Fort Lauderdale's water taxi lures adventurer, sun seeker, tourist

CITY'S FRIENDLY WATER TAXI SERVICE IS TOPS FOR SIGHT SEEING, LEARNING, ENJOYING THE CANALS

Fort Lauderdale's mansions along the canals are legendary. Many are owned by stars, athletes, "old money" Floridians.

Fort Lauderdale's delightful Water Taxi offering boasts a unique mode of easy, relaxing transportation. Guests at the lovely Hilton Marina and Convention Center find easy water taxi access. The company's stable of knowledgeable guides and drivers enhances the journey with humor and fun stories.

Travel by water taxi is fun, reasonably priced and a lovely way to tour the town.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

IF YOU love star gossip and wouldn't shy from a glimpse of the rich and famous, Fort Lauderdale's your place. For transportation, try the city's unique Water Taxi service, and for location, you can't do better than the lovely Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel.

NFL stars, singers, musicians, actors, writers and, yes, porn stars invest in Fort Lauderdale.

TO YOUR LEFT ladies and gentlemen, that's where Sonny and Cher lived for years.

Stunning view from the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel. Water Taxi service is nearby.

Down the way, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz loved their little white home on the corner. Andy Griffith lived nearby.

The Water Taxi transportation in Fort Lauderdale  is one of the delights of  a visit to this delightful port city in Florida.

He loved to come out in his own boat. ("Little" in lush and lovely Fort Lauderdale may mean 5,000 square feet, so keep that in mind.)

Over there -- that's the palatial estate where many "Magnum P.I." episodes were shot. There's the home of an oil sheik from Saudi Arabia.  He bought his daughter a little place down the canal for a wedding gift last fall.

WE'VE BEEN to Fort Lauderdale many times, always on the prowl for new adventures. Our favorite base is the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina Resort, conveniently located near a water taxi pick-up.

The "hop on, hop off" attraction of the water taxis in Fort Lauderdale allows tourists to explore various areas for shopping, beaches, dining, theater or a museum. 

 The town has exciting nightlife, beautiful waterfront dining, and gorgeous shops on fashionable Las Olas Boulevard, the Rodeo Drive of southern Florida.

But the town's Intracoastal Waterway system makes its canals a uniquely beautiful way to play tourist. You'll learn the city's history from the draw bridges of the historic Esplanade area, to the "spring break" beaches, resort areas, and stately old homes.

Fort Lauderdale offers gardens, parks and marine life. The water taxis can take you there.

Keller and Cookie enjoy the Water Taxi each time they return to Fort Lauderdale.  It's unique to the city, a delightful waterway trolley.

WHETHER YOU want history, scenery, eateries or a blend, Fort Lauderdale's Water Taxi service  delivers.  Its main route travels in two directions. Figure out what you want to see, and find your closest stop. We use the water taxis every year to get to favorite restaurants, museums and to just enjoy the journey. If you time it right, you can get a photo of the beautiful coral hued draw bridge.

THE FORT Lauderdale Water Taxi runs year-round, closing only Christmas Day. watertaxi.com

hilton.com/Official_Site/Fort_Lauderdale‎

Fort Lauderdale's water life is at the heart of the city.

 THE WATER taxis glide by the town's exciting nightlife, outdoor eateries, the famous shops of Las Olas Boulevard, beautiful beaches, yacht clubs and majestic cruise ships traveling in and out of Port Everglades. Nothing worldwide compares to Fort Lauderdale's Intracoastal Waterway. Its lovely canals are so unique and beautiful, they've earned Fort Lauderdale the moniker “Venice of America.” Water Taxi is the best way to see them! watertaxi.com

Chokecherries look appealing -- and are, to the bears, who gorge on them before their long winter's nap. Our friend Corby makes delicious syrup, too.

UP NEXT: Autumn comes to the world -- at least those of us north of the equator. Many people, including the two of us -- writer and photographer -- think autumn is one of the prettiest times to be in Montana or elsewhere. The chokecherries are plump and inviting to birds and bears, the leaves are getting that golden glow and the air is crisp -- cool mornings and evenings, with sunshine in the afternoon.  We take you there, remembering to explore, learn and live.  Catch us Fridays when we post for each new week -- a novel twist on travel, nature, the arts and family.