Frank Stranahan, a young man from Ohio, built the first post office, trading post, hotel and bank in the Fort Lauderdale area in 1893. It was actually just one house that served all of these functions. He originally came to run a ferry across the New River. He built three more, having completed the last one in 1901. The house is still standing and is now a museum, serving as the county's oldest structure. In 1911, Fort Lauderdale became incorporated. In its present day state, when staying in luxury hotels Fort Lauderdale guests will discover events such as the Las Olas Art Fair.
When searching for luxury hotels Fort Lauderdale guests will find that many feature on-site restaurants and bars, room service, concierge service and valet parking while a fair amount also feature gardens and a babysitting service. Other common amenities include laundry, dry cleaning, safety deposit boxes, on-site gift shops and express check in and check out. Common activities include jacuzzis, fitness centers, swimming pools, spas and massage. Business centers, meeting spaces and banquet rooms are common for those visiting on business.
The Las Olas Art Fair has been around for almost a quarter of a century and is a free event held in late October. It has been dubbed one of the top one hundred festivals in the country, featuring more than one hundred and fifty artists on Las Olas Boulevard in a miniature gallery style set up. It features two categories, namely craft market exhibitors and artists and fine crafters. The fair also features a variety of food vendors. The fair holds a Part I in January and a Part II in March. Individual musicians with CDs available for purchase are also present at the fair.
At the beginning of April, the Museum of Discovery and Science hosts the Annual Wine and Culinary Celebration, dubbed one of Fort Lauderdale's ten best annual events by "Gold Coast Magazine" in 2010. As the name implies, it is a wine and food-pairing event and it's sponsored by the Bank of America. It features food from over thirty of South Florida's best restaurants and chefs and wines from countries all around the world through Southern Wine and Spirits. The event kicks off with a VIP martini opening reception, featuring the Chef Spotlight cooking demonstration and wine tasting lecture. Featured restaurants include Christina Wan's, the Vienna Café, The Melting Pot and more.
The Fort Lauderdale Gun and Knife Show is a two-day event held in mid-June at the War Memorial Auditorium. It features a large variety of guns and knives and is a long time favored event of collectors. The event also holds a Concealed Weapon and Firearms Course that provides visitors with a concealed weapons permit in thirty states. General admission is eight dollars and kids of twelve and under are free but must be accompanied by an adult.
Aside from luxury hotels Fort Lauderdale is home to the Museum of Discovery and Science. It features a variety of permanent exhibits, including the Great Gravity Clock, which is fifty-two feet tall. It also has the largest kinetic energy sculpture in the state and the only clock of its kind in the country. There are only three in the world and one is in Japan and the other in Mexico. The Electric Space displays details the sun and its relationship to the Earth. Gizmo City explains several simple technology concepts and has a virtual volleyball court.
The Jungle Queen River Boat cruises offer two choices. These are the World Famous Dinner Cruise and the Sightseeing Cruise. The dinner cruise provides barbecue ribs and chicken and steamed shrimp in addition to side dishes and alcoholic beverages. The dinner is an all you can eat buffet style and the cruise features a comedic commentary on the passing sights as well as general comedy entertainment. The Sightseeing Cruise takes visitors to the Indian Village of the Tropical Isle, where they will see monkeys, iguanas, tropical birds and plants. It also features comedic narration.
The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park features camping, fishing, hiking, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking. The park also presents beaches, swimming and tours, which are guided along the Coastal Hammock Trail on Fridays at 10:30am in the winter. Tours are also available by reservation.
Sat, Jan 28 - Sunny Intervals
Max : 28°C (82°F)
Min : 20°C (68°F)
Sun, Jan 29 - Heavy Rain Shower
Max : 25°C (77°F)
Min : 20°C (68°F)
Mon, Jan 30 - Heavy Rain Shower
Max : 21°C (70°F)
Min : 20°C (68°F)
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