ESA

Heading to Florida for the first time for a conference in Fort Lauderdale, I must say I adored my trip.  In december the weather is nothing but perfect!  Fort Lauderdale is lovely with gorgeous beaches and lush flora.  However, it is not the cheapest destination.  The locals are extremely friendly. A highlight of my trip involved a chance encounter with a guy named "Stix," who, while looking for Denny's, decided to become our official tour guide for an evening.  It doesn't get friendlier than Florida's locals! Stix took a bunch of us girls to Los Olas, an upscale part of town where you can dance, dine, or drink!  Mangoes is a great bar that featured a rock band with a violinist...they even cover Zeppelin.

A Fort Lauderdale trip would not be complete without a trip to 2 great pubs on 17th street: Dirty Harry's and Waxy O'Conner's.  Dirty Harry's is a quaint hole in the wall, and although they do not know the difference between a hockey stick and a goalie stick, their "wifebeater" is unbelievable (just ask the bartender for a cold one)!   Waxy O'Conners is an Irish pub with actual Irish bartenders....Guinness served right and rugby on the telly!  They even have swing booths on their patio.  Near Port Everglades watch out for the strange smell which is the water treatment plant a little too close for comfort and bring your i.d. (this place is beyond heavily guarded)!  At Port Everglades you can grab a day trip to the Bahamas on a huge cruise ship, and in December, the Port features an annual water parade!

It doesn't get friendlier than Florida's locals!

Airboat rides are close to Fort Lauderdale, but you do need to rent a car to get there.  Additionally, some of the airboat parks close to Fort Lauderdale are not very "evergladish" and I recommend a trip to the Everglades National Park (about 2 hours drive away).