One of our favourite places on Florida’s east coast, otherwise known as the Space Coast is Fort Lauderdale. We either visit here en route to the Florida Keys or go over for a couple of days and spend a night in a relatively inexpensive motel. For families of two adults and 2 small children you need only one room with 2 Queen beds.
If you are a beach person Fort Lauderdale has crystal clear water, wonderful soft white sand and great weather all year round. However for those who want to explore there is plenty to do away from the beach.
Children and adults as well, will really enjoy Fort Lauderdale' s Museum of Discovery and Science. You can spend at least half a day here exploring over 200 fascinating interactive exhibits
You can see sharks and the largest living Atlantic coral reef in captivity. Be sure not to miss the bats or the 12-foot snake, plus pet alligators, turtles and iguanas.
The children and probably Dad as well can enjoy testing their pilot skills in nine cockpit simulators. You can learn about the Everglades as well as aerospace and children under seven can visit Discovery Centre which has been designed especially for them.
Before you leave check out the Explore Store where you will find lots of educational games, toys and books and other unique gifts.
Butterfly World is a 10-acre butterfly farm and research facility and an altogether more relaxing experience. This is the birthplace of millions of butterflies and also has the largest free-flight hummingbird aviary in the United States. Worth a visit if you want to relax.
Flamingo Gardens is a 60-acre sanctuary that highlights the natural beauty of the Florida Everglades. Here you can see native, rare and exotic plants and animals. I recommend the tour of a working citrus grove this was fascinating. You can also have a tour of the 1930s Wray Home but we did not have time to do this.
The Everglades National Park has 1. 5 million acres of swamps, saw-grass prairies and sub-tropical jungles. The park is home to fourteen rare and endangered species, including the American Crocodile, the Florida Panther and the West Indian Manatee.
The Secret Woods Nature Center is located on Dania Beach, just a half mile west of I-95 exit 25. Here you will find a 3, 800 square foot walk-through butterfly preserve, two nature trails and an interpretive center.
If you are planning an overnight stay it is worth looking at the website of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA) for upcoming performances and show times.
Whether you want shopping, casual or fine dining go to Las Olas Riverfront where there are plenty of bars boutiques and restaurants.
You can enjoy the beach at Fort Lauderdale but there are plenty of other things to do as well.