Fort Lauderdale: a city full of history and art

As this corner of south-east Florida firmly establishes itself on the airline map from the UK, Simon Calder takes to the water for the first in a series of videos looking at what this hotspot has to offer

Fort Lauderdale is all about the water, and a great way to get around is on the fleet of yellow water taxis that shuttle along three set routes. Each of the 16 stops opens up a different facet of the city — including the place where it all began.

The heart of Fort Lauderdale’s heritage is the New River Inn. Created in 1905 as a major tourism development, it housed 24 very well appointed bedrooms - but just two bathrooms. It’s now a museum of history, at the centre of a heritage village, and facing out onto the New River.

Follow the curves of the shady Riverwalk downstream, and you’ll end up at another culture hub. Art has always been a strong suit of Fort Lauderdale, represented most strongly today by the NSU Art Museum. Part of Nova Southeastern University, it moved into its present dramatic modernist home in 1986 — a superb venue for a strong, contemporary collection.

“Fort Lauderdale has great art,” says Bonnie Clearwater, director and chief curator. “People are realising the city’s sophistication and substance.”

For a gallery out on the streets, take a water taxi south to ripple through the backwaters to Hollywood. The Florida version of Hollywood is very different from its Californian namesake: a low-rise, early 20th-century community that is becoming more colourful almost by the day, thanks to a mural project that began in 2012. Here, the wall is the star. The striking creations include a giant portrait of Salvador Dali — a surreal extra dimension to a trip to Fort Lauderdale.

My America Holidays offers holidays to Fort Lauderdale from £599 per person*. Visit myamericaholiday.co.uk or call 020 8290 9751. Hertz car hire in Florida starts from just £21 per day. Visit Hertz.co.uk

Discover more at visitflorida.com @VisitFlorida #LoveFlorida

*Price includes flights and accommodation and is based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing on a room only basis with selected travel dates and departure airports. Prices may vary, are subject to availability and correct as of 15 January 2018. Book today with deposits from £59 per person (exclusions and terms and conditions apply)