Spring Break Vacation

Is South Florida Still the Spring Break Vacation?

It' s 1987 and everyone is on the strip (the popular name for A-1-A, the road that runs up and down the Atlantic coastline in Florida.) Images of colorful hair and big earrings decorated on seemingly perfect bodies are flashed everywhere. That was the place to be for your spring break vacation and every college kid across America was trying to get there.

The famous Elbow Room located on the corner of where the main drag began is a two story indoor/outdoor bar/restaurant. Parking on the beach was a little hard to find since everyone was there. However, you could park across the street (which most people did) and try not to scorch your toes on the asphalt before you reached the sand. The Ft. Lauderdale strip was the place to be for your spring break vacation back in 1987 but what about today? Can Ft. Lauderdale pull a Madonna and re-invent itself for another go at the spring break vacationers?

Major City and Land Issues

The south Florida coastline is going through some major beach erosion. Every year, the city brings in large amounts of artificial sand in order to prevent the water from rising up onto the shore. Several types of trees and palms are planted as well but many locals are claiming that is blocks the view of the ocean.

Major events and happenings that take place on Ft. Lauderdale beach attract thousands of people, like the Air and Sea Show. Unfortunately, the city does not provide adequate cleaning services to accommodate for these events. The beaches are left a mess and local rodents are left to clean whatever is left over. On a brighter note, the city has put a lot of money up to redesign the beach.

They decided to do away with parking on the beach and instead install a beautiful walkway/sidewalk in its place. Major land developers and high-end construction companies are building beautiful luxury hotels and condos along the strip. Donald Trump is currently building more Trump Towers on the strip and famous actors and musicians own several homes and restaurants there as well.

The Fort Lauderdale strip may not be what it once to spring break vacationers but it definitely is turning into something wonderful. The city has welcomed many different financial giants into the game and has decided to take on a new image. Whether or not the spring break vacationers will be able to afford a week in Fort Lauderdale will be an issue but the infamous Elbow Room is still there and has no plans of leaving anytime soon.

(c)  Vacations - Tyler's Articles 2006