dillard School. Call for current access.

Sample-McDougald House Museum.

This 1916 historic house museum was the home of Pompano Beach pioneer and farmer Albert Neal Sample.

Sample Road was once part of the properties boundry. — The house is near the Blimp field.

West

Old Davie School Historical Museum.

This 1918 school now houses a museum on the lower floor. It is a great look at the pioneers who began the town of Davie.

With progress, it is getting harder to see any history. — The Davie School and houses are a great look into old Fort Lauderdale.

Davie Arena Rodeo.

Since 1946, the town of Davie has been hosting rodeos. Champion Cowboys and Cowgirls, coming from across the U. S. and other countries, compete in numerous events.

It is a fun night out you dont do every day. — Many rodeos include young enthusiasts.

South

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

It is hard to miss the 450-foot high hotel representing back-to-back guitars any time of the day. At night, they become a light show visible for miles.

You can see the hotel for miles. — The light show at night is unbelievable.

The Casino at Dania Beach

Beginning in 1953 as Dania Jai Alai, they still offer the high-speed sport (seasonally) and a casino.

Sporting events have been legal for decades. Casinos came in the 1980s. — Thanks to the local natives, there are a lot of casinos near Fort Lauderdale.

Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum

This small museum is in an old link-trainer building on the once Naval airfield. (Now Fort Lauderdale’s main airport.)

Who knew Florida was so close to the action? See Fort Lauderdale during the war. — The Naval Air Museum has fascinating information from WWII.

Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts

On Federal Highway in Dania Beach, the museum’s collection includes glass, pottery, porcelain, and more.

Beach Area.

Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Famous for decades as the place for spring break, it will star in a movie about spring break. “Where the Boys Are” did filming in Ft Lauderdale before its 1961 debut.

Across the street was The Button Bar. See Fort Lauderdale frm the 1960s.. — Ground Zero for spring break for decades.

International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum.

A block from the beach, this aquatic center and museum are for anyone in awe of divers, swimmers, etc.

Florida has many hall of fames. — Swimmers and divers will find this interesting.

Bonnet House Museum and Gardens.

This preeminent house museum began as the home for artist Frederic Clay Bartlett and his second wife, Helen Louise Birch. The 35 acres includes the house, gardens, and five distinct ecosystems.

Unfortunately large sky scrappers near by bring you back to reality. — With its jungle-like surroundings, you can feel like you are in a different time, far from civilization.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.

The 180 acres have hiking, biking, skating, and walking opportunities through several ecosystems.

The park is full of local flora and fauna. — The park gives you a front-row view of what Ft Lauderdale beach was before development.

Commercial / Anglin’s Fishing Pier

A great fishing or people-watching pier is in Lauderdale by the Sea. It is the longest pier in S. Florida and open 24 hours a day.

The area around it offers ice cream and cold drinks. — The Lauderdale-By-The- Sea pier.

Hollywood Beach Boardwalk.

Stretching for almost 2.5 miles along the beach, this promenade is perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. There are numerous eateries and shops.

walking, biking, skating, jogging all take place. — Hollywood’s Boardwalk is concrete.

Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse.

The metal structure dates from 1907. The light is on private property and is only accessible a few times a month, usually on weekends.

Tours to the lighthouse are available monthly. — The Hillsboro Lighthouse.

There are numerous seaside towns to explore. You can still find shell shops and places selling citrus treats.

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See Fort Lauderdale History.

Very little remains from pre-1900 Fort Lauderdale.

The First Fort Lauderdale.

All that remains is a historical marker near the corner of Tequesta St and Palm in the Sailboat Bend section.

Wood and Florida weather have never been a good combination. it is hard to see Fort Lauderdale history. — The location of the original Fort Lauderdale.

The Second Fort Lauderdale.

A park at 898 Rio Vista Blvd. is on or around where the temporary second fort was. There is no signage.

It really was a temporary structure. — Bring your imagination. There was a fort near here somewhere.

The Third Fort Lauderdale.

On the beach across from the Bahia Mar Hotel is where the last and most sturdy fort stood. I have not been able to find a marker or information on where the exact fort stood.