Natural Wonders
A gateway to the Everglades and much more.
Greater Fort Lauderdale is the gateway to the Everglades, where wild beauty makes up almost two-thirds of the destination's total area. Take an airboat ride and witness exotic flora, fauna, and wildlife from alligators to Florida panthers. The Everglades also is home to the Seminole Indians, who invite visitors to learn about their proud, ancient culture.
Butterfly World features the largest indoor butterfly aviary in North America, as well as an impelling insectarium and a "buzz-worthy" hummingbird environment. Flamingo Gardens & Wray Botanical Collection offers 60 acres of diverse native plants and trees, a Bird of Prey Center with a free-flight aviary, and the chance to view alligators, flamingos, bobcats and Florida panthers. At Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood, kayak through narrow canals where mangrove trees create a tangled canopy. Other adventures include a day at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Dania Beach. The park offers fishing, canoeing and other boating, and one of the area's most important turtle nesting beaches. Did you know that Greater Fort Lauderdale has 69 miles of natural coral reef just offshore? Snorkel or scuba dive for an up-close and personal look at the amazing underwater world.
For a list of Natural Areas in Broward County click here.
ANNE KOLB NATURE CENTER
- 751 Sheridan Street
- Hollywood, FL
- 954-926-2480
- 954-926-2415
- More Info
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 endangere... more info
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ATLANTIC COAST KAYAK COMPANY
- 1937 Wilton Dr.
- Wilton Manors, FL
- 954-781-0073
- 888-937-5292
- More Info
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.
BILLIE SWAMP SAFARI
- Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in the Florida Everglades
- Off of I75 (Alligator Alley)
- 30000 Gator Tail Trail
- Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, FL
- 863-983-6101
- 800-467-2327
- More Info
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... more info
BLUE MOON OUTDOOR CENTER
- John U Lloyd State Park
- 6503 N Ocean Dr
- Hollywood, FL
- 954-923-6711
- 305-957-3040
- More Info
A great way to get close to nature. Plan a 2 hour guided tour and enjoy the calm waters on a single or tandem kayak. Open 7 days a week. Day or night time trips. Large groups welcome. Self-guided trips and kayak classes... more info
BONNET HOUSE MUSEUM & GARDENS
- 900 N Birch Rd
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 954-563-5393
- More Info
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.
BROWARD COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION
- 950 NW 38th St.
- Oakland Park, FL
- 954-357-8100
- More Info
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, chur... more info
BUTTERFLY WORLD
- 3600 W Sample Rd
- Coconut Creek, FL
- 954-977-4400
- More Info
Thousands of live, exotic, rainbow-hued butterflies dwell in acres of waterfalls, orchids, roses, tropical gardens, hummingbirds, lorikeet, insectarium, butterfly farm and outdoor cafes. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm (Ad... more info
CENTRAL BROWARD REGIONAL PARK
- 3700 N.W. 11th Place
- Lauderhill, FL
- 954-321-1170
- More Info
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. Click here to r... more info
CRYSTAL LAKE SAND PINE SCRUB
- 3299 N.E. Third Ave
- Pompano Beach, FL
- 954-357-8700
- More Info
Very rare sand pine scrub community. Canopy of sand pine or scrub oaks and subcanopy of saw palmetto, small scrub oaks, and hog plum. Reindeer lichen, spike moss, prickly pear, pawpaw, scrub mint, rosemary, and staggerbu... more info
EVERGLADES DAY SAFARI
- 3750 S.Flamingo Road
- Davie, FL
- 800-472-3069
- 239-472-1559
- More Info
Full day eco-tour into the majestic Everglades. Safari includes an airboat ride across the "River of Grass," nature walk into the majestic cypress swamps, wildlife drive through the Big Cypress National Preserve, delicio... more info
EVERGLADES HOLIDAY PARK/AIRBOAT TOURS
- 21940 Griffin Rd.
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 954-434-8111
- 800-226-2244
- More Info
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.
FERN FOREST NATURE CENTER
- 201 Lyons Rd. South
- Coconut Creek, FL
- 954-357-5198
- More Info
This 247.1-acre Urban Wilderness Area takes its name from the abundance of ferns (more than 30 species) found on the property. Offering a beautiful and serene setting for a wide variety of special events or just a calm p... more info
FLAMINGO GARDENS, WRAY BOTANICAL COLLECTION
- 3750 Flamingo Rd
- Davie, FL
- 954-473-2955
- More Info
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 Wra... more info
HELENE KLEIN PINELAND PRESERVE
- 4701 W. Hillsboro Blvd.
