I just returned from a week vacation with my 14 year old son and wanted to let you know about some relaxing, old time Florida spots we found. We stayed at the Green Island Inn which is one of the Superior Small Lodgings, and loved it. It is a cozy little spot on the far north side of Fort Lauderdale, just a block from the beach (a very quiet clean section of the beach). If you are looking for the Florida that you remember from childhood, this is it! Cozy, clean, incredibly landscaped, quiet, just absolutely lovely. Lots of guests were from Europe at the time we were there. I highly recommend this inn for those who do not like the large hotel chains and want a more intimate inn atmosphere.
We didn't rent a car and took the Water Bus everywhere. It takes you all up and down the beach area, to the shopping district along Las Olas, and if you buy the A&E pass you get 7 days of water bus service and passes to museums and attractions.
Make sure you visit Bonnett House- the home of 2 artists on 35 gorgeous acres. The water bus runs from about 10:00 am to midnight- fun for a late night cruise up and down the intercostal to see what the folks are up to in their multi-million dollar mansions that line the intercostal waterway. There are stops close to the new Galleria Mall, and Wild Oats is just across the street from the mall so you can grocery shop and ride the water bus home.
I highly recommend the area for a relaxing Florida vacation.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC