Nature & Parks in Fort Lauderdale

THE 10 BEST Parks & Nature Attractions in Fort Lauderdale

Nature & Parks in Fort Lauderdale

Nature & Parks
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63 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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Showing results 1-30 of 63

What travellers are saying

  • Patty
    Margate, FL55 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I love Fort Laudedale beach!! It’s my favorites beach for long time!!! Here you can find a lot of restaurants, bars, clubs and pool party’s Sundays!! Also all the bars have bogo everyday all day!! Aldi u find the legendary Elbow Room, beach place, and a lot of activities arounds
    Written 10 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • usmcwifey
    CA32 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unknowingly arrived during Spring Break. Beach was very busy, however police presence was abundant. I did not feel unsafe at any time.
    Written 15 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dave B
    Morris, Minnesota, United States3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Water taxi was very informative and had a great time getting off and eating/drinking.
    My wife and I also went parasailing, with So Flo parasailing. They were great!
    Favorite place to eat while we were there was Coconuts! Fantastic food! Rocco’s Tacos was very good also!
    Written 1 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rasmus J
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great park, nice hiking trail, beautiful places to relax. Highly recommended.
    We will be back next time we’re in Florida
    Written 5 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, CA16,858 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It certainly helped that we were the only ship in port this day, so no traffic and no crowds. The terminal was functional and the staff were nice. We were on board in 30 minutes. And there are some nice Florida views from the ship.
    Written 9 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Denstevj
    Naugatuck89 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pretty Beach, but parking was horrible. We got a $25 ticket because we didn't see a sign that was hidden by a truck. We even asked the attendant if it was OK to park there and he said sure. Boy, we were so mad when we saw the ticket. I think it was a scam.
    Written 17 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Moira R
    Liverpool, UK210 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This region has lots of interesting areas, from trips on the river to river walkways to great eateries.
    Written 11 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 387indy
    Coral Springs, FL4,762 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Local park, well maintained, parking, facilities, playground. It's Covid 19 maintained. People are locals, families with children, but also men in 30's playing sports.
    Written 25 January 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Arielfl
    Coconut Creek, FL1,608 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A gorgeous 1.1 acre park on the south fork of the New River. It has lovely trees, benches, tables, and a stunning view of the river and the surrounding mansions that line it. There are a few parking spots lining the outside of the park.

    On my visit while walking around I discovered a plaque placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution commemorating this park as the sight of the Colee Hammock Massacre. I knew about the event and always thought the location was across the river from the Broward Performing Arts Center. I was floored to find the marker and have my years of misconception corrected. William Cooley was one of the first pioneers of the New River Settlement now known as Ft. Lauderale. He became wealthy with an arrowroot plantation and he traded with Seminole and Creek nations nearby. In 1835 the white settlers killed a Creek chief named Alibama and were acquitted. The Creek blamed Cooley for this injustice and when he was away for business in Key West the Creek entered the plantation on January 6, 1836 and killed Cooley's wife, infant son, son, daughter,and a tutor. The house was set on fire. This started the Second Seminole War because the settlers couldn't distinguish between the Seminoles and the Creeks. The eventual outcome was the Indian Removal Act were the native people were forced out west on the Trail of Tears. The remaining Seminoles fled to the inner swampland where they can still be found today. Cooley fled Ft. Lauderdale but lived in Florida until his death.

    Upon further research I found that the plaque marking the massacre may have been put in the wrong spot as the event actually took place further up the river closer to Sailboat Bend but residents don't want it moved to the correct spot. This is not the only muddling of history at this spot. Residents were confused at the time of the naming of this park in 1934. They originally wanted to honor the Cooley family but there was some confusion about the name. James Louis Colee was also a resident of the New River Settlement but decades after Cooley. He set up a work camp at the site of this park where he worked on the construction of the Intracoastal Waterway project. Through the years the names of Cooley and Colee have been mixed up. In 1982 the park was officially named Colee Hammock park to reflect James Lois Colee's work camp not the Cooley massacre.

    Today the park is used as a spot to take in the waterway, fish, and climb the trees. It is also an ideal place to view the Winterfest Boat Parade if you can navigate the lack of parking. I found it an ideal place to reflect on the history of Ft. Lauderdale which has grown from a small trading settlement on the river to a world class city. In the span of roughly 100 years from when it was incorporated into a city in 1911 Ft. Lauderdale has changed yet it was managed to hang onto it's charm in part because of places like this park.
    Written 10 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Miles Archer
    Boca Raton, FL7,616 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A mixed bag. Still lots to do here although parts of the park, including the War Memorial auditorium, are fenced off as part of a new construction project, which one reviewer condemned as a sellout to a local pro hockey team. But the jogging/walking trails are intact and available, and still have exercise stations along the way. There is a dog park. And the paddleball courts are still there, though there were no players this morning. There's a Park Ranger substation here now. There are two full length outdoor basketball court. No players this drizzly morning. The tennis courts are still there,but again, no players this morning.

    The Parker Playhouse is seemingly not affected by this new construction project. Same for the library branch in another corner of the park.

    There are baseball courts. And a football field that doubles as a soccer field. It seems to have artificial grass.

    Written 31 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Echow707
    San Francisco, CA139 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    When I’m in Ft Lauderdale, this is where I take our dog to run off leash. Decent amount of room for dogs to run free, dogie obstacles course, also a separate dog swim park area. Parking is free on weekdays.
    Written 16 May 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michael Dana sa... D
    Royal Palm Beach, United States8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a great time, our tour guide was sensational. This is a must do for all. You will love this. Bring your cameras.
    Written 25 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Judy Becker
    Houston, TX63 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We went expecting a botanic garden, and instead found a rooftop bar! The bartender and kitchen staff enjoyed our faux pas as we enjoyed our drinks and snacks! we all had a good laugh.
    Written 21 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Catherine G
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Luisa is so detailed oriented, personable and amazing at what she does! She set up a picnic at a beautiful park for my boyfriend and I. We will remember it forever it was magical! thank you
    Written 14 August 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Arielfl
    Coconut Creek, FL1,608 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a lovely 6.8 acre park in the upscale Bayview neighborhood of Ft. Lauderdale, It is located next to Cardinal Gibbons High School. Located on a spacious corner lot, the park is very open with many access points. There is an ample parking area lining one side of the park.

    Park amenities include lighted athletic fields, tennis courts, basketball court, open play area, picnic tables, ADA accessible shaded playground with many climbing and play structures, tennis court, and restroom.

    I walked the exercise path that takes you around the perimeter of the park, Along the way I encountered a lot of nice shade trees and manicured landscaping throughout the park, I saw a couple of other people exercising and a few were having a picnic but the majority of the people were concentrated in the playground area. This is a nicer than average neighborhood park in one of the nicer neighborhoods of Ft. Lauderdale.
    Written 24 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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