This is a very nice area developed primarily for the tourist trade. There is a very pretty waterfront park with wide walking paths that wind along the riverfront. There are trees, plants, flowers etc. as well. There is also a large complex of buildings, which house some shops as well as from 8 to 12 restaurants which generally would not be considered fine dining. There was a Hooters (the only brand name place) We had lunch at a place called the Ugly Tuna Saloona and it was fine, burgers etc. The complex also housed a large theatre complex of about 12 theatres.
One of the highlights was a river cruise ($14 per person), which winds through Fort Lauderdale. There is a guide who tells you whose mansions, yachts etc. you are passing. The name Wayne Huizenga comes up often. He lives here, his brother here, his daughter here. All places were $3,000,000 plus. Also various celebrities live or have rented there while shooting movies (Lee Majors, Sonny and Cher, Barbara Mandrell, Demi Moore and Bruce Willis). Saw huge yacht owned by the owner of the Gap, Victoria's Secret and related businesses. (not Wayne Huizenga) I thought it was a little pricey, but worth doing while you are there. Gives you some idea how the elite live. As it was December, there were X-mas lights up and on in the evenings in the Las Olas complex that were very nice. There was some live music in the evenings and an outdoor bar that was doing a booming business.