Riding my bike through the Riverwalk and stopped for a cold tea at Pura Vida where the giant THRIVE…read morecavelike stone sculpture proudly stands with green vines filling the sides of the cave. Im not really an art buff, but this sculpture by Daniel Popper was impressive. The stone sculpture depicts a woman cracking open her rib cage with both of her hands symbolizing transformation and hope. People can be seen taking pictures inside the cave. Its worth a few minutes to take a peek at this artwork if near Las Olas in Ft Lauderdale.

The Thrive Statue is one of those pieces that stops you mid-walk. It's powerful, expressive, and…read morequietly emotional--capturing strength, growth, and resilience all at once. The scale alone draws you in, but it's the details and posture that really make you pause and reflect. Set against the modern surroundings, it feels both grounding and inspiring, like a reminder to keep pushing forward even when things feel heavy. Beautifully done, thoughtfully placed, and absolutely worth a moment (or a photo) if you're in the area.

Marc Quinn's "Broken Sublime," is a stunning stainless steel seashell sculpture on Las Olas Blvd &…read moreSE 6th Ave. The conch shell, a piece by British artist Marc Quinn stands over 7 feet tall & weighs more than 5,500 lbs, This larger-than-life stainless steel seashell sculpture valued at nearly $1 million graces the grounds of downtown's long-awaited Tunnel Top Plaza, an artificial turf zone that cost taxpayers $10.6 million. This new sculpture and sitting area is in front of the cheesecake factory. The beach is steps away and the new art here is meant to evoke positive feelings about the Fort Lauderdale seashore.

Broken Sublime (The Hunger) is a new stainless steel public art piece that was purchased for the…read morenew Tunnel Top Park that sits over the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel. You can find the giant stainless steel conch shell between the Cheesecake Factory and Sushi Garage on Las Olas Boulevard. The shiny conch shell is over 7 feet high and weighs 5,500 pounds. This art piece and future pieces that will be placed in the park were paid from a 5 million dollar donation from the estate of the late James Winder Laird. Broken Sublime (The Hunger) is by British artist Marc Quinn. Quinn is a contemporary visual artist whose subjects include the body, genetics, identity, environment, and the media. Although primarily known as a sculptor, he has also produced prints and photographs. Quinn has had exhibitions in major galleries like the Tate and he has created public art work for cities all over the world. The public art here is meant to make Tunnel Top Park an inviting place for tourists to hang out on Las Olas Boulevard. Broken Sublime (The Hunger) in particular is meant to evoke the idea that the beach is a short distance away and that Ft. Lauderdale is a beach town. I think this piece adds interest to an otherwise plain pedestrian area. It is also a nice place to take a selfie.

"Yes, American flamingos are considered native to Florida. Though they were hunted to…read morenear-extinction by the early 20th century, new research confirms they are returning, with growing populations in the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, and the Florida Keys." My Yelp friend, who was recently in Mexico at a park there, took a lovely photo of the Flamingos there. I liked the photo & said; "Great photo, my favorite OuiOui!" He asked me if I had been to that park to see them. I told him I had, and I had seen them in many many different places & parks. However, it was my wish that they would come back to the Everglades. He wrote me back & said, "I didn't know they left." I was very surprised by this statement. I thought everyone knew that American Flamingos were native to Florida & they have been pretty much extinct since the early 1900's. In the early 1900's, flamingos in Florida were nearly hunted to extinction for their meat AND their pink feathers, which were highly valued as fashion accessories for hats and fans. La vie en rose OuiOui. "Historically, large flocks lived in South Florida, but they vanished around 1900 due to the plume trade." They were also over hunted for food as they are considered a delicacy. So is the Blue Heron & the Sandhill Crane. The Sandhill Crane is known as "the filet mignon of the sky." If you look in very old cook books you will find recipes for all these birds. Thankfully, they are now protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918. This law prohibits the hunting, killing, capturing, selling, or transportation of protected migratory birds without a federal permit. I love all the Flamingos, American Birds. I'm always traveling around trying to get photos of all of them, especially in the wild. I write about this all the time OuiOui. The best place to see the American Flamingos up close right now, is at Flamingo Gardens. Flamingo Gardens is a 60 acre botanical park that was built in an old Orange orchard. It's an incredible place filled with beautiful tropical plants & flowers. There are orchids everywhere, gorgeous tropical birds everywhere, it sounds like you're in a jungle when you're there. It's a truly magnificent, magical place OuiOui. I'm so thrilled that the American Flamingos are coming back to their native Florida. The recent storms blew some of them in, all up and down the east coast, from the keys to upstate NY. You can see some small groups of them in the wild right now, however, it will take some time for their flocks to multiply back to where they should be, as Flamingos reach maturity slowly (6-7 years) and typically lay only one egg per year. In the meantime, you can see them up close & personal at the Fabulous Flamingo Gardens. Moi fave Botanical park in America. As always, I will keep searching for them in the wilds, always & forever, "1000 wild flamingos" la vie en rose OuiOui. Highest Recommendations.

