1. Fourth Festivities
Of course, South Florida knows how to do the Fourth of July. With coastal cities up and down Broward doing fireworks, there’s really not a bad beach to pitch up at – wherever you are, fireworks will be going off somewhere that’s not too far north or south. But in recent years, the City of Fort Lauderdale’s really gone all out with an all-day party on Fort Lauderdale Beach featuring bands and family fun before the 9 p.m. fireworks. Parking gets pretty packed, so it’s advisable – and a fun part of the day – to Water Taxi in and out. How much: Free. More information: fortlauderdale.gov/departments/parks-recreation/special-events/4th-of-july-spectacular
2. Starlight Musicals
Holiday Park’s big summer concert series has been going on for decades and remains one of the city’s most popular productions. Part musical event, part tailgate party, it packs out the soccer fields at the east end of the park every Friday night from mid-June to early August. Bands range from soul to classic rock to Jimmy Buffett covers (that last one’s always revelatory – it’s always interesting to learn which of your neighbors are secret Parrotheads). And best of all, it’s totally free. How much: We’ll say it again: Free. More information: fortlauderdale.gov/departments/parks-recreation/special-events/starlight-musicals
3. South Florida Adventure Pass
Not to be confused with the Summer Savings Pass, the Adventure Pass works the same way at a different group of popular South Florida attractions. Buy a pass and through September, you get unlimited admission to the Bonnet House, Flamingo Gardens, Xtreme Action Park, Sawgrass Recreation Park and the Young at Art Museum. Art, airboats, animals, action – it’s a pass that offers a little bit of everything. And as with the Summer Savings Pass, there’s a discount if you buy one at an attraction where you’re already a member or annual passholder.
How much: $45, $35 for kids 3 through 12. For members/annual passholders at any of the attractions, it’s $30/$20. More information: southfloridaadventurepass.com
4. Summer Savings Pass
This is among the best summer savings deals in South Florida. The pass gets you unlimited admission to four of the region’s most popular family attractions – the Museum of Discovery and Science, Lion Country Safari, Miami Seaquarium and ZooMiami – through the end of September. Even if you’re, say, a MODS member, this is a ticket that pays for itself with just a couple visits to any of the other places. (And if you’re an annual passholder, you get the Summer Savings Pass at a discount – as long as you buy it at the attraction where you’re a member.)
How much: $58, $48 for kids 3 through 12. Members/annual passholders at any of the attractions get the pass for $33/$23, as long as you purchase at the attraction where you’re a member or passholder. More information: summersavingspass.com
