With only a boardwalk between you and the beach, this has become one of my favorites. Bars, restaurants and shopping give one a total beach experience within steps of each other. For snowbirds this is a great area, as surrounding accommodation is quite reasonable and entertainment is available free of charge most nights during the winter months. Many of the smaller family owned restaurants have reasonable charges and the bars usually overlook the boardwalk and beach.
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![Hollywood Beach - Florida]()
The Story behind the picture
Hollywood Beach & The Boardwalk. Built in 1923, the Hollywood Broadwalk is over two-miles long, featuring a thirty-foot wide landmark pedestrian promenade that combines dramatic coastal views of Hollywood Beach with the nostalgic feel of a Main Street thoroughfare.
Boardwalk became my friend, not just for the Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. There were many days when bicycling became a very good pastime, or where walking helped to make up for so, so many delicious meals & drinks at the mostly French-Canadian restaurants along the Boardwalk. Prior to walking home, it was quite easy to watch the entertainment at the Bandshell.
Near the Beach
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Giorgio`s Grille & Restaurant - 43 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Le Tub Saloon - 23 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Beach Hotels - 22 sec
In the Area
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood Review - 45 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Atlantic Sunrise - 1 min 23 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Diplomat Resort - 38 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Intercoastal Waterway - 57 sec
John`s Comments
Now here is a place for the average person, great sightseeing, great beach, shopping and dining. More for a crowd that stays for a while but the comfortable level is for most. The "Boardwalk" or walkway (sometimes bikepath) is next to the beach, with many family orientated restaurants and smaller hotels right beside you. Half the fun here, is being able to watch the beach traffic, while you are grabbing a bite to eat or snack, or even enjoying a drink at an outside bar facility
John`s Recollections
A favorite of ours and for many others. We have walked or biked this boardwalk many times, with many stops along the way for lunch, dinner or drinks. Prices seem quite reasonable, and many of the snowbirds attend the daily functions at the entertainment pavilion beside the beach.
Everything in it`s place. Much effort and time is spent to ensure that the beach and surrounding area is maintained to provide tourists with a great clean place to sun and relax. The beach is terrific and the wind is constant yet not overbearing. One can spend the afternoon here easily and then cross the street for a great evening dinner or lunch.
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![Ft Lauderdale Beach - Florida]()
The Story behind the picture
Year round, world class family resort destination that has helped draw in the tourists for decades.
Near the Beach
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Beach Restaurants - 43 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Yankee Clipper Resort - 30 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Bed and Breakfast Inn - 42 sec
In the Area
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Hyatt Hotel - 38 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Riverfront entertainment - 1 min 47 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Lago Mar Resort - 26 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Las Olas Boulevard - 57 sec
------Click for Video Clip highlights of Canal Motels - 46 sec
John`s Comments
One of the most famous beaches in the USA. Made for enjoyment. A1A, the Intercoastal Highway, is immediately beside
the beach, and in most cases there are hotels and major restaurants on the other side. At least 300 feet of beautiful
white sand between the ocean and highway provide an excellent beach atmosphere. It is not an everyday perspective, nor
made for the average working class individual, but what the heck, it is gorgeous.
John`s Recollections
Everything here is just a bit better, cleaner, and well kept compared to most of the beaches in the area. From my
perspective it seems more for a vacation rather than a winter snow-bird experience.
Must admit however, that we have visited every time we are in the area, rarely using the beach but rather walking on
the sidewalk or using the many restaurant and shopping venues.
The area is fortunate to have a superb intercoastal waterway along much of the coastline. A great place to move your watercraft away from the Atlantic ocean waters. In many areas it is quite built up with restaurants or accommodation but there is also an extensive park system where you can sit down and view the so many types of watercraft. Actually besides looking for the different varieties of ocean life, looking at the yachts and cruisers with sunbathing patrons became the norm.
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![Intercoastal Waterway - Hollywood, Florida]()
The Story behind the picture
Picture portrays usage on a daily basis, parks and business location are on either side along with many homes.
John`s Comments
Calm waters with great restaurants to stop at. You can even enjoy eating at one of the fine restaurants and watching the
boats go by. The intercoastal waterway is quite noticeable in the Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood area, but stands out more
in Hollywood. Here Alt-A1A the Intercoastal highway seems to run down the middle of the intercoastal islands with the Intercoastal
waterway on one side and the Ocean on the other. At the same time business`, hotels, condominiums & parks
seem to flourish next to the waters.
John`s Recollections
This Intercoastal waterway in the Hollywood / Fort Lauderdale area is well used by all types of watercraft. Many parks
alongside the waterway allow one to stop and picnic or if needed there are several restaurants that allow tie ups for
stopping at their location.
Boats of all shapes and sizes, some for personal use, some for the river transits, and many for Ocean cruising. Port in Fort Lauderdale has the daily cruise ships that make the voyage over to Nassau in the Bahamas. These trips can vary from a night or two to same day crossings. For those on vacation it does allow you to get away, visit another country and return home the same day. Don`t forget your passport though.
