Summary
Situated between the coastline and the Everglades, this tranquil residential community lies on the northwestern edge of Fort Lauderdale. North Lauderdale is characterized by its abundant greenery and waterways, featuring no less than 15 public parks.
This locale offers a diverse range of activities, including indoor entertainment venues, museums, and patches of South Florida’s natural landscape.
The Atlantic coastline can be reached in approximately 15 minutes, where you will find splendid public beach parks at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Pompano Beach.
Head westward, and you will discover the vast marshlands of the Everglades. Here, visitors can hike or bike along an extensive levee, or embark on an airboat excursion at Sawgrass Recreation Park.
1. Hampton Pines Park
Source: AccuDock / Facebook
Covering more than 30 acres in the heart of the city, Hampton Pines Park serves as a readily accessible natural refuge. With its charming lake and towering pine hammocks lining its shores, it showcases a quintessential South Florida landscape.
Visitors can embark on a self-guided exploration of the lake in a two-person paddle boat or canoe, both of which are available for rent at an economical price. Additionally, bicycles can be rented for a scenic ride along the trails.
Numerous pavilions, two children’s playgrounds, and a collection of picnic tables beneath the pines around the lake enhance the park’s family-friendly appeal.
2. Fern Forest Nature Center
At the turn of the 20th century, the lush, swampy terrain in this area of Florida was irrevocably altered when rivers like Cypress Creek were redirected through canals.
Located just moments away from North Lauderdale, this remarkable park offers a glimpse into the region’s past. The Fern Forest Nature Center encompasses a verdant expanse of urban wilderness spanning 250 acres, containing a variety of ecosystems.
The Cypress Creek Trail invites visitors to traverse a boardwalk through a hardwood hammock and swampland teeming with cypress and maple trees.
These trees are notable for their towering heights, but the forest floor is equally significant. Over 50 species of native ferns thrive in this natural habitat.
During my visit, what impressed me the most at Fern Forest Nature Center was the biodiversity. I observed armadillos, tortoises, a stunning variety of butterflies, and some fascinating spiders.
3. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach
A brief drive of approximately 15 minutes, primarily along Commercial Boulevard, leads you to the closest public beach access at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.
This community notably prohibits high-rise developments, promoting mid-century architecture that contributes to a more intimate atmosphere.
The primary beachfront park features a palm-shaded plaza and a pavilion with benches creatively designed to resemble old rowboats.
Here, you can relax in an Addy chair while children can enjoy various games. The adjacent beach presents a classic South Florida experience, complete with a fishing pier, soft sands, and gentle surf on most days.
During my visit, I discovered that Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is recognized as the state’s beach-diving capital. The beachfront located a short walk south at Datura Avenue is ideal for this activity, allowing swimmers to access a reef approximately 100 yards offshore.
4. Butterfly World
The region’s premier attraction is an extraordinary butterfly park located just 15 minutes away in Coconut Creek. Butterfly World was the first facility of its kind established in the Western Hemisphere when it opened in 1988.
Within stunning free-flight aviaries, you will be surrounded by approximately 20,000 butterflies from around the globe. One area also features live display cases where visitors can witness butterflies emerging from their chrysalises.
Butterfly World additionally hosts a vibrant array of avian life, including friendly lorikeets that visitors can feed by hand. On another note, I found the collection of intriguing creatures in the Bug Zoo, which includes mantises and walking sticks, to be quite captivating.
5. Xtreme Action Park
Situated near Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, there exists an award-winning family entertainment center.
Xtreme Action Park boasts over 200,000 square feet of attractions, which include an asphalt karting track, a ropes course, a roller skating rink, bowling lanes, an arcade, laser tag, escape rooms, VR games, and numerous other activities.
This center offers an extensive range of entertainment options, however, karting is the main highlight. The track is touted as the longest and fastest in South Florida.
The speed of these karts is astonishing; it is only when you are just inches away from the track that you fully appreciate the rapid pace of 45 mph.
6. DRV PNK Stadium
Co-ownership by former soccer star David Beckham lends prestige to the MLS team Inter Miami, which plays and trains just five minutes from North Lauderdale.
With a seating capacity of 21,000, DRV PNK Stadium is not intended to be a permanent home for the team. They will soon transition to Miami’s Freedom Park Stadium. Regardless, at the time of writing, DRV PNK Stadium had garnered significant attention in the sports world.
Possibly the greatest soccer player in history, Lionel Messi, has recently joined the team alongside his former FC Barcelona teammate, Sergio Busquets.
For reasonably priced tickets, it may be advisable to wait until the initial excitement subsides. At the time of this writing, games were selling out within just 10 minutes, with affordable seats selling for over $500.
7. Dauer Classic Car Museum
This automobile museum in Sunrise captivated my interest, showcasing a collection of over 50 vehicles. The Dauer Classic Car Museum features a diverse array of brands, including Cadillacs, Chryslers, Buicks, and several international marques, spanning from the 1900s through the 1970s.
