Downtown Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL

Control of Fort Lauderdale changed hands from Spain to England to the United States. Over 4,000 years ago, the Tequesta Indians and pioneers occupied the land for 1,000 years. After the 20th century, the area developed due to the Florida land boom and is now a major yachting center.

Celebrate the arts scene at the Las Olas Art Fair outdoor art festival held three times per year. View exquisite paintings, life-size sculptures and handmade jewelry. The Museum of Art houses unique exhibits and superb paintings. The Princess Diana and King Tut exhibits are merely a couple of the traveling exhibitions that have made their home at this fine arts museum.

Events and festivals are common in the neighborhood. Locals attend the Winterfest Boat Parade, held annually in December. Here, guests watch over 100 vibrantly decorated boats parade down the New River and up the Intracoastal Waterway.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale has plenty of dining options for those looking to enjoy a night out.

The Chimney House Grill and Cafe serves Argentine, Peruvian, Columbian and Spanish cuisines. The skirt steak with a glass of sangria makes for an appetizing meal. For a lighter option, order the vegetable sandwich with chimichurri sauce and a side of potato salad. Seafood lovers delight in the mahi mahi dish served with house rice. When craving some Thai food, head out to Sky Thai Sushi for appetizing Thai and Japanese plates alongside wine and sake options. Start with the steamed Thai dumplings or the edamame. Customers favor the Candy Cane and Galaxy sushi rolls, or stop by for some great lunch specials.

If you prefer traditional American food in a lounge atmosphere, head to YOLO for a wonderful dining experience. The outside area with fire pits makes for a great date night. For an appetizer, try the calamari, which is full of flavor. For the main dish, locals enjoy the crab cakes, short ribs and salmon. With so many delectable options to choose from, you have a tough decision to make.

You don't have any trouble finding a bar or nightclub in the downtown area. Locals enjoy bar-hopping down Las Olas Boulevard, which houses several awesome bars and lounges all within walking distance of each other. Residents dance the night away at Vibe las Olas while enjoying live music and entertainment. With comfortable, trendy furniture and a VIP section outside, many patrons of this establishment simply enjoy the ambiance while sipping on a cocktail.

Many residents prefer to walk or bike in the downtown area. Bike paths make cycling super easy and locals love the B-cycle sharing program. This unique service allows cyclists to purchase a membership online or at any B-station, choose a bike from any B-station, ride it to a destination, park it at the closest B-station and be on your way hassle free.

If you prefer public transportation, jump aboard the Tri-Rail, which links Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade. The Fort Lauderdale station lies on Broward Boulevard. Hailing a cab is always an easy option and Uber also services the area. For those who plan on driving their own vehicles, parking is readily available for a minimal fee and nearby access to I-95 makes commuters happy.

Locals partake in the wonderful outdoor recreation activities available at several parks in the neighborhood. Relax and enjoy some down time at Bubier Park. Families often frequent the landmark for picnics and a leisurely walk. Bring the kids, the dog and take part in some family bonding in the beautiful Florida weather. The interactive musical fountain attracts residents and visitors alike. The parks hosts the Annual Walk for Farm Animals and the yearly Turkish Festival. Others in the area choose Riverwalk Linear Park as their number one choice for outside fun. Take a stroll by yourself, with the kids, or with the dog to view the historical houses the lie near the property. On Sundays, hear jazz music playing along the river. You'll catch some folks relaxing and others dancing. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the free entertainment.

Living in the downtown neighborhood costs a bit more than some of the outlying suburbs of Fort Lauderdale. When taking the Tri-Rail, prices vary based on the number of zones traveled. There are six zones; a one-way ticket in zone 1 costs $2.50. Prices increase up to $6.90 for a 6 zone travel ticket. Plan on spending $1500 each month to rent a one-bedroom apartment. Area gas prices average around 4 percent higher than the national average and a beer costs $9 at a downtown bar.

Las Olas Boulevard serves as the major shopping hub in downtown Fort Lauderdale. With over 65 shops and boutiques filled with clothing, accessories, household items and more, shoppers call this area paradise. Chain stores such as Dillard's and Ross Dress For Less along with some high-end stores station themselves in the downtown area. Elektrik Boutique sells men's and women's clothing and also has a wide selection of watches. Brands such as Mumu, Cotton Citizen, For Love and Lemons and Gypsy are all sold at this fine boutique. Locals frequent Shop 603 specialty store for men's and women's clothing and swimwear. The fragrance and candle selection also lures customers inside. With excellent customer service and reasonable prices, it's no wonder why shoppers speak highly of Shop 603. For an amazing selection of produce, flowers, women's clothing, gluten-free items and smoked fish, head to Las Olas Sunday Market. Some vendors only take cash, and parking does require a fee, but the options here are so worth it. Another produce market where locals shop is Marando Farms, which sells raw milk, organic eggs and produce, fresh bread and even pet food. Swing by the juice bar stand for some a refreshing fruit smoothie. Anyone looking for a supermarket can find several Publix locations situated throughout Fort Lauderdale.