Car Rental Fort Lauderdale - Exploring Fort Lauderdale

The public transport around Fort Lauderdale isn’t bad, it’s even cycle friendly, but a car is a great idea because Florida has much more to offer, and traffic in this city is a breeze.

One of Florida's oldest residences and now a registered historic landmark, the Stranahan House is on the New River in the southeastern section of town. There is a sad story behind Stranahan but his 1901 residence is constructed from local pine, features wide porches, exceptionally tall windows and a Victorian parlor, as well as tropical gardens.

Another of Fort Lauderdale's historic residences, the Bonnet House, is a beautiful estate filled with native southern Florida and imported tropical plants, including an extensive orchid collection (accessible by organized tour only).

The Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area is a state-protected park containing one of the last significant maritime hammocks (mini islands of self-created vegetation resulting from millions of years of coral development) left around Fort Lauderdale, with mangroves, a freshwater lagoon system and several species of endangered flora and fauna.

Further afield is the wetlands of the Everglades with an enormous variety of fauna and flora, including alligators and the shy, endangered, manatee.

Entertainment for the whole family is a five-hour drive north to Orlando, home of Disneyworld, Seaworld and Universal studios, while night owls can head south (one hour) to the bright lights of Miami, including South beach and Miami beach.