Pompano Beach, located on the sunny southeast coast of Florida, offers visitors a variety of free activities throughout the year.
It is also the destination of choice for those looking to experience a sunny seaside escape with modern amenities.
Situated in picturesque Broward County, this beach city lies along the Atlantic Ocean, near both Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
Pompano Beach is bordered by the Gulf Stream, whose warm waters provide refreshingly clear and inviting waves.
From unwinding on the beaches along the crystal clear waters of the Gulf Stream to exploring some of South Florida’s most beautiful parks, this coastal city has something for everyone.
Likewise, the Intracoastal Waterway snakes through town, connecting the mainland with a series of barrier beaches.
First settled by farmers in 1884 and officially founded 24 years later, Pompano was named after a popular seafood found in local waters.
However, after a 1928 hurricane, much of the city’s boundaries shifted inland.
Below are some free things to do in Pompano Beach, Florida.
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Pompano Beach, renowned as “Florida’s Warmest Welcome,” offers a unique experience of South Florida life.
Located on North Pompano Beach Boulevard, this beach city is in the center of Florida’s Gold Coast and spans more than 25 square miles, offering easy access to urban centers like Miami and Palm Beach.
People looking for an unforgettable beach adventure need to look no further than this stunning natural paradise.
With a pristine coastline and crystal-clear water with coral reefs offshore, this destination beckons visitors to explore the stunning surroundings and relax along its vast shoreline.
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Enjoy the sun-kissed sand and sparkling water while participating in many activities, including swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, and even some friendly competition with beach volleyball!
Named a Blue Wave Certified Beach by Clean Beaches Council, this spot also features a boardwalk and scenic picnic spots.
Pompano Beach offers plenty of scuba diving sites for underwater paradise and aquatic adventures.
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The City Commission of Pompano Beach launched an initiative to revitalize the cityscape with its artworks by introducing the Pompano Beach Public Art initiative.
Guided by the Public Art Committee, which works with the local community, Pompano Beach’s Murals was included in the Florida Mural Trail.
Visitors can marvel at the splendid Old Town Mural crafted by Carlos Gonzalez, which stands at 135 NE 1st Ave.
If a beach scene is more your style, take a peek at Timothy Robert Smith’s mural titled ‘Beach Scene on Building with Windows,’ painted onto the back of the Bailey Contemporary Arts building.
The artwork captures a photograph-like bonfire scene in remarkable detail and promises mesmerizing views for any onlooker.
Discover unique artwork at the northeast intersection of A1A and Pier Street.
Mike and Donna-Lee Savlen crafted an eye-catching vinyl-wrapped mural titled “A Place I’d Rather Be” that adorns the Pompano Beach Pier Parking Garage alongside twelve aluminum sails for extra pizzazz.
Check out the Pompano Beach Public Art to experience artwork like never before!
Officer Scott A. Winters Park is the most popular city park in Pompano Beach.
It provides an unparalleled range of family-friendly recreation options to residents and visitors alike.
The park was dedicated to Officer Winters, who grew up in Bay Harbor Islands and worked as a police officer in his early career.
With an expansive splash pad and two play structures for kids, and with ADA-accessible components for those with physical disabilities, everyone can safely enjoy time together at this inviting beachfront location.
Scott A. Winters Park also features a large open field with FieldTurf, benches throughout the park, and a covered picnic pavilion with restrooms featuring changing tables.
An adjacent dog park also boasts a separate play area for your dogs.
This park has something for everyone in the family, from tiny tots to big grown-ups!
With an incredible array of fun activities and amenities, Officer Scott A. Winters Park should help you create lasting memories.
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The Fisher Family Pier, located at North Pompano Beach Boulevard, provides a unique opportunity to explore the beauty of Florida’s coast.
The Fisher Family Pier is a unique attraction of Broward County, and the name indicates how important the Fisher Family has been to public service in the area.
It dates back more than 100 years, starting with Lamar Fisher’s great-grandfather, Clinton Lyons.
Stretching 900 feet, it allows visitors to fish from where they stand and take in the scenic view of marine life beneath the pier, an endpoint that looks like a giant pompano.
To make the experience even more memorable, guests can view marine life beneath the pier simply by looking through the fish’s eye.
