Greater Fort Lauderdale

Greater Fort Lauderdale's 300 miles of inland canals have earned it the nickname "Venice of America." Drift from the arts district to nature preserves or mansion-lined shores aboard a yacht, paddleboard, kayak or water taxi. Exploring the waters sans boat is even easier, since there are 23 miles of inviting beaches to choose from.

You might not be familiar with the term “dock and dine," but it's a fixture here. Dock your boat at a waterfront restaurant and pull up a chair for al fresco dining with million dollar views. Visit in September to experience Crave Restaurant Month, when foodie-favorite hot spots offer special menus for discounted prices.

Hold on to your hat while zipping through the Everglades on an airboat tour. Greater Fort Lauderdale is a convenient base from which to explore this expansive ecosystem. See alligators, wild boar and panthers in their natural habitat. Also check out some of the world's most graceful wildlife at Butterfly World and Flamingo Gardens.

Off the beaches, travelers can stroll the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, which is home to theater, live music and museums. Or hit up the Flagler Arts & Technology Village, aka FATVillage, where warehouses feature unique and interactive art installations. Join the Underground Create Tour to discover up-an-coming venues.

Greater Fort Lauderdale hosts plenty of dusk-to-dawn happenings to satisfy night owls. Kick back and laugh at a comedy club, test out some of the area's craft brews at 26° Brewing or sample the wines at 33rd Street Wine Bar. Don cowboy boots and two-step at a saloon, take a salsa lesson or check out the expansive LGBT social scene.