By land or by sea, there are still plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. Even during this hot summer weather, biking/walking/viewing/boating activities can be fun and don’t have to cost a fortune. Some are even free!
Here are just two great ways to spend some time this weekend:
Visit the Sawgrass Trailhead at Atlantic Boulevard
Opened in 2018, this beautiful natural area is easy to get to and a lot of fun. Each evening, you’ll find what’s likely to be a small group of folks gathering to watch the often-breathtaking sunsets in the Everglades. It’s great for kids, too; I took my six-year-old granddaughter who was initially suspicious of this “park” that had no playground, no snacks, and no restrooms.
Once we got out of the car and into the trailhead, though, she was hooked. We spent over an hour, walking and running up and down the wide paths, spotting birds and fish and all sorts of plants.
I knew it was a success when, the very next day, she asked, “When are we going back to that park?”
Writing for about Hidden Florida for The Florida Squeeze, Kartik Krishnaiyer describes it as “Stunningly well preserved given the close proximity to housing and sprawling urban development, it’s an oasis just at the end of an urban area.”
You can start and end your visit at the trailhead, or consider the walking/biking trail (learn more here).
If you haven’t yet visited, you owe it to yourself to do so. It’s right around the corner, and you’ll be glad you did.
You can enter the trailhead at the very end of Atlantic Boulevard, where it intersects the Sawgrass Expressway.
Take the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi
While this can be a little pricey, the Water Taxi often runs specials, and we’ve found their “Happy Hour” pricing to be a good value. Adults can ride for $18 after 5PM. Given that this gets you hours on the Intracoastal Waterway, and the ability to hop on and off at your leisure, we think it’s a great buy. There are also discounted, limited-stop tickets available on weekends from noon-8:00 pm.
The Water Taxi runs from northern Fort Lauderdale to Hollywood. You can board from any one of their stops, and then get off elsewhere, grab a drink or food at a nearby restaurant, go shopping, or visit the beach. Then, catch the next Water Taxi and continue enjoying our beautiful waterways.
All told, the Water Taxi has 10 stops in Ft. Lauderdale, and one stop in Hollywood, at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort and the Historic Hollywood Broadwalk.
You can also hire the Water Taxi for a private charter.
NOTE: Given fast-changing conditions, be sure to check out any new requirements/hours/etc. before visiting any attractions.