- Coconut Creek, FL
- 954-357-8700
- More Info
At approximately 13 acres, the Helene Klein Pineland Preserve in Coconut Creek is small in size but retains valuable natural features and diversity. Up to 55 species of wildlife have been observed in the preserve, includ... more info
HIGHLANDS SCRUB NATURAL AREA
- 4050 N. Dixie Hwy.
- Pompano Beach, FL
- 954-357-8700
- More Info
Fragment of a very rare scrub community remaining in Broward County. Canopy of sand pine or scrub oaks with a subcanopy of saw palmetto, small scrub oaks, gopher apple, and prickly pear cactus. Other groundcovers found i... more info
HILLSBORO PINELAND NATURAL AREA
- 5591 N.W. 74th Place
- Coconut Creek, FL
- 954-357-8700
- More Info
56.3 acres in size. Mosaic of natural vegetation communities including both pine upland and wetland habitats. The site features pine flatwoods common to this part of Broward County, with surface rock outcroppings and a v... more info
HUGH TAYLOR BIRCH STATE PARK
- 3109 E Sunrise Blvd
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 954-564-4521
- More Info
Nature trail, shaded picnic areas, beach access. In-line skating, volleyball, canoes, fishing. $6 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian, bicyclist, passengers, under 6 free. Terramar Visitor Center open Saturdays and Sundays. S... more info
LONG KEY NATURAL AREA & NATURE CENTER
- 3501 S.W. 130th Ave.
- Davie, FL
- 954-357-8797
- More Info
At 157 acres, this site is one of the largest of the natural areas currently managed by the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division.
MCRUZ RENTALS
- Hugh Taylor Birch State Park at Sunrise Blvd. & A1A
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 954-235-5082
- More Info
Segway tours, bicycle rentals, canoe, kayak rentals, rollerblades, electric bicycles, beach chairs with umbrellas and snack bar available. Daily 9am-5pm.
MILITARY TRAIL NATURAL AREA
- 4600 N.W. Ninth Ave
- Deerfield Beach, FL
- 954-357-8700
- More Info
19.9 acres. The scrubby habitat dominating this site has become one of the rarest plant communities in Broward County. Since the Florida scrub was the highest and driest habitat in South Florida, development focused firs... more info
SAWGRASS NATURE CENTER
- 3000 Sportsplex Dr.
- Coral Springs, FL
- 954-752-9453
- More Info
Explore nature, interact with live animals, create crafts and get "down & dirty" in the gardens.
SECRET WOODS NATURE CENTER
- 2701 W State Rd 84
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 954-357-8884
- More Info
Find peace of mind and a quiet restfulness just a few hundred yards from the general rush of urban life. This area is a mature forest with large laurel oaks, strangler fig trees, cabbage palms, and red bay. Beneath the t... more info
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
- Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in the Florida
- Hollywood, FL
- 954-797-5551
- More Info
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 en... more info
SNAKE WARRIOR'S ISLAND NATURAL AREA
- 3601 S.W. 62nd Ave
- Miramar, FL
- 954-357-5161
- More Info
53.3 acres in size. Atlantic coastal ridge, archaeological islands, lake, and eight created wetlands.Vegetation: Live oak, gumbo limbo, redbay, strangler fig, cypress, red maple, wild coffee, beautyberry, fire bush, pick... more info
TALL CYPRESS NATURAL AREA
- 3700 Turtle Run Blvd.
- Coral Springs, FL
- 954-357-8700
- More Info
66 acres in size. Last remaining stands of basin swamp and pine flatwoods. Tall Cypress contains a dense, continuous canopy of cypress trees that transitions to slash pines. Interspersed within this canopy are shallow wi... more info
WOODMONT NATURAL AREA
- 7250 N.W. 80th Ave
- Tamarac, FL
- 954-357-8700
- More Info
21.1 acres in size. Pine flatwoods and cypress stand. South Florida slash pines and wetland of cypress and red maples. Understory of fern, beautyberry, fire bush, wild coffee, and wild lime. Several species of hawks, var... more info
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blog posts
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May 21: Sea View I live in Dania Beach near one of Greater Fort Lauderdale's best p...Read More -
May 18: Summery Judgment The first of the summer h...Read More -
May 14: Water Images The best way to see Fort Lauderdale is from the water. I've said it before and...Read More -
May 9: Digging the Past It turns out that people have been digging the sun and fun of the Fort...Read More
