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Readers’ Favorite Free Things To Do in South Florida

Tons of free entertainment and activities are offered in South Florida, and readers enthusiastically provided some of their favorites.

It’s interesting to see what other South Floridians enjoy. It offers valuable ideas for residents and tourists who appreciate wallet-friendly fun.

These favorites were provided by readers when they entered a previous drawing for a free boat excursion. Their ideas are well-worth repeating.

Photo/Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Attractions

Reader: “Our favorite thing to do right now is visit the free trains exhibit at Plantation Historical Museum. My 2yo (and I) loves seeing the train displays and talking to all the nice train conductors.”

Related feature: Plantation Historical Museum offers free entry & running model railroads. Please note — Trains exhibit in Plantation was offered previously. A model train exhibit is offered at library: Free trains exhibit in Pembroke Pines

Reader: “The free Miami botanical gardens is my favorite free thing to do in South Florida.”

Related feature: Miami Beach Botanical Garden is now free

Reader:  “My favorite free activity in Miami is visiting all the museums and getting the 4 person pass at the Miami Dade Libraries. Especially during the summertime. We’ve visited the Children’s Museum, Frost Science Museum, the History Museum, Perez Art Museum and even The Fruit and Spice Museum. It’s a great way to say good times with our son and friends.”

Related feature: Free vouchers for museums, attractions at the library

Photo/Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach, an FPL eco-discovery venue

Other attractions with free entry opportunities:

 

Fern Forest. Photo/Broward Parks & Recreation

Parks & Nature

Reader: “My favorite free thing to do is take a walk or exercise at one of our many parks. I have 3 parks very close to me and just to get to some of them, I get to walk along a canal filled with fish, turtles, ducks, etc. The wild parrots are my absolute favorite!”

Related features:

Beaches

Plenty of readers adore South Florida beaches. 

Related features:

Hollywood bandshell. Photo/Hollywood CRA

Free entertainment: Live music & outdoor movies

Reader: “My favorite free thing is Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell. So much fun!!!”

Reader: “We love the Hollywood Beach Bandshell free concerts!! Love to listen, enjoy and Dance with locals & tourists! Some amazing artists!”

Related feature: Free live music at Hollywood Bandshell

Reader: “My favorite thing that I’ve done using Miami on the Cheap has been watching a free outdoor family-friendly film with my family.”

Related feature: Free family-friendly films in Hollywood

Reader: “Free music Jazz on Las Olas free music on Fort Lauderdale beach free music (in downtown West Palm Beach)”

Related features:

 

Vendor markets

Reader: The most fun and splash we have is on the free farmers markets. Especially the one at Pinecrest Gardens on each Sunday is our favorite one. Smoothies, fresh bread, cookies, BBQ, lime juices, and on and on, delicious! It is a wonderful way to dive into Miami’s local diversity of cultures and food!

Reader: “My favorite free events around Miami, Aventura, Liberty City, Little Haiti and North Miami is to shop at the various free farmers and vendor markets. I also have loved attending free live music in Wynwood and Gulfstream, especially when the crowd breaks in a line dance. Relaxing and fun.”

Related feature: Farmers markets & vendor fairs 

Biking

Reader: “Best free thing to do in South Florida is bike riding on the Atlantic trail way overlooking the Everglades.”

Reader: “My favorite free thing to do in south Florida is biking on the Rickenbacker Causeway to one of the beaches at Bill Baggs State Park, having lunch at the Lighthouse Cafe and watching the friendly local raccoons eating out of the garbage cans before heading back over the big bridge at dusk as the skyline begins to glitter.”

Reader: “I live in Miami and my favorite activity is running. I run everywhere in Miami: Key Biscayne, South Beach, Kennedy Park. I also enjoy biking under the underline.”

Related features:

Other fun

Reader: “My favorite free thing to do in South Florida is attend various festivals where there is no admission. Like Starlight Musicals, Food Truck Wednesdays, etc. – and various free kids events that we take our family to. We all have a good time for relatively cheap.”

Related feature

Outdoor dining: Free events with food trucks

Reader: “My favorite free thing to do in Miami is to look at the skyline. If you drive to Key Biscayne, you can park and have this fabulous, cosmopolitan view.”

Other Free Things To Do

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Museums free for military families this summer

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

Free entry to museums with bank card

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

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

Free trees for Miami-Dade residents

9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Miami Dade College North Campus

Displays & interactive exhibits

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Dream car classic in Hollywood

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

Sawgrass Farmer's & Artisan's market

10:00 am to 8:00 pm | FREE | Sawgrass Mills

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

Free CommuniTea Dance at Arsht Center

1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE

New Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition for adults

1:30 pm to 4:30 pm | Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach

Free tour of historic Biltmore Hotel

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Biltmore Hotel

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

Poinciana Fiesta and Celebration Party and Reception

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00-25.00 | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

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

Museums free for military families this summer

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

Free tour of the Adrienne Arsht Center

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center

Food Trucks in Hollywood

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | ArtsPark

Free group bike ride in Fort Lauderdale

7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Tarpon River Brewing

Comedy Night at Sandbar Sports Grill

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

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Museums free for military families this summer

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

Displays & interactive exhibits

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Public Walking Tour

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Tasty Tuesdays with Food Trucks

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

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Museums free for military families this summer

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

Displays & interactive exhibits

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Public Walking Tour

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Food Trucks In Volunteer Park weather permitting

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Volunteer Park Plantation

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

Museums free for military families this summer

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

Displays & interactive exhibits

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Public Walking Tour

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

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

Museums free for military families this summer

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

Live music @ The Square: Weekends, times vary

FREE | The Square, West Palm Beach

Displays & interactive exhibits

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Public Walking Tour

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Free program on fostering kittens in Plantation

11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Broward Main Library

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

Museums free for military families this summer

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

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

Get in Gear Community Bike Ride

8:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Sensory Friendly Saturday

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

Displays & interactive exhibits

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Public Walking Tour

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Royal Poinciana Walking Tour

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Dade Heritage Trust

Free Family Fun Day

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | HistoryMiami

Sawgrass Farmer's & Artisan's market

10:00 am to 8:00 pm | FREE | Sawgrass Mills

Free guided tours of art in the Design District

11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Palm Court in the Miami Design District

PAMM free day with family activities

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

Free tour of the Adrienne Arsht Center

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center

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

'60s Trivia at museum in Plantation

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Plantation Historical Museum

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

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

Night sky viewing with telescopes in west Broward

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Fox Observatory

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.

Living on the CheapMiami on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

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