When to Visit - Arts and Events

Plenty of museums reflect Fort Lauderdale's brief history, but you won't find much evidence of the city's more recent past when it became known as "America's Spring Break Mecca". This dubious title existed until the mid-80s when a campaign successfully demolished the infamous drunken-student image. Although still a lively holiday hot spot, the city now has a sophisticated and unobtrusive feel to it.

Fort Lauderdale Dining

As Florida's coastal cities are in a multi-cultural holiday and retirement state, they enjoy a wide variety of excellent restaurants. Fort Lauderdale is no exception with more than 1,000 dining venues, representing just about every facet of international cuisine. Particularly popular are restaurants on the banks of some of the famous waterways where balcony-dining, a few feet above the shimmering reflections of a sinking sun, is reckoned to be one of the area's great treats. As it's on the coast Fort Lauderdale is notably rich in seafood restaurants. There are many local specialties including delicious smoked mullet, which is served in a variety of dishes.

Fort Lauderdale Tipping Advice

Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale usually do not add gratuities to the bill so tipping is usual with a recommended 15 percent expected where customers deem the service to be good. Should the meal and service be excellent then a gratuity of 20 percent would not be exceptional. Tips in taxis should be paid along similar lines. The recommended rate for doormen, parking attendants and valets is one US dollar.