Anyone ever been or live in Ft. Lauderdale?

[rudedog40]

Spirit Airlines started new service from San Antonio to Ft. Lauderdale. I was able to snag two roundtrip tickets in the first week in May for $200 total for both tickets. So I'm taking the missus for a little 4-day getaway. I've never been to Ft. Lauderdale, so I was wondering what type of attractions there are. I was doing a little research, and read that there are some 'reefs' right offshore within swimming distance from the beach. Anyone know where the best one's are in the Ft. Lauderdale area? I found one hotel in an area called Lauderdale-By-The-Sea that claims you can snorkel or scuba these reefs. Are they even worth looking at? My other options are the following:
1) Arrive in Ft. Lauderdale, then take a 1-day cruise to the Bahamas, stay another night there, then come back. (wife isn't real big on cruises. Gets seasick real easy).
2) Drive or fly to Key West for 3 days.
3) Head down to South Beach in Miami for 3 days.
We went to Key Largo and Key West last summer, and really enjoyed it. Just not sure if I want to back down there this soon. Are there enough attractions in the Ft. Lauderdale to keep us busy for 4 days?

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by rudedog40
Spirit Airlines started new service from San Antonio to Ft. Lauderdale. I was able to snag two roundtrip tickets in the first week in May for $200 total for both tickets. So I'm taking the missus for a little 4-day getaway. I've never been to Ft. Lauderdale, so I was wondering what type of attractions there are. I was doing a little research, and read that there are some 'reefs' right offshore within swimming distance from the beach. Anyone know where the best one's are in the Ft. Lauderdale area? I found one hotel in an area called Lauderdale-By-The-Sea that claims you can snorkel or scuba these reefs. Are they even worth looking at? My other options are the following:
1) Arrive in Ft. Lauderdale, then take a 1-day cruise to the Bahamas, stay another night there, then come back. (wife isn't real big on cruises. Gets seasick real easy).
2) Drive or fly to Key West for 3 days.
3) Head down to South Beach in Miami for 3 days.
We went to Key Largo and Key West last summer, and really enjoyed it. Just not sure if I want to back down there this soon. Are there enough attractions in the Ft. Lauderdale to keep us busy for 4 days?
That depends if you are a drinker or not.. Las Olas is very nice to cruise around and for dinner and so is HOLLYWOOD has become quite trendy as well near the HOLLYWOOD circle..(Young circle) nice cafes and boutiques..(sp) Me personally get very bored of FT Lauderdale quickly.. South Beach,, Nice Beach, cool shopping, very hip.. are you stylish do SoBe at night? Have fun!

 

[digitydash]

Palm beach or Miami is alot better then Ft. Lauderdale

 

[shrimpi]

palm beach sucks now. stay south
JMO
Jess

 

[coraljunky]

Originally Posted by digitydash
Palm beach or Miami is alot better then Ft. Lauderdale
Miami or Keys

I lived in Ft Laud and Deerfield Bch for 9yrs, its nice but I dont think vacation worthy.

 

[rudedog40]

Originally Posted by coraljunky
Miami or Keys

I lived in Ft Laud and Deerfield Bch for 9yrs, its nice but I dont think vacation worthy.

Thanks for the input from everyone. Yea, after doing research, Ft. Lauderdale appears more like a cruise port instead of a beach-type destination. It looks like they have some nice beaches and other entertainment, but my wife really liked South Beach when we visited there right before we came home from our Keys vacation. Only downside to South Beach is the price of the hotels. Even the dumps on Ocean St. go for $200/night. Think I might pitch either a return to Key West, or maybe a hop over to Freeport in the Bahamas. Thanks again.