Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Tamarac, FL

Constantly evolving since the 1960s, Tamarac is a city of over 70,000 residents, situated conveniently near Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

The city offers a unique ambiance, reminiscent of the world’s edge, as it borders the extensive Everglades, featuring vast regions of sawgrass marsh that stretch toward the horizon in the west.

Tamarac holds a special significance for locals, offering scenic trails along the levees and magical sunsets that captivate visitors.

In addition to its many attractions, Tamarac is part of a sprawling metropolitan area, providing an abundance of activities nearby.

The new campus for Inter Miami of the MLS is located at the eastern tip of the city, while downtown Fort Lauderdale is less than a 30-minute drive away.

Thus, here is an overview of the 15 premier attractions and activities in and around Tamarac, Florida.

1. Conservation Levee Greenway Trail

West of Tamarac, urban development gives way to the natural beauty of the Everglades, with expansive sawgrass marshlands dominating the landscape.

Beginning at the Sawgrass Trailhead on Atlantic Boulevard, visitors can access the Conservation Levee Greenway Trail, which spans approximately 50 miles and follows the perimeter of the Water Conservation Area 2B.

Exploring the levee by hiking or biking is not the only way to enjoy this area; many people visit the trailhead to witness breathtaking sunsets.

The immense sky, devoid of any development, offers enchanting views, particularly when the setting sun illuminates the waterways, creating a shimmering golden strip.

2. Sawgrass Recreation Park

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Located at the western trailhead of the Conservation Levee Greenway, this ecotourism destination offers airboat tours of this remarkable section of the Everglades.

Sawgrass Recreation Park, established in the 1970s on a former fishing camp, welcomes guests for airboat excursions while also featuring an exhibit area that showcases rescued reptiles and mammals, along with live demonstrations.

The primary attraction occurs on the water, allowing visitors to glide through one of America’s great wildernesses, encountering alligators, snakes, turtles, and various bird species such as the great blue heron and osprey.

Multiple tour options are available throughout the year, and since much of the wildlife in the Everglades is active at night, taking a night tour significantly enhances the likelihood of encountering these extraordinary creatures.

3. Fern Forest Nature Center

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Located in Coconut Creek, the Fern Forest Nature Center may not require an entire day’s visit, but it serves as an ideal retreat for those seeking a few peaceful hours away from the tourist scene.

Before venturing onto the trails, visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibits in the visitor center, where they can gain insights into the land’s ecological evolution post-Everglades reclamation.

Notably, the center is home to over 30 fern species within its lush, shaded surroundings, including the notably rare whisk fern.

With a variety of child-friendly trails available, wildlife enthusiasts may encounter birds, frogs, butterflies, and other native creatures during their visit.

4. Butterfly World

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Founded by a local butterfly aficionado during the mid-1980s, Butterfly World has evolved into the world’s largest facility dedicated to butterflies, boasting an extraordinary collection.

Florida’s favorable warm and humid climate facilitates the presence of numerous exotic butterfly species; therefore, families with children who appreciate animals will find this venue particularly enjoyable.

With over 20,000 butterflies hailing from various regions across the globe, visiting on a warm and sunny day provides an optimal viewing experience, as they exhibit heightened activity.

The facility also features three immersive bird aviaries, wherein guests can purchase nectar for a nominal fee to engage with the lorikeets.

With indoor exhibits and outdoor exploration areas, the facility offers daily and seasonal passes for convenience.

5. DRV PNK Stadium

Situated near the airport on the eastern edge of Tamarac, this stadium boasts a capacity of 21,000 and serves as the home ground for the MLS team Inter Miami.

The team, known as the Herons, is co-owned by sports icon David Beckham and was established in 2018.

This modern stadium is a part of a larger campus that includes the team’s training facility. A distinctive feature of this venue is its elevated stands, which contribute to creating one of the most vibrant atmospheres in the MLS.

At the time of writing this article, the spotlight was on Inter Miami following the signing of Lionel Messi, celebrated as one of the greatest soccer players in history.

6. Tamarac Veterans’ Park

The Stranahan River channel (Cypress Creek) forms the northern boundary of Tamarac, adorned with grassy banks, a series of parks, and a dedicated bike trail, which will be discussed further.

Among these parks lies Tamarac Veterans’ Park, a serene space featuring two picturesque waterside picnic shelters, a boat ramp, and ample seating for admiring the views.

Sundays are particularly delightful here, thanks to a vibrant farmers’ market operating year-round.

Visitors can purchase local honey, fresh produce, tea blends, houseplants, soy candles, nut butters, and an array of prepared foods, including Puerto Rican codfish fritters and shaved ice.

7. Coral Square Mall

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During particularly hot days when temperatures reach triple digits and humidity soars, an indoor air-conditioned mall like Coral Square should be on your itinerary.

Featuring well-known brands such as Old Navy, The Limited, and Macy’s, Coral Square Mall is conveniently located a short drive away from both Tamarac and Coconut Creek.

Despite challenges faced by traditional retail, Coral Square Mall remains a popular destination for escaping the heat, offering a comfortable environment for shopping and relaxation.

