Besides the Strip Clubs; What else to do in Lauderdale

[rocky]

Yeah going back to Lauderdale for some fun and looking for some suggestions on places to visit besides

the Strip Clubs; of course I'll be there, the seedier the better! Any other places to visit or in the Miami

area? has anyone been to "Lips" for brunch and show? Thanks.

[bigvalboy]

"Liv" nightclub is not to be missed, especially after hours....I think you just need to experience it at least once...seedy it is not, but more fun than a person ought to have.

[rocky]

I often wonder if I did something wrong by making a post like this. I thank bigvalboy for his response, no one has any other assistance you can provide a family member. I see more responses to the airplane jokes. I was hoping that those out there would be able to give me some advice. While it might seem mundane to some of you me traveling out of NYS down to Florida and wanting to have fun is something, well, I don't do that often. Thanks bigvalboy for your advice. Rocky

[Karl-G]

Rocky,

 

There are many things to do in Fort Lauderdale and Miami/Miami Beach; it depends on your taste. There are of course the beaches in both cities. In F.L. the "gay beaches" are St. Sebastian, about four blocks north of Las Olas and 19th Street, a bit farther north. In Miami, it is South Beach, especially down between 5th and 9th Streets. Loads of eye candy and a very nice sandy beach. Both cities have rows of outside cafes across from these beaches; Miami's are fancier. If you are coming to South Florida, you really should try the sandy beaches. Fish dinners are very good and quite different from the fish you are used to in the North.

 

In Lauderdale, walking along Las Olas Boulevard downtown is charming and lined with some interesting shops and restaurants. In Miami Beach, you want to walk along Lincoln Road, the great pedestrian mall lined with outdoor cafes and shops. Parking is only $1 an hour in the municipal ramp half a block away on 17th Street. Be sure and walk along Collins Avenue to enjoy some of the many Art Deco hotels, many of which have been beautifully restored in the last few years. The Versace Mansion is also for sale, so you might want to stop by.

 

In Lauderdale, you should try the water taxi or "Jungle Queen" to get a view of the city you would never guess from ordinary streets. The water taxis run all day from Oakland Park Blvd in the north to downtown and then to 17th Street South. You can hop on and off all day with the ticket. It takes about an hour and a half to go from Stop #1 up at Oakland Park in the North to River Walk right in the center of downtown. You can catch the water taxi at many different stops. Downtown is Stop #19, I think. The drivers are usually old codgers who give a running commentary about the owners and prices of the various houses and mansions you will see. Fort Lauderdale has more canals and more water-side property than Venice, and you would never guess it from walking along a typical street. They are all hidden behind houses. Miami and Miami Beach also have good boat tours of Biscayne Bay and surrounding waterways.

 

Miami Beach has a great new Bass Art Museum about to open. Miami (which is across Biscayne Bay to the west) has a fascinating Art and Design District north of downtown with dozens of art galleries, several small museums, lots of (legal and famous) graffiti art, and more.

 

Lauderdale has more than 30 gay guesthouses, all of them well landscaped, private, and enjoyable. Most have cocktail hours in late afternoon, or other social events which can be attended by more than staying guests. The stripper bars are just part of the gay life. You should certainly spend some time walking around Wilton Manors Mall and the various shops and restaurant. This is the center of the gay village.

 

"Lips" is very popular and draws large crowds month after month. Everyone seems to enjoy it, and it is worth trying.

 

Fort Lauderdale is filled with ethnic restaurants of every kind, and so you should certainly try some and not be content with American sandwiches. There are Greek, Italian, Indian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Colombian, Ecuadorian, French, Irish, German, Thai, Cuban, Mexican, and more, and there are very good ones of each type.

 

Deep sea fishing is one of the popular sports, and you can find rental boats down at Las Olas just a block west of the beach. There is also a boat shuttle, run by the water taxi company, which goes from Fort Lauderdale down to Miami Beach, and offers you spectacular views of the shore and various cities, and is certainly more interesting than the drive on I 95.

 

There is interesting architecture and special gardens in both cities (Fairchild Gardens in Miami and Morikami Gardens in Fort Lauderdale). The "old" districts of both cities have areas which are fun to walk around and just look at houses and gardens. If you are interested. Fort Lauderdale also has "historic houses" like Stranahan House and Bonnet House, or Vizcaya and other mansions.