at 1022 West Las Olas Blvd just outside the downtown area lies a hidden gem. The Fort Lauderdale Fire Museum, open on weekends, is a full working museum and a place for children to play as firefighters. There is no charge for entry and the entire tour can last half an hour to 3 hours depending on how many times your kids want to slide down the fire-pole.

My first trip to the beaches of Fort Lauderdale was in the 50s. My family and I spent Christmas there in 55 and 56.I started coming back to the area regularly in 2006 and spent my visits at the very nice Hilton on the beach. I was older, and it was a different feeling for sure. From my room at the Hilton, I could look down at the old neighborhood that had been developed around the time of my first visit in the 50s.
The former charm was gone, and most of the 50s era Mom and Pop hotels were in need of serious attention. I'm sure it was a matter of survival just to stay open. Then, about a year and a half ago, I noticed renovation activity at several of the properties. I learned that a number of the old run down joints were being purchased and reborn with the help of a visionary investor. The result of his efforts has lead to what is now called North Beach Village. It is a fleet of rejuvenated boutique hotels and the rebirth of a once state of the art beach side vacation area as a charming neo classic destination.
There is an open air eatery, bicycles available, and friendly people
everywhere. I've left the Hilton, and am so happy to be in this neighborhood and be able to
avoid such modern inconveniences as valet parking and elevators.
North Beach Village has put me back in touch with things like the youthful joy of evening bike rides, and walks to the beach after a rain shower, things that seem to get lost in the age of high rise high density resort development. If you want to get away from it all, and only be a block away from the 21st century action, try one of the hotels of the North Beach Village group. It's like a trip back in time, and the best part is, the guy is not done yet. I understand he has long range plans that include more dining options and additional
property renovations. It seems like this is only the beginning of what
could easily become the most desirable vacation destination in
South Florida. If you visited Fort Lauderdale Beach in the 50s or
60s, and want to feel the sand between your toes again, go back
and see what's happening. It's better than ever, go back and feel young again. If you've never been there before, put it on your list and take a trip back in time.

Having just returned from just over 3 weeks in the USA starting with 3 days in Santa Monica Los Angeles, then flying to Las Vegas for 5 nights, then we flew to Fort Lauderdale to pick up our rental car to drive to Orlando for 3 days then back to FL to pick up our cruise.

We stayed in the Holiday Inn, Santa Monica which is so well positioned and although a little tired looking from the outside and foyer always comfortable and very clean in the rooms. We find the area has it all. Shopping in 3rd Street which is 5 mins away. There is a shopping centre across the road which has a few shops and food hall. You have the pier which is alway great to walk along and the restaurant Bubba Gump which is good if you like Prawns (Shrimps as they call them in the States) etc.
You can also borrow the bikes from the Hotel to ride along the boardwalk which has a cycle track all the way to the next suburb Venice. Takes about one hour round trip. Lots of people selling their wares and lots of fun.

Left from the hotel on the Ocean Road you can pick up a red bus number 720 which runs very frequently to Hollywood. You have to change at the corner of Wilshire and La Brea but on the bus it has a recorded message announcing each stop. It takes 40 mins for the first sector then change to 212 bus to Hollywood which takes another 20 mins. We bought an all day bus pass for $6 which allows you on and off all the red buses. We find it very safe and there are lots of people on the bus always helpful if you have a question. On our return we stopped off at Rodeo Drive which is on the first route bus 720.

Back one street parrallel to Wilshire Drive/Street we found a wonderful Kosher style restaurant called Nate'n'Al. A must if you like a wonderful Reuben Sandwich but be warned they are huge so sharing that and some chicken soup with Matza balls is a great choice. Remember to ask for the pickled cucumber which comes complimentary. Also all soft drinks come with a free top up as many times as you like.

Las Vegas, We like staying at the Mirage because it is central on the main road and to get to your room it only takes about 10 mins compared with some of the bigger hotels taking at least 15 mins or more to get through the lobby and up. If you can't afford more than one or two shows then my advice is "Le Reve" which is a Cirque De Soleil but absolutely fantastic. Try and purchase seats towards the back as there is so much happening from the ceiling to the floors. The other place to visit is the Stratosphere. The bus to catch is outside the Venetian Hotel. Remember, Vegas has just lots to offer even if you don't gamble with the hotels and shopping centres etc. To get from one end of the strip to the other you can get a bus pass for $7 which allows 24hours travel. Although the hotels don't seem so far away it is quite misleading. They are so massive that it gives the impression they won't take long to get to. Give yourself plenty of time if you have a show at a hotel other than yours so that you can walk it in time. If you want to see a good comedian Mac King is brilliant and not expensive.

