Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Coral Springs, FL

  • Published 2022/02/04

On the very edge of the vast and verdant Everglades is the beautiful city of Coral Spring, Florida.

This planned community is nestled in the Miami metropolitan area, complete with an overarching aesthetic that resembles utopias in fiction stories.

In fact, Coral Springs has once been ranked as the third best place to live in Florida and 94th overall in the country.

There’s a low crime rate, high quality of living, and a family-friendly atmosphere that make it a great place for everyone.

Among the things that make the city a small pocket of paradise are its many natural and manmade attractions.

Vast museums, long greenways, scenic natural areas—there’s plenty to see and try while in this magnificent destination.

So for your next holiday getaway, make this place your top choice!

Here are the 15 best things to do in Coral Springs, FL:

Commune with Nature at Tall Cypress Natural Area

Pine tree top with yellow-green leaves.

Microfile.org / Shutterstock.com

Some people may find it unusual that a modern community like Coral Springs would still have large areas with thick greenery.

But the Tall Cypress Natural Area remains a reminder of what the area was once: a swampy forest with dense vegetation.

This 66-acre attraction was originally planned for development, but Coral Springs High School students made an effort to promote its conservation.

Swamp area cypress tree roots.

Microfile.org / Shutterstock.com

And so the area was turned into this green space managed by the city and county.

Inside, you’ll find a continuous canopy of cypress trees, which serve as iconic symbols of Florida.

Some boardwalks reach deep into the preserve, allowing visitors to enjoy the wild scenery without disturbing the thick shrubbery on the forest floor.

It’s also an excellent birdwatching site, with species like herons and woodpeckers on the marshy terrain.

A gray kingbird on a piece of branch.

Microfile.org / Shutterstock.com

Spot the Wildlife at Sandy Ridge Sanctuary

There’s another large swath of woodland in the middle of Coral Springs, although much smaller than the Tall Cypress Natural Area.

Sandy Ridge Sanctuary is a nature preserve with 37 acres of pine and bald cypress forests and a beautiful lake.

These remnants of eastern Everglades are home to some rare Florida fauna, such as gopher tortoises.

Over the years, several modern amenities were added to encourage residents to visit.

So you’ll find playgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, and water fountains on the sanctuary’s southern borders.

The rest are just well-paved trails that bring you into the park’s various sections.

While exploring, keep an eye out for the reptiles, birds, and insects who call the sanctuary home.

Play a Few Rounds at Eagle Trace

Coral Springs has no shortage of magnificent golf courses, and while most are private, Eagle Trace is open to the public.

Much like the rest of the city, this sporting facility strictly adheres to the overall aesthetic appeal prescribed.

So its architecture blends seamlessly with the surroundings, especially the marshy terrain of the Everglades.

That’s why the 18-hole course has many water hazards within its layout.

But don’t let this intimidate you, as the course is beginner-friendly even though it has been used for past major tournaments.

You just need great putting and course management skills to ace every hole.

So if you have a whole afternoon to spare during your trip to Coral Springs, visit their website and book a tee time.

Catch a Show at Coral Springs Center for the Arts

Coral springs center for the arts welcoming sign written in blue.

User:Afl2784, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In the heart of the city lies the hotspot for human creativity and talent, the Coral Springs Center for the Arts.

This large complex houses an array of facilities where various forms of art are practiced and showcased.

One of the most visited sections is the 1,471-seat theater, which hosts an array of productions and companies.

It was once the community center of Coral Springs, but it has been renovated with modern systems to accommodate the shows.

So catch entertaining musicals, live music shows, and other stunning performances by Florida’s best.

Within the complex, you’ll also find the Coral Springs Museum of Art.

This understated section displays artworks from Florida’s most prolific artists, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs.

So after catching a show at the theater, you can visit this place to appreciate more human creativity.

Get Moving at Betti Stradling Park

The fully-equipped Betti Stradling Park is one of the favorite community attractions in Coral Spring thanks to its many modern amenities.