The food court offers a diverse array of counter-service eateries, including Sarku Japan, Charleys Cheesesteaks, and Subway, while nearby, numerous chain restaurants accompany the eight-screen Paragon Theater – Coral Square.

8. Cypress Creek Greenway

If one were to identify Tamarac’s most underrated feature, it would easily be the multi-use paved trail that runs alongside the southern bank of the Stranahan River channel.

The Cypress Creek Greenway spans seven miles, connecting two natural attractions: the Fern Forest Nature Center to the east and the Everglades to the west.

This pathway opens up a considerable section of the Tamarac and Margate area for cyclists, providing convenient access to parks, recreational facilities, and shopping along the Route 441 corridor and at Coral Square Mall.

If you’re up for a more extensive ride, the western end allows for continuation into the expansive wilderness of the Everglades.

9. Coral Springs Museum of Art

This cultural landmark in the Fort Lauderdale region, located merely minutes from Tamarac, consistently features exciting exhibitions and programs.

New exhibitions are introduced every few weeks, and during my visit, there was an applied art exhibit, showcasing furniture and sculptures crafted from locally salvaged wood, which had undergone a steam-heating process exceeding 400 °F.

Visitors can often view items from the permanent collection, while skilled instructors conduct classes covering various artistic disciplines, from illustration to ceramics.

As part of the Coral Springs Center for the Arts complex, the museum houses a 1,471-seat theater that hosts Broadway performances.

10. Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse

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One of Florida’s picturesque landmarks can be discovered with a short drive east of Tamarac at Hillsboro Beach.

While it may not be as easily accessible as other tourist attractions, lighthouse enthusiasts, nature lovers, and local history aficionados would greatly benefit from visiting the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse (established in 1907).

Access to the lighthouse is available solely through guided tours, which take place once a month under the guidance of a representative from the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society.

This lighthouse is particularly notable for its distinct Fresnel lens, known for providing a bright signal to nocturnal navigators in bygone eras.

Due to limited tour availability, it is advisable to reserve in advance; however, if that is not feasible, great views can still be observed from Hillsboro Inlet Park, which also houses a lighthouse museum.

11. Xtreme Action Park

When discussing family entertainment centers, Xtreme Action Park stands apart as an exceptional venue.

As Florida’s largest attraction of this kind, it boasts 250,000 square feet of entertainment options, highlighted by a high-speed indoor asphalt karting track that features two layouts and four different go-kart fleets ranging from Junior to Super.

One will undoubtedly remember racing here, especially with a gas-powered kart capable of exceeding 60 MPH on the straights.

Additionally, the park includes an arcade boasting over 150 interactive games, a high ropes course, 18 holes of glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, immersive virtual reality experiences, six lanes of bowling, and a 12,000-square-foot roller rink with maple flooring.

12. Young at Art Museum

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For those traveling with elementary school-aged children in the Tamarac vicinity, the Young at Art Museum, located within the Broward Mall, offers a creative and interactive experience.

Fostering creativity through engaging displays, this museum uniquely combines art and interactivity, enriching visitors’ understanding of the world.

Several exhibits replicate everyday scenarios, while guest artists conduct a rotating schedule of activities.

During my visit, my children thoroughly enjoyed a crafts session, particularly when they created their own shadow puppets.

13. Museum of Discovery and Science

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The Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale is another engaging destination for families, particularly enjoyable during inclement weather.

This venue features interactive exhibits and hands-on activities focused on history, culture, science, and nature, thus offering a comprehensive educational experience for both children and adults.

With an IMAX theater equipped with nearly 300 seats, a World War II flight simulator, and a dinosaur graveyard filled with intriguing fossils, the museum also hosts a gift shop and café.

A highlight for my family was the “Otters at Play” exhibit, which allows close encounters with North American river otters within an impressive two-story habitat.

14. Daul Classic Car Museum

With a passion for automotive history, I was disappointed to see the Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum close its doors due to the pandemic.

Fortunately, a remarkable new museum has opened even closer in Sunrise, featuring nearly 60 meticulously restored vehicles ranging from 1906 to 2020, all housed in an industrial facility off Hiatus Road.

The Dauer Classic Car Museum is a private collection, presenting some truly exquisite rides.

In addition to Cadillacs, Chryslers, and Buicks, the collection boasts international brands, including several Italian makes, a Rolls-Royce, and a Bentley.

Emphasizing post-war vehicles, highlights include the extremely rare 1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta, the 1953 Buick Skylark, and the 1953 Cadillac Eldorado.

15. Woodmont Country Club

Source: Woodmont Country Club – Tamarac, Florida / Facebook

For golfers exploring the Sunshine State, the abundance of courses can indeed be overwhelming.

Woodmont Country Club in Tamarac features two 18-hole courses and operates semi-privately, permitting public access at designated times.

Members enjoy access to all facilities, while visitors may have restricted access.

The two courses measure approximately 7,000 and 6,400 yards, and they are recognized among the best-maintained and most challenging in the region.

The club also offers a restaurant, pro shop, putting greens, and a driving range for those interested in practicing before their tee time.