You can conveniently park at Pompano Beach Parking Garage until 10:00 p.m. and soak in this exceptional experience.
Whether you’re looking for a great place to relax or an adventurer seeking new experiences, come to the Fisher Family Pier for an unforgettable experience.
Step into Old Town Untapped, Pompano Beach’s exciting and immersive craft Brew & Art Festival!
Held on the first Friday of the month, you can enjoy Old Town Untapped from early evening to late night.
The Festival is held on the corner of North East 1 St and North Flagler St, as they come alive with local merchants, live music performances, a DJ, food vendors, local artists, and more.
Art enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the many galleries hosted by Bailey Contemporary Arts Center for openings.
Entrance in Old Town Untapped is free, allowing locals and visitors to explore all that makes Pompano Beach unique.
Discover Downtown Pompano Beach like never before with the Old Town Untapped Festival!
Enjoy an incredible day of music, activities, and food at one of South Florida’s most beloved destinations.
Centennial Park in North East 10th St. is a charming destination for those seeking a tranquil escape.
The five-acre park was initially inspired by a park on Dixie Highway and featured many historical attractions, such as the Sample McDougald house.
The house is a museum and an architectural marvel that has been placed on both the National and Local Register of Historic Places.
Guests can take advantage of Centennial Park’s modern amenities, including an outdoor pavilion, restroom, catering kitchen, and exercise spaces.
Moreover, the tightly kept garden contains native fruits and vegetables that intertwine with seasonal flora to create a captivating display.
Visiting Centennial Park is an enriching experience, allowing you to appreciate lush scenery and gain insight into Florida’s local history.
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Indian Mound Park in Pompano Beach is home to a historic burial mound that dates back over 1,000 years.
Nestled on Hibiscus Avenue, explore Indian Mound Park and learn about the burial mound that contains remains from over 100 Tequesta Indians who lived long ago.
Measuring 100-foot-wide and 7-foot-tall, it is the only one of its sort in Broward County, having withstood many economic strains over time.
Take your time to read informative plaques scattered around the Indian Mound park.
Learn more about the native peoples wiped out by war, slavery, and sickness brought on by European contact hundreds of years ago.
A visit to Indian Mound Park provides an exciting opportunity to learn more about these indigenous people with on-site informational plaques.
Delve into these mysteries to learn more about how the native Americans’ ancestors commemorated their deceased loved ones!
Hunters Manor Park is an idyllic oasis in the city’s heart, offering respite from bustling urban life.
Located at 1801 NW 4th St., it’s a perfect spot to relax and enjoy nature among beautifully landscaped gardens and lush tree-lined pathways.
This park is ideal for those looking to have an enjoyable time in the great outdoors.
It features various fun activities, including playgrounds, walking trails, and greenery.
Hunters Manor Park’s wide open spaces provide ample picnic spots and sports fields for children and adults alike.
Moreover, due to its location and ambiance, visitors flock to this park to experience Jazz in the Park!
With so many reasons to visit Hunters Manor Park, nothing can be more appealing than spending a great day with your family and friends!
Harbor’s Edge Park is a beautiful spot for nature lovers.
Located at 1240 NE 28th Ave, the park features an abundance of serene views, which you can enjoy while walking your dog along garden pathways.
Enjoy a perfect summer’s day at the beach with friends, playing fun games like frisbee or drone while running in and out of the warm sun!
Take breaks under the shade of trees to read or chat, before gazing at an open sky dotted with clouds.
Experience true relaxation as you take in beautiful views along miles of sand in Harbor’s Edge Park.
Even if you don’t intend to go out into nature much, Harbor’s Edge Park offers a great opportunity, so take it!
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Discover a beach-side paradise at Hillsboro Inlet Park!
Stretching along North Ocean Boulevard, this secret spot boasts stunning views and is ideal for relaxation amid nature’s beauty.
Take in breathtaking views of the Hillsboro Lighthouse and nearby Intracoastal Waterway Bridge at Hillsboro Inlet Park, a small park with plenty on its scenic grounds.
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Its dock protruding into the ocean also serves as a prime location for inquisitive tourists fishing or simply taking in the scenery and boats passing by.
Plus, it’s ideally situated for anyone wanting to relax and enjoy an afternoon, whether reading a book on your own time or talking with friends outdoors.
