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Browsing Ft. Lauderdale
Anne Kolb Nature Center
This nature center, named for a dedicated environmentalist and County Commissioner from the region, is part of 1,400-acre West Lake Park, one of the largest parks in Florida. You can find a variety of wildlife here, including white ibis, osprey and peregrine falcon. Tour the mangrove wetlands by foot on boardwalks, by bicycle on trails or by canoe. A nature center rents bicycles; the park's marina rents canoes and runs guided canoe trips on Saturdays, January-March. Experience an environmental boat tour; 40-minute guided tours are available; ask at the desk in the center.
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Arrowhead Golf Course
Located approximately five miles west of Fort Lauderdale, this year-round 18-hole public golf course was designed by Bill Waters. Par from the back tees is 70 and the yardage is 6,311 (par 70 and 4,838 yards from the front tees). The course does not provide caddies and walking the course is not permitted, but golf carts are included in the greens fees.Greens fees range from $15-$40. This course also offers reduced fees on weekdays, during the slow season (April-December) and for twilight play. Special golf packages are available, as are rental clubs. More »
Art and Culture Center of Hollywood
This facility offers a variety of cultural activities ranging from concerts to art displays. Depending on when you visit, you can attend classical or jazz concerts, short plays, or drop in on cultural and educational programs run by the museum's staff. The center also features changing exhibits of sculpture, photography, antiques and jewelry. Admission: USD5 adults on Wednesday-Saturday; USD3 senior citizens over age 55 and children ages 13 to 18 on Wednesday through Saturday; USD8 all ages on Sunday (includes concert admission and gallery tour). Tuesdays are donation only.
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Bonaventure Country Club
Located approximately 10 miles west of Fort Lauderdale, this resort country club provides two challenging 18-hole golf courses. The East Course is par 72 and 7,011 yards from the back tees, par 72 and 5,345 yards from the front tees. The West Course is par 70 and 6,189 yards from the back tees, par 70 and 4,993 yards from the front tees. Although caddies are not available and walking the course is not permitted, golf carts are included in the greens fees. Metal spikes are permitted on the East Course, but not on the West Course. The course offers reduced fees during the low season (May-October), at twilight, and for resort guests. Rental clubs are available for the West Course. Greens fees range from $45 to $75.
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Bonnet House
Built in 1921, this historic two-story, 35-acre waterfront house was once the winter home of artist Frederic Clay Bartlett and his wife Evelyn, who was the daughter of financier Hugh Taylor Birch. The Bonnet House is serenely elegant and several concerts and events are held here throughout the year. Mrs. Bartlett gave the estate to the State of Florida in 1983. Named for a flower on the property, it is open year-round for guided tours. Admission: $15 for adults, $13 for senior citizens, $11 for students ages 6-18, free for children under 6 and Bonnet House Members. A 'Grounds Only' visit is $9.
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Buehler Planetarium
Located approximately one mile south of I-595 on a college campus in Davie, this modern, state-of-the-art facility teaches about the universe amid academic surroundings. The planetarium provides matinee and evening shows for adults and children, as well as science classes and lectures. After evening shows, guests can personally view the heavens through the planetarium's telescope. See their website for prices and further information.
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Butterfly World
One of the most intriguing attractions in the region, this diversion focuses on things that fly. Butterflies take center stage—learn how they grow, what they eat and how to lure them into your garden. Part of Tradewinds Park, Butterfly World includes a breeding laboratory, butterfly museum, and insectarium with displays of unusual insects and butterflies from around the world. Admission: $17.95 adults and senior citizens, $12.95 children ages 4 to 12. Park entrance fee on weekends and holidays is $1 per person. Visitors are not allowed inside after 4pm.
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Carrie B Cruises
A comfortable craft, this vessel is air-conditioned but has plenty of deck space for those who want to stroll around in the fresh air. A cruise aboard this sleek, elongated cruiser includes a tour around a part of town called Millionaire's Row, past massive yachts docked outside elaborate homes, and the region's busy port, jammed with huge cruise ships and Navy yachts. Food and beverages are offered from a full bar. Adults pay $14.95; children under 12 pay $8.95.
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Deerfield Beach Pier
Located in beautiful Deerfield Beach, a charming coastal community, the Deerfield Beach Pier is the hot spot for avid fishermen, where they can fish 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Live bait is available on site from pier vendors. The pier offers beautiful views of the ocean and beach, and curious non-fishers can walk the pier for a small fee. Admission: $3 to fish; $1 to walk.
