All around NSU are a plethora of parks to go and spend the day at. Whether you want to see wildlife, have a picnic or just unwind, Broward county’s parks have got you covered.
If you want to see turtles
Tree Tops Park
3900 SW 100th Ave
Davie, FL 33328
Visiting Tree Tops Park, located on Nob Hill — a short drive from NSU — is a great way to spend the day. With more than 140 acres of ancient live oaks, tropical hammocks and wetlands, this park also has nature trails, playgrounds and an equestrian center. A great place to see some wildlife — especially turtles — Tree Tops Park also has picnic areas, seasonal paddle boating and even an observation tower that gives you a great view of the park’s greenery. Admission is free on weekdays and only $1.50 per person on weekends.
If you want to fly a kite — or a drone
Vista View Park
4001 SW 142nd Ave
Davie, FL 33330
What once was a garbage dump has now been transformed into a beautiful park surrounded with hills. Standing at 65 feet above sea level, Vista View Park’s hilltops are the highest man-made elevation in Broward county, giving you a perfect view of Davie. This park is also the perfect place for exercising and flying kites, drones or even model airplanes, which you can often find people doing during their visit. With over 270 acres of land to explore, you’re sure to have a great time. Like Tree Tops Park, admission is free on weekdays and only $1.50 per person on weekends, making it an affordable place to spend an afternoon and catch a great sunset atop the hills.
If you want to have a picnic
Topeekeegee Yugnee Park
3300 N Park Rd
Hollywood, FL 33021
A bit further from NSU in Hollywood, FL is Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, the perfect place to have a picnic and spend an afternoon with friends and family. Named after the Seminole term for “meeting or gathering place,” this park is great for walkers, picnickers and even athletes. With a campground, two water playgrounds and a swim lagoon — appropriately titled Castaway Island — you just might need more than one day to explore all this park has to offer. With free admission on weekdays and $1.50 admission per person on weekends, Topeekeegee Yugnee Park even has a large shaded playground, basketball and tennis courts, a fishing pier and a scenic lake water fountain.
If you want some history with your nature
Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center
3501 S.W. 130th Ave
Davie, FL 33330
Across the street from Flamingo Gardens, with beautiful architecture and lots of wildlife, Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center is home to an exhibit hall that displays the Native American presence of the Tequesta and Seminole in the area. This park also has both nature and equestrian trails as well as picnic areas and daily free admission.
If you want to see butterflies
Secret Woods Nature Center
2701 W. State Rd. 84
Dania Beach, FL 33312
Located on Dania Beach, Secret Woods Nature Center has a butterfly conservatory and is the one of the best places to see butterflies in Broward county. While smaller than the parks previously mentioned, Secret Woods Nature Center puts an emphasis on nature with many nature trails, a nature exhibit hall and even a full schedule of nature-oriented programming. Given the park’s proximity to the water, you’re also bound to see crabs, iguanas and lots of birds on your visit. With free admission daily, it’s definitely worth the drive and visit as you get to spend a peaceful and serene afternoon near the water and experience what nature has to offer.
