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When visiting Venice<\/a>, you can’t miss going for a ride on a gondola \u2014 or, at the very least, on a budget-friendly vaporetto<\/a>, or water bus. In the Venice of America<\/a>, Fort Lauderdale<\/a>, you also have different options for getting out on the water.\u00a0You could go on a sightseeing cruise, a sunset sailing tour, or an outing on a replica pirate ship. But one of the best ways to explore the city’s 300 miles of inland waterways is on\u00a0a hop-on, hop-off adventure\u00a0aboard the\u00a0Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi<\/a>.<\/p>\n The company offers daily service on three interconnected routes in Fort Lauderdale and its neighboring communities of Pompano Beach and Hollywood. The Fort Lauderdale route<\/a> has eleven stops, and you can board anywhere along it, from the southernmost stop at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina<\/a> (which doubles as a transfer point to the Hollywood route) to the northernmost stop at Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill<\/a>, a waterfront sports bar that also serves as a transfer point to the Pompano Beach loop.\u00a0<\/p>\n A major highlight along the hop-on, hop-off itinerary is Hugh Taylor Birch State Park<\/a>, Florida’s prettiest nature escape<\/a>. Nicknamed Fort Lauderdale’s Central Park, it’s tucked away between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway<\/a> and features lovely picnic areas, walking trails, bike and stand-up paddleboard rentals, and\u00a0beach access. Grab a bite at the Grill at the Grove<\/a>\u00a0(open most days from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), the state park’s waterfront caf\u00e9 and bar. The park is\u00a0open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk, and admission is $2 per person. If you love Hugh Taylor Birch, consider a detour to Mizell-Johnson State Park<\/a>, an under-the-radar barrier island with paddling and snorkeling<\/a> in nearby Dania Beach.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Cruise around Fort Lauderdale on the Water Taxi<\/p>\n
Ceri Breeze\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Other spots to hop off the water taxi include\u00a0Las Olas Boulevard<\/a>, the most walkable street in Florida<\/a>. Framed by palm trees and lined with shops, restaurants, and art galleries, it’s the perfect place for a tropical stroll by the beach. (The water taxi lets you off at\u00a0the corner of Las Olas Boulevard and SE 9th Avenue.)\u00a0<\/p>\n Another great stop on the route for a fresh seafood lunch or fruity cocktails is\u00a015th Street Fisheries<\/a> (open daily from\u00a011:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.), located inside the Lauderdale Marina<\/a>. Or hop off the water taxi at Marina Village + Bahia Mar<\/a>, (open daily from 11 a.m. to late) where a waterfront food hall houses eight culinary kiosks and the stylish Mainland Bar hosts a lively happy hour. There’s live music at 6 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.<\/p>\n Water taxis run every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On the Fort Lauderdale loop, water taxis depart stops every 35 to 45 minutes.\u00a0The company website has a Water Taxi Tracker<\/a> where you can see the live locations of water taxis and find out when the next one is coming. Tickets\u00a0for unlimited daily rides cost $38 for adults and $18 for kids (those five and under ride for free). If you’re more interested in a sunset cruise down the waterway, try the evening-only pass to ride from 5 to 10 p.m. ($25 for adults). Purchase tickets online<\/a> to avoid standing in line at the boat docks.<\/p>\n
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