15 Best Things to Do in Pembroke Park (FL)

Pembroke Park is a town of about 6,000 residents that lies along the southern portion of the state’s Atlantic coast in Broward County.

Along with Hollywood and other well-known cities like Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, Pembroke Pines is part of the Miami Metropolitan Area which is home to nearly six million residents.

Pembroke Pines is geographically smaller than most of its neighbors, but there are a variety of entertainment and recreation options available within a short drive, ranging from natural and cultural to historic and artistic.

Below are 15 things to do in and around Pembroke Park, Florida.

1. Orangebrook Golf & Country Club

Golf is one of the Sunshine State’s premier draws, and the Orangebrook Golf & Country Club features two distinct, championship-level 18-hole courses. When the course was designed and built in the ‘30s, there were only 18 holes.

The facility is known for its well-manicured greens and fairways and ample hazards. During the year it holds a variety of professional and amateur events and has been hosting world-class players like Jack Nicklaus for decades.

Both courses are in Hollywood, just minutes from Pembroke Park. A fully-stocked pro shop, driving range, and full-service bar and restaurant round out the course’s amenities.

2. Screaming Carrots

Located on West Hallandale Beach Boulevard in nearby Hallandale Beach, Screaming Carrots has only been around for a few years. In addition to being one of the area’s most uniquely named restaurants, it caters to the earth-friendly crowd who prefer sustainability and locally grown produce to factory-raised pork chops and canned green beans.

Screaming Carrots prides itself on utilizing only plant-based ingredients, and most of them are organic, non-GMO, and locally grown.

Previous guests have been impressed by the restaurant’s abundance of international influences that include Thai and Mediterranean, and there’s no denying that healthy food just makes most people feel better.

3. Aqua Golf Driving Range

Even for non-golfers, hitting golf balls by the bucket-full is a lot of fun, and hitting them into water is even more exhilarating.

Aqua Golf Driving Range is one of the only golf courses that allows visitors to hit balls into the water. They offer club rentals and helpful pointers from experienced staff for those who need a little guidance before heading out on their own.

They’re open daily from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM, and their prices are reasonable. Most previous guests agree that hitting balls under the spotlights is more fun than it is during the day.

4. Joseph Scavo Park

Joseph Scavo Park is located on Three Islands Boulevard in Hallandale Beach and is an especially popular place with the fit, active, dog-loving crowd.

The park features two distinct dog areas, and for those traveling without four-legged friends, there are a variety of trails that are great for morning and afternoon strolls. Along the way, there are playgrounds that are usually full of frolicking kids and their parents.

Joseph Scavo Park is free to visit and is conveniently close to Pembroke Park, making it an excellent choice for travelers on a budget who don’t have access to a set of wheels.

5. Aventura Mall

Featuring nearly 300 stores ranging from affordable to ultra-pricey, Aventura Mall is one of the area’s most popular retail attractions, and attracts crowds from nearly all walks of life.

The mall is anchored by big international brands like Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales. According to some, it’s the largest mall in the state.

The mall’s stores sell everything from toys and books to diamond bracelets and housewares, and there are a variety of dining and entertainment options as well.

Like most Florida malls, Aventura can draw the masses when the weather isn’t conducive to being outside, so expect a crowd if that’s when you’ll go.

6. Everglades Holiday Park

Everglades Holiday Park is one of the area’s most iconic destinations; it’s most well-known for its fantastic wildlife, exhilarating airboat tours, and abundant animal shows.

Zip-lines are also relatively new additions and give fit and fearless visitors opportunities to see things from a bird’s eye view.

Most guests block out a significant portion of their day to ensure they have enough time to enjoy all the activity options.

The park is one of those rare attractions that entertains and educates, and especially for those traveling with children, it usually ends up being one of the most memorable experiences of their trip.

7. Âme Spa & Wellness Collective

Though it might be slightly out of financial reach for a significant portion of visitors to the area, Âme Spa & Wellness Collective at the JW Marriott Turnberry is a world-class facility for those who want the best pampering money can buy.

Featuring dozens of unique treatment options, including massages, facials, and pedicures, the staff have been trained in total wellness practices that keep many guests coming back on a regular basis.

The facility’s Himalayan salt and steam rooms are popular with those in need of a way to release tension, and the staff includes nutritional consultations and fitness trainers.