Flamingo Gardens was established in 1927, and is one of the oldest botanical gardens and…read moreattractions in South Florida. It was originally founded as an orange grove, but has now become a nonprofit botanical garden. My wife has always told be about this place when we first started dating. Over the years I'm finally started going. I think she understated just was magnificent it truly is. They have hundreds of unique trees, some of which are the largest trees of their species in Florida. This is home to some of the largest collections of naturalized orchids, cycads, and heliconias. They have over 3,000 species of rare & exotic, tropical, subtropical, and native plants and trees. The Wildlife Sanctuary which is a home to permanently injured or non-releasable Florida native wildlife. Some of these animals include alligators, bobcats, eagles, otters, panthers, peacock, and of course, flamingos! I have to say that the tram tour, is my favorite part of this place. It takes you around the property showing many of the unique plants and trees. If you like birds, you can also head into the aviary and walk around with birds that are free flying. All through the year Flamingo Gardens offer different events. One of the eagerly anticipated events is the Party in Pink. This is to raise money for Flamingo Gardens. They have food and drink vendors come in, they have a silent auction and so much more. I would highly recommend this event. It is a great way to learn about Flamingo Gardens, meet some of the residents and have a great time and great food!

I visited the Bonnet House to see the Zim sculptures on display through April 19, 2026…read moreThe exhibit includes over 2000 hand carved sculptures by over 100 Zimbabwe artist. There are many large sculptures throughout the gardens, they are all labeled with the name of the work, the artist and the material. There is a large market with sculptures of all sizes for sale. The exhibit is so large it is only displayed in one location per year. While we were there, there were two sculptors working on new pieces, both took the time to speak with us. Love is in the air at the Bonnet House, while we were there they were setting up for a wedding and we saw a proposal. A beautiful setting for both. They have special events throughout the year, including an orchid show and Christmas holiday wonderland. Guided and self guided house tours are available,$30-40, we opted for the grounds tour only, $15. The gardens are well shaded so even on a warm day our visit was comfortable.

A tourist trap. Paying that much to see common stuff like going to a greenhouse or a grocery store…read morefor orchids. There is a similar one in California but at least in California, it is free. I said I rather used the money to buy orchids then

Morikami Museum is a beautiful place to visit. I'd suggest going in the morning or when the sun…read moreisn't too hot, since there's a lot of walking depending on how you choose to explore the grounds. There are a few side trails branching off the main paths that are quieter and worth taking if you have time. I loved that there were plenty of rest areas that felt silent and peaceful -- great for taking a break and just soaking it all in. The koi pond was a highlight too. The landscaping is serene and really well kept, with lots of spots that make you want to stop and take it in. I really enjoyed it for a peaceful stroll and ended up taking a ton of nature pictures -- the light, the greenery, and the traditional architecture all make for great photos. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a calm, scenic experience.

