17 Best Things to Do in Davie, Florida

By VI Staff on August 11, 2019

Davie is only a short drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, but its proximity to these larger towns doesn’t subtract from Davie’s small town charm. The original town was founded by Tamara Toussaint and Jake Tannebaum in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until Davie drained a lot of the surrounding swamplands that the town really began to grow. Davie is known for having a Western feel, even though it is in South Florida, and much of the population owns horses and enjoys equestrian sports.

1.Tree Tops Park

Originally created in 1980, Tree Tops Park is a crucial community park in Davie that sits on 243 acres of land that was originally destined to become a golf course. The park is an easy access point for entry into the Pine Island Ridge Natural Area, and Tree Tops Park is interlaced with equestrian and foot paths for guests to enjoy. There are canoe waterways that guests can paddle, plenty of walking trails to explore, and even a few archeological sites that guests can investigate at their leisure. There are picnic areas, campfire rings, playgrounds, and even five picnic shelters that guests can use during their visit.

3900 SW 100th Ave, Davie, FL 33328, Phone: 954-357-5130

2.Flamingo Gardens

Resting on 60 acres, the Flamingo Gardens are part of the Botanical Garden and Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary. The gardens feature over 3,000 different species of exotic, rare tropical and subtropical native plants and diverse trees. But plants aren’t the only things that populate the gardens, as guests can also find plenty of Florida’s diverse wildlife living here, including bobcats, eagles, otters, peacocks, alligators, and panthers. The gardens were originally established in 1927 and have since grown to be one of the oldest non profit botanical gardens in all of South Florida.

3750 South Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33330, Phone: 954-473-2955

3.Young At Art Museum

Guests of all ages are invited to explore the Young At Art Museum to experience exhibits in a variety of senses, including sound, texture, and sight. The center believes that art has the power to inspire, and has created exhibits specifically catered to teens and children of all ages. The Young At Art Museum is a massive 55,000 square foot building that is Gold LEED-certified, and was built through both public and private partnership with Broward County. Although the museum is catered for children, adults are always welcome to explore the exhibits with their children and loved ones.

751 SW 121st Ave. Davie, FL 33325, Phone: 954-424-0085

4.Vista View Park

The Vista View Park is comprised of 272 acres of rolling hills, meadows, and pristine forests ripe for exploration. The park is home to many local species, both flora and fauna, and is very popular for guests during the outdoor season. There are eight picnic shelters that can be utilized by groups and individuals, some of which can be reserved in advance. There are paved pathways for walking, running, inline skating, and biking, and pets are always welcome if they are kept on leash. In addition to paved pathways, guests can explore the park on horse trails and natural hiking trails as well.

4001 S.W. 142 Ave., Davie, FL 33330, Phone: 954-357-8898

5.Butterfly Pavilion at Flamingo Road Nursery

The Flamingo Road Nursery is part farmers market, part plant nursery, and entirely fun for the whole family. The Butterfly Pavilion, which is located within the Flamingo Road Nursery, gives families and individuals the perfect opportunity to explore monarch butterflies in a recreated natural habitat all year round. The pavilion utilizes sustainable gardening practices to help the butterflies flourish, and guests to the Butterfly Pavilion will see these gorgeous creatures flying around at their leisure. The pavilion is open everyday from 8am through 6pm, and guests are encouraged to check out the calendar of events online for details on specific events.

1655 S Flamingo Rd, Davie, FL 33325, Phone: 954-476-7878

6.Old Davie School Historical Museum

It was in 1906 that the dense wilderness of the Everglades first began giving way to farmlands as the continuous dredging of canals increased farming potential. The families that staked their fortunes on the newly reclaimed lands were quick to prioritize education for their children, and because of this the Davie School was born. In modern day, the original school and the history of the area are both preserved by the Old Davie School Historical Museum, which tells the story of the early pioneers and showcases many artifacts from the past. The school originally houses about 90 students and is now open to the public as a learning center.

6650 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL 33314, Phone: 954-797-1044

7.Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center

Thanks to Broward County representatives, the 164 acres of land that was once the home to both the Tequesta first, and later the Seminole Native American tribes is now a protected area. The Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center features an exhibit hall that tells the story of the land, an interactive classroom where both adults and children can learn hands on, a banquet hall for hosted events, a theater for productions, and plenty of trails for walking and biking. The area is open daily from 9am through 5pm, and is filled with archeological exhibits for guests to explore and interact with.

3501 S.W. 130th Ave., Davie, FL 33330, Phone: 954-357-8797

8.Buehler Planetarium & Observatory

The Buehler Planetarium & Observatory is a local staple of space exploration, and has long inspired children of all ages and adults to learn more about the stars in our night sky. The observatory, formally known as The Broward College Observatory, uses a powerful telescope to see deep into space. Guests can see planets, nebulae, and the moon in stunning detail so long as the weather is agreeable. There are public observation hours every Wednesday from 7pm through 10pm, and the observatory is free and open to the public. There are many events that take place throughout the year, so guests are encouraged to check the calendar online to ensure they don’t miss out.

