7 must see parks in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, FL is sometimes nicknamed the "Venice of America" because of its winding network of canals found by the riverfront. It's a popular city and vacation destination thanks to its pristine beaches, exciting events, extensive shopping opportunities and fantastic arts and culture scene. This pretty locale has a variety of attractions to keep anyone occupied, from dining and shopping on Las Olas Boulevard to exploring the historic districts, or even taking a ride on a water taxi to admire the gorgeous city from a different point of view.

While you're visiting or living in Fort Lauderdale you'll have plenty of time to be outside either on the water, at an amusement park or just walking around the city. There are lots of nice areas for locals and visitors to enjoy by the waterfront, and you'll even have access to wildlife preserves and national parks. If you're looking for more places to go for a walk but don't want to go too far away from the city center, take your pick from any of these great parks in Fort Lauderdale.

Before picnicking, boating or participating in any activities, store your belongings near the park. Bounce luggage storage in Fort Lauderdale is easily booked on the website or the simple to use app. Be hands free as you explore lush outdoor spaces.

Snyder Park

Snyder Park is a favorite park in the city not only for people but also for dogs. This green space covers 90 acres so there's plenty to explore. The "bark park" is the best dog park in the area and the ultimate spot to bring your four legged family members to make some new friends. If the weather is particularly hot, you'll definitely see furry guests taking advantage of the dog-only lake, perfect for swimming and cooling off from the heat. Of course, you'll also find wide open areas that are fenced for them to run around in or play fetch.

Don't worry, there's lots for the owners to do here as well. You'll find nice grassy meadows where you can sit down on a blanket with a book and picnic tables for sitting on to have a meal while enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. The calm, sandy coves are the perfect locale to visit if you want to feel like you're at the beach. Washrooms and a playground area for kids are also featured inside the park.

A basketball court as well as tennis courts and volleyball courts, fishing areas and horseshoe pits are available for parkgoers to enjoy and have some friendly games, and you can also play singles-only pickleball. If you want to take a quiet stroll then you'll definitely want to check out the butterfly garden, and the bike trail is great for those who are looking for somewhere to go cycling. Want to get out onto the water yourself? The park offers kayaks, paddleboards, and single-rider canoes.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

If Fort Lauderdale had a Central Park, this would be it. You'll find the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park at East Sunrise Blvd in a fantastic location between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, providing many opportunities for water sports and activities suitable for the whole family. Whether you're visiting as a family, with friends, on a date with your partner or even alone, there's something everyone can enjoy.

Take a while to explore all the nature trails. They'll bring you past some impressive landscapes, including a freshwater lagoon. The park offers fishing on a beautiful seawall that spans over a mile long, or try your hand at kayaking, jet skiing, canoeing, paddleboarding and much more to keep you cool on those warm sunny days. We suggest you rent out a pedal boat to go for a serene trip around the freshwater coastal dune lake.

If you'd rather stay on land, scout out the nearly two mile long loop that goes through the park. You can rent out a bike to traverse it on two wheels or go walking, hiking, rollerblading or skating around the path. You'll be hungry after the exercise, so why not stop by the welcoming open-air restaurant that serves craft beers and food? There's a very small entrance fee to get into the park but if you think you'll be coming back often, invest in an annual pass.

Esplanade Park

Esplanade Park is one of the best parks in Downtown Fort Lauderdale and a great place to enjoy the fresh air at any time of year. The waterfront park has lovely gardens surrounding a gorgeous glass pavilion which is the green space's main attraction. It's often where locals go to hang out or to catch a glimpse of some of the several events happening nearby throughout the year. If you can, try to visit the park during the Smoke on the Water BBQ Fest, the Winterfest Boat Parade or the Stone Crab & Seafood Fest.

The park is never really quiet and you'll usually see food truck vendors and other stalls set up, as well as live music playing. You can always find somewhere to eat in the park but if none of them catch your eye, head to one of the bars and restaurants found in the surrounding area. Most of the park is paved but you'll still find a few grassy areas where you can walk and sit. Paddleboats are available for rent to those who want to get out onto the water, and children's playgrounds are featured in the park as well.

As you enjoy the park you'll get to admire views of the New River that winds throughout the city, and the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk path is the ideal destination for a relaxing stroll by the waterfront. You can follow the path in both directions from the park meaning that you can make your trek as long or as short as you want to. It's also a popular place for jogging, and once you're done at the park, head to the public museum or IMAX theater for more nearby fun.

