Fort Lauderdale
By Anna Lynn Sibal
Fort Lauderdale is known by two nicknames. One nickname refers to its reputation in the past, while the other is a reflection of what it strives for.
As recent as the 80s, Fort Lauderdale was called "Fort Liquordale," especially by those belonging to the college crowd. In the past, Ford Lauderdale was notorious for being the favorite destination of college students during spring break. It was always mayhem on the seven miles of beach that line the coast of this seaside city, as college students flock there for their two weeks’ freedom from the confines of the academe. As thus, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and even public nudity were commonplace in Fort Lauderdale back then.
By the turn of the decade, Fort Lauderdale took the stance of discouraging college students from wreaking havoc in the city. The efforts were to the extent that by now the college crowd during spring break is all but nonexistent in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale is now more known as "The Venice of America."
The nickname The Venice of America refers to the intricate inland canal system that can be found in Fort Lauderdale. This inland canal system is expansive, measuring 266 kilometers in total.
Fort Lauderdale is a major yachting center, the city of boats: around 42,000 resident yachts call Fort Lauderdale home. There are also around 100 marinas and boatyards in the city. Every year, some 125,800 tourists and boating enthusiasts head for Fort Lauderdale to witness the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat show, which is the largest boat show in the world.
Aside from being a major yachting center in the United States, Fort Lauderdale is also a cruise gateway to the Caribbean Islands to Europe. Thousands of cruise goers head for Fort Lauderdale to board their ship for their Caribbean or European holiday.
In the realm of high fashion, Fort Lauderdale has its Las Olas Boulevard to boast of. Las Olas Boulevard is often called the Rodeo Drive of Fort Lauderdale. Las Olas Boulevard is lined with various fashion boutiques as well as art galleries, restaurants, clubs and bars.
And of course, there is the beach. If one is to go to Fort Lauderdale, one must not skip the beach. The college crowd may be gone, but the Fort Lauderdale Beach is still there. The redevelopment of Fort Lauderdale resulted in a wave wall, a promenade, as well as a more family-friendly beachfront. A wide range of beach activities can be done there, including beach volleyball, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, jet skiing and wind surfing.
It is interesting to note that Fort Lauderdale is considered to be the most gay-friendly resort town in the United States. Fort Lauderdale warmly welcomes gay and lesbian couples who come to visit Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale also welcomes the snowbird population from Canada and Europe who come to spend winter in the city.
Fort Lauderdale may have chased away the college crowd who visit during spring break, but that is not really a loss to them. After all, with 10.35 million tourists visiting every year, the city is very much alive, even outside spring break.
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