Each decade is presented with immersive backdrops, enriched by period-appropriate décor and memorabilia. For instance, one section displays a complete Texaco gas station from 1934, complete with authentic gas pumps and a genuine Texaco gas truck.
Additional exhibits include a movie theater marquee, a historic jukebox, an original Good Humor bike cart, a 1950s motor testing machine, an X-ray machine, a vintage studio TV camera, and drive-in food trays.
If I had to choose a standout piece, it would undoubtedly be the 1963 Chevy Impala hardtop, famously referenced in the Beach Boys’ song “409.”
8. Sawgrass Recreation Park
Deep within the swampland to the west of the city, visitors can engage in an authentic Everglades experience.
The main offering at Sawgrass Recreation Park is a 40-minute airboat ride, speeding through the marsh at 40 mph. During this excursion, you will have the opportunity to observe native Florida wildlife, including alligators, turtles, wading birds, and raptors such as ospreys.
Upon returning to the base, visitors can tour the park’s wildlife sanctuary, which rehabilitates tortoises, reptiles, and an array of bird species. The highlight of my visit was the chance to interact with a baby alligator.
Given that much of the Everglades’ wildlife is nocturnal, I highly recommend participating in one of the park’s nighttime excursions.
9. Cypress Creek Greenway
For a leisurely walk or bike ride, a lengthy canal-side trail is accessible on the northern border of North Lauderdale. The Cypress Greenway extends approximately seven miles along this grassy route.
At the eastern termination lies the Fern Forest Nature Center, while to the west, visitors can enjoy the expansive open skies of the Everglades.
The most convenient access point is likely Tamarac Veterans’ Park, which even includes a bike repair station and pump. Along the trail, you might spot alligators and native wading birds, and you can pause at several parks adjacent to the water.
Undoubtedly, the most magnificent experience is the breathtaking sunset view over the vast marshland of the Endless Wildlife Management Area at the western trailhead.
From this location, you’ll have access to Sawgrass Trail, allowing you to follow the levee for over 10 miles to the Sawgrass Recreation Park.
10. Coral Square Mall
One of Greater Miami’s premier shopping centers is located just a few minutes from North Lauderdale. The Coral Square Mall serves as a mid-market destination and had nearly full occupancy during my visit.
Key anchor stores include Macy’s, JCPenney, and Kohl’s, while an eight-screen Paragon Theaters is positioned at the southwest corner of Riverside Drive and Ramblewood Drive.
A variety of standard mall retailers can also be found, such as Foot Locker, Build-A-Bear, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, Aéropostale, Lids, Vans, Hot Topic, and Torrid.
In my opinion, a bustling food court is indicative of a thriving mall. The Coral Square Mall provides numerous dining options, including Subway, Sarku Japan, Charleys Cheesesteaks, Starbucks, and Churromania.
11. Jerry Resnick Aquatic Center
Conveniently located adjacent to municipal functions in the heart of North Lauderdale is an outstanding aquatic facility.
Operating hours vary, but the Jerry Resnick Aquatic Center is accessible from March through October. Amenities include a junior Olympic-sized pool, two water slides, and a water playground equipped with sprays and fountains.
Admission is reasonable, set at only $2 per person, and the facility had recently undergone updates when I visited.
For a larger alternative, the Calypso Grove Aquatic facility located a few minutes away in Margate features a sizeable water playground, two 30-foot water slides, and a six-lane pool.
12. Bowlero Tamarac
Appearances can be misleading. This 56-lane bowling facility resides within an unassuming concrete structure. Upon entering Bowlero Tamarac, I was astonished by how pristine everything appeared.
All 56 lanes are in excellent condition, with billiard tables and a vibrant arcade filled with a multitude of games. Indeed, with offerings ranging from Mario Kart to Skeeball, you can easily spend several hours in the arcade alone.
Each lane is equipped with overhead flatscreen monitors, showcasing music videos, sports events, or classic films.
13. Waters Edge Park
As one of the larger public parks in the area, Water’s Edge Park recently underwent a comprehensive renovation at a multi-million dollar investment.
The main attraction is a vast splash pad featuring numerous interactive elements. Water splashes from multiple sources—up through the ground, from the sides, or overhead through tipping buckets.
Adjacent to the splash pad is an even larger dry playground, complemented by a full-sized basketball court. True to its name, Water’s Edge Park also provides an observation deck and fishing pier overlooking the canal.
14. Oriole Golf Club
Source: Oriole Golf Club / Facebook
Located in nearby Margate, Oriole Golf Club has been a well-regarded venue for over four decades. This 18-hole course is appreciated for its competitive rates, even during peak seasons.
The track features an open design, making it manageable for less experienced players. My recommendation is to analyze the scorecard or course map thoroughly, as securing a favorable position on the fairway enhances the likelihood of achieving a low score.
Additionally, some challenging par 3 holes exist within this course. At 185 yards and positioned uphill, hole #7 demands an accurate tee shot with a low iron. Players can also warm up their swing at an all-grass driving range; a bucket of 40 balls costs $7 during my visit.
