History of Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale

Wilton Manors is a town in Florida that has a population just under 15,000 residents. It officially had its start in 1925 with the aim of being a residential area of wealthier individuals. This was the dream of Edward Willingham. Slowly, but surely the town has become a bustling hub of queer, LGBTQ culture. This city island has a Pride Center, AIDS Museum that educates on the struggle of the queer community to demand humanity as a virus threatened its livelihood and a gay a mayor.

With various parts of the city, such as Highland Estates, shifting in economic purpose, this city island is working with the waves of interest in Wilton Manors. This article will take you through some of the most interesting things to do in this bustling city island. From guesthouses to beaches, Wilton Manors is surely a place to check out.

1. Stonewall Street Festival and Parade
Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, USA

Easily one of the most notable events in Wilton Manors is the parade that happens every June. Stonewall, a bar in New York City, was known as the start of the modern gay rights movements after a crowd of LGBTQA people faced off against police harassment and gained international recognition on June 28, 1969. 19 years later, Broward Country, where Wilton Manors is located, made history by electing its first gay public official. 

In 2014, Wilton Manor’s pride in the resistance that occurred at Stonewall led to the Stonewall Museum choosing to expand a part of their museum to include work at the Wilton Manors Gallery.

The yearly parade that is usually in June has over 100 food trucks and booths that sell food, clothes, offer free HIV/AIDS testing, or educate on safe sexual intercourse. The 2017 parade plans to have more than 30,000 people in attendance.

2. Colohatchee Park
1975 NE 15th Ave, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, USA

Named after what the town was called before it was Wilton Manor, this park is a popular destination on this city island. It is almost 9 acres and has space dedicated as a mangrove preserve. The park includes Middle River, which is beautiful to visit when the sun is high in the sky and wetlands are glistening. Residents can often be seen taking their dogs to the play area in this park. It also houses a basketball court, volleyball court and open space for birthday parties or barbeques.

Stop by here if you want to have a nice and relaxing day in the sun outside.

3. The Galleria
2414 East Sunrise Boulevard, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304

If you want a good binge of upscale shopping while near Wilton Manors, The Galleria is the place for you. It has over 100 stores and restaurants that can fulfill all of your needs, as well as being minutes away from the infamous Fort Lauderdale Beach. Stop into Godiva Chocolatier to pick up something for your sweetie on Valentine’s Day, or simply buy yourself a new bag.

4. Rosie’s Bar and Grill
2449 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors, FL 33305, USA

It is mostly known as a gay friendly destination for locals and visitors, but really it should also be known for its menu. Often known for not having empty tables and always having a lively atmosphere, the menu is a delicious array of classic bar food. Google reviews recommend that you try the potato salad, the Cheeseburger Omelet or simply stop by for one of their amazing mimosas.

They host about two events a month on their Facebook page, so be sure to check it out if you ever plan to drop by for a visit.

5. World AIDS Museum and Educational Center
1201 NE 26th St. Suite 111, Wilton Manors, FL 33305

When visiting a place that’s known for a strong LGBT presence, it’s probably a good idea to learn about one of the largest struggle to have faced the community. It was the brainchild of a support group, Pozitive Attitudes, for people facing HIV, and soon expanded raising awareness as a whole about HIV and AIDS. As a safe space to unpack the history of institutional violence allowed against the gay community throughout the 1970’s, 80’s, and 90’s as mass protests demanded a medical response from the government, it is worth a visit to understand the past and the present of the struggle towards safe sex and understanding of those who are living positive.

Fort Lauderdale is a charming high-rise resort city with high-end shopping malls, a pleasant Riverwalk lined with several mega-yachts and a gorgeous palm-fringed white sandy beach. Although relatively compact, it has everything that visitors are looking for in a winter sun destination.The city of Fort Lauderdale has grown from a busy trading post on the New River in the 1900s to the modern metropolis it is today, thanks to its many waterways. This was what first led to the three forts being built here during the Seminole Wars and has since allowed it to develop as one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. The zip code for Fort Lauderdale is FL 33301.

Most visitors head for Las Olas Boulevard which is lined with interesting shops, boutiques, and galleries. In the evenings, tables spill out across the sidewalk and make the most of the pleasant temperatures and vibrant atmosphere after dark. Formal eateries blend with casual dining, and there is always a long line waiting for a table at the popular Cheesecake Factory. More upmarket is the swish Jackson's Steakhouse with its private club ambiance.

Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale continues to be one of the city's premier shopping destinations. It also considered as South Florida's most architecturally unique and authentic shopping and dining district.
Great shopping

Shopping has never been this convenient. The place has become a one-stop destination for shoppers because of the presence of a multitude of shops catering not only to a person's fashion needs. There are stores and boutiques for gifts, home furnishings, eyewear, jewelry, fitness, yachting, and even real estate.
Las Olas Boulevard is home to a variety of exclusive shops and boutiques. This beautifully landscaped boulevard features everything from fine chocolates at Kilwin's Chocolate and Ice Cream shop, to exquisite jewelry at Carroll's Jewellers. For high-end, quality items you can consider the stores in the Galleria Mall. Among them, you can find Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Dillard's and Coach. You can also wander off to view fine art at the Museum of Art or shop for exclusive items at the Sunday Gourmet Farmer's Market.
Fresco dining options

If in between hunting for things to buy, shoppers become bothered by their hungry stomach or by their drying mouths - the place offers hunger-breakers and thirst-quenchers in 30 diners. Each one of them represents the gastronomic diversity of the place showing local and international influences on their flavors. A wide variety of cuisines is present from American, Asian, African, Latin, European, and Oriental. One can satisfy small and big pangs of hunger alike through light options like sandwiches to full meals. The diners also present a wide variety of features ranging from free wi-fi access, live entertainment, and waterfront ambiance.

