Fort Lauderdale, Florida is home to Port Everglades Cruiseport, the second busiest cruise port in the world. On a single day, as many as 54,000 cruise guests embark and debark from their cruise ships in Port Everglades. More ships have a home base in Port Everglades than at any other port. The Greater Fort Lauderdale area also has 23 miles of beautiful beaches, making it a popular vacation destination as well.

Vacationers should plan to spend a few extra days in Fort Lauderdale relaxing and exploring the area before or after their cruise. There's so much to do here. Visitors can stroll along Fort Lauderdale’s beachfront promenade, take a boat tour along the Intracoastal Waterway, dine at fantastic restaurants, see colorful birds and wildlife at Flamingo Gardens, and shop at boutiques along Las Olas Boulevard. In addition, the wonders of the Florida’s Everglades National Park are just a short drive away.

If you're cruising from Fort Lauderdale, plan to start your vacation early and arrive a few days in advance. That helps to eliminate some of the travel stresses caused by crowded airports and potential flight delays, so you can start your cruise rested and relaxed. Allow plenty of time for enjoying the area's beaches and other attractions.

Here are five great things to do in Fort Lauderdale during your stay:

1. Hit the Beaches. Vacationers love soaking up the sun on Greater Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful beaches. In addition to being picture perfect, they’re clean as well. Since 1999, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Hollywood, Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea have consistently been certified as Blue Wave Beaches by the Clean Beaches Council. Each beach area has its own personality – you’re sure to find one that’s the perfect fit for you. In addition to relaxing on the beach, vacationers can go parasailing, jet skiing, fishing and more in the waters around Fort Lauderdale’s sandy shores.

2. Cruise the Intracoastal Waterway. Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful Intracoastal Waterway gives the Fort Lauderdale area a Venetian feel, which is one of the reasons it’s sometimes called the “Venice of America.” Plan to explore the lovely Intracoastal Waterway and Millionaire’s Row during your stay. There’s no better way to take in the gorgeous mansions, massive yachts and private islands than getting out on the water on a riverboat tour, cruise, pirate adventure, kayak excursion or even a gondola ride. Water taxis are also available. Make sure to enjoy a romantic sunset cruise while you’re in the area as well.

3. Savor Culinary Delights. Memorable culinary experiences are an important part of today’s vacations and Fort Lauderdale has much to offer. There’s something for every palate and dining preference here, from the freshest seafood to fine dining with an international flair. Be transported to the Greek Islands at Thasos Restaurant, one of Fort Lauderdale’s many superb dining options. Fresh, modern Greek cuisine is the highlight here, with all dishes cooked to order. Many items are cooked on the restaurant’s oak wood grill and fresh fish is flown in twice a week from Greece. The restaurant’s warm ambiance and lovely interior design make dining at Thasos even more of a pleasure.

4. Get Up Close to Nature. Gazing at Fort Lauderdale’s downtown skyline, it’s hard to believe that the wilds of Everglades National Park are just a short drive away. Visiting the Florida Everglades is one of the most popular activities for Fort Lauderdale vacationers. Spanning 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park is teeming with wildlife such as alligators, crocodiles, turtles, manatees, deer and much more. Boat tours and airboat rides enable guests to explore this incredible area, which encompasses 10,000 islands and five different types of habitats. Nearby Sawgrass Recreation Park also offers airboat tours. Two more attractions, Flamingo Gardens and Butterfly World, provide additional opportunities to experience natural wonders while vacationing in the Greater Fort Lauderdale region.

5. Discover the Museums. While much of Fort Lauderdale’s tourist appeal can be found outdoors, there’s plenty to see indoors as well. Fort Lauderdale’s Museum of Discovery and Science contains an EcoDiscovery Center complete with an Everglades Airboat Adventure ride that's sure to thrill the kids. Here guests can experience hurricane force winds, see sharks, dig for fossils, pet alligators, and even try piloting a plane in a cockpit simulator. An IMAX 3D Theater can be found here as well. The NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale and the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens are popular with vacationers, too. Set on 35 acres, Bonnet House delights visitors interested in history, art and horticulture.