15 Best Things to Do in Tamarac (FL)

Located on Florida’s southern Atlantic coast between Miami and Boca Raton, Tamarac is a convenient city from which to visit many of the state’s most beautiful beaches, parks, and cultural and historical attractions.

Developed and incorporated in the early ’60s, it’s one of the newest cities in the area, and unlike many of its larger metropolitan neighbors, it still retains much of its original smalltown charm.

Tamarac lies along Interstate 95, which makes travel to attractions in other parts of the state both quick and easy.

Below are 15 fun things to do in and around Tamarac, Florida.

1. Woodmont Country Club

For golfers visiting the Sunshine State, the sheer number of courses can be overwhelming.

Woodmont Country Club in Tamarac includes two 18-hole courses and is semi-private, meaning it’s open to the public only at specified times. Those who hold a membership have access to all the club’s facilities, whereas visitors may not.

The club’s two courses play about 7,000 and 6,400 yards and are considered among the most well-maintained and challenging in the area.

The facilities include a restaurant, pro shop, putting greens, and a driving range for those who’d like to hit a few practice shots before their tee time.

2. Fern Forest Nature Center

Located on South Lyons Road in nearby Coconut Creek, Fern Forest Nature Center may not be the kind of place you’ll spend an entire day, but it’s the perfect escape destination for those looking for a few quiet hours away from the hustle and bustle of the area’s tourist attractions.

Before hitting the trails, check out the exhibits in the visitor’s center, where you’ll learn about the local environment and the plants and animals that call it home.

The center features a variety of trails, most of which are appropriate for children; it’s not uncommon to see birds, frogs, butterflies, and other critters.

3. Butterfly World

In the mid-’80s, a local butterfly enthusiast founded a butterfly breeding and distribution company. More than three decades later, that company morphed into what’s now Butterfly World – the largest facility of its kind in the world.

Florida’s warm, moist climate is perfect for many exotic species of butterfly; for those traveling with animal-loving children, stopping by and checking them out is a must.

Daily and seasonal passes are available, and the facility includes indoor exhibits and outdoor areas to explore as well.

They often offer coupons on their website, so take a look before heading out.

4. Staying Afloat Party Boat

Fort Lauderdale’s Staying Afloat Party Boat is an activity that’s best left to the young, single, and childless sector of the travel market.

Tour boats can seat up to 12 people, and guests are encouraged to bring their own food and adult beverages.

Regardless of the length of tour you and your travel companions choose, you’ll see the city from a unique perspective and may stop at neighborhood bars and restaurants along the way.

Packages are available in four, six, and eight-hour lengths, are great for birthday and bachelor parties, and include other fun activities like feeding fish and stopping for pictures.

5. Funky Buddha Brewery

Located on NE 38th Street in nearby Oakland Park, Funky Buddha Brewery is one of the Atlantic coast’s most popular breweries and is widely credited with kicking off Florida’s microbrew revolution.

They brew a wide array of seasonal beer varieties, each with its own unique flavor profile, and are open every day from lunchtime until nearly midnight.

They’re also known for their tasty food that is the perfect complement to a cold brew. If you’re not sure which beer to choose, consider a sampler or flight, which will allow you to try small amounts of many beers to see which you prefer.

6. Coral Square Mall

Though the humble American mall may not raise a lot of eyebrows when compared to other state destinations like Miami’s South Beach and Everglades National Park, when the temperature breaks into the triple digits and the humidity isn’t far behind, indoor air-conditioned venues like malls become a necessity.

Teaming with well-known brands like Old Navy, The Limited, and Macy’s, Coral Square Mall is just a short drive from Tamarac and Coconut Creek, and features an extensive food court and a number of sit-down restaurants as well.

It’s the perfect place to chill for a few hours when the weather isn’t cooperating; you may even get lucky and find a bargain or two.

7. Riverfront Gondola Tours

With such a myriad of canals, lagoons, and bays, Florida’s coastline is a fascinating place to explore for nature lovers, amateur photographers, and history buffs, and there’s no better way to take it all in than by a gondola.

Unlike other tour companies whose boats use noisy and polluting outboard motors, Riverfront Gondola Tours prides itself on its quiet and eco-friendly electric motors that don’t detract from visitor’s experiences.

