We don’t want to brag, but yeah, we totally want to brag. We love our fine little city and we’re proud to live here. Fort Lauderdale has a rich and diverse history, ranging all the way back to 1911. Even our namesake is rooted in our history. During the Second Seminole War, three major fortifications were built in the area (each named, of course, Fort Lauderdale). After the conflict ended, the forts were abandoned, but the name lived on.
We boast year-round sunshine and temperatures that average around 75.5° Fahrenheit. Florida isn’t called The Sunshine State for nothing, and we lay claim to 3,000 hours of this dazzling sunlight per year. When you spell it all out like that, we must admit. We’re pretty awesome.
But it doesn’t stop there. At the risk of sounding like an infomercial — but wait. There’s more!
1) We have 23 incredible miles of beaches crammed into 36 square miles. That’s right. We’re nearly 2/3s beach, baby.
2) Speaking of beaches, did you know that six of our beaches are Blue Wave Certified? That means these beaches pass strict environmental standards for cleanliness and sustainability. (Want to visit one? They are Fort Lauderdale Beach, Dania Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood Beach.)
3) We once had snow. Yep, January 19, 1977 is the day that went down in history as the one time we witnessed snow. Sure, it quickly melted off, but guys: we had snow!
4) Before we were known as “Fort Lauderdale”, we were first called “Little River Settlement.” Hmm, it doesn’t have quite the same ring, does it?
5) We hope you’re not into conspiracy theories or easily put off by stories of the paranormal, because we’re actually considered the far western tip of the Bermuda Triangle.
6) Our very own Port Everglades is the third busiest cruise port in the world, serving some 4 million tourists each year. (Psst…did you know that we offer free shuttle transportation to Port Everglades?)
7) Our nickname is The Venice of America, thanks to our vast network of canals in the area. We have over 300 miles of canals and channels, which is called the Intercoastal Waterway.
8) If you like to stargaze, check out Buehler Planetarium over at Broward Collage. But if you have another type of stargazing in mind…
9) We’re home to many famous people, including musician Marilyn Manson, actor Lee Majors, and supermodel Niki Taylor. You may be able to spot some celebs hanging around at random times, too, as we’re a popular spot for filming movies. (Happy Gilmore, True Lies, and Caddyshack were all filmed in our neighborhood!)
10) We’re the home to the original Spring Break! Yes, droves of college students and fun-seekers flock to our beaches every spring. While Spring Break is now a national phenomenon, we got dibs on being the original hotspot back in the 1960s. (We’re much tamer now, though, we promise!)
Whether you’re coming for a cruise, or you’re here for a trip with the family, we’ve got you covered. Come for the sunshine, stay for the beaches, and sleep under our roof for the best in hospitality you can find in Fort Lauderdale!