I'm not certain if I was happy to swim outdoors, or if it was the long course, or the friendly lifeguard, but I really enjoyed my 3600 yard swim. Since I am casper white the guard knew I was a visitor and engaged me in conversation and told me where to get a board and pull buoy. Not a big thing, but for a $5 fee the swim was a highlight of my visit. Do not miss the museum, or the gift shop. I', not a big shopper, but have to admit that I fell for some swimmer geek stuff you don't see every day.
Can't say enough good things about this pool - of course, the assumption is that you want to do lap swimming. It's not a recreational pool. But really, really good pool, well maintained, and not too chlorinated. Too bad that it is closing for renovation and is to become a much smaller complex.
Excellent. Champions going from way back to the present. Mostly Americans. Displays, equipment, videos, art. Hard to beat if you like competitive swimming. Only downsides were that they are moving in 2015...no location yet...maybe California. And the Greg Louganis display was on tour. Great place to see, especially if it's not a sunny day. You need to pay for parking.
ISHOF is in limbo due to disagreements with city and likely will move to California, so employees are disheartened. Exhibits are dated due to lack of funding.
Apparently, the city plans to demolish the pools and museum in favor of a parking garage and new aquatic center. The little museum in the back is definitely in need of some TLC, and perhaps its planned move (maybe to Santa Clara?) will give it the attention it deserves as a hall of fame. Lots of swimming and Olympic memorabilia from Esther Williams and Eleanor Holm to Buster Crabbe and Johnny Weissmuller, Michael Phelps and synchronized swimmers.well worth a stop, especially on a rainy day!
The museum has artifacts from the early days of swimming to the present. Fun to see the changes in styles and techniques throughout the years. also great to watch the training and diving. The exhibitions are great and a good way to spend an hour or two. I wasn't sure about going to see this, but was glad that I did.
I cannot believe the City has not supported & negotiated with this iconic place to ensure it stays in Lauderdale.I have been here many times and am shocked and disheartened it may be moving to California.We don't need more pricey condos or hotels. Shame on the city government. This might be my last visit.Incredible disappointment
There is a ton of items and memorabilia at the ISHOF. Definitely worth seeing both sections--the one above the gift shop is where to start and then go to the back to continue. Many artifacts, pictures etc of old swimming, diving, water polo etc. videos area bit dated but worth a trip for the swimming enthusiast
It's hard to find something to do when it's a rainy, stormy day in Fort Lauderdale. But on one of those stormy days I decided to check out the International Swimming Hall of Fame and see what it was all about.It was a bit odd that on a rainy day I was the only person in the building. When I arrived it was even hard to find anyone to take my money at the front desk. The attendant was in a back office visiting with a co-worker.Okay, I have to admit the only thing I know about competitive swimming is what I see every four years at the Olympics. I had hoped the hall of fame could teach me a few things more.When I walked in all I saw was a total mish mash of displays, swimming costumes, statues, pictures and memorabilia. They have TV set up all over the room with great moments in swimming, however they are all playing at once and there is a noise of sports casters calling swim meets all over the room - it's chaotic. I couldn't tell what the room was trying to tell me. There seemed no order in the displays and each case was so crammed and jammed full of items I couldn't even tell what was what.The furniture was ripped and in terrible shape. I walked around a bit, looked at some cases and then left. It was to junky and cluttered for me!
This is a great place to visit. The admission cost was fair. Lot's of history of the world of swimming all the way back to the Roman times. My kid was able to see bathing suits from the Victorian era to current. The staff kept the gift shop/art museum open 30 minutes after closing for me. Huge thank you for that. While this facility is tucked away, it is a shame that the City of Fort Lauderdale could not work things out to get this museum to remain where it is. Having said that, I hope it gets the attention and publicity it truly deserves in Santa Clara. I would like to see it get the fame and notoriety of the other Hall of Fames within the U.S.