FLORIDA PLACES AND DESTINATIONS:
POMPANO BEACH

Pompano Beach, Florida

Named after the saltwater fish found abundantly in its Atlantic waters, Pompano Beach lies towards the northern end of Broward County, bordering Hillsboro Beach to the north and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea to the south.

Pompano Beach boasts a variety of attractions, quaint tropical hotels and a plethora of culinary experiences from Café Maxx and Sunfish Grill to Cap's Place and Jeremiah's waterfront eateries.




As its name suggests, Pompano Beach also boasts 3 1/2 miles of beautiful beach, certified as "Blue Wave" by the Clean Beaches Council for exemplary cleanliness and safety. The beach also has several playgrounds and other family activities. But what makes Pompano Beach's coastline all the more alluring is the diving that can be done just a few hundred yards from the shore. Pompano is home to a unique natural three-tiered system, as well as artificial reefs such as Captain Dan, Copenhagen and Rodeo 25 serving as magnets for exotic marine life.

Another benefit of Pompano Beach's living coral reef system is found in the world-class fishing that can be done off its shores. Pompano Beach has several venues for chartered, open-sea fishing excursions, and the top-notch boat fishing is complemented nicely by its 1,800-foot municipal fishing pier to which visitors flock like seagulls.

Year-round, Pompano Beach's calendar of events is full of concerts, sporting events and festivals for the whole family to enjoy. Annual events in Pompano Beach include:

Held annually each April, the Pompano Beach Seafood Festival is a weekend featuring crafts, adventurous activities such as bungee jumping and a rock-climbers' wall, a full line-up of live music and, of course, a limitless supply of seafood.

Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo allows professionals and amateurs alike to compete and see who can catch the heaviest fish.

The annual Pompano Beach AirFair draws thousands of visitors and locals, with a spectacular display of more than 20 aircraft from World War I to Desert Storm, including several historic aircraft. The event also includes a USO Canteen Dance, featuring a live big band orchestra; Navy Parachute "Leapfrog" Teams and a Car Show, showcasing Classic, Antique, Exotic, Muscle Cars, Street Rods, Motorcycles, & Military Vehicles. A favorite destination for concertgoers is the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre and its live concerts.

Pompano Beach is home to Butterfly World, whose seven acres of lush gardens and aviaries are alive with tens of thousands of brilliantly colored butterflies in free flight. The attraction's Tropical Rain Forest Aviary is a mammoth 8,000-square-foot screened-in enclosure, making it the largest single butterfly habitat in the world. Butterfly world also features hummingbirds, lorikeet encounters, a variety of flowers, an insectarium, and charming waterfalls and streams.

Another spot not to miss while visiting Pompano Beach is Festival Marketplace, an indoor flea market with over 600 stores full of brand name merchandise at outlet prices, as well as a farmer's market with fresh produce and other foodstuffs. Pompano Citi Centre features small shops as well as anchor stores.

Visitors to Pompano Beach can also select from a wide variety of places to stay. For visitors looking for a quaint environment, Pompano Beach is home to a great selection of smaller properties that proudly belong to Greater Fort Lauderdale's list of Superior Small Lodgings. These affordable, cozy properties are dotted across Greater Fort Lauderdale, often on or near the beachfront.










Photo: Visit Florida