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 PageSAWGRASS RECREATION PARK
- 1006 N. U.S. Hwy. 27, Weston, 954-389-0202
- Come visit Sawgrass Recreation Park. Feel the excitement and learn the history of Florida's most remarkable treasure, the Everglades. Renew your spirit as you glide across miles of river at speeds up to 40 mph and get up close and personal with native wildlife, many of whom are endangered in this fragile environment. Start your adventure with a 30 minute airboat tour of the Florida Everglades. Catch a glimpse of endangered wildlife as you skim across the glassy water.
SEA EXPERIENCE SCUBA DIVING, GLASSBOTTOM & SNORKEL ADVENTURES
- 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-467-6000
- Glass bottom, snorkel and scuba diving trips. Try the Discover Scuba Diving, a 4 hour class and go scuba diving the same day. Visit the underwater beauty of natural reefs. View through the glass bottom or get up close and personal snorkeling with the tropical fish. An experienced staff helps beginners and seasoned snorkelers in every aspect of their tour. Great family fun and an educational eco-tour. Two trips daily (three trips during peak times), seven days a week; also offering private charters. Two tank scuba trips also offered daily.
SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO - HOLLYWOOD
- One Seminole Way, Hollywood, 954-327-7625
- Play, stay, dine and shop. Eighty-nine tables offer Blackjack, Baccarat, Mini Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker and Let it Ride on a nearly three-acre casino floor. South Florida's largest casino offers more than 2,300 of the most popular Vegas-style slots including the Native-American casino linked Multi-Area Progressive Jackpots and Mega Jackpots. Separate high-limit rooms for table games and slots, an exclusive VIP Plum Lounge and a non-smoking room are also available. This State of Florida Green Lodging Certified, AAA Four Diamond-rated resort showcases 500 luxurious guest rooms, 16 restaurants and lounges including Hard Rock Café-Hollywood and the highly-acclaimed Council Oak Steak & Seafood Restaurant, 40,000-square-feet of meeting space, a European-style spa and more.
SEMINOLE INDIAN CASINO - HOLLYWOOD
- 4150 N SR 7, Hollywood, 954-961-3220
- Prize money up to $200,000. Open 7 days from 11am. $20, $30, $40 packages. Poker casino open 24 hours.
SEMINOLE PARADISE
- 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, 954-583-3250
- Seminole Paradise at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is South Florida’s premier 24/7 entertainment and retail district. It features 14 themed food and dining options, 11 high-energy nightclub and lounges and 23 retail shops. The destination also features Hard Rock Live showcasing the top names in international recording artists, comedians and sporting events, Paradise Live- a more intimate 600-seat venue, a scenic 12-acre lake complete with synchronized aquatic displays and The Poker Room at Seminole Paradise- a 12,000-square-foot private room offering no-limit Texas Hold ‘em, limit Texas Hold ’em, Seven Card Stud and two dollar and four dollar limit Omaha Hi Lo games.
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
- Seminole Paradise at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino , 5716 Seminole Way Hollywood, 954-797-5551
- Explore the history and culture of the Seminole Indians featuring an authentic Seminole Village with Tribal members demonstrating their world famous arts and crafts. Surrounded by native animal exhibits including; the endangered Florida panther, alligators, river otters, fox, birds, and more. Over 30 different species of animals on exhibit. Wildlife shows, alligator presentations, and animal feedings on the weekends. Open Wed-Fri 12pm-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.
SKI RIXEN AT QUIET WATERS PARK
- 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, 954-429-0215
- Direct from Europe to Florida is the German concept most recognized as a “cable park,” SkiRixenUSA is in the business of teaching people to learn how to wakeboard and waterski. The majority of customers who come to SkiRixenUSA have never done any of the activities that we offer and are successful in trick skis, wakeboarding, wakeskating, kneeboarding and waterskis. SkiRixenUSA is the place to do it all! Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, Florida is the home of SkiRixenUSA located next to Festival Skate Park. The cable best known as “Rixen,” is the longest standing cable way in America and is recognized worldwide as a cable park for producing top athletes in the boat and cable wakeboard.
SOUTH FLORIDA DIVING HEADQUARTERS
- 2621 N. Riverside Drive, Pompano Beach, 954-783-2299
- Daily snorkeling, diving & glass bottom trips, guiding you to 23 miles of coral reefs and over 30 ship wrecks! Dive, snorkel or watch through the glass bottom on some of the same boats. Try the “Dive Today” program: take a shallow water experience using the innovative “Mini Breather,” no experience needed. Offering 1, 2 & 3 tank dive trips. Snorkelers explore 2 locations: a shallow reef, where you’ll see nurse sharks, and an old shipwreck that sank in 1900. View trip schedules and book online.
