FREE or CHEAP Outdoor Activities in Fort Lauderdale

Explore the outdoors at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Fort Lauderdale’s very own “central park” provides visitors with all sorts of outdoor activities. Entry fees are cheap with $4 for a single occupant vehicle, $6 for a car with multiple people, or $2 per person if you walk or cycle in.

Our preferred destination for morning jogs, the park features a 2-mile paved loop for cyclists, runners/walkers, and skaters. Additionally, along the loop you can find access points to unpaved nature trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and fishing access on the intracoastal waterway.

The park also contains its very own freshwater lagoon and provides kayak, SUP, and canoe rentals to explore the mile long lake. Although the rentals can get a bit pricey, the area serves as a good spot for wildlife viewing AND people watching.

Despite all the great activities the park has to offer, what we REALLY love is the beach access. With the small entry fee for ALL day parking, the State Park serves as the CHEAPEST beach parking in the entire city (as far as we could find, at least). Also, the beaches are less traveled than other parks in the area, making Hugh Taylor Birch State Park a critical component of our “Guide to the perfect Fort Lauderdale beach day”.

To wrap up your full day of outdoor fun, head to the park’s very own restaurant, ‘Park & Ocean’. They serve up good food, cold beer, and live music (dependent on the day) in a beautiful, natural setting overlooking the ocean.

FOR MORE: Exploring Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Map It!

Cycle the coast using Broward BCycle

Throughout the Fort Lauderdale area (and Broward County) you can find several BCycle stations. These bikes are a county initiative to provide residents, and visitors alike, an eco-friendly and economical way to explore the city. They are by far, the cheapest, easiest, and most convenient way to cycle the coastal roadways.

The bikes run at $5 for a half hour and max at $25 for the day (by comparison, other bike rental shops charge around $40 for a half day). Stations are readily available so all you have to do is unlock the bike using their app and drop it off at any station when you’re done.

In addition, the A1A (the main roadway along the Atlantic Ocean in Florida) typically designates marked bike lanes for safe riding. Simple, easy, safe, economical, AND environmental! Woohoo!

To access the station map and how to download the app, visit the BCycle website.

FOR MORE: Visitor’s Guide to Cycling in Fort Lauderdale

Relax in the shade along the river at Colee Hammock Park

Looking for a tropical hidden hideaway? Look no further. Colee Hammock Park is a hidden gem just off Las Olas Boulevard near downtown Fort Lauderdale. Parking is free, although limited, and no admission fees exist.

A few benches are provided but we’d recommend you bring a blanket, some chairs, or a hammock to sling up while watching the boats drive by. This relaxing park is perfect for picnics, naps, hanging out with friends, or even casting a line off the sea wall.

So, enjoy the peace and quiet as you watch the parade of spectacular boats drive on by in the distance.

Map It!

Stroll the Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale

We’ve spent a few lazy afternoons strolling the 2-mile Riverwalk and we always seem to find new things to explore!

The best place to park and begin the Riverwalk is in Cooley’s Landing Park. Parking runs at just a few bucks for a couple hours giving you more than enough time for a cheap and fun day of exploration.

The park brings you through a nice marina filled with unique boats before leading you into Esplanade Park, where you can rent the aforementioned BCycle to discover downtown further.

Along the walk you’ll find the Fort Lauderdale Historical District with museums and tours, if that’s your thing. Nearby are rentals for kayaks, bikes, and water taxi tickets: all are great ways to explore the surrounding area (although I cannot speak for their pricing).

For us, we love to bring a hammock and pack some snacks. All the parks along the way provide enough shade to chill out, dream of owning the yachts rolling by, and enjoy world class people watching (the most underrated outdoor activity, in my opinion).

Map It!

Yes, it is actually called the Broadwalk, NOT boardwalk. No matter, this lively boardwalk in Hollywood is a great place to watch the sunrise, go for a morning jog, take a bike ride, or enjoy a beach day.

With no cars allowed, and designated cycling lanes, cycling the boardwalk ranks as one of the top outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale. In the morning, the boardwalk is usually full of eager exercisers, both local and visitors, all starting their day off right!

We like to start our bike ride near Harry Berry Park. It’s the cheapest parking in the area at $2 per hour. Just 100 feet north, sits a Broward BCycle Station where you can rent a bike for cheap.

From there, we ride north past the Marine Environmental Education Center, the Dania Beach Pier and into Von D. Mizell State Park (a $2 entrance fee). If you take the roadway to the end of the park (past all the cruise ships) your ride is about 6 miles. Turn around and head back to your starting point for a nice 12 mile loop!

A whole morning of fun for CHEAP!

Map It!

Discover the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC) in Hollywood

Tucked away in a tropical hammock near the ocean lies the Carpenter House, a historical building serving as the base for the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC). The MEEC provides visitors the opportunity to learn about sea turtles and ocean conservation while featuring their very own resident sea turtle, Captain!

Unfortunately, Captain was struck by a boat out in the wild and her injuries have made her incapable of surviving in the ocean. The MEEC now serves as Captain’s home providing her with her very own pool habitat. She now serves happily as an ambassador for marine education and conservation!

