African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

Visitors in search of free places to go in Fort Lauderdale should consider the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center and its magnificent 60,000-square-foot library, one of four black research libraries in the U.S. The grand facility houses over 85,000 books and documents along with riveting exhibits, a 5,000-square-foot art gallery and a state-of-the-art auditorium that hosts comedians, jazz performers and entertaining theater productions. Collection highlights include gowns, awards and photos donated by Emmy Award-winner Esther Rolle of the hit TV show "Good Times", who grew up in near-by Pompano Beach. Also on exhibit are eight unfinished Alex Haley manuscripts.