family trip to Ft. Lauderdale - need advice

I am planning a family trip to the Ft. Lauderdale area in March. Our family (6 in total including a couple of seniors)would be mostly interested in a good beach a nd at least a 4 star hotel. We would like to do some sightseeing as well as some shopping.

It's been a few years since I went to that area of Florida so I would appreciate some advice on what that area is like now.

Originally Posted by blexann

I am planning a family trip to the Ft. Lauderdale area in March. Our family (6 in total including a couple of seniors)would be mostly interested in a good beach a nd at least a 4 star hotel. We would like to do some sightseeing as well as some shopping.

It's been a few years since I went to that area of Florida so I would appreciate some advice on what that area is like now.

We were at hollywood beach in dec. and it was super weather was 80's and our unit was right on the boardwalk. The beaches were excellent. we did an everglade tour and went to the big flea market in between hollywood and ft lauderdale but was disappointed all it had was tshirts, belts and that sort of s**t. We didn't find a lot of touristy things to do. You can go to florida the florida panthers games as 4 of us went for the total cost of $93. u.s. just don't buy anything to eat or drink very expensive but the game was worht it. here is a link to the tourist assoc.
http://www.sunny.org/static/index.cfm?contentID=3
My parents went and it was their first time and they would like to stay down there for a couple of months to get past this cold.
enjoy yourself

You will probably be disappointed. That area has kind of died down through the years and I found the beaches fairly dirty. Hollywood is a little better but there's plenty of snowbirds there especially from Quebec.

I would suggest a little north to Pompano or West Palm beach. You can't go wrong with Orlando. Lots of things to do and plenty of outlet shopping.

You may also consider driving down to Miami. Ft. Lauderdale water taxi is kind of interesting but that's about the only thing to do there.

Originally Posted by Trooper8111

You will probably be disappointed. That area has kind of died down through the years and I found the beaches fairly dirty. Hollywood is a little better but there's plenty of snowbirds there especially from Quebec.

I would suggest a little north to Pompano or West Palm beach. You can't go wrong with Orlando. Lots of things to do and plenty of outlet shopping.

we did stay in hollywood beach and it was very clean but there is not a lot to do

Originally Posted by ramoose

we did stay in hollywood beach and it was very clean but there is not a lot to do

How far away is the good shopping and restaurants ?

and is it feasible to plan a trip to Orlando for say a couple of days ? I checked google and it says Lauderdale to Orlando is 3 1/2 drive (322 km) so I guess it is quite a trek.

Best shopping mall is Sawgrass Mills.
http://www.sawgrassmillsmall.com/sta...msruFKXe9TfUad
Best electronics shopping:
http://brandsmartusa.com/CurrentCirc...1&name=Florida

Originally Posted by plymouthhater

Best shopping mall is Sawgrass Mills.
http://www.sawgrassmillsmall.com/sta...msruFKXe9TfUad
Best electronics shopping:
http://brandsmartusa.com/CurrentCirc...1&name=Florida

excellent thanks...that mall is less than a 30 minute drive from Hollywood beach.

Sawgrass Mill is the best and the largest outlet mall in the area. Depends on how much shopping you are planning to do. Last time we went there for two days in a roll.

Everglades tour is kind of neat if you have never been to one. Another option to do is to drive down to Key West for a day.

Sawgrass is great. Not sure if it's still around in Lauderdale but I remember years back, I took a boat tour of the intercontinental waterway in Lauderdale. Great sightseeing of Millionaire's row. It shows their homes plus their huge yachts.

Originally Posted by blexann

How far away is the good shopping and restaurants ?

and is it feasible to plan a trip to Orlando for say a couple of days ? I checked google and it says Lauderdale to Orlando is 3 1/2 drive (322 km) so I guess it is quite a trek.

We stayed at the hollywood beach resort. The timeshare had a kitchen. we were on the beach there were restaurants around but you would need a vehicle just to get around. There was a great seafood restaurant nearby the ft. lauderdale airport. I think it was crabby joes??? That was great. I had a minivan for $300./wk can. got it at the airport