Sports and recreation

Deering Estate is part of the Biscayne Bay IBA (Important Bird Area) and Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a 2,000-mile, self-guided trail traversing 500 sites located throughout Florida and selected for their excellent bird watching, wildlife viewing and educational opportunities. The property sits atop the geological formation known as the Miami Rock Ridge, most …

YMCA South Florida organizations offer free swim lessons for water safety. The lessons are for kids, teens and adults.  Free lessons in 2026 are March 16 to March 20, and registration is required online.  YMCA facilities in Broward offering free swim instruction include Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Weston, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood.  Residency in Broward is …

If you’re on a quest to discover a place where you can take the kids and enjoy the day for next to nothing, then the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton is definitely a place for the whole family to enjoy an authentic outdoor Florida adventure. NOTE: Normally, general admission is free, however special …

Have you ever fed a shark or a stingray? Wouldn’t it be great if there were a place you could take the kids that would be educational and fun for an entire afternoon for only $10? Well, there is. Sandoway Discovery Center in Delray Beach offers the following activities all for the cost of admission: …

Whether it’s an emphasis on romance, hanging out with friends, family and your pet, or treating yourself, Valentine’s Day is a perfect occasion to do something special. South Florida offers plenty of things to do, including lots of free live performances and art events.  Some of the Valentine events and date ideas are offered before …

The Tropical Audubon Society offers free birding field trips and other events for those who want to learn more about South Florida’s feathered friends (and our real snowbirds that pass through). The group also offers butterfly and plant trips, local outings in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and trips to other parts of Florida. …

If you’re looking for something fun and educational to do outdoors, consider a bicycle tour through “The City Beautiful,” Coral Gables. The third Sunday of each month, The City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Museum will host a two-hour bike tour, with different monthly themes. The tour begins at 10 a.m. at the Coral Gables …

Got a 4th-grade student in the house? If so, thanks to the Every Kid Outdoors initiative, that fourth-grader – plus everyone else in the family – can get into any U.S. National Park for FREE. To get the free pass, the fourth-grader must complete an Adventure Diary.  Perhaps you already have a trip planned for an …

On weekends and holidays, some Broward regional parks charge a $3 fee per vehicle to enter. For those who visit county parks regularly on weekends, the Annual Parks Passport may be an attractive deal. The annual park pass costs $30 and allows a vehicle with up to eight people in it to enter without paying …

Island Water Sports in Deerfield Beach offers free surf and stand-up paddleboard lessons Saturdays at 7 a.m. The two-hour lessons are for ages 5 and older, weather permitting. The number of participants is limited, and registrants should sign up in advance to ensure a spot. To attend, participants register online. Island Water Sports is at …

Walking in nature has been shown to have a wide range of health benefits, both physical and mental. Experts say it can not only help reduce stress, but it also may improve one’s mood, boost creativity, and even improve cognitive function. So, grab the sunscreen and bug repellant, your comfy walking shoes, and if you …