Thank you all! We now know that we are headed to Fort Lauderdale. Thank goodness there is a direct flight from Seattle. So any suggestions for Ft Lauderdale/Miami for me to kill a couple of days while Mr. is stuck at the meeting are welcome!
After that, we are going to explore the Gulf side.
Maybe drive up (short drive) to Boca and check it out! Have lunch with a CCer who lives in Ft. Lauderdale!
Patsmom and I are nearby, so would love to meet you. Of course, can just speak for me. I hope you will be there on a weekend.
Yes, that would be fun. When will you be here, bunsen?
Sounds great I will let you know as soon as I get more information!
I’m in Ft Laud and the #1 experience you have to have is get on the water. FtL is known as the Venice of America for a reason. The Water Taxi is great. You can probably find a Groupon if you look. There are other smaller operators that also have ferry-type boats. “Crave GFL” (formerly Dine Out Ft Laud) is our restaurant special month that is in Sept. Sept has the fewest tourists. Check out sunny.org
If you have never been to the Keys, it is unlike anywhere else in the country. Key West is at least 3 hours without stopping so figure on longer as you will want to stop. Only problem with driving to Key West we ever have is that we are having so much fun that we want to have cocktail or 2 and then don’t want to drive home. 
Driving down to Miami Beach or up to Palm Beach along A1A make for fun days. Some of the most expensive real estate in the country with unique areas (South Beach, Worth Avenue) to visit, shop, dine., etc.
Normally, I always suggest visiting the Everglades but Sept is the worst time as the water will be high, the bugs bad, and the humidity oppressive. Other than that it’s beautiful and unique in the world.
Oh, and Sept is prime hurricane season too!
Get to the Space Center. The shuttle is awesome and the ride good. Gulf beaches are great in the Tampa Bay area-cities to the south. We escaped Florida to the Pacific NW- Seattle and an Alaskan cruise very recently. The heat and humidity hit us when we got back to Tampa. The best thing about summer here is that the Gulf water temps approach 90 degrees- great wading. btw- do not let thunderstorms deter you, they are brief downpours, unlike days long drizzles. Just be indoors for that short period where you are. No need to leave theme parks et al.
Thanks all! Will be working on the itinerary next week.