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Deerfield Island Park
Located on an island bordered by the Royal Palm Waterway, Hillsboro Canal and the Intracoastal Waterway, this "urban wilderness area" features an 8.5-acre mangrove swamp filled with wildlife and two nature trails, the Coquina and the Mangrove Trail. Self-guided trail maps are available at the park office. The park can only be accessed by boat, but the Park Department provides free boat service to and from the island. Boats depart from and return to the Sullivan Park floating boat dock, located along Riverview Road and Hillsboro Boulevard.
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Diplomat Country Club Golf Course
This 18-hole public golf course is located approximately 15 miles south of Fort Lauderdale. Designed by Red Lawrence and opened in 1957, the course is 6,700 yards, par 72 with a slope of 115 from the back tees and 5,400 yards, par 72 with a slope of 110 from the front tees. Although caddies are not available and walking the course is not permitted, golf carts are included in the greens fees. The facility rents clubs and does permit spiked shoes. Greens fees: $12-$45. The course offers reduced fees during the low season (April-November) and for twilight plays.
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Easterlin Park
This park, officially designated an "urban wilderness area," offers a relaxing retreat among 250-year-old cypress trees. The Woodland Nature Trail winds a little less than a mile through a forest of cypress, oak and maple trees. The park also provides a campground with 55 shaded sites, all with electricity, picnic tables and grills. Campground amenities include restrooms and showers, as well as a soda and an ice machine.
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Everglades Day Safari Eco-Tours
The Everglades Day Safari is Florida's premier Everglades eco-tour, providing daily excursions to the Everglades since 1992. Everglades Day Safari offers tours from the east coast (Ft. Lauderdale area) as well as the west coast (Sanibel/Ft. Myers/Naples area) of Florida. Travelers with Everglades Day Safari adventure into the four major Everglades ecosystems during their day-long exploration, including the sawgrass prairie, mangrove estuary, cypress swamp, and the savannah. Exploration is on foot, by airboat, by pontoon boat, and in air-conditioned vehicles. Hungry explorers are offered delicious alligator appetizers as well as an assortment of lunch choices during your stop in Everglades City.
The trips are guided by a renowned team of naturalists, from doctors of ornithology to herpetologists who expertly escort explorers into one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth--the Everglades. All wildlife is truly wild and therefore every excursion is different and exciting. At various times throughout the year, travelers will see manatee, bald eagles, swallow-tailed kites and roseate spoonbills among many other species of wildlife. Bottle-nosed dolphins and American alligators are seen regularly and all in their natural habitat. More »
Everglades Holiday Park
It's easy to find adventure in the Florida Everglades, one of the last unspoiled areas in South Florida. Take a one hour, fully narrated tour into one of Florida's conservation areas to experience exotic birds, alligators, native fish, and the diverse plant life. When you return from your airboat tour, you'll be treated to an educational and informative alligator presentation, done by a professional alligator handler. Stick around for one of the most dramatic sunsets you will ever see. Grab a soda from the gift shop, find a seat at one of the picnic tables and wait for nature's fireworks to begin. For those interested in camping, the park has over 100 RV hookups and campground spaces. Feel free to stick around for a week, so you can really experience life in the everglades!
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Fern Forest Nature Center
A great park for the hiking enthusiast, this 254-acre "urban wilderness area" and wildlife refuge contains numerous hiking trails, including the Prairie Overlook Trail, the Wetlands Wander Trail, the Maple Walk Trail and the Cypress Creek Trail, which features a half-mile wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. Covered shelter accommodating up to 50 people is available. The nature center also includes a butterfly bridge, a 20-foot observation platform, a sensory garden and sculptures. Call for additional information.
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Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Gardens sprawls its rare tropical plants, massive oaks and collection of Florida birds and other tropical critters over 60 serene acres. The gardens are one of the region's few remaining citrus groves and home to a large collection of wading birds. You can chug around the grounds on a narrated tram tour or explore the Wray Botanical Collection and historic Wray Home (circa 1933).
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Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
This 180-acre park was given by Hugh Taylor Birch to the state of Florida. Birch came to Florida in the last part of the 19th century and promptly fell in love with the area; he eventually purchased more than three miles of oceanfront property in the little town of Fort Lauderdale. More than 100 years later, Fort Lauderdale is a busy metropolis, and Birch's land thrives as a wildlife preserve and botanical wonderland. A number of animal and plant species have found a safe home here alongside the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Visitors are free to hike or bike the designated trails, canoe around the lagoon, take a dip in the ocean and visit Birch's home, which is open to the public. Excellent camping facilities are available.
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International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), is the mecca and international showplace for swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming. The Museum, Library and Archive contain the world's largest collection of aquatic memorabilia and the single largest source of aquatic books, manuscripts and literature. Sandwiched between the two Hall of Fame exhibition buildings, the ISHOF Aquatic Complex is the only one of its kind in the world that offers two 50m pools, a diving well and swimming flume.