Colee Hammock Park

Unlike the lively Esplanade Park mentioned above, Colee Hammock Park is just right when you want to relax and take it easy in a calm and quiet environment. It's situated close to Las Olas so you can easily find somewhere to grab some food to-go and return to the park for a picnic. Alternatively, you can place a blanket under the shade of a palm tree and watch as the big yachts and fishing boats float by down the river.

This is a beautiful little park that covers a bit over an acre of land and has grassy areas shaded by mature trees and wide open spaces perfect for kite flying. The cool breeze from the waterfront and lake will keep you comfortable as you sit on the picnic tables and enjoy the sunshine. You can even go fishing yourself in the nearby waterway.

The main goal of the small park is to provide the people of Fort Lauderdale with somewhere they can go to relax, be active or use as a social space to meet up with others in the community. Since the park doesn't usually get too busy, it's a great place to take a break from the bustling and lively city.

Fort Lauderdale Beach Park

Don't forget about Fort Lauderdale Beach Park when you're planning your list of parks to visit. If you're looking for beach access then this is one of the best places that you can go, with plenty of spaces to lounge and sun tan on the sand. Remember to pack sunscreen and several bottles of water!

The Fort Lauderdale Beach Park is situated south of the Bahia Mar Resort and has beach volleyball courts as well as basketball courts set up so you can play a couple of rounds with your friends or other locals enjoying the public space. There are grills and picnic areas for you to use when you get hungry and want to make food, too. The restrooms and outdoor showers are there for when you want to wash up after swimming in the water.

Kids will love to spend time in the play area and might make new friends for the day. Children can get into the water themselves under the watchful eye of the lifeguards, although they are only on duty during daylight hours. Feel free to bring your own boat to get out into the ocean since there's a boating ramp available for use at the park. Nearby you'll find several shops, hotels and restaurants so there's always delicious food within reach.

Plantation Heritage Park

This is one of the Broward County parks in Fort Lauderdale, and they always seem to impress when it comes to leisure and recreation. Plantation Heritage Park is no different, and can definitely be considered one of Fort Lauderdale's best parks. It's quite large at a bit over 88 acres in size, so reserve an entire afternoon if you want to explore most of it.

This is a nice park with plenty of plants and natural features, including a fruit grove. You can traverse the walking trails which will bring you past lush green trees and gorgeous tropical flowers. If you want to go for a good walk, one of the best hiking trails is the Anne Kolb Memorial Trail. Follow it and you'll be taken through forests of pine and tropical hardwoods, as well as a strand forest right by the coast.

Inside the park grounds, there's also a lake which offers lots of activities like fishing or just relaxing by the water. You'll also discover a charming gazebo which is often used as a picturesque wedding venue.

Holiday Park

This big, diverse recreational center offers a wide range of fun activities and facilities that people of all ages can enjoy. If you're interested in sports you'll be happy to hear there's a basketball court, baseball diamonds and football field on site, giving you the chance to play all sorts of team based games with other parkgoers. It's sometimes used to host games for local sports teams.

If that wasn't enough, you'll also find roller hockey rinks, racquetball, soccer fields, pickleball courts and even a gymnasium with air conditioning. When you're done making use of all the sports facilities, find a shaded picnic area or pavilion to rest up and enjoy a bite to eat. Different programs targeted towards youth and adults are put on throughout the year including Zumba, ballroom dancing and different sports.

Dog friendliness isn't only reserved for Snyder Park, you'll find a designated dog park and play area here as well. The area is split into two dog parks for big and small pups, with doggy fountains and benches for the owners to sit on. There's also a playground and shuffleboard for young kids to use and since it's such a great event space you'll see celebrations happening throughout the year. Holiday Park spans about 90 acres and can be found south of Sunrise Blvd and east of the Federal Highway.

The most wonderful way to spend a day in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Whether native to the city or a traveler about to land at Fort Lauderdale Airport, this city won't disappoint those anxious to spend time in the sun. Fort Lauderdale parks provide beautiful spots to relax and be active too which is why they are so loved by the locals and tourists in the city. From forested areas to sandy beaches and sports complexes to dog parks, this city has an outdoor space that everybody can take advantage of.

The gorgeous sandy shores are part of what makes this city such a popular destination for travel, so why not check out some of the beaches near Fort Lauderdale while you're here? This scenic city offers plenty of free things to do as well, so don't miss out on those.