14 Best Things to Do in Parkland (FL)

Located in South Florida’s Broward Counting, the small city of Parkland is part of the Miami Metro area, but is well-known as an affluent suburb that’s a bit on the exclusive side.

For years, Parkland was famous for its lack of traffic lights and gaudy retail stores, though that’s all changed – the city now has a few of each.

Parkland had a population of just less than 23,000 residents at the time of the last census, and though it’s a beautiful area for those visiting, you won’t find much other than restaurants and golf courses within city limits.

Below are 14 things to do in and around Parkland.

1. Carmela Coffee Company

Located on North University Drive in Parkland, Carmela Coffee Company is a charming and welcoming spot that’s perfect for those looking to enjoy a hot or cold drink while catching up with friends, plugging away at a laptop, or reading a good book.

With a long history in the coffee and tea business, Carmela Coffee Company’s staff uses the best ingredients and the most modern techniques to make each drink a masterpiece. They also sell bulk bean coffee and a variety of teas for home use too.

Their menu includes food as well as drinks, and they offer a variety of live entertainment events too, so be sure to check their website.

2. Déjà Blue

Parkland is known for its ritzy eateries, and for those looking to feed a big family on the cheap, it’s probably not the best place to visit.

But if you’re after ambiance, great food, and an evening of memories, a few hours spent at Parkland’s Déjà Blue would be a great way to have your cake and eat it too.

Reservations are preferred and are especially important during peak evening hours on the weekends. Previous visitors have noted that their appetizers, drinks, and entrees were top notch.

There are plenty of seafood options, and the décor is a pleasant mix of contemporary and traditional.

3. Osprey Point Golf Course

Though it’s only been open since 2010, Osprey Point Golf Course in Boca Raton has won several awards. Unlike most traditional 18-hole courses, it’s comprised of three distinct nine-hole courses, which can be played in a variety of ways to mix things up.

The course’s greens and fairways are a new hybrid turf that’s both player and environmentally-friendly. For those who need a little warm-up before hitting the links, there are multiple putting and chipping greens and a full-length driving range.

Tee times tend to disappear quickly during peak times, so plan ahead.

4. Quiet Waters Park

Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield — Quiet Waters Park

At more than 400 acres, Quiet Waters Park in nearby Deerfield is often anything but quiet; it’s frequently full of boaters, water skiers, and other frolicking fans of sun, fun, and watersports.

The park is home to a private cable water skiing business called Ski Rixen USA that uses quiet and environmentally friendly cables to propel skiers instead of boats with noisy and polluting outboard motors.

Fishing and swimming are permitted in designated areas too, and the park hosts a variety of seasonal festivals – like the ever-popular Renaissance Festival.

For those too young to ski, there are playgrounds and a water park.

5. Festival Marketplace

Pompano Beach’s Festival Marketplace is one of south Florida’s quirkiest and most memorable retail facilities, and previous guests have characterized it in a number of strange ways.

It’s a lot like a flea market from years past in that it’s comprised of rows and rows of vendors selling odds and ends – from jewelry and electronics to cheap sunglasses and perfume of unspecified origin.

Looking is half the fun, and it’s always possible to find a real gem or two if you have the time and patience. There’s a massive food court that offers a variety of dining options as well.

6. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek

Featuring a Las Vegas scale slot room with 2,000 machines as well as 70 live game tables, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is a bit of Sin City in the Sunshine State.

Whether your game is poker, blackjack, or roulette, you’ll find what you’re looking for. If you’d rather not squander your kid’s college money gambling, there is a world-class live entertainment venue and many restaurants offering everything from Asian and Italian to seafood and traditional American fare.

The casino offers rewards cards for frequent players, and in addition to their adult-centered activities, there are those suitable for kids as well.

7. Tall Cypress Natural Area

Located on Turtle Run Boulevard in Coral Springs, Tall Cypress Natural Area is the perfect escape destination for those who’ve had their fill of glitz and glamor and just want a little relaxing time in nature.

