Posted by: Whether it’s an emphasis on romance, hanging out with friends and family, 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 activities, and deals.
Please return to this feature as other events are added.
2023 Valentine’s Day & Weekend ideas, including free & inexpensive fun
Pose With Your Sweetie
Photo/Dania Beach
A public art sculpture in Dania featuring a red heart weather vane is a perfect place for a sweet photo with your sweetie.
It’s outside of Dania city hall, 100 W. Dania Beach Boulevard in Dania Beach. Sculpture artist is Lloyd Goradesky.
Wedding vow renewals
Register to participate in a group wedding and vow renewal event in Fort Lauderdale. The event is free. Fees apply for licenses. Free Valentine’s Day wedding & vow renewal event in Fort Lauderdale
Pack a picnic
Toss sandwiches and other scrumptious portable foods into a sack & savor a sunny outdoor afternoon activity at a favorite park. Entry fees at lots of South Florida parks are free, or relatively inexpensive. Enhance your excursion with a nature walk. Play with a Frisbee. Or read poetry. Use the websites below to pick a perfect park.
- 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
Examples of delightful parks and scenic venues in Broward County include:
- Secret Woods, featuring a boardwalk overlooking the New River, and other nature paths, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach; 954-357-8884; free entry
- Fern Forest, features several nature paths, including its elevated boardwalk into cypress/maple swamp, 201 Lyons Road S., Coconut Creek; 954-357-5198; Nature Trails & Free Entry at Fern Forest in North Broward
- 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
- Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk is a delightful stretch along the New River from about Southwest Fifth Street east toward Federal Highway, incorporating Esplanade Park; Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale offers scenic setting for walks & outdoor recreation
Love Songs
Romantic songs are performed by vocalist Jennifer McClain 2:30 p.m. February 10 at branch library, 954-357-7830, 3250 NE 2nd St., Pompano Beach 33062. Entry is free. Information is online.
Orchid Show
February 11-12 Orchid show in Boca Raton. Feature: Discount: Valentine’s Orchid Show in Boca Raton for $3
Kids event
Valentine’s Day with Marci Poppins for ages 3-7 11 a.m. February 11 at Weston branch library, 4205 Bonaventure Boulevard, Weston 33332. Register online.
Art Projects & Fun
Palm Beach County libraries offer a variety of projects and activities for kids, teens and adults. Information is online.
Attractions, Recreation & Shopping
Free Entry
- Valentine’s Bash at Broward Mall, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. February 11, includes live entertainment featuring Jen Martinez-Bre, Rudy Fernandez and Show Mexicanismo, 8000 W. Broward Boulevard, Plantation 33388, 954-473-8100, information is online.
- Studio 18 In The Pines displays the work of local artists; entry is free; 1101 Poinciana Drive, Pembroke Pines; 954-961-6067
- Delray Art Trail showcases vibrant outdoor public art displays, art studios and other art venues in the downtown district. Log into the Art Trail on the website
- Downtown Hollywood Murals features about 45 murals on buildings and sidewalks in easy walkable route, and it’s free. Information about the artwork and artists is online.
- Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach includes exhibits and a deck overlooking the waterway where manatees occasionally hang out. Entry and parking are free. Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach offers exhibits & webcam & it’s free
- ArtServe exhibits & shop feature the work of South Florida artists & artisans, 1350 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, 954-462-8190
- Swap Shop flea market with variety of vendors indoors and outdoors and a free indoor Ferrari display, 3291 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-791-7927; information online
- Museum of Art in Coral Springs, free entry for exhibits and shop, venue is inside Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; 954-340-5000; website
- Outdoor art exhibits
- Palm Beach County
- Downtown Hollywood
Photo/ArtServe
Other Free & inexpensive things to do this weekend in South Florida
Valentine’s Events if you’re spending a little more
Florida Grand Opera
Hearts and Arrows: Opera’s Great Love Songs performance by Florida Grand Opera Studio Artists of best known arias and ensembles plus musicals including music from “West Side Story,” “La Boheme” and “Carousel.” Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m., First Miami Presbyterian Church, 609 Brickell Ave. Tickets $25. Click here for info and tickets.
Ginuwine in Fort Lauderdale
Ginuwine, singer, songwriter and dancer, is the featured performer February 10 and February 11 at The Venue Fort Lauderdale, 954-765-6968, 2345 Wilton Drive, Fort Lauderdale 33305. Tickets are $47.14, including fees. Information and tickets are online.
Deering Estate
Moonlight & Music Valentine’s Day Concert featuring the jazz sounds of Bianca Rosarrio and Nikki Kidd bring a lawn chair or blanket to listen on the lawn. Feb. 14 at 8 p.m., 16701 SW 72 Avenue, Miami, FL 33157. Tickets $60. Click here for info and tickets.
Curtiss Mansion
Candlelight concert featuring the music of “Romeo & Juliet” and other romantic classics. Feb. 14 at 6:30 and 9 p.m., Curtiss Mansion, 500 Deer Run, Miami Springs. Tickets $50. Click here for info and tickets.
Other ideas
- Water Taxi in Fort Lauderdale offers rides along the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale, with hop-on, hop-off opportunities. After 5 p.m., discounted Happy Hour fares are offered. Feature: Water Taxi offers deals
- Xtreme Action Park, 5600 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale ·is an indoor arcade and recreation venue. Deals are offered, including two activities for $22 Mondays to Thursdays.
- Boomers Boca Raton, arcade and recreation park, 3100 Airport Road; 954-347-1888, promotions in February and other deals featured on Boomers website
- Frost Science Museum, 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-434-9600, website.
- Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., 305-251-0400; website.
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Other free and cheap things to do
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