Shopping in Fort Lauderdale

Down in the southern leg of the great state of Florida is an area known as the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. It is full of an assortment of tourist attractions and activities. Sparkling beaches beckon. Museums call. And sporting events cheer for more. But of all these, the greatest opportunities lie in the shopping. Fort Lauderdale's shopping centers rank among the greatest in the country, perhaps even the world.

Shopping at Sawgrass Mills

In fact, Sawgrass Mills, one of many shopping extravaganzas, is the world's largest value and entertainment mall. With two miles of walkway enclosed within its walls, the center offers a variety of shopping pleasures, including more than four hundred separate shops, boutiques, and kiosks. There are brand name outlet stores such as Off-5th, Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet, Last Call!, Neiman Marcus's clearance store, the Tommy Hilfiger Company Store, and Banana Republic Factory Store, just to name a few. All the major chain stores are there such as Bed, Bath and More, JCPenny outlet, Burlington Coat Factory, and Hard Rock Cafe, too.. There are specialty stores featuring athletic wear and accessories, book stores, and gift stores. There are stores that feature electronic equipment such as stereos and televisions. There is everything from handbags to luggage to major home appliances and furniture.

And when shoppers get hungry from all that bargain hunting, there are many choices as to where to eat.

Two separate food courts offer a variety of dinning pleasures. Hurricane Court has ice cream and cookies, Chinese food, a Japanese cafe, Wolfgang Puck's Express, and even fast food favorites like Cajun Grill, Burger King, and Taco Bell. The Sports Court has some of the same offerings, but adds a few of its own specialties such as Barnie's Coffe and Tea, Auntie Anne's, and RAYJAY's Garden Cafe. Even beyond the two food courts, several restaurants find a home within the Sawgrass Mills. There is the world famous Rainforest Cafe, Legal Sea Foods, Ruby Tuesdays, Empire Pizza, and the Cheesecake Factory.

There just seems to be no end to the variety of shops, boutiques, and restaurants available in the Sawgrass Mills. To say that it was in a class all its own would be an understatement.

Las Olas Boulevard

In all the world, there are only a few places that conjure up high levels of mystic and grandeur when it comes to shopping. One of those places is Fort Lauderdale. And in Fort Lauderdale the most amazing place for shopping is the downtown street known as Las Olas Boulevard. For decades, this picturesque shopping district has been attracting scores of shoppers. Millions walk its brick-lined, gas-lighted streets each year. And it is no wonder considering the variety and quality of shops and galleries offered here.

At Las Olas Fine Arts, such new and groundbreaking artists as Dominic Bresner, Jean Chainey, Francois Chartier, and Monique T. Laxter are displayed for their technique, composition, and quality of work. This gallery has very stringent requirements for its artists. Buyers and browsers alike will be blown away by the talent represented here.

The Accolades Gallery is another wonderful place to shop for yourself or for a present for someone close to you. This unique shop offers a collection of custom metal and wrought iron furniture as well as metal accessories. The quality is very upscale, with hand crafted pieces formed and finished by artists with years of experience. Examples of the items available here are fireplace screens, beds and tables, wall hangings, and plant stands. For a more traditional style shop, there is Carroll's Jewelers. Pendants, rings, necklaces, and fine china are just some of the items offered here.

Although this appears to be just another fine jewelry store, Carroll's is involved in many projects outside the jewelry world. For example, it is an official sponsor of the Miss Florida USA Pageant as well as the Mrs., Ms., and Miss Teen Florida International.

Aside from the shops, there are services businesses all along the boulevard.

There is Obie Media, an advertising company, which specializes in high-quality, out-of-home advertising. They post ads on such high-visibility areas as the sides of city buses, park benches, malls, and airports.

Another service business on Las Olas is the 918 Day Spa, a full service spa for both men and women, offering wraps, facials, dermabrasion, and massages, along with several other services.

Galleries, shops, services, restaurants-the list goes on and on. In all the world there is no other place quite like Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Laudedale. It is an unforgettable experience for everyone.

Festival Marketplace

One of the best places to start your shopping frenzy is the Festival Marketplace. So varied are the vendors in this 500,000 square foot, air conditioned facility that you may not need to go anywhere else for the rest of your trip. From clothing and footwear, to handbags and jewelry, to hair care products, sports equipment, even furniture, electronics and food, anything and everything is here. Recently added to the mall is the 30,000 square foot farmer's market known as "Market Street." Here shoppers will find over twenty vendors selling everything edible from fresh produce to sushi, rotisserie chicken, candy, and wine. For the young and the young at heart, the video arcade and game section known as Winners Arcade is a perfect way to pass the time. Featuring some of the most popular ticket-winning games and the best redemption prizes in Florida, the arcade is a wonderful opportunity to blow off some steam or get rejuvenated for another bout of shopping.

Historic Antique Shopping District

Not far from the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport is an amazing place for anyone who loves to browse among fine antiques. It is the Historic Antique Shopping District in Dania. Home to dozens of antique dealers and shops, this is a treasure hunter's dreamland. Antique furniture, collectibles, and rare decor items are among the many finds to be discovered here. And just down the street is the Antique Center Mall of Dania, a must-see for antique collectors.

There are many things to do and see in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, but the shopping is unparalleled. The options, the variety, the sheer magnitude of some of the venues here can blow away even the most adventurous and experienced shopper. It is a vacation all in itself, even for those who live here.

Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop

One of the grandest places is known as the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop. The name makes it sound like a simple garage-sale style flea market.

But it is much, much more than that. Located along the fabulous Sunrise Boulevard, the Swap Shop welcomes tens of millions of shoppers each year. Its eighty-eight acres includes a variety of activities, not the least of which is the flea market. With over eight hundred vendors strewn about the indoor/outdoor facility, shoppers can spend hours upon hours browsing the many wonderful shops and boutiques. They will be tempted by homemade craft items, delicious candy treats, beautiful gowns, rare glass and ceramic decorations, plus many more items.

The Swap Shop is also home to a thirteen-screen drive in theatre, showing the hottest movies on the market right now. This theatre, located right inside the grounds, is the largest drive-in movie theatre, with shows playing nightly after the sun goes down. Also included in this amazing city within a city is a daily circus. The million-dollar show performs almost every day of the year, and three times a day on weekends. For the kids, there is a small amusement park with rides and games, and a video arcade featuring the latest state-of-the-art electronic games and old classic ticket-winners.

Admission is free, as is the parking. And the gates are open three hundred and sixty-five days a year, no matter the weather. Most hotels nearby offer transportation directly to the Swap Shop, and the Tri-Rail provides access from all the counties in the area. The Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop is not something to miss if you are paying a visit to the area. It is truly one of the most unforgettable experiences to be had here.

Contemporary Shopping Malls

For more contemporary shopping, there are many wonderful and exciting malls to choose from. The Galleria is a magnificent three-story complex located on Sunrise Boulevard, just off the beach. It offers many name brand stores such as Cartier, Dillards, and Ann Taylor.

In nearby Plantation, two different malls can be found to continue with the sport of shopping. They are the Broward Mall and the Fashion Mall, both on University Drive.