8. Bourbon Steak

Bourbon Steak is located on the grounds of the JW Marriott Turnberry Resort and is considered by many to be the area’s most prestigious and acclaimed steakhouse.

The restaurant is definitely not a good fit for those looking to feed a family without breaking the bank, but for those interested in a memorable meal like they may never have again, it’s a great choice despite its hefty price tag.

As its name implies, Bourbon Steak is most well-known for its steaks, but they also offer a variety of fresh local seafood, Maine lobsters, and a full-selection of internationally sourced wines and spirits.

9. Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream Park and Casino — Gulfstream Park And Casino

Gulfstream Park hosts one of the country’s largest horse racing events, and it takes place annually between October and December.

Referred to as the Florida Derby, it draws visitors from all over the world and is held in Gulfstream Park on South Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach.

Even for non-horse racing fans, it’s a fun event. If you’ll be visiting at other times during the year, Gulfstream Park features plenty of activities.

The casino is always jumping, but for those traveling with kids, there are abundant options too, including live entertainment, staff-led activities, and bowling. The food is top-notch as well.

10. Bonnet House

The Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale is one of the area’s most well-preserved historic attractions and a favorite destination of those looking to learn about the region’s past.

The house was previously known as the Bartlett Estate, named after an artist from Chicago who bought the home for his wife nearly a century ago.

In addition to containing furniture and housewares from the era, the home is a repository for the artist’s works and features stunning gardens and extensive grounds featuring marshes, mangroves, and unique coastal forests.

The Bonnet House is also home to one of the largest collections of orchids in the country, and it’s relatively inexpensive to visit.

11. NSU Art Museum

The NSU Art Museum is located on East Las Olas Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale. It is primarily known for its extensive collection of contemporary art that’s spread over nearly 80,000 feet of space in a building designed by a famous architect.

The museum’s collection features more than 5,000 individual works done in a variety of mediums with a number of international influences, especially from Cuba and Latin America.

In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum hosts temporary ones from other institutions and private collections as well.

Check out their website to see what’ll be going on when you’ll be in the area.

12. The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum

The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum was founded by a man dedicated to preserving the history of the now-defunct Packard Motor Company; a brand that was known for making prestigious, technologically advanced and pricy cars in its heyday.

The museum’s collection includes more than 20 Packard automobiles that were built between the turn of the 20th century and the ‘40s.

Though most visitors are already car aficionados, even those who aren’t particularly interested in them end-up learning a lot and having a great time. Daily guided tours are available and generally last between an hour and 90 minutes.

13. Fort Lauderdale Beach Park

Pembroke Park is located inland of the Atlantic Ocean, but just a few short blocks to the east there are several towns that are home to some of the Sunshine State’s most beautiful beaches.

Fort Lauderdale Beach Park is located along Seabreeze Boulevard. In addition to its namesake beaches, it offers guests a variety of amenities, including covered picnic areas with tables and barbecue grills, restrooms, outdoor showers, and designated play areas for kids.

The park is open from sunrise to well after sunset every day of the year, and there are basketball and volleyball courts as well.

14. Museum of Discovery and Science

Museum of Science and Discovery, Fort Lauderdale — Museum Of Science And Discovery, Fort Lauderdale

It’s a relatively new trend in the vacation and entertainment industries to not only amuse kids but to engage and educate them at the same time.

The Museum of Discovery and Science is one such attraction that’s conveniently located on SW 2nd Street in Fort Lauderdale, just a short drive from Pembroke Park.

The museum’s exhibits are spread over multiple floors and include tons of interactive exhibits that touch on aviation, space, animals, and history. They’ve been designed with children of all ages in mind. There’s also a massive IMAX Theatre that boasts the biggest screen in South Florida.

15. Broward Center for the Performing Arts

According to some statistics, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is one of the most visited centers of its kind in the country.

It’s located in a world-class building that sits on the banks of the New River and offers year-round performances, including ballets, Broadway-style shows, operas, and contemporary music concerts.

The center hosts more than 500 performances annually, and many of them are appropriate for children.

The staff offer a number of workshops and special events throughout the year that include guest speakers and cultural events. Tickets to popular shows may go quickly, so it’s wise to purchase them online beforehand if possible.