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Fern Forest offers night walk & 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 Phone for information. Events in 2023 include 7:30 p.m. June 16 with free entry
  • 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. Events in 2023 include a Forest Walk June 2, with a fee of $5

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

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

Live music @ The Square: Weekends, times vary

FREE | The Square, West Palm Beach

Tamarac Farmers Market

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

Dream car classic in Hollywood

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Hollywood

Dragons and Mythical Creatures

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Free live music at Jazz Brunch in Fort Lauderdale

11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk

Pan Paradise Steel Pan Band in Fort Lauderdale

11:30 am to 2:30 am | FREE | Las Olas Oceanside Park

CommuniTEA Dance

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center

Bluegrass festival and acoustic jam

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Greynolds Park

Family Sundays at Dania Pointe

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

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

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

Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series

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

Tropical Sundays Live Music

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

Free music at Gulfstream in Hallandale

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Gulfstream Park Village

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

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

Comedy Night at Nightlife Brewing Co.

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

Salsa dance class

9:00 pm | FREE | Ball & Chain

Monday, June 5, 2023

Dragons and Mythical Creatures

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Florida Panthers playoffs watch party in Sunrise

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00 | FLA Live Arena

Comedy Night at Sandbar Sports Grill

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

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Regal Theatres: Discounted movie tickets on Tuesdays

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

Dragons and Mythical Creatures

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Tasty Tuesdays with Food Trucks

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Amphitheater in Boca Raton

Food Trucks Tuesdays

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

Comedy Open Mic Night

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Arts Garage, Delray Beach

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Dragons and Mythical Creatures

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Food truck gathering at Pelican Harbor Marina

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

Free music at Gulfstream in Hallandale

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Gulfstream Park Village

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

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

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

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Dragons and Mythical Creatures

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Food Truck Thursdays at Highland Oaks Park

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Highland Oaks Park

Live music: Clematis by Night

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | West Palm Beach Waterfront

Free music at Gulfstream in Hallandale

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Gulfstream Park Village

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

Friday, June 9, 2023

Live music @ The Square: Weekends, times vary

FREE | The Square, West Palm Beach

Dragons and Mythical Creatures

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Night market at Dania Pointe

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Food truck gathering at Tropical Park

5:30 pm to 10:30 pm | FREE | Tropical Park

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Summer Nights Pride Dance Party in Oakland Park

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Pastorius Park

Oakland Park Pride

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Northeast 12th Avenue Oakland Park

Free music at Gulfstream in Hallandale

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Gulfstream Park Village

Free live entertainment in Pompano

7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Lawn at Atlantic Boulevard and Pompano Beach Boulevard

Jam on percussion for free

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | South Florida Center for Percussive Arts

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

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

Screen on the Green: Legally Blonde (PG-13)

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | West Palm Beach Waterfront

Starlight Musicals live entertainment

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Holiday Park

Wynwood Pride

7:00 pm | $18.69 | FunDimension

Summer in the City: Free Music Fridays

7:30 pm | FREE | Mizner Park in Boca

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 | ArtsPark

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

Live music @ The Square: Weekends, times vary

FREE | The Square, West Palm Beach

FLoatarama Pride boat parade

$0-134.00 | Intracoastal Waterway

Plantation Farmers Market

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

Sensory Friendly Saturday

9:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Miami Children’s Museum

Dragons and Mythical Creatures

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

PAMM free day with family activities

11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

Summer party in Dania

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Meli Park

Art & handicrafts sale in Miramar

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Miramar branch library

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

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

Family Day free admission

2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Coral Gables Museum

Reflecting Echos

2:00 pm | $10.00 | Barclay Performing Arts, Boca

Soul & Seafood Festival

3:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Riviera Beach Marina Village

Pride Festival, Delray

4:00 pm | FREE | Pineapple Grove, Delray

Wynwood Pride

5:00 pm | $28.04 | Oasis Wynwood

Cultural Saturdays at Dania Ponite

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Free music at Gulfstream in Hallandale

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Gulfstream Park Village

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

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

Pride concert: Elton John Tribute band "Rocketman," Delray

7:30 pm | FREE | Old School Square, Delray

Live Music at Doral Yard

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

Reflecting Echos, Boca Raton

8:00 pm | $10.00 | Barclay Performing Arts, Boca

Discount late-night movies

11:30 pm to 2:00 am | $5.00 | Coral Gables Art Cinema

South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association at Fern Forest in Broward
When
June 16, 2023 @ 7:30 pm-9:00 pm
What
South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association at Fern Forest in Broward
Where
Fern Forest Nature Center
Cost
FREE
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Patti Roth

About Patti Roth

Patti Roth, the editor of Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap, scouts out state and national deals, discounts and coupons for our readers, finding the real deals and presenting them in an easy-to-read format. A veteran newspaper and magazine writer and a longtime South Florida resident, she has written for The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel and Life, E Environmental Magazine, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, US Architecture and Earth911.com. Send your cheap tips to her at info@fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com.

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