Ways to Play
Between Blue Wave beaches and exotic Everglades lie countless ways to play in Greater Fort Lauderdale, including kid-friendly attractions and sightseeing cruises, watersports and more.
Just minutes from the beach is the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District in downtown Fort Lauderdale, home to cultural attractions, shops, parks and restaurants. Along Riverwalk, the brick-lined meandering promenade, discover the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Discovery and Science with its AutoNation 3D IMAX Theater, Florida Grand Opera, Fort Lauderdale Historical Center, Stranahan House and the Museum of Art.
Print PageANNE KOLB NATURE CENTER
- 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood, 954-926-2480
- Open: Nature Center Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm. Trail Hours: 8am-7:30pm.
- The Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park's 1,500+ acres of coastal mangrove wetlands -- one of the largest urban parks in Florida -- is rich in native vegetation and wildlife, including many threatened and endangered species. The Anne Kolb Nature Center complex, situated on about 20 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway, includes an exhibit hall with simulated mangroves, a 3,500-gallon aquarium, and a hands-on EcoRoom; an outdoor amphitheater; the Mangrove Hall rental facility (reservations required); a 68-foot observation tower; an Intracoastal fishing pier; and nature, biking, and boating trails.
ARTSPARK AT YOUNG CIRCLE
- 1 Young Circle, Hollywood, 954-921-3500
- A great place to play as well as enjoy visual and performing arts programs that capture the diverse cultural life of South Florida.
ATLANTIC COAST KAYAK COMPANY
- 1937 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors, 954-781-0073
- Guided kayak tours and rentals in natural and urban settings, tidal creeks, wetlands, meandering rivers, mild surf, and the Intracoastal waterway. View historical sites, wildlife and mega yachts. Daily 9am-6pm.
BASS ONLINE FISHING OUTFITTERS
- 201 SW 125th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 954-771-3682
- South Florida’s largest Freshwater Fishing Guide Service, specializing in Largemouth and exotic Peacock Bass fishing. Offering 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 hour trips for everyone (families, couples, and corporate groups). Making fishing an adventure for both leisure and business travelers. All equipment is furnished, adjustable times, lessons, sightseeing, catering and transportation can be provided. Go fishing in confidence with their No Fish, No Pay policy.
BASS PRO SHOPS
- 200 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, 954-929-7710
- 160,000 sq. ft. showroom dedicated to the outdoor enthusiast, including fishing, hunting, boating, camping, athletics and golf. Features indoor waterfall, archery and shooting range, aquarium and restaurant. Mon-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 10am-7pm.
BEST BOAT CLUB
- 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-779-3866
- Rent for the day, or join the club and save year-round! Captain your own boat as you navigate South Florida's waterways and see firsthand why it has been dubbed the "Venice of America." Choose from the largest fleet in Broward to Ski! Fish! Dive! or simply relax the day away. Ocean access permitted. Reservations recommended.
BILLIE SWAMP SAFARI
- Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in the Florida Everglades, Off of I75 (Alligator Alley). Clewiston, 863-983-6101
- Learn about the Unconquered Seminole Tribe of Florida on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation located in the Florida Everglades. Swamp Buggy Eco-Tours and Airboat Adventure Tours depart daily through 2200 acres of untamed Everglades with abundant native and exotic wildlife. Enjoy a Snake and Alligator Show, Swamp Critter Show, dine in the Swamp Water Café, explore our boardwalk nature trail, see animal & reptile exhibits and shop for souvenirs. A rustic camping village includes native-style chickees for overnight stays. Day/Overnight Packages and Exclusive Tours available. Bring the whole family and experience the heart of the Florida Everglades like a native…at Billie Swamp Safari. Airboat Adventure Tours $15, Swamp Buggy Eco-Tours: Adults $25, Seniors $23, Children $15, Open daily 8:30am-6pm.
BONNET HOUSE MUSEUM & GARDENS
- 900 N. Birch Rd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-563-5393
- A historic house museum built on 35 acres of a pristine barrier island on Fort Lauderdale Beach. One of the few complete homes and studios with original furnishings of two American artists open to the public.