Recreation hubs

Various leisure centers also abound this famous shopping district. Aside from spas and salons where shoppers can obtain comfortable grooming services, there is a museum, a pet services shop, and even medical services. If the weather is right, arrange for a day's sailing off Las Olas Marketplace. A cruise on a yacht up or down the river is a wonderful way to view the delights of the city and can give you a different perspective of Fort Lauderdale.

International art galleries.

Let your eyes feast on world-class art masterpieces by world-renowned artists. Within the famous shopping district are international art galleries exemplifying art at its best. Shoppers usually enter these galleries to take an unusual break from dining and shopping.
Unexpected offerings.
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Aside from the obvious treats of shopping and dining, visitors of the place can expect more surprises. The Boulevard itself is a perfect place for strolling where you can meet new friends and possibly bump into old acquaintances. The cool breezeways can provide refreshing feeling just as when you feel like you're that exhausted. Regular offerings include shopping sales and restaurant discounts among others.
Las Olas Boulevard is the center of arts and science in the district of Fort Lauderdale. Littered with restaurants that range all over the spectrum of different cuisines which has been centered around the classic Mangos which has been around South Florida for years. Las Olas is on the mark of the fashion world, with many shops. Las Olas Boulevard is one perfect example of a melting pot of shopping, dining, and entertainment. And if you want to experience its offerings, living in Fort Lauderdale can be the easiest way to experience Las Olas life on a regular basis.

For a long time Epoxy garage experts, has supplied and installed epoxy floor coatings instituting new lines of innovative services. Some Epoxy solutions actually prolong that service life of parking structures, pitches, garages, basements. However, it is a leading dedicated company of resin floor and wall finishes. It go a wide range of vast merchandises such as smothering finishes, anti-static flooring system and polyurethane floor varnishes. It also does repairs to make inexpensive floors to look more appealing. Epoxy flakes are basically used for decorative purposes. They mostly colorful and will give a floor an appealing look once they are encrusted on the floor. Additionally, they can be incorporated on walls to add on the finishing of a house be it a garage.

Conversely, one can decide to do apply an epoxy garage floor coating by himself/herself through a DIY (do-it-yourself) guide. Actual application of the coat can be done so by on individual but it is recommended for two to do so. When there are more individuals it reduces the chance of errors plus the time taken to do so is short. When deciding to prepare the floor garage one needs to actually prepare for such. Arguably, it is important to ensure that the floor surface is well prepare. In order to reduce errors when applying a floor coating it is necessary to read through the guidelines. There is need to inspect the garage floor to check for compatibility as epoxy does do well with painted concrete. Therefore, such should be first removed. Take note of cracks on the floor that need repair. In case of a newly concrete, it should be allowed to dry first for at least thirty days. Once the floor has been confirmed to be free of oil and clean it may now proceed further and lastly epoxy would be applied to the floor. 

Most of the time floors are not given that much attention unless something is wrong with them and they need repairs. To overcome this you may consider to opt for epoxy floor coating. It is applicable in most areas such as manufacturing plants, warehouses, laboratories and even food and beverage plants. Epoxy coatings has major benefits when it is incorporated in a building. For instance, it gives a floor more durability. Floors last longer and resist wear and tear saving money on repairs. Once the epoxy has been converted into a solid polymer it is very strong. It also has low maintenance cost and easy to clean up. Coatings of epoxy are available in many colors themes therefore there is everything for the consumer wh8o prefers choosing a product based on colors. Epoxy coatings can basically survive continuous exposure to chemical and actually remain without being corroded. Safety of such floors is possible since they are not slippery as it is safe for workers working under such a condition.

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Some of common mistakes that arise when applying epoxy would include; poor floor planning, moisture in the concrete, stretching out the epoxy, faulty mixing the epoxy and not following temperature and humidity restrictions. Being able to successfully coat a floor is not that hard. Many errors that occur could actually be solved by ensuring that the manufacturer’s instructions are read. Where there questions contact the manufacturer for clarification.

Epoxy Masters are well renowned in the industry for quality products as customers who purchase their products can attest to that. So long as they follow the manufactures instructions when coating the floors or walls the work is usually exemplary good. It gives such an appealing look to the eyes as it is basically available in quit a number of colors. Their services are exemplary good since they are of high quality which most people seek. Most all epoxy flooring are continuous but mostly applied in multi layers adding a sand like grit with each coat. They are non-porous so that water cannot sip in. every facility has it needs that are unique with regards to wall and floor protection. Porous or cracked concrete are not desirable as they may give room for bacteria infestation. However, epoxy can actually solve such issues as it will feel up those cracks. As they are no pests the cost of pest control and fumigation will actually drop for buildings since they are pest free.

Epoxy flooring comes with a guarantee of around ten years this means it is actually good. For those commercial seeking attractiveness and incorporating logos this can be done to meet their custom made requirements customers and visitors to the enterprise will get the first good impression of the enterprise that is eye catching. It may act as a form of advertisement in attracting the attention of customers. For instance, commercial kitchens restaurants would require floors that are not slippery for safety of workers. With such floors ultra-coarse grit is added for adhesion purposes. Soris Painting Service, Inc., American Epoxy Systems are one of the reputable best epoxy flooring contractors in Fort Lauderdale. There are also some different providers that aren't so bad, Click Here to see one of them.

In conclusion, epoxy flooring has been shown and portrayed to have a wide range of benefits. Ranging from beautification to long lasting. It also tends to improve an old floor and actually give it a new look. Through following instructions, DIY is easy to use for a small area floor you may intend to coat. The kits are pocket friendly and easy to access across outlets in Florida.