We all know about the beach - and who wouldn’t want to enjoy walking along the ocean and hearing the waves? In fact, even the beaches were uncrowded. But when it’s time to try something else, downtown Fort Lauderdale has much to offer.

Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District

Settlement along the New River dates back to the 1900s, and today there is a wonderful historic area tucked away amid the gazebos and restaurants. Old Fort Lauderdale Village contains several buildings dating back to early 1900s, including the King Cromartie House from 1907. When I walked by, laundry was hanging from outside lines to dry, just like it would have been drying 100 years ago.

Take a water taxi tour, or any of the other boat tours. They’re easy to find – the booths line the banks of the river.

The area also hosts the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the Museum of Discovery & Science, a 3D IMAX Theater and more. The 22-block meandering promenade is also a good place to stop for a drink, or a dinner or lunch outdoors along the river.

Las Olas Boulevard

Right outside my hotel is the “sophisticated mile of fashion, art and sidewalk cafés” known as Las Olas. Trendy and upscale, the area is fun to walk and window shop. Eat breakfast at one of the cafes and watch Las Olas wake up. Although the shops open around 10AM, and there is lunch time business (especially at the more commercial end of the area), it’s dinner and later that the street comes alive.

Alongside the New River just off Las Olas is the Stranahan House Museum -- the former home of Frank and Ivy Stranahan. Built as a trading post in 1901, it quickly evolved into the post office, and town hall, and in 1906, the Stranahan's home. Over the years there have been rumors that the house is haunted. Whether or not you believe, you may still want to take their River Ghost Tour. This hour long tour includes a visit inside Stranahan House and a boat ride on the New River, accompanied by tales of spirits.

Cinema Paradiso is Fort Lauderdale's unique arthouse for films from around the world – many of them in their U.S. premiere and others for the only time ever in the States. It’s also the official home of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, but there are doings throughout most of the year. Although not strictly Las Olas, it’s worth a visit if cinema is your passion, or you just want to see an offbeat movie.

I'm staying at the Riverside Hotel, a lovely hotel originally built in the 1930s and renovated into updated, gracious charm. There’s a garden patio off the lobby bar, excellent breakfasts (with just-perfect coffee) and a swimming pool just across the street for guests only. The staff are very friendly and the location is perfect, central to Las Olas Boulevard, but just off the main street. The good-sized balcony offered great views. It's not the cheapest place, but you can find good prices online.

Hard Rock Casino Resort

I love Las Vegas – it’s a totally over-the-top adult fantasy land. Now, imagine taking one of those glitzy hotel/casinos and putting it in Florida, and even putting it within driving distance to the ocean. What you have is a powerful combination that has me thinking I’d like to go back and stay for more than a few hours. And rock and roll fans will think they are in heaven.

With fewer constraints on the size of the property, the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Resort has become a destination entertainment center spreading over 86 acres near Fort Lauderdale. The casino is quite simply mammoth (130,000-square-feet of gaming). But there’s much more.

I’m not much of a gambler. My favorite is the relatively hard-to-find low-stakes video poker. But I happily strolled through the casino and admired the rock and roll memorabilia. Buddy Holly’s blue sweater from his 1958 tour of Britain. One of Carl Perkin’s guitars. Items from Little Feat, Allman Brothers, Elton John’s stage costume, and more line the walls.

Feel an urge to shop? Eat? Drink? I didn’t count, but the press material says there are 22 retail shops, 17 restaurants and 11 bars and lounges.

Then, there’s lagoon tropical pool with waterfalls cascading over the rocks and into the water, and the white sandy beach at the edge of lagoon or the beach volley ball court. There’s also an inviting poolside bar, and a complete menu of shows and entertainment. There’s even dancing water shows on the lake.

The whole place is seductively done – I wanted to sit by that pool and sip a pina colada, and when the spirit moved me, gamble a bit, and go to a show. Imagine Las Vegas near the ocean. Sounds good to me.