Posted by: 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 free and inexpensive venues and activities. Some of the Valentine events are before or after Valentine's Day.
2024 Valentine's Day & Weekend ideas in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach
Pack a Picnic
Toss sandwiches and other scrumptious portable foods into a sack & savor a sunny outdoor afternoon activity at a favorite park. Entry for lots of South Florida parks and natural areas is free, or relatively inexpensive. Enhance your excursion with a nature walk. Play Frisbee. Or work out at the fitness stations. Use the websites below to pick a perfect park.
- South Florida scenic parks and natural areas
- Florida State Parks
- Broward County
- Miami-Dade County
- Palm Beach County
- For local parks, refer to each municipality's website
Fern Forest. Photo/Broward Parks & Recreation
Food Trucks
For a twist on dining out, dine out — outdoors. Grab your favorite fare or something fresh and exotic at a food truck event. Some food trucks events offer extra things to do, such as live music. The food truck events at Volunteer Park in Plantation, which are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, including Valentine's Day, usually include entertainment, games and artisan vendors selling their wares.
Nab a deal
Things to do in Broward
Live band on Hollywood beach
Hollywood Bandshell is right off the ocean and features live bands usually 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays, including February 14, when the band is Jah Steve. The entertainment is free. The bandshell is along a pedestrian promenade featuring restaurants, hotels and shops, if you'd like to enhance your Valentine's Day excursion with a drink or snacks.
The Hollywood Beach Bandshell is at 320 Johnson St., Hollywood. Parking at the beach is $3 per hour Monday through Thursdays and $4 per hour Friday through Sundays. Residents of Hollywood may apply for a discounted rate. Parking information is available online.
Play Trivia
Trivia at bars and restaurants is usually free to play, and it's appreciated if you order food or drinks.
Slackers 8 p.m. Wednesday, 995 W. State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale 33315, 954-530-4758, free
Gulf Stream Brewing, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, participants are encouraged to arrive at 7 p.m., 1105 NE 13th Street, Fort Lauderdale 33304, 954-766-4842, free
duffy's in Plantation 7 p.m. Wednesdays , 401 N. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, 954-429-8820, free
Other Trivia events in Broward
Live band for your lunch break in Fort Lauderdale
Noon Tunes events are noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays in February and March, including Valentine's Day, featuring live music in a public park.
The venue is at Stranahan Park, 10 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The entertainment February 14 is Andrew Morris Band.
Photo: City of Dania Beach
Pose with your sweetie in Dania
A public art sculpture in Dania featuring a red heart weather vane is a perfect backdrop for a sweet photo with your sweetie.
It's outside of Dania city hall, 100 W. Dania Beach Boulevard in Dania Beach. The artist is Lloyd Goradesky. It's free.
Pose with your sweetie at Southwest Regional Library
Southwest Regional Library, 954-357-6580, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines 33331, is offering a Valentine photo op station for DIY photos in February. The photo station is free to use when the library is open. Use your own camera. Feel free to bring props. For part of February the station features a Valentine theme, and then it's a France theme.
Pose with your sweetie in Pembroke Pines
South Regional Library in Pembroke Pines is offering photo shoots with a selection of backgrounds using a green screen. The photo shoots are 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday February 7 and 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday February 10, registering online is recommended. It's wise to not wear green or blue items when working with a green screen. A digital photo is emailed to participants.
Photo/Hollywood CRA
Appreciate Art
Several art venues and exhibits offer free entry, or occasional free entry days.
- Studio 18 In The Pines displays the work of local artists, entry is free, 954-961-6067 , 1101 Poinciana Drive, Pembroke Pines. The venue includes artists studios, and if they are open, you are able to watch the resident artists work.
- Downtown Hollywood Murals features about 45 vibrant murals on buildings and sidewalks in easy walkable route, and it's free. Information about the artwork and artists is online.
- ArtServe exhibits feature the work of South Florida artists & artisans, and a shop is on site if you'd like to do some shopping, 954-462-8190, 1350 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale
- Museum of Art in Coral Springs offers free entry. It is inside Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; 954-340-5000; website
Photo/Water Taxi
Water Taxi
Water Taxi in Fort Lauderdale offers rides along the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale, with hop-on, hop-off opportunities if you'd like to dine or go shopping, or stay on board for a scenic excursion. Regular fares are $40 for ages 12 and older, $35 for seniors and military, and $20 for ages 5-11. After 5 p.m., discounted Happy Hour fares of $25 are offered. If you are shopping or dining, partnering businesses offer discounts or extra perks if you display your Water Taxi ticket.
Parks and Natural Areas
- Nature Trails & Free Entry at Fern Forest in North Broward Fern Forest, features several nature paths, including its elevated boardwalk into maple/cypress swamp, 954-357-5198, 201 Lyons Road S., Coconut Creek Quiet Waters Park, includes a butterfly garden and nature path, 401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach; 954-357-5100; entry is free on weekdays
- T-Y Park in Hollywood, includes tennis, picnic tables and a 2-mile paved path, primarily around a lake, for walking, running, biking and skateboarding, 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood; 954-357-8811; entry is free on weekdays
- Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is a lovely 2.5-mile length between waves rolling ashore and shops, hotels and restaurants
- Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale offers scenic setting for walks & outdoor recreation. The delightful stretch along the New River is from about Southwest Fifth Street east toward Federal Highway, incorporating Esplanade Park
- Vista View Park in Davie offers fitness equipment, playground & other features
Adopt A Sweetheart
Adopt A SweetheartWonderful pups, kitties and other furry friends are available for adoption at shelters and rescue organizations in South Florida. If you want to enhance your family, adopt a pet or volunteer to foster.
