Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Oakland Park, FL

Situated within the South Florida metropolitan region, Oakland Park is a suburban city bordering Fort Lauderdale. 

This city operates as an urban enclave, almost entirely surrounded by Fort Lauderdale’s northern neighborhoods. A variety of attractions and activities in Fort Lauderdale will also be included, most of which are within a ten-minute drive.

Crossing east over the Intracoastal Waterway leads directly to the ocean, providing access to Fort Lauderdale’s uninterrupted beachfront at Earl Lifshey Ocean Park. 

To the north lies the DRV PNK Stadium, which, at the time of writing, featured globally recognized soccer star Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami. 

Surrounding the area are pockets of tropical nature, complemented by the famous canals of Fort Lauderdale that offer delightful guided tour experiences.

1. Funky Buddha Brewery

Source: Funky Buddha Brewery / Facebook

Established as a brewpub in Boca Raton in 2010, Funky Buddha Brewery emerged as one of the microbrewery pioneers in South Florida. Despite the recent influx of competitors, it continues to be the leading microbrewery in the region.

The taproom in Oakland Park features a minimalist industrial design, offering over two dozen selections on tap. Among the year-round offerings, the Floridian Hefeweizen, with its citrus notes, and the refreshing Vibin’ Lager stand out.

Featuring diverse shareable plates, the food menu incorporates numerous local ingredients, particularly in its salads, such as the Caesar Salad infused with Funky Buddha’s own Hop Gun IPA.

For a deeper insight into South Florida’s largest brewery, guided tours are available. Patrons will learn about the innovative techniques behind Funky Buddha’s unique creations, with tasting opportunities along the way.

2. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

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Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is an oasis featuring coastal ecosystems amidst the bustling cityscape.

This park is named after its previous owner, a distinguished attorney for Standard Oil. Birch’s Art Deco residence, constructed in 1940, now serves as the park’s visitor center. Exhibits inside provide insight into Birch, the park’s environment, and Fort Lauderdale’s history.

Visitors can explore hiking trails among a variety of palms, oaks, and towering banyan trees, while also having the opportunity to paddle through lush mangroves. A paved route circumnavigates the park’s perimeter, and on the east side lies a freshwater lagoon extending a mile in length.

A nearby pedestrian tunnel connects to Fort Lauderdale Beach, in addition to a water taxi stop that provides convenient links to other city areas.

3. The Bonnet House Museum and Gardens

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Located on the southern edge of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens is a distinctive historical site cherished by many. 

This location served as the residence and studio for renowned artist and collector Frederick Clay Bartlett (1873-1953), who was also a self-taught architect, constructing the main house in 1920 in a Caribbean plantation style.

Visitors can explore a fascinating time capsule reflecting affluent beachfront living during the early 20th century, when Fort Lauderdale was still a remote settlement.

The main house is adorned with an eclectic collection of fine and decorative art. Meanwhile, outside, the 35-acre grounds boast an array of native ecosystems, including dunes, mangroves, and maritime forests. Don’t miss visiting the impressive orchid house that hosts an international orchid festival each April.

4. Catfish Dewey’s

Source: Catfish Deweys / Facebook

A beloved institution in Oakland Park, Catfish Dewey’s is a family-owned restaurant established in 1984. Decades later, it remains a local favorite, celebrated for substantial portions, affordable prices, and a welcoming ambiance.

True to its name, one of the primary attractions at Catfish Dewey’s is the catfish, available fried, blackened, or grilled. The menu also features a variety of delicious seafood options including scallops, boiled crawfish, snow crab, and shrimp. 

For those seeking a memorable dining experience, visiting during stone crab season, which spans from October to May, is highly recommended, as all-you-can-eat options are offered. 

The restaurant tends to become busy in the evenings, especially on weekends, necessitating a brief wait for available seating.

5. Earl Lifshey Ocean Park

Just a short ten-minute drive east from Oakland Park lies the Atlantic shore. The closest access point is Earl Lifshey Ocean Park, situated between residential condos at the east end of E Oakland Park Blvd.

A brief paved path leads to Fort Lauderdale’s expansive stretch of white sandy beach. A few miles north of Las Olas, this beachfront area offers a more tranquil atmosphere.

The beach is particularly inviting at low tide, providing ample space for relaxation. During these times, guests can enjoy a spacious shallow region with waist-deep waters extending significantly.

A quintessential experience to consider is rising early to witness the sunrise from the shore.

6. NSU Art Museum

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Recognized as one of South Florida’s premier art institutions, the NSU Art Museum also serves as a notable venue for performing arts, featuring a theater with a seating capacity of over 250 guests.

The museum’s permanent collection is expansive, containing upwards of 7,500 artworks, predominantly from the 19th and 20th centuries. Noteworthy collections include the CoBrA movement, Latin American art, and ceramics and prints by Pablo Picasso.

During my visit, these collections were on display alongside an impressive array of original works by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec.

Located along Las Olas Boulevard, which traverses some of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, the museum offers an excellent opportunity for a self-guided walking tour after enjoying the art exhibits.

7. Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)

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The Museum of Discovery and Science is one of Fort Lauderdale’s leading attractions, focusing on immersive educational experiences.

Featuring over 20 interactive exhibits on two floors, the museum encourages visitors to engage, enhance their skills, and explore the application of science in daily life.

Exhibits allow children to investigate Florida’s dynamic weather, learn about the giant animals that once inhabited the area, and explore the unique habitats exclusive to the Sunshine State.