This 21-acre park is filled with athletic fields, open areas, and other spaces that residents and visitors alike can enjoy.

You’ll find three baseball diamonds, two lit basketball courses, and two sand volleyball courts where you can play a few rounds with friends.

For those with kids, bring them to the elaborate, shaded playground that will stir their imagination.

There’s also a skatepark with ramps, rails, and other features that beginners or professionals will enjoy.

But if you just want to relax and escape from the city noise, there are many shaded areas thanks to the park’s verdant trees.

Meet the Animals of Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital

Much like people, animals need quality treatment in case of injuries or disease, and that’s exactly what the Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital is for.

Located in a five-acre section of the larger Sportsplex Park, this facility serves as a rehabilitation center for Florida’s native wildlife.

Under the care of experts, wild animals are treated and rehabilitated so they can recover from health issues.

They are then released back to the wild once they’re fully healed.

To see these animals, you can join a tour that brings you to various enclosures and habitats.

There’s also a section for more exotic species, serving as the site’s permanent exhibit.

These animals can’t be released into the wild any longer, so they stay in comfortable areas where visitors can see them up close.

Spend a Serene Afternoon at Orchid Park

The small but stunning Orchid Park is a little pocket of green that promises a tranquil and undisturbed experience.

So if you’re looking for a quick escape from the city noise, make a quick stopover here.

Within the four-acre green space, there’s plenty of verdant open grounds, trees for shade, and a small waterway.

The latter is traversed by a bridge that connects the attraction to neighboring Cypress Hammock Park.

But more than being a passageway, this structure elevates the scenery of the area, best viewed from the grassy grounds next to the waterway.

These shady areas are also ideal for small picnics, so bring a blanket and a few snacks during your visit.

Give Your Calves a Workout at Florida Panthers Ice Den

A man wearing red and blue holding a hockey stick.

YES Market Media / Shutterstock.com

During the humid summer days of the Everglades, the cool Florida Panthers Ice Den becomes a favorite destination of the whole community.

This indoor rink is another one of the facilities in the vast Sportsplex Park, mainly used as the training grounds for the eponymous ice hockey team.

On occasion, matches are held here, attracting crowds of spectators ready to support their favorite teams.

There are also ice skating competitions where talented skaters twirl and attempt difficult jumps in front of an awe-struck audience.

For those who want to learn ice skating, hockey, and figure skating, there are classes available for all skill levels.

But most visitors prefer to come during the public skating times, which are usually held on the weekend.

Gliding on the ice with friends and family is a great way to bond and escape the oppressive heat outside.

Take a Cooling Dip at Cypress Hammock Park

Cypress Hammock Park is another community gathering place located beside Orchid Park.

But unlike the latter, this green space is more expansive and has more modern facilities that everyone can enjoy.

This includes a lengthy boardwalk that brings you to dense forests near the waterway—the perfect quick escape from urbanity.

The park is also known for its clover-shaped pool for cooling dips and casual swimming, along with two other smaller ones for kids and toddlers.

Next to the pool is a splash pad with water fountains and a well-maintained playground.

On the northern section of the park, there’s a tennis center with eight courts, perfect for a few matches in the late afternoon.

Across the street is the Cypress Park ball field, with five baseball diamonds and football fields.

Go Deep into the Everglades via the Conservation Levee Greenway

Making up the western borders of Coral Springs is an artificial waterway that separates it from the wilder Everglades.

On the opposite bank lies the Conservation Levee Greenway, one of the favorite running and biking routes in the region.

It spans 10.7 miles, with sections that go deep into the grassy swamps of the Everglades.

Some sections are paved and some are not, but the whole route is accessible for all skill levels.

It’s the ideal destination for those who want to get up close to the state’s most iconic habitats.

There’s an uninterrupted view of everything thanks to the flat terrain, so keep an eye out for the many birds and native swamp flora inhabiting the Everglades.

If you’re a biker, be ready for headwinds, which can get pretty strong during certain weather conditions.