The MEEC has exhibits and information throughout the property for self-guided tours on all things sea turtles. Feedings for Captain are open to the public occurring daily around 3:30 pm. During this time, staff presents Captain’s story, tidbits about sea turtles, and answers any questions you may have.

You can usually spend about an hour or so discovering everything the MEEC has to offer. Make it a full day and be sure to head down to the beach before or after. Just remember our 14 Ways to be Eco-friendly at the Beach!

The MEEC recommends a $3 donation per person as you explore their exhibits. However, you’ll end up spending a few more dollars on parking as the city of Hollywood charges almost $5 for an hour.

PRO TIP: if you call ahead, MEEC staff will let you use their parking lot for free. Instead of paying the $5 for parking, donate it to a good cause! (954) 357-5125

Map It!

Walk the pier at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea or Dania Beach

Even if you’re not a big fisherman/fisherwoman, the fishing piers in the area are worth checking out for the view alone! Being a few hundred yards offshore to look back at the sprawling beaches behind you is one of the coolest things to see in the area.

Entry fees are minimal ranging between $2 and $5 (each pier has different costs). Also, if you want to try your hand at fishing, they rent all the necessary gear for a minimal cost including some tutorials.

NOTE: YE BE WARNED, be prepared for the smell of fish. After all, it IS a fishing pier.

Map It! Lauderdale-By-the-Sea

Map It! Dania Beach

Enjoy the sun, sand, and water at one of the beautiful beaches

This should go without saying, but one of the easiest and cheapest outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale is a beach day! Many sandy shores exist in the area so we’ve highlighted a few of our favorites. For any beach day, follow our 14 Ways to be Eco Friendly at the Beach!

Earl Lifshey Ocean Park

This secluded beach is tucked away just at the end of Oakland Park Blvd and features a small parking lot with a few spots. It’s some of the cheapest beach parking in the area at $1.25 for an hour and I’ve never NOT been able to find a space here.

The quiet beach is just a short walk away and rarely has any people on it. Freshwater showers are provided but restrooms are not. Regardless, pack a cooler, beach chair, and go enjoy the Florida sun!

NOTE: have an old book? The park also has a Little Free Library as you walk to the beach. Be sure to leave one if you take one!

Map It!

Vista Park

Tucked away just down the street from Earl Lifshey Ocean Park are two separate parks that are even MORE secluded. The first, Vista Park. Parking is the same, at $1.25 an hour with about 15 spots available. The park is open from 8 AM to 8 PM.

The parking lot is merely steps away from the ocean and includes a few beach chairs to enjoy the ocean view.

NOTE: This is a great spot to do some scuba diving. The coral reefs just off shore are some of the most lively in South Florida. Highly recommended!

Map It!

Loggerhead Park

Honestly, of the three parks in this area, Loggerhead Park wins as my favorite. With $1.25 an hour parking, chairs, picnic tables, and the ocean being literally STEPS away from your car, it’s hard to beat. Hours for this park are longer too, being open from 6 AM to 9 PM. 10/10 people recommend this park for a romantic sunrise (I may have made that up but it doesn’t make it any less true).

NOTE: Again, this is a perfect spot for shore diving. Three levels of coral reefs are just a short swim or paddle from the beach. You can use the picnic tables for gear set up and you won’t need to haul your gear very far since the parking lot is so close to ocean.

Map It!

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

To reiterate from earlier, this is our FAVORITE beach spot in Fort Lauderdale. With a low entry fee, the park provides the cheapest all day beach parking in the area.

The beach itself is well maintained and ranges from the ‘busy’ to ‘not so busy’ side, depending on the season. Don’t forget to grab a snack or drink from Park & Ocean afterward (their brisket fries are to die for)!

NOTE: Don’t be surprised if you see 20+ cars with “Quebec” license plates in the beach lot during the winter season. It can be quite comical but we love and welcome our Canadian friends!

Map It!

Snorkel or SCUBA the coral reefs just off-shore in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Truth be told, as far as diving, the aforementioned nearby parks provide better scuba diving. However, as far as ease and quality of snorkeling, the shores of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea don’t even compare.

Just beyond the swimming buoys lies a vast expanse of coral reef in about 15 feet of water. Make sure to go on a calm day with good visibility and you’ll see all sorts of life from the surface!

While exploring the coral reef, we’ve encountered popular species such as octopus, lobster, lionfish, sea turtles, and plenty of soft and hard corals to gaze at!

This is one of our favorite outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale because once you have the gear, it is totally FREE (or cheap, depending on parking costs).

OUR RECOMMENDATION: When it comes to snorkeling, I prefer a different set of gear than my typical dive gear. Cressi makes a quality snorkel set that I bought while in Australia. I ended up carrying it on my backpack for months and still use it today. Certainly worth the cost if you think you will go snorkeling multiple times.

For a wider selection, browse the snorkel gear at the House of Scuba!

Map It!