Destination: Fort Lauderdale

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Mar. 1, 2011
By LINKS Magazine

Located between Miami and Palm Beach, the city is one of the most popular destinations in the state. Water is the main attraction, from the canal system that gives Fort Lauderdale its nickname, the "Venice of America," to its large port, the launching point for numerous cruise ships. There are also plenty of land-based attractions, from the shops, restaurants and galleries of downtown's Las Olas Boulevard to the numerous golf courses in the area.

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WHERE TO PLAY

Club at Emerald Hills: If you think you have the game, take on the 7,368-yard challenge designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge. The wind adds to the challenges created by the imposing sand and water hazards. Just be sure to save your strength for the final hole, a 651-yarder on which water comes into play on all three (or more) shots to the green.

Heron Bay Golf Club: Formerly part of the TPC network, the Mark McCumber-designed layout was the host of the Honda Classic from 1997 to 2002. Winners at Heron Bay include Stuart Appleby, Vijay Singh and long-time local resident Dudley Hart. The course is now attached to the Marriott Coral Springs.

Jacaranda Golf Club: Of the facility's 36 holes, the East is the backbreaker, measuring 7,245 yards. But both courses have benefited from recent renovations that have made the classic Florida layouts seem like new.

WHERE TO STAY

Atlantic Resort & Spa: Located along Fort Lauderdale's famous beach, the 124-room property melds modern design with classic touches like dark wood and marble flooring. Centrally located, the resort allows for easy access to the water, Las Olas Boulevard and South Florida's other attractions.

Pillars Hotel: The comfortable boutique hotel offers the luxury of a resort property with decor and ambiance that make guests feel as if they were in a welcoming home. That sense extends to the hotel's dining room, open only to guests and members of the Secret Garden Society, the hotel's private dining club.

Riverside Hotel: Located on Las Olas Boulevard and featuring a courtyard, the 202-room property has an Old World feel and charm. Guests can step outside and be within walking distance of myriad shops, restaurants and galleries.

WHERE TO EAT

Grille 66 & Bar: Steak, seafood and the extensive wine list taste better in the restaurant's setting, along the Intracoastal Waterway. Try to get an outdoor table to fully appreciate the atmosphere, scenery and food.

Sublime Restaurant and Bar: Owner Nanci Alexander shows that an all-natural, all-vegan menu can yield a memorable dining experience in a well-decorated space that rivals those of other high-end eateries. Throw out your preconceived notions of vegetarian fare when you step inside.

3030 Ocean: Located in the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, the restaurant features an ever-changing menu that takes advantage of the fresh catches of the day, which Chef Dean James Max converts into dishes that are testing the boundaries of modern American cuisine.