Try Shore Fishing at Westchester Park

Next to the larger Sportsplex Park is the scenic Westchester Park, known for the vast lake serving as its main geographical feature.

It’s often used by locals for shore fishing, but you can just stay on the banks and enjoy the magnificent views.

There’s also a trail that runs parallel to the lake’s eastern border, bringing you to its isolated northern edge.

On the other end, you’ll find the small Coral Springs Community Garden where locals grow and harvest fruits and veggies.

It’s also near the dog park, where pet owners bring their furry friends for an afternoon of fun.

If you brought your dog to your Coral Springs adventure, then definitely make a stopover here.

Bring the Whole Family to Monster Mini Golf

For golfing enthusiasts who don’t want to stay under the hot Florida sun, Monster Mini Golf is a great alternative.

This family-friendly destination has a spooky theme that will give you a hair-raising experience as you play—but in a good way!

There’s also a blacklight theme that adds to the psychedelic vibe of the whole attraction, with fluorescent designs and characters glowing in the dark.

Aside from the 18-hole course, there are many other sections to explore in the facility.

There’s the arcade, complete with new games and classic versions that will have you playing for hours.

At the laser maze, your body coordination will be tested as you try to pass a tunnel of green lasers like in spy movies.

It’s a fun place all around, so if you need a break from the outdoors, make a stopover here!

Other Things to Do Nearby

After you tour the vibrant city of Coral Springs, why not check out these other attractions?

Head to Pompano Beach

Aerial view of the pompano beach with the view of the city buildings on the left side.

PAG Photos and Designs / Shutterstock.com

You’re in Florida, so you might as well check out its famous beaches and have fun under the sun.

The nearest to Coral Springs is Pompano Beach, which has a long coastline bustling with activity.

It’s less than 25 minutes away from Coral Springs, so driving to the beach wouldn’t take that long.

Clear blue skies and the blue body of water around a lighthouse.

LesPalenik / Shutterstock.com

Aside from sunbathing on the golden sands or swimming in the shallows, you can visit the pier that juts into the Atlantic.

There are also plenty of dining establishments where you can grab a bite or a refreshing beverage.

And you’re on vacation, so have as many drinks as you want!

Marvel at the Creatures of Butterfly World

black-orange colored butterfly on a leaf.

Ksajid, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Less than 15 minutes away from the city is one of the most beloved attractions this side of the Miami Metro Area: Butterfly World.

It’s the largest butterfly park anywhere and is one of the main attractions of Coconut Creek.

Within the 10-acre area, there are more than 20,000 live butterflies fluttering about at any given time.

Red, white and black coloured butterfly sitting on red tiny flowers.

Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

These represent around 150 species from various regions and biomes of the world.

Touring the place is like being in a small tropical paradise, with the colorful and hypnotizing creatures beating their silent wings all around you.

Aside from the butterflies, you’ll find other creatures like hummingbirds and lorikeets in designated sections.

Two Morpho Peleides butterflies on leaves.

Korall, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

See the Dense Greenery of Fern Forest Nature Center

Green trees framing the Fern forest pathway.

DaSpader, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There’s another Coconut Creek attraction just a few minutes away from Coral Springs: Fern Forest Nature Center.

This nature preserve covers 247 acres of land, which is a feat considering it’s in the middle of an urban area.

But this oasis managed to remain pristine thanks to the efforts of local governments and organizations.

Dragon fly on a leaf at Fern forest.

Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Much like the Tall Cypress Natural Area, this attraction preserves the native fauna that once flourished in the region before human development.

For this particular area, the main plants are ferns, which grow in dense carpets on the forest floor.

To protect the delicate plants from humans, boardwalks were built so that visitors can explore the center without treading on the ferns.

Final Thoughts

The pristine beauty of Coral Springs serves as a prime example of urban planning done right.

With large nature preserves and green spaces that blend seamlessly with manmade attractions, the city offers plenty of attractions for residents and visitors.

Reference this list when planning your itinerary so you won’t miss all these magnificent destinations.

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