Fort Lauderdale Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Fort Lauderdale, Florida - FL, USA)

Known as the 'Venice of America', Fort Lauderdale is a city of canals located in Broward County, just north of Miami, and has something of a reputation as a party city. The downtown and beach districts are the most popular tourist areas of Fort Lauderdale and attract not only international visitors, but also a wealth of spring breakers from Florida's neighboring cities and beyond.

Although Fort Lauderdale has done much to move on from this 'spring break' image, the city is still a fun and relaxed place and winter home to the wealthy. Fort Lauderdale is renowned for its gay-friendly policies and the downtown district is home to a plethora of gay and lesbian bars and nightclubs. Here are Fort Lauderdale's main districts and neighborhoods.

Downtown District

Besides accommodating a thriving business area, Fort Lauderdale's downtown district is home to about 75,000 local residents, making it a popular area in which to live, work and socialize. The downtown district contains a number of residential areas, with Flagler Village being one of the most popular among the young and affluent. Meanwhile, Las Olas Boulevard boasts shops, galleries, restaurants and nightclubs, and is where residents and visitors in Fort Lauderdale go for leisure and entertainment.

Fort Lauderdale Beach District

The atmosphere in the beach district is considerably more relaxed than in other districts in Fort Lauderdale, as locals and outsiders come together to enjoy the pleasures of Florida's 23 miles / 37 km of scenic coastline. Fort Lauderdale's beach district is a popular place for residents from other Florida cities to take a weekend break or summer vacation. The lengthy beach area is flanked by a long 'boardwalk' which is ideal for strolling, 'blading' or generally being seen. There are many shopping and entertainment precincts in the Fort Lauderdale beach district, sandwiched between the surfless sea (there is no tide due to the Bahamas reefs) and the inter-coastal waterway, which is packed with million dollar yachts and adds a further attraction to the area.

Uptown Business District

As the name suggests, Fort Lauderdale's uptown business district is a region where much of the city's commerce is conducted. While not especially popular with tourists, the district is home to a wide selection of hotels and restaurants that are predominantly aimed at the business community, although these venues are also welcoming towards holiday makers.

New River Area

The new river snakes inland from the intercoastal waterway and to the Central Business District (CBD) area, which is roughly two miles inland. Much of Fort Lauderdale's new river district is lined with plush houses, but a small entertainment precinct is found along its north bank near the city center and adjacent to a popular block of restaurants, bars and clubs. Here you'll also find the Fort Lauderdale Science museum, and walkways along the riverfront, with several lovely small parks to relax in.