SPAREZ BOWLING
- 5325 S. University Drive, Davie, 954-434-9663
- Open: Sun-Thurs 9am-1am. Fri-Sat 9am-3am.
- HammerJacks Sports Bar & Grille, 2 Billiard Areas, Arcade and Gaming, Public WIFI Access, Storms Pro Shop, Food and Beverage Lane Service. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Rates: $3.50/Game, $17.50/Hour of Bowling, $3.75/Shoe Rental. Fri 5pm- Sun 1am Rates: $22/Hour of Bowling, $3.75/Shoe Rental. Check website for more offers and special rates.
STONEWATER SPA & BOUTIQUE FORT LAUDERDALE
- 2767 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-561-8799
STRANAHAN HOUSE
- 335 S.E. Sixth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954-524-4736
- The historic Stranahan House was built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, the father of Fort Laurderdale and his wife, Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, the town's first school teacher. The building has served as a trading post, community center, post office, bank and home to the Stranahans. In 1984, the house was restored to the original configuration of the early 1900s and opened up as an historic house museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
SUN TROLLEY
- 305 S. Andrews Ave., Ste. 710, Fort Lauderdale, 954-761-3543
- Many routes serving the greater Fort Lauderdale area, downtown and the beach. $1.00. Schedules available at www.suntrolley.com
SWAP SHOP
- 3291 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-791-4791
- A 180,000 sq ft air-conditioned shopping and entertainment complex featuring brand-name merchandise, international restaurants and 14-screen drive-in theater. Open daily.
The Village at Gulfstream Park (Opening 2010)
- 501 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, 954-458-0145
- Built in conjunction with a state-of-the-art thoroughbred horse racing facility, Gulfstream Park, a legendary sports venue is being reborn as an unrivaled shopping, dining and entertainment experience with 70 stores covering 410,000 sq ft of retail space. Phase I is underway and will combine upscale fashion and home accessory shops with signature restaurants, outdoor cafés and future residential spaces.
TIKI BEACH WATERSPORTS
- A1A, Fort Lauderdale Beach, 954-763-4020
- Kitesurfing instruction and all rental equipment, Waverunner rentals, Ocean Kayak rentals and Hobie Cat rentals.
WANNADO CITY
- 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd., Anchor D, 12801 Sunrise Blvd., Anchor D Sunrise, 954-838-7100
- The only kid-sized city where kids can make their wishes come true in a realistic and imaginative way. Wannado City is designed to allow kids to live out their dreams - from learning to be a firefighter to piloting an aircraft to working at a TV studio! A complete city at the size of 3 football fields, Wannado City is sure to bring the kid out in everyone! Designed to let children experience what they "wannabe" when they grow up. Adults will enjoy and experience a city that includes a theater, a circus, hospital, plus many more from a child's point of view.
WATER FANTASEAS YACHT CHARTERS
- 2400 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, 954-524-1234
- Luxury yacht charters. Motor yachts, mega yachts, party vessels, power speed boats, sailing vessels and luxury sport fishing boats. Half/Full Day/Term charters.
WATER TAXI
- 1881 S.E. 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-467-6677
- Enjoy a leisurely cruise with Water Taxi along Fort Lauderdale's world-famous waterways that have earned the city the nickname "The Venice of America." Come to the beach, shop and dine on Las Olas Boulevard and see the cruise ship at Port Everglades. All day pass $13. Eleven stops 9am-midnight.
WESTON TOWN CENTER
- Arvida Parkway and Bonaventure Blvd., Weston, 954-349-5900
- Discover the heart and soul of the Weston community. Featuring premier one-of-a-kind boutiques, upscale salons and casual or fine dining, casual and fine dining, live entertainment, and special events
XTREME INDOOR KARTING
- 5300 Powerline Rd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-491-6265
- Start your engines! Set up teams for an endurance race complete with pit stops to the final team victory lap. Race on one of the fastest & longest indoor karting tracks in the world in a Bowman Arrow Race Kart.
YOUNG AT ART CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
- 11584 State Road 84, Davie, 954-424-0085
- Enjoy South Florida's unique hands-on children's art museum. Admission $8, children under 2 free.
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