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.
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 with free entry. 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.
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. It's free.
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 and Pompano Beach, with hop-on, hop-off opportunities if you'd like to dine or go shopping, or stay on board for a scenic excursion. Discounted Happy Hour fares of $25 in Fort Lauderdale and $15 in Pompano Beach are offered. If you are shopping or dining, partnering businesses offer discounts or extra perks if you display your Water Taxi ticket.
Adopt A Sweetheart
Wonderful 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 usually offers Adopt A Sweetheart deals for Valentine's Day. 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
Flea Market
Swap Shop flea market offers varied independent vendors indoors and outdoors. The venue includes a free indoor Ferrari vehicle display. Swap Shop, 954-791-7927, is at 3291 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
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.
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
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. February 8-9 Valentine orchid show in Boca Raton. Entry is $5 & free for ages 12 and younger. The venue is a school at 1790 Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton. Purchase tickets at the event or at Green Barn Orchid Supplies, 5185 Conklin Drive, Delray Beach.
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 – $25 a person. The address is 19 NE Third Avenue, Delray Beach 33483, 561-266-3294
Drinks and food are offered for purchase.
‘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, an Italian buffet and drinks are featured at the Dania After Dark event 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday February 8, and entry is about $39 prior to the event and about $50 at the event. The venue is Dania City Hall, 100 W. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach.
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 about $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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