Hiking is not only great exercise; Broward’s trails also give you a dose of still-wild Florida nature to keep you happy and grounded. Imagine strolling down zig-zagging boardwalks and footpaths through jungle-growth treetops on your way to a colorful plant garden filled with hundreds of fluttering butterflies. Or roaming under an oak canopy and spotting a burrowing gopher tortoise as you pass. It sounds like a dream, but it’s possible to experience with a visit to Tree Tops Park in Davie, which gives you access to more than 7 miles of designated trails.
Nearby at Flamingo Gardens, stroll through more than 3,000 species of rare, tropical, subtropical, and native plants and trees (including the largest tree in Florida) at the 60-acre botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary.
For an all-day hike, pack your essentials and head to the Atlantic trail entrance of Conservation Levee Greenway in Tamarac, a 48.4-mile greenway running from Parkland to Miramar, where you will be greeted by a variety of wildlife, including sun-seeking gators and trees full of parrots.
Fern Forest Nature Center showcases more than 30 fern species as you roam along marked trails, ranging from a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that winds through a tropical hardwood forest to a dirt footpath surrounded by natural wetlands. A pet-friendly outing to Miramar Pineland offers a beautiful concrete walking path through the pines, shaded by a combination of scrubby flatwoods, as well as views of restored wetlands. At Dania Beach’s Secret Woods Nature Center, navigating the wilderness of wetlands, hammocks, and mangroves will give you new insight into the unique ecology of South Florida’s forests.
Stretch Yourself
Yoga allows you to slow down and to journey inward, giving you a chance to fully connect to the peacefulness of the outdoors. Broward offers a few different outdoor yoga options; one of the best is The Nest’s restorative group hatha yoga sessions, held at a place of your choosing or public areas such as Robbins Lodge. Options include pregnancy, post-partum, and “Mommy and Me” classes.
SUP PUP in Fort Lauderdale hosts morning tours that let you lose yourself physically, concentrate utterly, and find that coveted mental peace. But this isn’t any ordinary paddle excursion; you’ll be accompanied by Fort Lauderdale’s famous Mr. Beaches, a super-cute Welsh corgi who comes along for the ride with tour guide Natasha Baker Williams. Have fun executing downward dogs and sun salutations on a paddleboard—an hour-and-a-half energizing workout that begins with a paddle to Victoria Park, followed by breath and core work, balancing, and vinyasa-style flow. You’ll also get the chance to take pics with the pint-sized pup. Or, practice on your own: If you make your way south down the canal, pass Las Olas Boulevard bridge, and paddle about 15 minutes out to the New River, you will find ample zen-like secluded areas to explore.
Paddle Away
Kayaking is not only great aerobic exercise but also a wonderful way to interact with South Florida’s unique sceneries. If unpredictable is your thing, a Broward trail worth discovering is the “mangrove maze” in Hollywood. Rent your equipment at Waterway Adventures and paddle north to find yourself among diverse mangrove-lined canals and cypress routes that serve as peaceful homes to birds, iguanas, and marine life of all kinds.
If you prefer convenience, Easton Watersports delivers your kayak to Sullivan Park in Deerfield Beach, where you can explore 3-acres of the Intracoastal just northwest of the Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge and catch glimpses of mangroves and wildlife. Venture north into Royal Palm’s canals, and you will be rewarded with an impressive view of multimillion dollar homes.
Join the Jetset
There’s nothing better than zipping across waterways with the wind in your face. KC Jet Ski & Watersports in Pompano Beach gives you license to set out on an exhilarating two-hour guided jet ski outing so you can safely spin your way across the Intracoastal down to Fort Lauderdale. You can also combine your ride with snorkeling (when the tide permits) or take your motorized water scooter through the back canals. The silky waters, eye-popping homes, and manatee and dolphin sightings will remind you that you live in the middle of a wild Floridian paradise.
For high-adventure thrills, Doctor Jet Ski & Water Sports Rental’s location at the Ocean Sky Resort in Fort Lauderdale offers easy access to the beach’s free-riding zone. Have fun revving your engines and tearing up the waters as fast as you can—as long as you keep away from the shoreline and swim zone.
Enjoy the View
From melting clouds slipping away to a multicolored collage of serene pinks and yellows stretching out into the horizon—nothing compares to the soothing effect of the Florida sunshine giving way to dusk and sparkling stars. The Dania Beach Pier is a beautiful spot to sit patiently with a cocktail in hand to watch the twilight against a backdrop of water and swaying palm trees. If you prefer to mark the end of your day with a scenic drive, head southbound on Sawgrass Expressway off of Atlantic Boulevard, where you will catch Mother Nature’s magic from an unparalleled vantage point on the edge of the Everglades.
Climb Aboard
Paddleboarding helps you feel calm, reflective, and challenges your body with its unique mix of surfing and kayaking skills. Out in the fresh air and away from crowds, paddling on the wide, open expanse of the Atlantic Ocean might make you feel small—yet thrillingly connected to nature. Salty Dog Surf & Paddle offers a beginner’s tour of Lake Ida, one of the largest and clearest brackish lakes in South Florida. If you are a proficient paddler and expert swimmer, the team will guide you through the open waters about 500 feet off the south end of Delray Beach’s public beach to view two parts of a 1900s wreckage: the actual body of the S.S. Inchulva (a British steamship that was transporting cargo from Texas to Virginia) and the ship’s smokestack, which now houses diverse marine life.
Another route to check out runs along the Seven Isles in Fort Lauderdale. Rent your board from Blue Moon Outdoor Adventures, launch your vessel at George English Park, and paddle south toward the isles. You’ll be greeted with a breathtaking combination of mangroves, birds, marine life, and stunning mansions along the shoreline.
Stay on Course
Gorgeous greens and year-round balmy weather make Broward golf courses ideal for a fantastic day on the links. With beautiful holes located on a nature preserve and a country club atmosphere to boot, Plantation Preserve Golf Course & Club is a perfect public destination for tee time lovers. A picturesque trail with various birds and the occasional alligator sunning on the banks of the water hazards adds to your experience across the 18-hole course; each one constructed with five sets of tee boxes so players can choose their desired level of difficulty.
If you’re in the mood for a challenge, the Club at Emerald Hills in Hollywood is another great bet. It’s the longest course in Florida and features excellent views of The Guitar Hotel. Not far away is Hollywood Beach Golf Club, home to a challenging 18-hole course that’s great for golfers of all levels and designed by renowned architect Donald Ross.
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