3501 Davie Rd, Davie, FL 33314, Phone: 954-201-6681

9.Paragon Ridge 8

Paragon Ridge 8 is Davies' best place to catch first-run and blockbuster films, opened in 2015 as part of the Paragon Theaters chain. Guests can relax in newly-renovated auditoriums showing the year's top family, comedy, drama, and action films, decked out with new large screens, enhanced sound and digital projection equipment, and comfortable reclining seats with footrests. Dining options on site include popular restaurant MyPi Custom Pizza, which serves up build-your-own pies and a selection of craft beers. A loyalty program lets repeat visitors enjoy discounts on tickets to major film releases. Special events held at the theater throughout the year include free kids' movie nights throughout the summer months.

9200 West State Road 84 Suite, Davie, FL 33324, Phone: 954-472-4940

10.Marando Farms and Ranch

The whole family can easily enjoy a day spent at Marando Farms and Ranch since there are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy and happy. For the eco friendly grocery shopper, it is easy to buy local from the farm and ranch since they clearly state where all of their products come from. For kids and animal lovers alike, there is a large petting zoo that is filled with rescued pets and animals. All of the animals receive extensive veterinary care, and there are also hay and pony rides available for the equestrian-centric visit. Monthly events make it easy to plan an outing, and Marando Farms and Ranch typically holds a thematic celebration every month based on a holiday.

5151 SW 64th Avenue, Davie, FL 33314, Phone: 954-945-5744

11.Bailey Hall

Bailey Hall has been entertaining guests for more than three decades, and thanks to its elaborate history and love for musical culture, Bailey Hall hardly struggles to keep guests coming time and time again. Originally named after Ralph R. Bailey, primarily due to his philanthropic donations to Broward College, this concert hall seats 1,200 people and hosts a large number of events every year. Guests to the venue can see diverse shows, including performances by musicians, artists, actors, and more. The hall underwent a massive renovation project in 2014, which has since made it even more enjoyable and optimized to serve all of its visitors.

3501 Davie Rd, Davie, FL 33314, Phone: 954-201-6884

12.Robbins Preserve

Robbins Preserve consists of 160 acres that is broken up into a few different categories, including a vast open space, various equestrian trails, and several pedestrian areas. Within the pedestrian areas are many small gazebos, play areas equipped with playgrounds, and picnic areas that are available on a first come, first served basis. There is also a large indoor facility available for meetings and functions, known as the Lodge, that can be rented by the public. For guests who wish to utilize the equestrian trails, the Equestrian Center makes it easy by offering a pole barn, two wash racks with hoses, mounting blocks, a trailer parking area, and a water trough for horses.

4005 Hiatus Road Davie, FL 33330,, Phone: 954-797-1147

13.Bar-B-Ranch

For a horseback riding experience from one of the most experienced stables in South Florida, guests should visit Bar-B-Ranch. There are many different ways that guests can enjoy horses at Bar-B Ranch, including their popular Day and Summer Camp options which are perfect for children. In addition to running camps, Bar-B-Ranch also offers horse rentals and scenic guided tours for guests looking to explore the surrounding area on horseback. Everyone from pure beginners to experienced riders are welcome, and every skill level can be matched with an appropriately trained horse to ensure an enjoyable time.

3500 Peaceful Ridge Road (SW 121 Ave.), Davie, Florida 33330, Phone: 954-424-1060

14.Laspada's Original Hoagies

Laspada’s Original Hoagies has been keeping South Florida well fed since 1974, but they credit their true origins to Chester, PA, the original location where the hoagie sandwich was invented. Laspada’s is well loved by locals not only because of the delicious, high quality hoagies that they produce, but also because the staff treats every customer as if they were family. It is common for Laspada’s Original Hoagies to have a long line, but thanks to the high quality and efficient workers the wait is never unbearable, no matter how many sandwiches they have to make per hour.

2645 S University Dr, Davie, FL 33328, Phone: 954-476-1099

15.Vienna Cafe & Wine Bar

Guests seeking out high quality, classy food will definitely want to add Vienna Cafe & Wine Bar to their list of must visit locations. This local favorite opens for brunch daily, and typically stays open through the dinner rush and closes around 10pm. The Vienna Cafe & Wine Bar has an extensive menu that features special features depending on the time of day, and their wine list will satisfy even the pickiest connoisseur. Reservations can be made by telephone, in person, or for maximum convenience they can be made online through Vienna Cafe & Wine Bar’s website.

9100 W State Rd 84, Davie, FL 33324, Phone: 954-423-1961

16.Kristof's Kafe

Quality food, a relaxing atmosphere, and great service all come together at Kristof’s Kafe. The home style setting is the perfect compliment to the homemade food, and considering that everything is made fresh to order guests will find it easy to enjoy themselves. Kristof’s Kafe was originally founded by the Kristof family, and a member of the Kristof family is present at all times in the cafe to ensure the highest standards are kept. Many of the staff have been working at Kristof’s for many years, and because this cafe doesn’t change their menu very often, the cooks have mastered every item on the menu to perfection.

8912 W State Rd 84, Davie, FL 33324, Phone: 954-475-8977

17.Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple

The Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple isn’t just locally important because of its religious community significance, but is also locally acclaimed for its well maintained grounds and striking architecture. The temple, which is 30,500 square feet, rests on 16.82 acres of land that includes water features and towering palm trees, and is built using architectural precast concrete. The Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple celebrated a major milestone in 2012 after the installation of an important statue was finished atop the spire, a depiction of the angel Moroni. Because standard services are held at the temple, guests are encouraged to attend a service if they wish to see the temple, or to contact the temple directly to discuss visiting hours.

3901 SW 154th Avenue, Davie, Florida 33331, Phone: 954-382-8390