From Here to there: Water Taxis and Water Trolleys in Fort Lauderdale

Venice of America: Water Everywhere

With over 150 miles of waterways and intracoastals, Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America. Picturesque, melodic, and majestic, water and beauty are synonymous with South Florida’s hidden gem. Can you imagine a day in which romance prances and your lungs fill with clean, fresh, oceanside air as you travel majestically through a major city that feels like a quaint town? Yes, the water taxis and water trolleys in Fort Lauderdale can give you a taste of paradise in this growing tropical city.

Venice, Italy, has long been renowned as a city of romance for its gondola travels through it’s watery streets. Movies have been made there, lives have been lived there, and love has found its voice there. Water and love, family and togetherness, and vacation and relaxation can be found on the water taxis in Fort Lauderdale. Where else can you imagine traveling from downtown bustling with its cars and rush hour jams to traveling calmly and in serenity to the beach, Riverwalk, or Margaritaville? That’s right, you can find it on the water taxis and trolleys.

Trolleys and Taxis

The water taxis and water trolleys are separate and distinct transportation systems. The 8 water trolleys travel between 8 stops on the New River between Esplanade Park to its Tarpon River stop. Just like a traditional bus, you wait at a stop between 20-30 minutes maximum and travel, for free, to your downtown destination.

The water taxis have more of a tourist/vacation feel. There are 14 vessels that flow freely from 10 AM until 10 PM from Riverwalk to the beach and start at 9 AM on the Margaritaville Express. Some of the water taxis have a full-service liquor license and can be rented for parties, wedding receptions, among a myriad of options, as well as used to travel relaxingly throughout Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood.

The water taxis have three styles, mid-size, double-decker, and old port that carry between 19 and 149 passengers at a time. All the vessels have a sound system, are open to the air, and the double-decker and mid-sized are climate controlled with covered window possibilities. In other words, the water taxis are designed for luxury, fun, and relaxation.

As one happy traveler noted, “Best of all were the manatees that came to say hello to us.” Yes, you can expect the unexpected when you travel the magnificent waterways in Fort Lauderdale. Another said, “It’s a wonderful day of exploration.”

As a real estate agent, for those of you who are actively involved in seeking your new home, I strongly suggest taking a restful day off and riding the waterways in Venice of America. These magnificent ways to explore this amazing city, especially for those coming from out of town, will get a full sense of awe and wonder. You will know why Fort Lauderdale is a place that is increasingly becoming home to so many people from around America and other places around the world.

Exploring in Venice of America

There are 14 stops using the water taxis that span from Riverwalk to Margaritaville to North Fort Lauderdale beaches. Especially nice, you are greeted by a friendly, humorous, and well-informed staff of professionals. As you travel on the silky water, you will have a tour guide pointing out sites of adventure and intrigue. Though people are aware of Miami Beach to our south, there is hidden history and cultural vitality here in Venice of America.

You will travel from Waterfront Gardens at Esplanade Park loaded with cultural opportunities such as the Broward County Center of Performing Arts, Discovery, and an IMAX Theatre. In the downtown stops you will find a myriad of waterfront dining and live music establishments. And, don’t forget, you will have direct access to the famous and vibrant Las Olas strip where all things are possible.

You will travel to the Riverside Hotel and Stranahan House. For those of you with a paranormal curiosity, they say that the Stranahan house may be haunted, but you didn’t hear that from me.

If you exit at the 15th Street fisheries you will be rewarded with restaurants that have won the Best Seafood Award and Best Waterfront Restaurant Awards in Fort Lauderdale.

From there you can stop at the beach, Gallery One at Double Inn Suites and Galleria Mall, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Shooters famous restaurant, and BoKamper’s Bar and Grill. You can see the most magnificent yachts and mansions that exist in South Florida on your travels. Yes, if you are seeking a charter, scavenger hunts, team-building opportunities, birthdays, or simply choose to see a majestic sunset in a moonlit town, all is possible on the water taxis in Fort Lauderdale.

A Great Time and a Reasonable Rate

The rates to travel on the river taxis are a tremendous bargain:
For Adults:
All day travel $28
Happy Hour: 5 PM – close $18
Senior and Military $23
Children – all day $14
Monthly pass $99
Annual Pass $299

I have been proud to serve the Fort Lauderdale area with great service and integrity and am confident that a tour through Fort Lauderdale utilizing a water taxi or trolley will provide relaxation for those of you seeking a dream home. The trolleys and taxis are two of the oldest and most respected brands in Fort Lauderdale and I think you deserve the chance to see why. Take a day and enjoy the beauty of South Florida’s growing, yet hidden, gem by water. You won’t forget it!

Enjoy Venice of America by Water and see Why So Many are Moving Here

I hope you enjoyed learning a little about my favorite hidden secret in Fort Lauderdale. I would be delighted if you’d share with me your experiences traveling the majestic waterways in Fort Lauderdale. Drop me a line or send me a note, I’d love to know what you think. And, in addition, if you need any assistance in finding your dream home or condominium, we at Marder Group are ready to guide you to your “land-lover’s” dream home. Please, call me or send me an email and we will use our white-glove approach in making your dreams come true.