Blake Walsh

15 Free Things to Do in Lauderhill, FL

  • Published 2023/02/09

Despite only being a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill has made a name for itself as an “All-American City.”

Located in Broward County, it offers a deluge of cultural attractions with historical stories and variations.

As it is in the metropolitan area of the fort, it’s nearby large urban areas like Hollywood and Plantation.

At the same time, it’s also a go-to hub for annual festivals on art and culture.

Lauderhill was once a “dairy farm country” that attracted a lot of retirees-turned-residents.

Established in 1959, the Florida city now stands as a vibrant locale with an opulent entertainment scene with its parks, beachside fronts, and sports sites.

If you’re on a budget, you’ll find more budget-friendly attractions to explore in this city.

Here are 15 free things to do in Lauderhill, Florida:

Go for a Stroll at Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden

Signage of Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden

Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock.com

Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden is a relaxing nature paradise that sits on about three acres.

The park got its name from the former Council Woman and Lauderhill Mayor, Ilene Lieberman, whose hard work is still evident in the city today.

With its famous amphitheater, this park has been home to countless citywide and community-exclusive events.

It offers a public nature hiking trail, a botanical garden, and public art installations.

Playground at Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden

Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock.com

Many come by this park to admire the lush lawn and foliage and cross the manmade bridges over park-owned ponds.

If you have little ones with you, they may also find Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden enjoyable.

You can find this park on Inverrary Boulevard.

Bridge over the pond of Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden

Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock.com

Jam to Lively Music at Lauderhill Jammin’ in the Park

Whether you are the partying type or not, Jammin’ in the Park can have you standing in your seat to dance the night away.

This annual festival is one of Lauderhill’s most popular events, in part, because of its free admission.

It features live performances from Florida’s greatest artists and bands and a variety of music genres for all ages.

Get your dancing shoes ready as you listen to music from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s!

Expect food trucks and bars lining up the park.

Don’t forget to bring lawn chairs or blankets for comfortable seating at Ilene Lieberman Park.

Jammin’ in the Park happens every April on Inverrary Boulevard.

Move to the Music at Jazz Picnic in the Park

Lauderhill’s music scene is just as vibrant as its historical tourist attractions.

This is evident in the annual Jazz Picnic in the Park festival.

This event series, happening from January to April, is a celebration of jazz music and its contribution to diversity in the music industry.

Through the partnership of the city and Inverrary Association, Inc., this festival has been a source of family fun and local band recognition.

Listen to singers and bands as you watch on your blankets or chairs out on the lawn.

Enjoy a lively afternoon with a visit to Jazz Picnic in the Park on Inverrary Boulevard.

Celebrate Life and Diversity at the United Phagwah/Holi Celebration

The United Phagwah/Holi Celebration, or the Festival of Colors and Diversity, is an annual cultural event in Lauderhill.

It aims to bring together the heritage of the Indo-Caribbean people from various locations.

Its name, Phagwah, means to unite the community socially and set the people’s differences aside.

It is an official summer kick-off event that features singing and dancing performances.

Traditional hymns are also part of the program, and everyone is highly encouraged to participate.

But what makes this festival unique is its colored water and powder spraying ceremony.

By the end of the United Phagwah/Holi Celebration, you’ll feel invigorated and happy to have met many people.

Join in on the festivities at Central Broward Regional Park on Northwest 11th Place.

Marvel at Greek-Inspired Art Mural through a Self-Guided Walking Tour

Lauderhill’s collection of murals is a sight to behold.

Schedule a self-guided walking tour all over Lauderhill’s downtown area to see amazing artwork.

Make the City’s Chamber building on West Oakland Park Boulevard your first stop.

The east side of the building has a mural with Classic Greek art inspiration and old Florida architecture.

Depicted within the mural are a waterfall, the Inverrary golf course, and national, local, and city flags.

At Westwind Park on Northwest 82nd Avenue, the “In the Park” mural stands out with its array of fowl, including woodpeckers and mockingbirds.

The Rotunda Mural on the exterior of the City Hall is another stop.

Depicting Florida’s plants and wildlife, the mural features coral stones and a Parthenon-inspired dome.

Lauderhill is one big art treasure cove you shouldn’t miss out on.

Enjoy a Picnic at Central Broward Regional Park

Managed by Broward County Parks & Recreation, Central Broward Regional Park is one of Lauderhill’s top attractions for sports enthusiasts.

Free on weekdays, this park and stadium holds the title of the only dedicated cricket field in the country.

Spanning 110 acres, this site comes with a multi-purpose facility and a maintained 20,000-seat stadium.

Other sports facilities you can use for free include four football fields, netball courts, and two cricket fields.

For the little ones, there’s a water playground.

After a long day of playing and exploring the property, have a picnic at Central Broward Regional Park’s designated areas or chill out by the water fountain.

The park offers free admission during weekdays!

Admire the Colorful Fountain and Pond at Meditation Park

For a meditative recluse, you might like Meditation Park.

This garden, established in 1997, was the primary vision of Jerome M. “Jerry” Miller.

Before becoming a charming place filled with exotic flora carefully planted into artistic rock structures with flowing water and ponds, this garden was an abandoned patch of wood.

With Miller’s initiative, Meditation Park bore a massive open area where well-maintained grass sprung about.

There are also hiking trails you can traverse and see more of nature and its gravitational beauty.