Every weekend, the museum hosts different themed events, celebrating seasonal festivities or spotlighting specific topics such as transportation, dinosaurs, or engineering.

The facility also includes a state-of-the-art five-story IMAX theater, presenting captivating science-themed films. This venue features South Florida’s largest screen and is considered a prime location for viewing major Hollywood releases.

8. Broward Center for the Performing Arts

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Ranked among the world’s top ten most-visited theaters, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located just minutes from Oakland Park. Set by the scenic New River downtown, it hosts over 700 performances each year, attracting more than 700,000 visitors.

The center presents a wide range of entertainment options suitable for all ages and interests, including opera, Broadway musicals, ballet, theatrical performances, lectures, workshops, educational programs, and live music spanning classical to rock genres. 

Last year, I had the opportunity to experience the performance of Hamilton here, which was truly memorable. The production was exceptional, the acoustics impeccable, seating comfortable, and the attentive staff contributed to a flawless evening.

9. Xtreme Action Park

The largest indoor family entertainment center in South Florida is situated right on the northern boundary of Oakland Park. 

The sheer size of Xtreme Action Park, encompassing over 200,000 square feet, left me astounded. A primary feature of this complex is an asphalt karting track with two layouts, where gas-powered karts can reach speeds of 45 mph. 

The facility also boasts an arcade with over 150 games, a ropes course, a trampoline park, VR games, escape rooms, laser tag, bowling lanes, and a roller skating rink.

For those seeking a more subdued experience, there is an 18-hole mini golf course designed with an almost psychedelic glow-in-the-dark theme. 

Adjacent to the track is the Pit Stop Kitchen, featuring a food court setup and over 50 LED televisions.

10. Sunrise Paddleboards

Fort Lauderdale has earned the nickname “Venice of America” due to its extensive network of over 300 miles of navigable inland waterways.

One advantage of traversing these canals is the opportunity to view the luxurious homes and mega yachts owned by the affluent residents of Fort Lauderdale.

While these properties are typically concealed within gated communities, they become visible from the water. Sunrise Paddleboards, located a mere few minutes from Oakland Park at 2520 N Federal Hwy, offers guided tours of these waterways.

The primary experience is the “Venice of America” tour, but there’s a diverse range of experiences available, including paddleboard yoga, lessons for beginners, and tours of the Bonnet House grounds.

11. Easterlin Park

Discovering a densely vegetated area of South Florida wilderness in the heart of Oakland Park was a delightful surprise. Easterlin Park spans nearly 50 acres and has been designated as Urban Wilderness, featuring cypress trees that are approximately 250 years old and reach heights of up to 100 feet.

To mitigate urban encroachment, the park is bordered by ferns, wild coffee, oaks, cabbage palms, and red maples. At its center lies a lake with grassy banks and a trail leading to benches. 

The park offers 45 full-hookup camping sites along with six sites with partial hookups. Amenities include a disc golf course, basketball court, volleyball court, shuffleboard, and horseshoes.

12. DRV PNK Stadium

At the time of writing, this 21,000-seat stadium, located near Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, is the most sought-after venue in town.

For the upcoming years, it will serve as the interim home for Inter Miami of the MLS, with a training facility located on the surrounding premises. The future home will be the Freedom Park Stadium in downtown Miami. 

Due to the addition of Lionel Messi to the Inter Miami roster, 3,000 extra seats were incorporated to accommodate the heightened demand. Since its opening in 2018, DRV PNK Stadium has also hosted several matches for the US Men’s National Team, as well as games for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

13. Mills Pond Park

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Located on 130 acres at the border with Fort Lauderdale, Mills Pond Park stands out as a recreation hotspot among area parks.

The park features a well-known and competitive softball league that attracts large crowds on weekend afternoons. Additionally, it offers batting cages, playgrounds, shaded pavilions, soccer fields, and a five-field football complex.

Its proximity to I-95 enhances accessibility, and given the array of recreational facilities, it typically surpasses visitors’ expectations.

The park includes full-service concessions, ensuring that if you decide to prolong your stay, delicious meals are available for dining in the picnic area.

14. Coral Ridge Mall

Having operated for over sixty years, Coral Ridge Mall remains a relevant shopping center today, featuring close to 50 retailers with full occupancy during my visit.

Prominent retailers include Old Navy, Foot Locker, Marshalls, OshKosh B’Gosh, Claire’s, Target, and T.J. Maxx.

A separate building at the rear houses a ten-screen AMC dine-in theater, where patrons can order food at the concession counter that is delivered directly to their seats. 

During my time there, items on the menu included flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, bowls, salads, chicken wings, and macaroni and cheese.

15. ProjectRock

Finding natural climbing walls in Florida can be quite challenging. However, for an excellent alternative, individuals can visit indoor climbing gyms such as ProjectRock in Oakland Park.This facility spans over 12,000 square feet and features climbing walls ranging from 40 to 60 feet high.

Visitors can utilize over 10,000 color-coded holds with 125+ routes, set on realistic climbing surfaces designed with both top rope and lead climbing in mind.

For novice climbers, completion of a belay class is required, or they can opt to pay an additional fee for a guide to assist. Experienced climbers can take a belay test, allowing them to freely use the facility thereafter. 

ProjectRock provides a broad array of activities, from climbing classes to yoga, live entertainment, and children’s camps.