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Las Olas Boulevard
On this chic boulevard in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, you will find boutiques, narrow alleyways, brick walkways, tiny white lights rimming windows and dozens of trendy restaurants. Among more than a hundred shopping and dining options, you will find homemade ice cream at a dessert cafe and a live jazz bar that is always packed. You'll also find hot Tommy Bahamas tropical clothing shop with an antique bicycle parked at the door, a shop specializing in stained glass lamps and another in needlework, stylish hairdressers, unique gift shops and a variety of art galleries.
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Museum of Art
Located in the downtown entertainment district, Ford Lauderale's Museum of Art hosts a number of exhibits and cultural activities for all people. Visitors can take part in the educational art classes that range from music to excercise to new media. Permanent exhibitions such as "Diana, a celebration," black and white photography of Ansel Adams and contemporary paintings by Stephen Scott Young are few of the most popular collections within the Museum. The Museum has 21,000 square feet of space available for exhibitions and 2,800 square feet available for sculpture installations.
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Museum of Discovery and Science
This enjoyable museum for children of all ages is known for its interactive, hands-on displays, which change frequently. The Special Exhibits Gallery features some of the best science exhibits in the United States. The museum also allows its guests to touch live animals that are native to Florida and to view the world's largest captive Atlantic coral reef. The Blockbuster IMAX 3D theater is also on-site. Admission: $9 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $7 for children ages 2-12, free for children age two and under.
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Old Fort Lauderdale Village & Museum
The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society was set up to preserve and showcase the history of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. The village has three preserved 19th century buildings of Boward County, a model of the first schoolhouse, and a research center. It offers programs for children, which include hands-on reenactments, schoolhouse class programs, guided tours of exhibits in the museum of history, guided walking tours of the landscape, and lectures throughout the year. Entry fee: $8 for adults, and $3 for students.
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Pompano Beach Amphitheatre
Imagine yourself stranded at a beach and pray it is the Pompano. Then wish a little extra and you have... not just your horse begging for more! Neatly tucked in South Florida, the 2250 strong Pompano Beach Amphitheatre, wears its ‘great host' tag with a lot of ease. From the Gypsy Kings to the Beach Boys and from Collective Soul to Little Feat have performed at this open-air venue. Every South Florida concert hopper will vouch for the convenient standing room area, atop the seating area, especially during frenzied sell-out concerts. Ain't it reason enough to be there for the rollicking Bar-B-Que Festival?
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Sawgrass Recreation Park
While it shares its name with the mammoth Sawgrass Mills shopping complex, this park is a separate entity entirely. It offers all kinds of nature-oriented activities, including airboat tours, a replica of an Indian village and a wild animal exhibit. RV camping facilities are available on the grounds. Seventeen-foot airboats carry 25-30 adults. Park admission is $19.50 for adults, $10 for children aged 4-12, and free for toddlers under 4; prices include a 30-minute airboat tour plus unlimited time at all three exhibits.
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Secret Woods Nature Center
This 55-acre park, designated an "urban wilderness area," offers guided and self-guided nature walks on a network of trails. The New River Trail features a 3,200-foot wheelchair accessible boardwalk through oak hammocks and freshwater and saltwater wetlands. The Oak Trail features a 1,200-foot walking path through an oak hammock. An interpretive nature exhibit is also available as well as educational classes. The park office is happy to assist with any park-related questions. Call for additional information.
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Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
This 86-acre resort near Miami and Ft. Lauderdale is a huge South Florida hotspot. It features a colossal 130,000-square-foot casino, a lush 4-acre lagoon tropical pool area with theme-park-style water slide, and relaxing authentic Seminole Chickee poolside cabanas. In addition, there's the Hard Rock Cafe, a European-style spa and fitness center, and Seminole Paradise entertainment complex featuring bars, clubs, restaurants, and stores.
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Stranahan House
Built in 1901 by the "father of Fort Lauderdale," this is the oldest residence in the city and now an historic riverside museum. The elegantly restored house contains antiques, turn-of-the-century furnishings and old photographs of the area. It is also is an example of classic "Florida Frontier" architecture. Previously used as a post office, town hall and general store, it is now occasionally used for concerts and other events. Admission: USD6 for adults, USD5 for seniors and USD3 for children.
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Swap Shop Flea Market
This overwhelmingly expansive complex is spread over 150,000 square feet of display space - but it's not completely devoted to shopping! A farmer's market, an amusement park, a video arcade and food court are just a few of the other attractions and activities found on the property. For the shopaholics, of course, this is paradise - you may never want to leave, as this is the largest flea market in the entire state, perhaps in the country!
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