Frequented by America’s yachting society and renowned for its fun-loving atmosphere, Florida’s Fort Lauderdale is everything holidaymakers could want from a white-beached, sun-drenched paradise. As palm trees line the white sands, surfers take to the bright blue waters and bikers, joggers and skaters take to the seafront’s Atlantic Boulevard, it’s easy to see what the city’s main draw is.

Like the rest of Florida, Fort Lauderdale is famous for its almost year-round sunshine and miles of crowded beaches. Pristine sands, superb shopping and abundant parking spaces make this by far the city’s most popular haunt and, come evening time, the beach promenade is where people come to see and be seen.

It’s not all beach-kissed bodies and bikinis though, as the city is full of culture all year-round and is a fascinating place for wildlife enthusiasts to visit. Taking its name from a series of forts that were built in the area during the Second Seminole War, the city now has the nickname the ‘Venice of America’ after its vast canal system, the number of marinas and the prominence of Port Everglades; the third busiest cruise port in the country.

Hailed as 'Florida's Most Beautiful Mile', the Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale's historic downtown district is full of great places to eat and watch life go by. Alternatively you can pop into the Museum of Discovery and Science for some interactive family fun, or stop by the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society Museum, to delve into the city's bustling past. Head over to East Fort Lauderdale and you'll find a marvellous tribute to a bygone era. Built in 1920, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is an enchanting estate which overlooks a vast lagoon and 35 acres of exotic wetlands, fruit groves and even a moat. Once owned by artists Frederick and Evelyn Bartlett, the house and gardens are now on the National Register for Historic Sites.

To learn about the state's real wetlands though, you have to visit Sawgrass Recreation Park just west of Davie. Jump on an air-boat and prepare for an exhilarating ride as your driver and narrator take you on a hands-on tour of the Everglade's flora, fauna, alligators and reptiles. Don’t miss the reconstructed Seminole village, where an Indian guide is happy to explain the customs and traditions that this Floridian tribe still live by.

This is just a taster though, as there is so much more to do in Fort Lauderdale for visitors of all ages. Visit Hugh Taylor Birch State Park to explore the180 acre barrier island that lies between the Atlantic and the Inland Waterway, or children will love the tropical rainforests and exotic insects at Butterfly World. Cruise the New River and enjoy an island stopover for a BBQ on the Jungle Queen Riverboat Tours or come face-to-face with one of the state's most iconic sights, the flamingo, at Flamingo Gardens. Afterwards retire to one of the many great Fort Lauderdale hotels to unwind after an adventurous day out.