BOOMERS! GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
- 1700 NW 1st St., Dania Beach, 954-921-1411
- The latest state-of-the-art video games, go-kart racing and speedway kart racing, rock wall, miniature golf, batting cages, bumper boats, wave rider, magic samba balloons, frog hopper, Caribbean carousel, rollercoaster, laser tag, bowling, sports lounge, and two thrill rides. Open daily.
BROWARD COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION
- 950 N.W. 38th St., Oakland Park, 954-357-8100
- More than half a million people a year use picnic shelters or other meeting facilities in Broward County parks. Whether you’re planning a birthday party, shower, wedding reception, holiday gathering, family reunion, church event, or large corporate or association function, there’s a park to accommodate your needs. Our 18 regional parks offer more than 90 shelters, with capacities ranging from 20 to 400, as well as a variety of other facilities, including gazebos, outdoor amphitheaters, and conference and meeting rooms. Our neighborhood parks also have community centers available for rental. All shelters have picnic tables; most include grills. Amenities at indoor facilities vary.
BUEHLER PLANETARIUM (BCC Campus)
- 3501 SW Davie Rd., Davie, 954-201-6681
- Located at the Broward Community College, Central Campus. Experience shows that introduce you to space and expand horizons. $2-6.
BUTTERFLY WORLD
- 3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek, 954-977-4400
- Thousands of live, rainbow-hued butterflies dwell in acres of waterfalls, orchids, roses and tropical gardens that are also home to fish, hummingbirds, lorikeet, insectarium, butterfly farm and outdoor cafe. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm (Admission closes at 4pm). Adults $24.95, children 3-11 $19.95, under 3 free.
CB SMITH PARK
- C.B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Rd. Pembroke Pines, 954-357-8115
- New Aquatics complex includes 2 interactive water playgrounds, tube ride and 2 waterslides.
CENTRAL BROWARD REGIONAL PARK
- 3700 N.W. 11th Place, Lauderhill, 954-321-1170
- 110-acre multipurpose facility, with four soccer/football fields, two cricket fields, netball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts and water playground. 8:00am-7:30pm. Free weekdays. $1.50 per person.
CINEMA PARADISO
- 503 S.E. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-525-3456
- Located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, Cinema Paradiso theater features 220 plush fabric covered stadium seats (additional seating can be added to comfortably seat 250), a full proscenium stage, and a complete lighting and sound system. Full bar, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee plus popcorn and candy are on sale in lobby and courtyard. The theater is 100% wheelchair accessible with free parking for their events located at the county courthouse parking garage (just to the west of building). Typical movie times are Mon-Fri 6pm and 8pm; Sat-Sun 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm and 9pm. Go to www.fliff.com for a schedule of films and events.
CLUB NAUTICO BOAT RENTALS
- Fort Lauderdale, 954-784-7868
- Dive, snorkel, cruise the Intracoastal or fish for the big one off shore. Captain your own boat from 21-foot ski boats, 24 center consoles for fishing or cruising, or try our 30-foot twin engine Scarab Sport. Ocean use permitted. Fishing and skiing equipment available. Surprisingly affordable. Nice, clean boats.
COCONUT CREEK SEMINOLE CASINO
- 5550 NW 40th St., Coconut Creek, 954-977-6700
- Open 24-hours, seven days a week. Features over 1,500 Vegas-style and bingo-style slot machines. Betting levels start at just a two cents per play on up to fifty dollars per play. The poker room offers several ways to play, including 7 Card Stud, Texas Hold'em and Omaha Hi-Lo with betting levels starting at $1. Three different restaurants appeal to a variety of pallets and wallet sizes. Nectar Lounge offers live entertainment six days a week for guests who wish to sip on cocktails and live life to the fullest.
CYPRESS AIRBOATS
- , 561-252-4030
- Private echo airboat tours in the Everglades. Specializing in private tour packages ranging from 1 to 3 hour tours. Operating out of various public boat ramps in Broward County.
