Interesting Facts

Drunken college kids frolicking on the beach and crowding the bars are things of the past. Fort Lauderdale won notoriety as THE place to go for spring break since the early '60s. But police have cracked down, and you are now as likely to see families along the beach as the college-aged.
Fort Lauderdale is often called the Venice of America, and for good reason. The city boasts more than 300 miles of canals, channels and rivers. Many of the inland waterways are in reclaimed marshland that was drained in the land boom days of the 1920s.
Fort Lauderdale is the center of Florida's Gold Coast. No, it's not named for the tourist dollars raked in each year. The name comes from the shipwrecks that occurred in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when Spanish treasure ships hugged the coast on the way home in an effort to avoid storms, but instead sunk on the reefs.
One popular destination for residents and tourists alike is the city's Riverwalk area. This mile-long stretch along New River is a great place for an evening stroll with its tropical landscape and views of the city. The park is lined with outdoor caf�s, gazebos and park benches.
The oldest building in Fort Lauderdale has yet to stand for a century. The Stranahan House is a stylish Spanish colonial structure that was built in 1901. Frank Stranahan set up a trading post in the 1890's and then turned it into a popular retreat for sportsmen when the railroad arrived.
Looking for the tropical Florida? Try the Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area. It's a fascinating nature wonderland consisting of 180 acres crisscrossed by nature trails. The park is a piece of tranquility between seafront hotels and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Anchors away. Fort Lauderdale calls itself the yatching capital of the world. With its easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the open seas, the city is port to more than 42,000 watercraft.
There really was a fort that went along with Fort Lauderdale. The city got its name when Major William Lauderdale set up a small fort here in 1838 to protect local settlers during the Second Seminole War.
Does the area's sky blue water have you entranced to know more about swimming? Check out the International Swimming Hall of Fame. It has exhibits reminiscing on such greats as Olympic winner Mark Spitz and movie star Esther Williams. Or take a peek at turn-of-the-century bathing suits.
A whole lot of butterflies! With more than 100 species of butterflies from all over the world in its enclosure, Butterfly World is one of the world's largest collections of the winged wonders.