Make your way to the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk and indulge in a favorite free past time: people watching.
Located within an easy drive of Miami’s glitz and glamour, Fort Lauderdale is more like Miami’s laid-back older sister — perfectly comfortable in her own skin. Known for its gorgeous beaches, cultural offerings (including a healthy dose of classic kitsch) and world-class shopping, Fort Lauderdale seems as if it might come with a hefty price tag. However, there are plenty of free things to do in Fort Lauderdale if you know where to look.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Perhaps the most obvious free thing to do in Fort Lauderdale is visit one of its many beautiful beaches. From Hollywood to Deerfield to Hillsboro, there are beautiful beaches stretching nearly 23 miles — and they’re all free to enjoy. Stroll down the boardwalk at Hollywood Beach and you can enjoy one of the most popular forms of free entertainment: people watching. However, once you’re done soaking up the sun and sand, head inland for a different type of nature experience.
At the Snake Warrior’s Island Natural Area you can explore part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and spot a wide variety of wildlife, or make your way to the Fern Forest Nature Center to wander through more than 30 species of ferns. The Anne Kolb Nature Center is one of Florida’s largest urban parks, complete with more than 1500 acres of coastal mangrove wetlands and a 3500-gallon aquarium. All three of these areas offer free admission on weekdays. Of course, one of the most popular natural attractions in the area is also free: the Florida Everglades. While taking an airboat tour is a great way to cover a lot of ground (and meet a few gators), there are plenty of opportunities to create your own free self-guided tours as well.
Take in a Show
One of the most popular reasons to visit Fort Lauderdale is its wide variety of cultural offerings, from art galleries to live music and theatrical performances. You don’t have to shell out for pricey tickets to enjoy these shows, though. On the first Sunday of every month, the downtown Riverwalk hosts a Sunday Jazz Brunch. Local jazz ensembles take to four stages to create beautiful music for the patrons gathered on lawn chairs and blankets, sharing a picnic or enjoying fare from local vendors.
Looking for an evening of musical entertainment? The Starlight Musicals concert series takes place every Friday during the summer from mid-June through early August and offers free concerts on the football field at Holiday Park. Bring picnic baskets, coolers and your lawn chair or blanket to enjoy music from a wide variety of genres, including tropical rock, pop and country.
Or, if you’re in the mood for something totally different, The Wreck Bar offers the only mermaid show in town. Every Friday and Saturday night at 6:30 p.m., MeduSirena and the Aquacats present their world-famous aquatic show to entertain adults and children alike. Admission to the show is free, but you’ll most likely want to purchase a drink or snack to create a well-rounded experience.
Free for the Holidays
If you decide to visit Fort Lauderdale during the holidays, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy free entertainment. The annual David Deal Playday takes place in August and is a week-long celebration for the community that includes concerts, sports competitions and more. Over Memorial Day, celebrate with the Great American Beach Party, a family-friendly event that features live bands, beach games, a classic car show and other interactive experiences. The 4th of July brings a patriotic celebration with an extensive kid zone full of games, plenty of music and a jaw-dropping fireworks display.
The Christmas holidays feature plenty of free entertainment like Santa on the Beach and the Park Tree Lighting before the ringing in of the New Year in one of the biggest celebrations in Florida.
- Contributed by Katie Coakley
Free Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale from Miami Things to Do