DANIA BEACH HURRICANE
- 1760 NW 1st Street (next to Boomers), Dania Beach , 954-921-4921
- Wooden roller coaster with 3,200 ft. worth of adrenaline-pumping excitement with speeds up to 55 mph. $6.24 per ride or $12 for unlimited rides per person. Open daily at 10am.
DAVIE PRO RODEO
- Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, 20707 Stirling Rd., 4271 Davie Rd. Davie, 954-680-8005
- Professional rodeo cowboys compete in major Rodeo events including Bronc riding, steer wrestling and bull riding. Adults $13 (Advance)/$15 (At Gate), Children $6 (Advance)/$8 (At Gate).
DOWNTOWN HOLLYWOOD CRA (COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ASSN.)
- Hollywood, 954-921-3500
- A great place to play as well as enjoy visual and performing arts programs that capture the diverse cultural life of South Florida.
DRAGONFLY EXPEDITIONS, INC.
- , 305-774-9019
- The Florida Everglades Backwater Tour: travel the wild backwaters on a private tour with our experienced field biologists and naturalist guides for a day of discovery and exploration in one of the world's most threatened and beautiful wild places – The Florida Everglades and Big Cypress Preserve. Also multi-day journeys seeing art on Las Olas Blvd, exploring the New River by bike, nautical wanderings through Broward County, old Florida horseback journey and unexpected and unforgettable Greater Fort Lauderdale.
EVERGLADES DAY SAFARI
- Fort Lauderdale, 239-472-1559
- Full day eco-tour into the majestic Everglades. Safari includes an airboat ride to a Miccosukee island, nature walk into the majestic cypress swamps, wildlife drive through the Big Cypress National Preserve, lunch and a scenic boat cruise into the mangroves of the 10,000 Islands. Call for reservations. Adults $140, under 12 yrs $104.
EVERGLADES HOLIDAY PARK/AIRBOAT TOURS
- 21940 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, 954-434-8111
- Journey on an airboat through the "River of Grass." Expert fishing guide tours, fishing facilities, boat rentals, 24-hr. general store. 9am-5pm, departing every 20 minutes or less.
EZRIDE SURF SCHOOL
- Fort Lauderdale, 954-803-7988
- Professional Surf Lessons offered at multiple beach locations. Surf training and ocean education to start your surf journey, or turn your vacation into an exciting surf experience. Call for reserved lessons.
FESTIVAL FLEA MARKET
- 2900 W Sample Rd, Pompano Beach, 954-979-4555
- An indoor open-air, old-world market. A shopping paradise a quarter-mile long with over 500 shops, restaurants, fragrance outlets, cosmetic stores, shoe stores, clothing shops, jewelry stores, home furnishing stores and boutiques. A variety of brand name products at bargain prices. Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9:30am-6pm.
FLAMINGO GARDENS, WRAY BOTANICAL COLLECTION
- 3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie, 954-473-2955
- Spend the day in a 60-acre, not-for-profit botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary, enjoy thousands of rare, exotic and native plants among Florida’s largest collection of champion trees and a tour of historic 1930's Wray Home. More than 70 species of Florida native birds may be seen in the free-flight aviary. Visit alligators, otters, panthers, bob cats, and of course, flamingos. Open 9:30am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Mondays from June 1 to November 30 (open Labor Day).
FLORIDA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
- Feb 13-Mar 14, 2010 weekends, Quiet Waters Park, 401 S. Powerline Road Deerfield Beach, 954-776-1642
- Knights jousting, 12 stages of continuous entertainment, educational demonstrations of period trades and crafts, delicacies of the middle ages to tempt the palate, over 100 artisans exhibiting and selling their wares and hundreds of costumed performers lending atmosphere and authenticity. Feb 13-Mar 14, 2010, weekends only and President's Day Feb 15. 10am-Sunset. Adults $20, children $7.
FORT LAUDERDALE ANTIQUE CAR MUSEUM
- 1527 S.W. 1st Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954-779-7300
- Private collection of 40 pre-war Packard Motorcars dating from 1909-1940 in a recreated showroom and memorabilia including dashboard clocks, hood ornaments and more. Tours Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-3pm.
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