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Fern Forest offers nature walks & astronomy programs

If you're looking to soak  in the outdoors in South Florida, Fern Forest in north Broward is a lush oasis for nature walks and occasional free astronomy programs with telescopes.

Delight in the scenic setting on your own or register for a guided hike. Most events are free or relatively inexpensive. Entry into the natural area and parking are free. 

Photo/Broward Parks & Recreation

The 244-acre wilderness preserve features walking trails for savoring the sights, scents and sounds of nature.  Highlights include an elevated boardwalk, more than 30 species of ferns, plus resident wildlife.

Fern Forest park naturalist Ashley Grace says the boardwalk excursion winds along forest and swampy wetlands habitats with ferns, air plants, orchids, turtles and mosquito fish.

“A couple of my favorite spots in the park are in the heart of the swamp along our Cypress Creek Boardwalk,” Grace says. “Especially after it rains and the frogs are singing, and walking along the Prairie Perimeter Road in the afternoon when the gopher tortoises are out and about.”

She has tips on what to bring along: “I would say dress comfortable with a good pair of sneakers, just in case you plan on venturing out on the foot trails. It is also always a good plan to carry a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, hat, and bug spray if you're going to be enjoying the great outdoors for an extended amount of time – and always remember to leave nature better than you found it.”

Photo/Broward Parks & Recreation

Events at Fern Forest 

Phone 954-357-5198 to inquire about events, or register for events that require an RSVP 

  • South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association sets up telescopes in Fern Forest parking lot occasionally, free entry. Phone for information.
  • Guided nature walks, usually 1 p.m. Sundays in English and 1 p.m. third Sundays in Spanish. Free. 
  • Occasional night hikes are $5, phone for information and registration.

Upcoming Fern Forest events

See the full schedule of Fern Forest events here.

Wildlife in Fern Forest

  • gopher tortoises
  • raccoons
  • coyotes
  • marsh rabbits
  • great horned owls
  • migratory birds: “The hottest months for birding here tend to be October and April,” Grace says

Information

Fern Forest is at  201 Lyons Road S., Coconut Creek, FL, 954-357-5198, website

No bikes. No pets.

It's open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free entry and free parking.

Other Events & Fun

South Florida's scenic parks & natural areas, plenty are free

Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Food Trucks in Plantation

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Free Twilight concert: The Cure tribute, Delray Beach

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Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood beach bandshell

Live music at Doral Yard

7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

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Friday, March 29, 2024

Food trucks in Tamarac

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Tamarac community center

Art After Dark: Live performances, tours, workshops, Fridays at The Norton, WPB

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Smorgasburg Miami weekly street fair with music

5:30 pm to 10:30 pm | FREE | Lincoln Road Mall, Miami Beach

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

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Free live music series at The Square, WPB

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | The Square, West Palm Beach

Jai-Alai, spring season, Miami

6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Magic City Fronton, Miami

Jam on percussion for free

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Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood beach bandshell

Jazz at MOCA, North Miami

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Live Music at Doral Yard

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

Free outdoor films in Hollywood

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood ArtsPark

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

Plantation Farmers Market

8:00 am to 12:00 am | FREE | Volunteer Park Plantation

Delray GreenMarket

9:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Old School Square, Delray

Regal Cinemas Saturday Morning Kids Flicks for $2

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561 Music Festival, Lake Worth

12:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $10.00 | Mathews Brewing Co., Lake Worth

Downtown Palm Beach Gardens free outdoor music series

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Downtown at the Gardens

Afternoon: Free live music series at The Square, WPB

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | The Square, West Palm Beach

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

1:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Free screening of "Tell it like a Woman"

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Live Music on the Plaza

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | CityPlace Doral

Fort Lauderdale Art Walk

6:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Music & Arts South of Sunrise district

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

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Free New World Symphony WALLCAST Concert

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Live Music at Doral Yard

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

Free Screening of "Priscilla""

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bill Cosford Cinema

Discount late-night movies

9:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $5.00 | Coral Gables Art Cinema

Sunday, March 31, 2024

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

Tamarac Farmers Market

9:00 am to 12:00 am | FREE | Veterans Park Tamarac

Free Family Day at Bass Museum of Art

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Bass Museum of Art

Family Sundays at Dania Pointe with entertainment & games

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Dania Pointe

Market on the Plaza

2:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | CityPlace Doral

CMX Classics discount film

3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $6.00-7.00 | CMX Cinemas

Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series

5:00 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Ocean Drive Promenade, Miami Beach

Tropical Sundays Live Music

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood beach bandshell

Salsa dance class

9:00 pm | FREE | Ball & Chain

Monday, April 1, 2024

Free Improv class every Monday in Palmetto Bay

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Palmetto Bay Library

Trivia nights in Broward

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE

Comedy Night at Sandbar Sports Grill

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Sandbar Sports Grill, Miami-Dade

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Regal Theatres: Discounted movie tickets on Tuesdays

All Day | $5.00-7.00 | Regal Cinemas Multiple Locations

Food Trucks Tuesdays

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Haulover Beach Park

$5 Retro Replay Films

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $5.00 | Landmark Theatre at Merrick Park, Coral Gables

Trivia nights in Broward

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Free admission for Miami-Dade seniors with Golden Ticket

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

CMX Classics discount film

3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $6.00-7.00 | CMX Cinemas

Food truck gathering at Pelican Harbor Marina

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Pelican Harbor Marina

Free New Music Miami Festival

7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Wolfsonian-FIU

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood beach bandshell

Trivia nights in Broward

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE

Comedy Night at Pub 52

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Nightlife Brewing Co., Miami-Dade

Comedy Night at Exit One Taproom

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Exit One Taproom, Miami-Dade

Free Screening of "Poor Things"

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Night Hike in North Broward, reservations required
When
April 12, 2024 @ 7:30 pm-9:00 pm
What
Night Hike in North Broward, reservations required
Where
Fern Forest Nature Center
Cost
$5.00
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