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Make your next pet friendly reservation in Fort Lauderdale

Miles of Lagoons a

nd waterways make Fort Lauderdale one of the most popular areas on Florida’s Gold Coast. Getting around Fort Lauderdale is half the fun: One of the city's main thoroughfares is the New River, where you can hop on a water bus or taxi and take in the sights. This South Florida city's extensive system of waterways and a reputation for gracious living have made it one of the country's largest yachting centers. Restaurants and bars overlook the canals, and several of the city's special events, including a winter holiday boat parade that draws local, national and international celebrities, revolve around boating and the water.

Major redevelopment in the 1990s left Fort Lauderdale with an abundance of excellent museums, art galleries, restaurants, hotels, and chic sidewalk cafes. An elegant beachfront promenade attracts upscale vacationers from all over the world. Once known strictly as a tourism-based economy, Fort Lauderdale now supports a diverse range of industries, including marine, manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, high technology, avionics/aerospace, film and television production.

Incorporated on March 27, 1911, the City of Fort Lauderdale is situated on the southeast coast of Florida, centrally located between Miami and Palm Beach. Encompassing more than 33 square miles with a population of nearly 167,000, Fort Lauderdale is the largest of Broward County's 30 municipalities and the seventh largest city in Florida. It is strategically located along a stretch of wide, white-sand beach.

Several nearby coastal communities make up Greater Fort Lauderdale. To the north are Pompano Beach (where sportfishing is a favored pastime), Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (a small seaside oasis) and Deerfield Beach (virtually untouched by beach erosion). To the south are Port Everglades (the country's second-busiest port, frequented by top cruise lines), Dania Beach (known for its antiques), Hallandale Beach (a seaside community formerly home to retirees but now popular with younger folks, as well) and Hollywood (its Boardwalk parallels the ocean).

Las Olas Boulevard, which follows the New River as it flows toward the Atlantic Ocean, is Fort Lauderdale's upscale shopping and dining district. If you are a history buff, the restored Victorian home of city founder Frank Stranahan, now a museum, can easily be included in a boulevard stroll. The picturesque Riverwalk serves as the cornerstone of the City's arts, science, cultural and historic district.

At the far west end of the boulevard is Las Olas Riverfront, an entertainment and retail complex. Getting around Fort Lauderdale is part of the sightseeing experience: Water taxis ferry passengers between hotels, restaurants, theaters and nightclubs until midnight. At night, the twinkling lights along the canals make the rides quite romantic.