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![Watercraft - Fort Lauderdale, Florida]()
The Story behind the picture
This photo portrays the usage of the waterway by many in the area. Tour boats also provide business revenues as they
ply their trade from northern Fort Lauderdale down to Miami.
John`s Comments
Wherever you look, if there is water you will see boats of all sizes and shapes. There are gambling casinos that go out
to sea, there are thousands of fishing vessels, and there are cruise ships to take you on overnight or weekly trips.
There are even boats that just cruise the the intercoastal waterways. If you have the opportunity, grab one and see the
Hollywood / Fort Lauderdale area from a different perspective.
John`s Recollections
There are just so many locations to book passage on one of the cruise boats, from travelling the Ocean waters, to
dinner cruises within the intercoastal chain, to taking a trip on one of the rivers in the area. Water is always at
your side and boating is a big part of it.
Highway is adjacent to beach area and has been extensively modified to adapt to the surrounding conditions. This fun drive is over two miles long and is very hard on the neck as you are forever looking at one side or the other. The walkers and bathers on one side are contrasted by restaurants and business establishments on the other. Traffic moves slowly as the main reason to drive is to view what is available prior to parking and then partaking in the festivities along with the many others.
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![A1A Drive - Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida]()
The Story behind the picture
Definitely a fun city, and at the beginning of one`s journey a drive on A1A along Fort Lauderdale Beach is a major highlight to what is yet to come.
John`s Comments
Beach and cars, but what a combination. A lot of traffic between the beach and the business area along the beach, but
there are adequate crossings to support the beach crowd. Much effort has been made to impress the visitors and for those
that can remember what cruising means, here is a place where it still occurs.
John`s Recollections
Driving on A1A alongside Fort Lauderdale Beach is more than pleasurable. It is also
hard on the neck, as one is looking at the business venues on one side while viewing the
beach on the other. The city has done a great job on developing the beach sidewalk with
many places to stop and let off passengers in search of their favorite location.
Water is everywhere in Fort Lauderdale. The intercoastal waterway, rivers and an extensive canal system that gives many access to the Atlantic Ocean. The canals off of Las Olas drive have either small accommodations or private homes. All have yachts or sailboats at the back door awaiting the opportunity to travel to the Intercoastal waterway or the Atlantic ocean itself. The size of some of these yachts is quite impressive.
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![Canals - Fort Lauderdale, Florida]()
The Story behind the picture
Canals are part of Fort Lauderdale life and pleasure boats (actually yachts in many cases) seem at the end of each owner`s back yard.
John`s Comments
The Venice of the Americas, but the homes are a little more affluent. Everywhere you travel in Fort Lauderdale be
prepared to be surrounded by water. Canals & rivers are part of the environment. Here you can be actually living in the
middle of a city, and have your boat or cruiser tied up to the dock in the back yard.
John`s Recollections
Unusally prominent in Fort Lauderdale the canals allow many to travel to the
Intercoastal waterways and beyond and in many cases replace roads to move around. Many
restaurants provide docking facilities to entice the boaters in the area, as well as, there
are motels set up with docking provided for their quests.
Where the rich & famous come to shop and enjoy many of the great restaurants. Truth is there are many of us ordinary people that visit also as restaurants are plentiful and one can find something to fit anyone`s budget. When browsing thru one of the many shops items will be discovered that will forever remind you of your visit. People watching is however the main activity for many.
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![Los Olas Boulevard - Fort Lauderdale, Florida]()
The Story behind the picture
A shopping trip that brought forth many new sights as specialty stores were commonplace. Definitely not a mall experience.
that
John`s Comments
Here is one of the most famous streets for shopping, dining and just plain looking around. Las Olas boulevard is known
for its` great shopping especially by the more extravagant. One however, should not overlook the dining establishments
as there are restaurants for all. It is however, quite the treat to sit back on a bench in the median grass area and
just watch others as they go about their daily life.
John`s Recollections
Could be a bit pricey for some, but the walk down the boulevard with a beautiful central separation area is a highlight
for many. Stop in several of the shops that carry unique products. Much time will be spent on just people watching which
is similar to the majority of others as they are watching you.
Unique riverfront area has several walkways, with good quality restaurants and shopping along the way. You can even grab a boat for a river cruise. One of my favorite areas to go when in the area as everything is close by to entertain yourself. Live entertainment in the pavilion is available during the high season, and taking small walks on the paths beside the river is always enjoyable.
Click Picture for Video Clip
![Los Olas Riverfront - Fort Lauderdale, Florida]()
The Story behind the picture
Entertainment provided by the stores, provided a great experience to view the spanish influence in Southern Florida.
John`s Comments
Las Olas Riverfront is a great place to spend an afternoon. Great shopping, restaurants and you can even take a cruise
down the river. You can walk this area quite easily, and there are many types of fun crowd restarants, together with
unique shopping venues. Quite a way from the beach, but once again on a waterway that leads to the Intercoastal that
leads to the Ocean. Review for current status!
John`s Recollections
Great place to go for the day. Lots of activities plus many different restaurants to have a bite to eat or drink. Also there
are many areas to sit and watch the people or boats as they pass by.
------Click for Atlantic Ocean Waves - 1.4 min
