Frommer's Shopping in Fort Lauderdale

It's all about malls in Broward County. And while most of the best shopping is located within Fort Lauderdale proper, other areas in the county are also worth browsing.

Dania is known as the antiques capital of the South because within 1 square mile of Federal Highway, the city has more than 100 dealers selling everything from small collectibles to fine antiques. If you want to browse, it's best to park along Federal Highway, on the "row," which is where Federal Highway meets U.S. 1. For more information on "Antique Row," call tel. 954/924-3627. Also in Dania is the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA), at the intersection of I-95 and Griffin Road (tel. 954/920-7997; www.designcenteroftheamericas.com), a 775,000-square-foot, full-service interior-design center with tons of furniture showrooms (featuring everything from ultramod to classic), designer studios and, from time to time, fabulous sample sales. Last time we were there, Matt Damon and his fiancée were there furnishing their zillion dollar Miami Beach manse.

For bargain mavens, there's a strip of "fashion" stores on Hallandale Beach Boulevard's "Schmatta Row," east of Dixie Highway and the railroad tracks, where off-brand shoes, bags, and jewelry are sold at deep discounts. Hollywood Boulevard also offers some interesting shops, with everything from Indonesian artifacts to used and rare books, leather bustiers, and handmade hats. Dozens of shops line the pedestrian-friendly strip just west of Young Circle. The art galleries are clustered along Harrison Street, just east of Dixie Highway.

The area's only beachfront mall, Beach Place, is in Fort Lauderdale on Fla. A1A just north of Las Olas Boulevard. This 100,000-square-foot giant sports the usual chains like Sunglass Hut, Limited Express, Banana Republic, and Gap, as well as lots of popular bars and restaurants. While it used to be all the rage with the Spring Break set, Beach Place is now aiming for a much more upscale clientele, adding many new higher-end stores and restaurants. Still, we think it's just one big tourist trap.

Other more traditional malls include the upscale Galleria, at Sunrise Boulevard near the Fort Lauderdale Beach; and Broward Mall, west of I-95 on Broward Boulevard, in Plantation.

If you're looking for unusual boutiques, especially art galleries, head to quaint Las Olas Boulevard, located west of A1A and a block east of Federal Highway/U.S. 1, off SE 8th Street, where there are hundreds of shops with alluring window decorations (like kitchen utensils posing as modern-art sculptures) and intriguing merchandise such as mural-size oil paintings.

On the edge of the Arts and Science District is Las Olas Riverfront, a retail complex with 260,000 square feet of restaurants, clothing stores, arcades, and a multiplex movie theater.

The Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop, 3291 W. Sunrise Blvd. (tel. 954/791-SWAP), is one of the world's largest flea markets. I think it's rather schlocky. In addition to endless acres of vendors hawking everything from electronics to underwear, there's a miniature amusement park, a 13-screen drive-in movie theater, weekend concerts, and even a free daily circus complete with elephants, horse shows, high-wire acts, and clowns.

The monster of all outlet malls is Sawgrass Mills, 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise (tel. 800-FL-MILLS or 954/846-2350; fax 954/846-2312). Since the most recent expansion, completed in mid-1999, which added more than 30 new designer outlets, this behemoth (shaped like a Florida alligator) now holds more than 300 shops, kiosks, a 24-screen movie theater, and many restaurants and bars, including a Hard Rock Cafe. Late 2004 saw the debut of Wanadoo City, a $50-million education-and-amusement center for kids, giving them something to do while Mom shops the day away. The enclosed mall area covers nearly 2.5 million square feet over 50 acres -- there's no way to see it all in a day. 2006 saw the opening of the Colonnade Outlets -- an outlet of luxury stores within the outlet. Among the stores in the new open air, Mediterranean style center: Barney's New York, Coach, Cole Haan, Crate & Barrel, Escada Company Store, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss Factory Store, MaxMara, Miss Sixty, and St. John Knits. To get here, take I-95 to I-595 W. to the Flamingo Road exit, turn right, and drive 2 miles to Sunrise Boulevard; you'll see the large complex on the left. From the Florida Turnpike, exit Sunrise Boulevard W.

Fishing enthusiasts won't want to miss Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 200 Gulfstream Way, Dania Beach (tel. 954/929-7710), a sprawling retail complex just west of I-95 where you can buy anything from yachts to lures.

For those who like to turn an ordinary shopping trip into an extraordinary event, Activity Planners (tel. 954/525-9194) will do just that, arranging a water taxi, limo, or Town Car for your own private shopping tour through the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.

Visit our complete Fort Lauderdale guide online at www.frommers.com/destinations/fortlauderdale.