Recreation and Leisure
When it comes to recreation and leisure in Fort Lauderdale, the question to ask is what can’t you do? Aside from snow and mountains, this location has it all. There are museums and historic sites to explore, major theme attractions nearby, national sporting teams within driving distant to see and then there’s the water – and lots of it.
Things to do in the Fort Lauderdale center on the great outdoors with glass bottom boat rides, a host of parks, including 15 regional parks, fishing, boating, skiing and of course surfing. Plus, for those who would rather stay inside the air-conditioning, there’s the Buehler Planetarium and Observatory, the museums of Riverwalk and other locations, performing arts and more.
The adventurous will find the famous Dania Beach Hurricane, a 3,200-foot wooden roller coaster with speeds up to 55 mph just a short drive away. And, surfers delight in the proximity of Fort Lauderdale to the world-renowned Ron Jon Surf Shop. Add to that the fact Fort Lauderdale is a short drive to the attractions of Miami, West Palm Beach, Daytona and even Orlando and it’s little wonder why so many call the city home.
Location: Fort Lauderdale is located about three miles north of Miami on Florida’s east coast. In addition to oceanfront landscape, the city has 25 miles of Intracoastal waterways and 165 miles of navigable canals.
Population 162,917 estimated in 2003
Median resident age: 39.3
Median household income: $37,887
Average home sale price: $186,276
Average rainfall: 57.5
Average temperature: 75.6 degrees Fahrenheit