Greater Fort Lauderdale Parks to Explore

There’s truly something for everyone at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale. This serene outdoor escape, tucked between downtown and the beach, offers hiking, biking, camping, fishing, paddleboarding, and The Grove, a newly opened dining spot in the middle of nature.

Outdoor lovers will also enjoy Tree Tops Park in Davie, featuring nature trails, an equestrian center, volleyball courts, fishing, and an observation tower with unique views of South Florida’s landscape.

Stargazers will love Fox Observatory at Markham Park in Sunrise, where the public can join the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association every Saturday. In a newly renovated observatory space, guests can peer through a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain F/10 telescope, a Dobsonian reflecting telescope, and a 6-inch f/15 Brandon refractor donated by Dr. Joseph Dennison Fox, the namesake of the observatory.

For a peaceful walk, Secret Woods Nature Center in Fort Lauderdale provides scenic paths through mangroves, a hammock of cypress trees, and abundant wildlife.

Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood spans 1,501 acres and features coastal mangroves, an amphitheater, an observation tower, public art, and an exhibit hall.

Visitors young and young at heart will enjoy D.C. Alexander Park on Fort Lauderdale Beach. This 25-foot-high overlook includes shaded seating, bicycle rentals, slides, green space, and the 30-foot-tall "Whispering Giants" sculpture, honoring the Seminole Tribe and other Indigenous communities.

Welleby Park in Sunrise stands out for its unique Safety Town, a miniature city designed for children, complete with a bank, school, post office, grocery store, and other buildings. It even features sidewalks and streets with working traffic lights, offering a fun and educational experience.

Another charming miniature attraction is the monthly Tradewinds & Atlantic Railroad rides at Tradewinds Park in Deerfield Beach. Held on the third weekend of each month, this nonprofit-run event invites visitors to hop aboard garden-scale model trains as they weave through scenic tracks.

South Florida isn’t known for its high elevation, which makes Vista View Park in Davie literally stand out. At 65 feet above sea level, it has drawn bicyclists, paragliders, horseback riders and families to its playgrounds. 

If you’re looking for adventure, Veterans Park in Sunrise features ziplines, a swing coaster, and climbing walls. Built as a memorial to veterans, it also provides a peaceful setting with monuments for each military branch.

Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach offers cable waterskiing, a dog-friendly water park, Splash Adventure Water Park, mountain biking, picnic areas, disc golf, basketball, and even tent and teepee rentals for overnight stays.