Meditation Park, true to its name, offers a serene nature escapade on Inverrary Boulevard.

Watch Your Kids Have Fun at Renaissance Park

On Northwest 55th Avenue, Renaissance Park is popular for its all-around family-inclusive amenities.

This eight-acre park has a grassy open area where everyone is welcome to play and walk around.

Its vibrant play structures are ideal for toddlers to preschoolers.

If you want to go sightseeing, there are walking paths at Renaissance Park you can explore to see more of the place’s best features.

There are also benches and a water fountain where you can take a break.

Go on a Lakefront Jog at South Gateway Park

Want lakefront scenery to complete your vacation?

Try South Gateway Park.

Sitting at 3.58 acres, this park overlooks a river, offering scenic water vistas with the Lauderhill skyline.

Stay in top shape while taking in the sights, sounds, and scents of nature at the park’s fitness station.

The ideal time to stop by this park is when summer strikes because the river breeze provides the utmost relaxation while strolling across the jogging trails.

South Gateway Park is along Northwest 56th Avenue, with park benches and grassy areas.

Study Rare and Native Plants and Flowers at James D. Bradley Jr. Park

In Lauderhill’s southeastern corridor, James D. Bradley Jr. Park is not your usual public city park.

This four-acre park was named after a man of honorary recognition in the city.

James D. Bradley Jr.’s numerous efforts in the success of Lauderhill include serving as a member of the Broward County Historical Commission, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and several civic groups.

Though he died in 2014, his legacy continues with the park.

Alongside its amphitheater and succulent landscapes, this park is a haven of oak trees, foxtail palms, and Bismark palms.

Among the native flora onsite are African irises and Bougainvilleas.

Make a turn to Northwest 16th Street and find James D. Bradley Jr. Park on the west side of the street.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Have more energy to explore other cities surrounding Lauderhill?

You might like the following attractions and activities:

Go for a Beachfront Walk at Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier

Entrance arch of Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier

Serenethos / Shutterstock.com

Southeast California is widely known for its beaches and beachside attractions.

Approximately 26 minutes from Lauderhill, Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier is one of these.

This 900-foot pier got its name from former Mayor Lamar Fisher, whose family has been in various civic groups over the years.

What makes this spot an eccentric one in Pompano Beach is the pier’s fish-shaped platform.

Walk along the wharf and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier is on North Pompano Beach Boulevard in Pompano Beach.

Learn about Naval Aviation at Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum

Within the city of Fort Lauderdale, there are many immersive museums you can get lost in, and one of them is Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum.

Situated along West Perimeter Road, this free museum is famous for being the only one of its kind throughout Broward County.

Its current site is where the 1942 Merle Fogg Field once stood.

Now, the museum holds some original paintings, memorabilia, and engine models from naval aviation history.

But Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum is most famous for preserving Flight 19’s memory after its disappearance through the Bermuda Triangle.

This museum is approximately 15 minutes away from Lauderhill.

Hike around Nature and Watch Birds at the Fern Forest Nature Center

Moss trees at Fern Forest Nature Center

jaimie tuchman / Shutterstock.com

In Coconut Creek, the Fern Forest Nature Center offers a nature excursion like no other.

Part of the Cypress Creek floodway, it once was a farming site in the 1900s.

Now, the property—sitting at 247 acres—is home to over 30 fern varieties, which makes the place both a source of nature study and relaxation.

A swamp at Fern Forest Nature Center

jaimie tuchman / Shutterstock.com

Its marked trails and boardwalks are ideal bird-watching and nature exploration spots with their lush native plants and reptiles.

There are local art pieces at Fern Forest Nature Center you can admire, too!

Visit it on South Lyons Road, which is about 14 minutes from Lauderhill.

Join a Monthly Tour of Constitution Park & Arboretum

Twenty-one minutes from Lauderhill is Deerfield Beach’s Constitution Park & Arboretum.

This natural site on West Hillsboro Boulevard has an arboretum that spans nine acres and is a sanctuary of over 200 exotic tree species.

On a half-mile walking path, these trees serve as canopies as you walk by and go deeper into the park’s forest-like property.

Among the other amenities you can expect at this park include misting waterfalls, a butterfly garden, and a community center.

You can also sign up for a free tour of the attraction every first Saturday of the month.

So what are you waiting for?

Add Constitution Park & Arboretum to your travel itinerary!

Stroll along the Fort Lauderdale Beachfront Promenade

Trail at Fort Lauderdale Beachfront Promenade

mariakray / Shutterstock.com

Fort Lauderdale Beachfront Promenade draws crowds because of its refreshing palm tree-lined pathway.

Many come by the boardwalk to skate, run, walk, or go on a bicycle course while taking in the sights.

It spans seven miles and is home to coastline establishments, including shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Beach view from Fort Lauderdale Beachfront Promenade

mariakray / Shutterstock.com

The white-sand beach is also famous for being the state’s—and country’s—cleanest.

Fort Lauderdale Beachfront Promenade welcomes those who wish to snorkel, boat, and dive.

If you wish to spend your day lounging at the promenade, head to Florida A1A, a 19-minute drive from Lauderhill.

Final Thoughts

Lauderhill’s charm lies in its annual events, public parks, and formal gardens.

Though it’s not a large city like most surrounding it, its sense of community and creativity has attracted tourists to its borders.

And with an array of free things to do in Lauderhill, Florida, the fun never stops!

Make this city your next travel destination!

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