From Haute Couture to High Rolling:
Delights off the Docks of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has built a reputation over the past 63 years as the host of the world’s largest in-water boat show, establishing a tradition as strong as the trade winds with the boating community. With 300 navigable miles of tropical inland canals and gondolas from the New River tidal estuary gliding through the Intracoastal Waterways, this maritime city has aptly earned the title “Venice of America.”
However, beyond the enticing aquatic offerings found along the city’s coast, whether inspired by Italian charm or providing the opportunity to anchor a luxurious Absolute Yachts or Ocean Alexander offshore… spending time on solid ground can be just as memorable and enjoyable.
For seafarers attending the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) from October 26-30, whether you prefer shopping or testing your luck at the tables, our top two recommendations in the city’s western region – Sawgrass Mills Outlets and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – promise to enhance your wardrobe and potentially boost your finances… if you play your cards wisely!
Shop till You Drop at Sawgrass
Designed in the shape of an alligator and named after a plant found in the Everglades, Sawgrass Mills Outlets on West Sunrise Blvd is a shopper’s dream. Covering 2.4 million square feet of retail space with over 350 stores, the center is so expansive that it has two locations each for Michael Kors and Lacoste.
While the premier shopping center is divided into three sections (the main mall, the Oasis, and the Colonnade), fashion lovers should visit the Colonnade for the latest catwalk trends.
The upscale lifestyle area, which features Mediterranean flair, boasts 70 exclusive boutiques including Bally, BOSS, Valentino, and Versace. Watch enthusiasts will also find opportunities to add a new timepiece to their collection, with Breitling and TAG Heuer stores available on the promenade.
But it gets even better! After exploring for hours in search of the latest styles, convenient weekend valet parking makes transferring your new purchases to the car hassle-free, relieving any foot and leg strain before diving into one of the 50 delectable dining options to satisfy growing appetites.
Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., expect an international crowd maneuvering shopping carts that resemble airport luggage trolleys. You might also discover that “something special” you’ve been searching for, as Sawgrass Mills is packed with goods, gadgets, and gear to satisfy even the most discerning shoppers.
Live Like a Rock Star at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
You could wake up in a refurbished 1965 Boeing 727 in Costa Rica or a sailing ship-themed hotel in Dubai, but in Fort Lauderdale, it’s time to indulge in a rock star lifestyle at the first-ever guitar-shaped Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, owned by the Seminole Indian Tribe.
Commonly referred to as “The Guitar Hotel,” this iconic structure rises 450 feet (137 meters) tall. It reopened in October 2019 following a $1.5 billion expansion that took three years, adding life and light (lots of lights) to the area.
Decorated with a total of 16,800 LEDs that shift in color and intensity with a series of songs, the light display acts as both a screen and a stage for a musical show that occurs daily – Friday and Saturday nights at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and Sunday through Thursday at 9 p.m. Six powerful laser beams shoot 20,000 feet into the sky, simulating the strings of an imaginary guitar. While most visitors see it as a generic design, some rock aficionados appreciate that it’s modeled after a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar replica.
Once you’ve marveled at the impressive illuminated guitar from the outside, step into the Oculus, the resort’s multi-sensory hub that combines theater, technology, and architecture. The Oculus connects guests to a variety of hospitality, gaming, and entertainment options, including:
* A 24-hour gaming casino with 2,200 slot machines and more than 200 table games.
* A winding promenade of boutiques for guests not interested in gambling or for those lucky enough to want to spend some winnings.
* Party like a rock star at your choice of venues, from cocktail lounges and live music spots to a tropical poolside day club and an upscale nightclub.
* Attend shows in the 7,000-seat theater that hosts A-list performers, awards ceremonies, and sports events.
* After enjoying the gaming and entertainment, why not relax overnight in a unique private swim-up cabana reminiscent of a “Bora Bora-style experience” with butler service!
No matter your taste, extravagance can be discovered all around Fort Lauderdale, so seek and you shall find an array of delights from the shoreline to the suburbs, before, during, and after the Fort Lauderdale International Boat show