- Humane Society
Humane Society of Broward offers Adopt A Sweetheart deals February 11-18 for Valentine's Day. Adoption fees for pets at least 1 year old are 50% off and some fees are paid by a sponsoring organization. The shelter is at 2070 Griffin Road, Dania Beach.
- Broward County animal care department
No fees are required for adopting dogs and cats at Broward Animal Care. The shelter is at 2400 SW 42nd St., Fort Lauderdale 33312. The adoption includes vaccinations and microchip.
Other shelters include
- Humane Society of Greater Miami in North Miami Beach
- Miami-Dade Animal Services
Photo/Shops at Pembroke Gardens
Puppy Love in Pembroke Pines
Shops at Pembroke Gardens in Pembroke Pines, 527 Southwest 145th Terrace, Pembroke Pines 33027, is featuring a Valentine pet event 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday February 10 with vendors, pet adoptions and a photo booth. Entry is free.
For lunch, perhaps you'll book a reservation for Bark Brunch at Brimstone Woodfire Grill.
Browse & Shop
Lovers Night Market
Businesses owned by women are featured at the shopping event 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Wednesday February 14 with live entertainment 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. and entry is free. The venue is Wine Garden, 608 Breakers Avenue, Fort Lauderdale 33304. If you want to dine at the restaurant, phone 954-302-2922 for reservations.
Flea Market
Swap Shop flea market offers varied independent vendors indoors and outdoors. The venue includes a free indoor Ferrari museum. Swap Shop, 954-791-7927, is at 3291 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Valentine's Farmers and Artisan market
Local artisans and food and drink vendors and live entertainment are featured at the Valentine event 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. February 11 at 844 NE Fourth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Event includes
- vendors
- live music 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- yoga 12 p.m. outdoors at Parker Playhouse
- Valentine dog photo ops
- Valentine photos
- Pet adoptions
Wedding vow renewals
Register to participate in a group wedding and vow renewal event February 14 in Fort Lauderdale. Apply for a wedding license and register by February 9, if space is available. Regular fees apply for wedding licenses.
Write a love letter
Love Letter Day at Old Davie School offers an opportunity to write a Valentine note with a dip-ink pen. Love Letter Day is 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday February 10 at the historic attraction, 954-797-1044, 6650 Griffin Road, Davie 33314, with a discounted entry fee of $5.
Things to do in Miami-Dade
Open Air Tango
Open Air Tango is featuring a free dancing on the street event 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. February 14 at the Euclid Oval, Euclid Avenue & Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.
Snap photos
Instagrammable places in the Miami Design District
Parks & Recreation
- Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers free entry
- Stroll this free floral park in Coral Gables
- Miami-Dade Parks
- Biking in Miami-Dade.
Things To Do in Palm Beach County
Orchid Show
February 10-11 Valentine orchid show in Boca Raton. Regular entry is $5. A discount opportunity is offered.
Dog Lovers
Valentine’s Puppy Crush at American Social in Boca is $10 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. February 13, 351 West Plaza Real, Boca Raton.
Photo/Delray Art Trail Downtown Delray Beach
Appreciate Art
Delray Art Trail is an assortment of vibrant outdoor public art displays, art studios and other art venues in the downtown district. For information, log into the Art Trail website.
Parks and Nature
- Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach includes indoor exhibits and a deck overlooking the waterway where manatees and other residents of the ocean occasionally hang out. Entry and parking are free.
- Bike or walk the Palm Beach LakeTrail
Things to do for with your Valentine if you're spending a little or a lot more
Photo/Silverball Retro Arcade
Silverball Retro Arcade in Delray Beach
Silverball Arcade offers pinball and lots of other arcade games. Playing games is included with regular entry fees, which are about $10 – $20 a person. The address is 19 NE Third Avenue, Delray Beach 33483, 561-266-3294
Drinks and food are offered for purchase. Feature: Silverball Retro Arcade in Delray offers deals
‘Tony & Tina's Wedding' in Fort Lauderedale
The interactive play which includes the audience as wedding guests with an Italian buffet is February 14-25 in Fort Lauderdale 33312. Tickets are $99.50, not including fees.
It is at Broward Center, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Buy tickets online, or Ticketmaster, 954-462-0222; or at the box office.
Xtreme Action Park, Fort Lauderdale
Xtreme Action Park, 5600 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale ·954-491-6265, is an indoor arcade and recreation venue. Adult skate nights 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays are $12.
Dinner at the Hall in Dania
Live entertainment, a buffet and drinks are featured at the Dania After Dark event 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday February 10, and entry is $23.18 if purchased online with tax and fee. The venue is Dania City Hall,
100 W. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach.
Family Date Night
The town of Lake Worth Beach is offering Family Date Night 6 p.m. February 10, with dancing, games and dinner. Entry is $35 for 1 parent and 1 kid and $15 for each extra person.
The venue is Lake Worth Casino Building, 10 S. Ocean Boulevard.
Fairchild Garden D'Amore, Miami
Valentine's Day event at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami. Live music is included. Prices for the event are $79 – $259
Other popular attractions with fees
- Boomers Boca Raton, arcade and recreation park, 3100 Airport Road; 954-347-1888
- Frost Science Museum, 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-434-9600
- Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., 305-251-0400; website
- Flamingo Gardens in Davie
- Jupiter Lighthouse
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