In Pompano Beach, the isle casino & racing at pompano park, just completed a $170 million racino development with a contemporary style that incorporates the water culture of Greater Fort Lauderdale in the design and décor including a water feature made from more than 4,000 sheets of cut glass.  Additional attributes include Bragozzo Osteria Wine Bar, developed with celebrity chef Luke Palladino; Farraddays', the company's signature steakhouse; Fling, a feature bar with high-action imagery and multiple video displays; Myron's, a full-service New York-style delicatessen named after comedian Myron Cohen; and the Isle Buffet, featuring more than 150 feet of hot and cold items and up to five display and exhibition cooking stations.  In addition, 1,500 Vegas-style slots, a 34-table poker room, high-tech sports bar, wagering area over-looking the track and a new Winner's Circle round out the additions.  Top-ranked trotters and award-winning harness drivers are featured.

On the boarder of Pompano Beach is Butterfly World, seven acres of lush gardens and aviaries alive with tens of thousands of brilliantly colored butterflies, is a must-see.  Featuring thousands of beautiful 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 a wide variety of flowers, an insectarium, and charming waterfalls and streams.

Another spot not to miss while visiting Pompano Beach is its 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.   Another option is Pompano Citi Centre, which recently underwent a complete renovation and features anchors such as Macy's, J.C. Penney and Sears.

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.  A sampling of Pompano Beach accommodations:

    * Beachcomber Resort Hotel & Villas: Located on a golden sand beach, the Beachcomber is located minutes away from all of South Florida's world-renowned attractions.  The Beachcomber is owned and operated by the Russell Family. The Russell children have played a part in the maintenance, operations and décor of the Beachcomber, creating a standard for the impeccable service and "family" atmosphere that defines the hotel. For information visit www.beachcomberhotel.com.

    * Cottages by the Ocean: Cottages by the Ocean, a unique property in Pompano Beach, features a cluster of studio cottages located a short distance from one of South Florida's best beaches, and a short walk to dozens of restaurants, shops, nightspots, public fishing pier, snorkel/dive boats, charter fishing boats, jet ski and boat rentals, gourmet fish market and a 36-hole golf course. Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, sleeping and living areas, vaulted ceilings with beams, large screened-in porches, deck area and lush landscaping.  For more information visit www. www.4rentbythebeach.com/cottages.cfm.

    * Palm Aire Golf Resort:  This renowned golf resort is worthy of its reputation.  Located nearby to popular attractions and offering a choice of five spectacular golf courses, the Palm-Aire Resort & Spa is the perfect place to perfect your stroke.  If you want to unwind, discover The Spa at Palm-Aire, which offers a full menu of spa services.  For more information call (954) 972-3300.

    * Ocean Sands Resort & Spa: Ocean Sands Resort & Spa (formerly the Spa Atlantis) in Pompano Beach is a full-service oceanfront health and fitness spa and hotel. The Spa features seven treatment rooms, two Vichy showers, and a hydrotherapy tub facility, as well as two outdoor heated pools and a juice bar. The staff includes experts in ten different kinds of therapeutic massage, facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, hair coloring and styling, and features Pevonia Botanica products. Fitness program, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation and other stress reducing classes are also available, as are Pilates and the brand new Gyrotonicâ Expansion System for improved strength, flexibility and circulation. For more information visit www.theoceansandsresortandspa.com.