Orlando - We flew from Las Veges to Fort Lauderdale where we picked up our Rental car from Sunshine Rental Cars. They were not far from the airport. We got a taxi to them after staying at the Hilton airport over night.. They are very reasonable and very obliging. You can pick it up or drop off the car as late at 11pm. We stayed overnight in the Hilton at the airport because we came in late around 11.30 but it was very average and had to order room service immediately as they closed at 12 midnight and there was no restaurant or other place to get food. Probably wouldn't stay there again.

We stayed at the Disney All Star Hotel Movie Resort which is one of the 3 All Star Hotels. Not really suitable for middle aged couples travelling without kids. Very very basic. Food cheap and OK but very RSL like.

We visited Downtown Disney which has a number of restaurants and shops and a very pleasant place to walk around. Quite big and will take a few hours. Remember to get a Sat Navigation system for your car but remember all the Disney sights are private land so they are not indicated on the Sat Nav. Very irritating when you don't know and sign posting not so good around the area. Get a local map once in the area.

We also visited Epcot which was fascinating and very enjoyable even if you didn't want to go on any rides. You must try the turkey leg at the end of the day. Big enough for two people.

Next day it was the Kennedy Space Centre. Very interesting and we picked up a tour from the All Star Hotel. We decided on the option to have lunch with the Astronaunt but it was rushed and we didn't do the buffet justice for lack of time. Plenty to see and do and it takes a full day. They did rush us back on the bus at 5pm to avoid traffic. My suggestion is to drive yourself.

We then returned by car to Fort Lauderdale staying at the Hilton Hotel at the Marina. A really wonderful stay and right next to the area where the cruise ships come in. Make sure you get a room facing the bridge which then is in direct view of the ships. What a sight seeing one after the other cruise ships arrive. 7 huge ships at a time!.

Make sure you visit Sawgrass Mills Shopping Centre which is 25 mins by car away. Give your self plenty of time it's huge but well signposted and each wing is colour coded. Before you shop there you may like to visit the shop "Ross". There is one 5 mins from the Hilton and although it looks a bit tragic there are bargins to be had. A very cheap shop to buy from with current stock.

It's worth a drive to Miami which takes a good hour. Park on the beach front if possible for $1.75 per hour or a max of $14 which allowed us to walk up and down the main streets, eat at a restaurant, take the Duck tour and enjoy the ambiance of Miami.

Oasis of the Seas. Yes it's big but whow what an experience. Would I cruise again with it.... probably.... the food is very tasty but not presented as some of the other ships present. We enjoyed the different places to eat. The solerium was a healthy eating choice with lots of good quality food without the fat content.

Make sure you confirm you have a table allocation as the first night is a nightmare with lots of people trying to get to their tables and those like us were not allocated although we had requested some 6 months earlier.

They are so well organised with most things on the ship but some of these things let them down. We enjoyed all the shows and things this ship had to offer. The comedians were fantastic and the acqua and Hairspray shows a must. If you don't book beforehand don't worry, you can go on a standby line 10mins before the show and get offered the spare seats.

We spoke to parents of young children and they said the facilities for them were outstanding. The children didn't even want to be with their parents any part of the trip. They could even stay over night. Their kids were 12 and 8. Don't know if they stay overnight for little ones. By the way they didn't charge anything for child minding.

The stops on the Western Carribean were very interesting for us as we hadn't been to those place before. Lots to do and because they have built a wharf for the Oasis you can now just walk off and on as you please in all the ports.

Yes... a great holiday and well worth the long plane trip.

We visit this beach alot. The beaches are always clean and parking is readily available. The parking are was recently refurbished and looks great. Parking is about $5/3 hours. Not bad at all. This is not a beach for snorkeling, but has pretty good waves for the kids to use their boogy board.
The one problem is the lack of restroom facilities. I have only used one and it is the only one i have seen at the south parking lot. Their are playground and basketball courts to use.
The showers at the entrances are always in working order and placed well. Across the street there are places to eat and attractions within walking distance.
Clean, friendly, and safe which makes it a great bach for families.