Fort Lauderdale

Flamingo Gardens, is both a botanical garden and an Everglades wildlife sanctuary. The gardens are home to more than 3,000 species of rare and exotic plants as well as some of the largest trees in Florida. The sanctuary is home to non-releasable birds and animals as well as alligators, bear, bobcats, peacocks, flamingos and other native wildlife. Check the garden’s website for special events held throughout the year.

Built in 1901, this historic building was home to one of Ft. Lauderdale’s founding families, Frank and Ivy Stranahan. It is the oldest surviving structure in Broward County and served at different times as a trading post, post office and town hall as well as their home. Guided tours are offered seven days a week.

Museum of Discovery & Science, located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, features interactive exhibits in the natural and physical sciences. Highlights include a new Eco-Discovery Center where you can ride the Everglades Airboat Adventure, experience hurricane wind forces and see river otters at play. The museum is also home to an IMAX 3D theater.

The art museum’s permanent collection contains more than 6,000 works, including the largest holdings in America by European “Cobra” artists. A post-war avant-garde movement, the Cobra school emphasizes primitive art forms and takes inspiration from Paul Klee and Joan Miro. Other prominent artists in the collection include William J. Glackens, George Bellows, Diego Rivera and Frank Stella. The holdings also includes a significant collection of ceramic works by Pablo Picasso. The museum is part of Nova Southeastern University.