The natural area is home to a variety of trees and ponds that provide abundant shaded areas and habitat for a huge diversity of birds species, including owls, woodpeckers, and wading birds like herons.

Remember that Tall Cypress’ claim to fame is that it’s a natural area; in Florida, that means snakes and even gators, so feel free to explore but stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

8. Sawgrass Wildlife Hospital and Nature Center

Sawgrass Wildlife Hospital and Nature Center is a not-for-profit organization. They are mainly staffed by volunteers dedicated to rehabilitating wild animals that are injured or have been orphaned or abandoned.

Each year, hundreds of animals are brought to the facility. Though its primary role is rehabilitation, the center offers guided tours and a number of activity options – such as summer camps that are led by knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff.

9. Tavolino Della Notte

For some diehard foodies, cravings come out of nowhere; just because they may find themselves in Idaho doesn’t necessarily mean they’re in the mood for a potato.

For people in the Parkland area who get a hankering for Italian food, there’s no better place to dine at than Tavolino Della Notte on West Sample Road in nearby Coral Springs.

They’ve got all the classics like spaghetti marinara and chicken parmesan, but a number of fusion-type dishes that incorporate local ingredients with a twist too.

They also host a variety of entertainment like live music and trivia nights, so check their website for specifics.

10. Butterfly World

Butterfly World in Coconut Creek is one of South Florida’s most iconic attractions, and though it’s a blast for visitors of all ages, it’s an especially big hit with those traveling with little ones.

Butterfly World is like a botanical garden with butterflies, and like traditional gardens, there are certain times of the year when it’s more vibrant than others.

Learning about the amazing life cycles of butterflies is an enlightening experience for most guests, and many choose to bring a few drinks and sandwiches and enjoy a relaxing picnic in the shade.

There’s food available onsite if you’d rather let someone else do the cooking.

11. Cypress Park and Pool

Though the area around Parkland is home to some of the state’s most amazing beaches, many families eventually tire of all the sun and sand; when that happens, it’s worth a stop at Cypress Park and Pool in Coral Springs.

The park’s amenities include volleyball and basketball courts, a walking track, and soccer fields, but the park’s major attractions are the pool and waterpark.

There are a number of slides and splash pads and a lazy river for those looking to just cool off and chill out.

The park’s staff offer swimming lessons too, so give their website a look before heading out.

12. The Coral Springs Museum of Art

South Florida is well-known as the home to many world-class art galleries and museums, and many of them are the exclusive haunts of the well-to-do.

Located in Coral Springs Drive, the Coral Springs Museum of Art is a quaint museum that’s smaller than many of its contemporaries but features an impressive collection of vibrant contemporary art created by local, national, and international artists in a variety of mediums.

There’s an onsite garden too that’s the perfect place for a post-tour stroll or some down-time with a refreshing drink, especially in the winter months when the Florida weather is just about perfect.

13. Big Bear Brewing Company

Nothing quite tops off a day in the sun better than a cold, locally-made craft brew. For those who need some liquid sustenance after a long day, there are few better places than Big Bear Brewing Company on North University Drive in Coral Springs.

Their wide selection of beers in a variety of flavor profiles are the stars of the show, but they’ve got a full menu of traditional and tasty pub grub too.

It’s not just another adults-only beer joint; they’ve got a popular kid’s menu, and previous guests have noted that it’s contemporary and cozy with an all-around cool vibe.

14. Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park

Whoever Burt Aaronson is or was, he must’ve done a few things right because the park in Boca Raton that bears his name is a real doozy.

At nearly 900 acres, it’s one of the area’s largest and offers an impressive array of recreation and entertainment options for those who decide to visit.

There are baseball fields, basketball courts, and nearly five miles of walking and cycling paths, in addition to an amphitheater that hosts live entertainment, fairs, and festivals too.

Fishing, swimming, and kayaking are also popular activities, and most guests end up staying much longer than expected, so plan accordingly.

Where to stay: Best Hotels in Parkland, Florida (FL)

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