Hillsboro Inlet Park is truly a beautiful place to appreciate the natural beauty of South Florida!
The Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub Natural Area is Nestled in Broward County, a 24-acre sand pine scrub preserved to protect its unique biodiversity.
Few places exist today where one can find this ecosystem, which was once so prominent.
In South Florida, there is now less than 2% of the ancient sand pine scrub remaining.
Whether you take the Gray Fox or Sand Pine trails, you will be amazed as you walk through lush foliage, discover a gopher tortoise burrow, and maybe even see a butterfly.
The beauty of nature within these paths gives South Floridians a much-needed respite from the metropolitan lifestyle that most are used to.
Perched at 3299 North East 3rd Ave, Crystal Lake Sand Pine Scrub Natural Area is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a place to reconnect with nature.
Whether looking for a leisurely hike or a more challenging one, you can discover peace and beauty nestled away from South Florida’s metropolitan lifestyle.
Pompano Beach offers seemingly endless sun and sand, but the area is also an excellent destination for exploring off-the-beaten-path attractions.
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Nestled in Coconut Creek, Florida, 11 minutes from Pompano Beach, Fern Forest Nature Park is an urban wilderness sanctuary offering guests a wide array of nature programs that explore ten ecological systems.
Spanning 244 acres, this designated wilderness area creates a unique environment focused on conservation and education.
Guests can explore the trails and channels to identify native flora, such as at least 34 species of ferns.
You can visit the Fern Forest Nature Park Nature Center to learn more about Broward County in its pre-development state.
Created in 1979 to protect what was left of the natural Florida landscape, Fern Forest Nature Park provides visitors with an insight into the beauty of preservation and the impact of change.
If you enjoy hiking and outdoor recreation, Prairie Overlook to Wetland Wander Loop is the perfect trail.
Stretching 3.1km, it takes roughly 33 minutes to complete and features both boardwalk and earth surfaces composed of wood, sand, grass, and more.
This trail is also popular among bird-watching enthusiasts and joggers looking for peace during the calmer hours of the day.
Located in Fern Forest Nature Park, the Prairie Overlook to Wetland Wander Loop boasts breathtaking scenery that varies depending on the season.
Take in some unforgettable sights while enjoying a little exercise outdoors. This makes for a great destination.
The boardwalk is perfect for anyone without an ATV or other powered gear.
However, once past the 0.6-mile mark, only powered personal transport will do for the unpaved trails ahead.
Along the trail, inviting benches are available if you need a moment of respite from your travels.
Take time to feel the sun on your skin and enjoy peaceful solitude in nature’s embrace.
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Secret Woods Nature Center is an absolute gem located in Dania Beach, Florida, 17 minutes from Pompano Beach.
It was designated as Florida’s first “urban wilderness area” in 1978 and sat at the intersection of Interstates 95 and 595.
Despite its prime location, the thick mangrove cover cloaks it from planes flying overhead.
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Its 56 acres comprise cypress row, mangroves, and uplands of tropical forest, a bird sanctuary with royal palms rising towards the sky.
Secret Woods Nature Center is ideal for family vacations since it provides informative and easy trails to explore around the nature center.
Moreover, visitors can peek into history and learn about the importance of conservation efforts that have gone into maintaining this hidden treasure for generations to come.
Hampton Pines Park in North Lauderdale, Florida, offers a wide range of entertainment options for those looking for that perfect full-day getaway.
Enjoy fishing or kayaking on the lake, with Florida’s sunny climate providing the perfect backdrop.
Hampton Pines Park, mere 16 minutes from Pompano Beach, has a great playground area for kids and volleyball courts for an afternoon match.
The park also has tranquil picnic tables by the lake for solo adventurers or couples looking for quality time.
Spend an evening with somebody special while soaking in the peaceful views.
Likewise, joggers will appreciate the fitness and running track available at Hampton Pines Park.
Gather your crew and experience all the excellent leisure options this North Lauderdale park offers.
Pompano Beach offers a lovely retreat to ocean lovers in South Florida.
It is an ideal destination with plenty of free attractions for visitors and an ever-changing array of events and experiences awaiting exploration.
Prepare for an unforgettable adventure with these free things to do in Pompano Beach, Florida!
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