The Water

Fort Lauderdale Beach

If you have not been to Fort Lauderdale Beach in the last few years, come now and see the changes! A $26-million renovation, complete with wide brick walkways, lush landscaping, and a "wave wall" with neon accent lighting, has given Fort Lauderdale's famous beach new style and sophistication. You will find jogging, biking, and just taking a stroll a pleasure in this new setting.

With seven miles of beautiful beaches and 165 miles of local waterways, watersport activities are the most popular forms of recreation. The Atlantic Ocean offers the perfect setting for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts to observe tropical undersea life, sunken ships and communities of coral reefs.

For information regarding the beach or general information on the beach area, call 954-828-7275.

Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk - Florida's Most Beautiful Mile

400 SW 2 Street (along the New River from NE 6 Ave to SW 6 Ave.)
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

One of the most memorable walks you can take in Fort Lauderdale is on the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk. This recently completed linear promenade along the New River in downtown is considered by many "Florida's Most Beautiful Mile," linking boutiques, restaurants, shops and museums with lush, tropical scenery.

From the Historic District, including the 1901 trading post now called the Stranahan House, to the exciting Arts & Science District with the Museum of Discovery and Science, Riverwalk reflects the many faces of Fort Lauderdale - past and present.

Riverwalk also encompasses Esplanade Park, with interactive navigational and meteorological exhibits, which is located at the foot of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Included along Riverwalk's path you'll find romantic gazebos, a picnic area, native plant exhibits and a butterfly garden.

Fort Lauderdale's Riverwalk is a "must see" when you are in town. For a free brochure, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 954-828-7275.

International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum

Hall of Fame Museum

Only at Fort Lauderdale's International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum can you see memorabilia like

• Johnny Weissmueller's olympic medals
• Annette Kellerman's scandolous 1908 swimsuit she was arrested for wearing
• Stubby Kruger's clown diving costume worn when the "Aquacades" toured around the world
• Special exhibits on Greg Louganis and Mark Spitz

Located on Fort Lauderdale's beach, the Hall of Fame annually honors and inducts the world's greatest aquatic heros.

The International Swimming Hall of Fame's forerunner, the Casino Pool, dates back to the 1920's and was the first olympic-sized pool in Florida. In 1935, the Casino Pool became the site of the annual college winter training - attracting college swim teams from around the country.

In 1962, the Amateur Athletic Union's idea of a Swimming Hall of Fame drew strong support from Fort Lauderdale's residents. As a result it was selected over many contenders as the site for the new Hall.

By 1965, upon the first induction of aquatic greats into the Hall of Fame, the facility was recognized by the Federation Internationale de Nation Amateur (FINA) Congress as the official International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Among the nearly 400 inductees are: Dawn Fraser (Australia), Alex Baumann (Canada), Zhou Jihong (China), Kornelia Ender (Germany), and Americans Buster Crabbe, Penny Dean, Catherine Rawls, John Naber, and Micki King.

Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex

When you are ready to make your own waves, jump into one of two 50-meter Olympic size pools or the diving well which is open to the public at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex.

Recently renovated, this beautiful center includes the two pools and diving well, a teaching pool, swimming flume, and weight room. National and International aquatic meets are often held here, taking advantage of the 2,500-seat spectator gallery and two alpha numeric scoreboards.

For more information on the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, call 954-828-1580.