In addition to seeing a variety of neighborhoods and natural areas, it’s not uncommon to see predatory and wading birds – and even the iconic Florida manatee.

Check out their website for tour options and special deals.

8. Cycle Party Fort Lauderdale

From party boats to restaurant, bar and nightclub tours, Fort Lauderdale has more than its fair share of activities geared to party-minded adults; Cycle Party Fort Lauderdale is one of the most popular.

Each of their custom-made bikes can seat up to 15 passengers, and they offer services in West Palm Beach and Miami as well.

If some of your travel partners are less than physically fit, fear not; some of the bike’s seats are for riders only, so only ten people will actually need to peddle.

A variety of tour options are available, and they all include a local guide.

9. Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse

Though it’s not as convenient to access as many other tourist attractions, for lovers of lighthouses, scenic views and local history, a trip to the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse would be a great way to spend a few hours.

Access to the lighthouse is possible as part of a guided tour only; they’re only offered once a month and are led by a member of the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society.

The lighthouse is particularly well-known for its unique Fresnel lens, which provided a bright beacon to nocturnal mariners in eras past.

Limited tour spots are available and they fill up quickly, so reserve yours in advance.

10. Yellow Green Farmers Market

Yellow Green Farmers Market is the largest of its kind in South Florida. It’s open year-round and offers visitors an unrivaled selection of fresh, seasonal, locally grown produce.

The market consists of hundreds of individual vendors spread over more than 100,000 square feet of space. In addition to fruits and vegetables, it includes arts and crafts, health and body products, and a variety of prepared food items like coffee, fresh baked goods, honey, and salsa.

It’s located on Sheridan Street in Hollywood and is just off Interstate 95, the state’s main north-south corridor.

The market is open on Saturday and Sunday, and visiting is a great way to support the local economy.

11. Young at Art Museum

Florida’s tourist destinations include a unique mix of natural, historical, and cultural sites, and for those looking to take a break from beaches and swamps, stopping at the Young at Art Museum would be a great way spend a few pleasant hours.

Like most museums, it contains a variety of art done in many mediums, but unlike most, it offers visitors the opportunity to get active and participate instead of just viewing static exhibits.

The museum is located in Davie, and many of its programs were designed with kids in mind, so check out the calendar of events to see what’s on the horizon for when you’ll be in the area.

12. Sawgrass Recreation Park

Florida’s Everglades are full of unique and beautiful plants, trees, and animals, and there’s no better way to experience them up close than by airboat.

A variety of tour options are available, from 30 to 60 minutes. For those who’d like an extra exhilarating twist, it’s possible to do the tour at night, when many largely nocturnal creatures like gators, raccoons, and possums are most active.

Park admission also includes access to exhibits and regularly scheduled animal feedings. Though admission is more expensive than other area attractions, the park is the kind of place that can occupy a family for a full day.

13. Museum of Discovery and Science

Museum of Discovery and Science, Fort Lauderdale

Located on SW 2nd Street in Fort Lauderdale, the Museum of Discovery and Science is another kid-friendly hotspot that’s particularly inviting when the weather isn’t cooperating.

With interactive exhibits and activities focusing on history, culture, science, and the natural world, it’s a one-stop facility that’s all about engaging, entertaining, and educating children and adults alike.

There’s an IMAX Theater with nearly 300 seats, a World War II flight simulator, a dinosaur graveyard full of fascinating fossils, and a great gift shop and cafe.

The museum is open from Monday to Saturday with limited hours on Sunday, and the cost of admission won’t break the bank.

14. The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum

The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum is one of the most complete collections of Packard motorcars in the world, and started as the private collection of a man who was gaga for the now-defunct brand of automobiles.

Many of the cars on display date back to the luxury brand’s heyday in the early and mid-20th century, when the name was synonymous with class and quality.

The cars have been restored to near-original condition and offer guests a unique insight into the past, and the developments that have revolutionized the car industry in the last 60 years.

15. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Located between the Atlantic Ocean and Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a regional hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts looking to spend a day kayaking, canoeing, or exploring the variety of environments found within the park.

The park also features miles of bike trails that lead to remote and scenic locations, most of which will make you feel like you’re much farther from civilization than you really are.

An easy drive from Tamarac and Fort Lauderdale, it’s an especially popular destination for bird watchers and amateur photographers, who come looking for the more than 200 species of birds that call the park home.