We came here on Mother's Day -- a Sunday in May. As you can imagine, it was quite busy. So busy, in…read morefact, that we only saw a peak at the inside museum and a quick visit to the gift shop. We spent our time visiting the Japanese gardens. It was excruciatingly hot the day we visited. We were glad for the frequent benches to stop and rest. We enjoyed the beauty of the various gardens. Especially liked the bamboo grove as my husband got to explain to a few folks a bit about bamboo and the ingenuity of his grandfather using bamboo on his farm in Georgia as irrigation conduits. The sign saying don't carve the bamboo next to a carved stalk was ironic... In addition to the various plant gardens, there were the rock gardens, the waterfalls, and the pine forest. Liked seeing the koi fish and turtles. Another highlight was the bonsai exhibit. Throughout the winding path, there were stone lanterns and small wooden huts. At the entrance to the area with the original 1977 museum is a laughing Buddha statue of Hotei, the god of happiness. Smaller than expected, you might miss it the first time you pass by. As a caveat, prepare for lots of walking. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat or carry a parasol, sunglasses. They have a couple areas with steps, but there is an alternative "easier" path for strollers or handicapped. And if possible, come when it's cooler. I'm glad we walked the entire perimeter. But for someone very much out of shape, I know I'll be feeling my achy muscles. I'm glad we got this brief glimpse into the history and culture of the Japanese in South Florida. It's one of the most distinctive tourist attractions in our area.

Since their first public art project, the covered bridge in 1963, Coral Springs has become one of…read morethe leading public art cities in south Florida. The art is paid for during development and redevelopment in the city. Fees are collected from permits during building construction and renovations in the city. None of the art is paid with public tax dollars. Opened in October of last year, ArtWalk, is an event and entertainment space in downtown Coral Springs. It is on NW 31st Court and runs between University and Coral Hills Drives . The ArtWalk is 1300 feet long and has benches, a seating wall, native plant landscaping, and room for event tents. It serves as a park and a place for the city to display temporary art works, some of which they will eventually purchase. I enjoyed checking out the six art works on display which currently include Coalescence, Ascent, Beyond, Union One, and Give Them Wings. My favorite was the steel orchids that make up Coalescence. It is free to enjoy the art and it looks different depending on whether you visit during the day or at night. I look forward to seeing what else the city adds as well as attending events here.

Really underrated area, I took my daughters here and we all had a great time! The atmosphere to the…read moreplant life it was wonderful

Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden was named for Lauderhill community leader Ilene Lieberman. She…read moreserved as a council women in 1984, mayor in 1988, and as a Broward County Commissioner in 1996. The garden is a small sized at only two acres. Although they didn't have a lot of land to work with they maximized what they had. The garden has an outdoor amphitheater that seats 40 people. There is also a gazebo, a tot lot playground, and an observation deck. Throughout the park there a walking trail, botanical gardens, and public art. The city of Lauderhill uses the park to stage events like the Jazz Picnic in the Park. This park provides a welcome green space in the middle of the city where the community can exercise, play, and gather together for events.

When visiting Miami this area is definitely worth adding to your list. It's literally a graffiti…read morefilled street art open air gallery filled with colorful, creative works on every corner and alleyway. They're plenty of eateries and shops to step inside and cool off and recharge along the way. You can easily spend half and day just taking it all in. They also offer guided tours but we chose to experience it at our pace. If staying downtown or just passing through this would defined be a must do to get a glimpse of the Miami culture, food and vibe. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

During my previous two visits to Miami, I'm not sure why I never made it here. While researching…read morenew places for this trip, the moment I saw a picture of Wynwood Walls, I knew I had to experience it in person. It is a world-renowned outdoor museum featuring, massive, constantly rotating, and vibrant street art from global artists. Founded in 2009, this walkable, family-friendly destination is surrounded by over 70 art galleries, boutiques, and cafes in the Wynwood Arts District. Wynwood is the street art district of Miami and possibly the most colourful neighbourhood in the world. Every single wall is a new experience. The talent, the detail and the bright, bold colors - amazing! Wynwood is a neighborhood just north of Downtown Miami and in between the two freeway bridges to South Beach. It was an industrial area for years, but developers revamped the place and now the warehouse buildings draw tourists in from all over the world to see the beautiful art. It was previously known as Little San Juan (El Barrio) because many people from Puerto Rico lived there, but since the area has been gentrified, it is less so. Parking: my suggestion, Park at 'Artem Apartments Garage/ Premium Parking - P2515' and walk 10 minutes.

Green Turtle and Blue Tang is another one of the beautiful public art works in…read moreLauderdale-by-the-Sea by artist Laura Fisher Huck. I have always admired this piece at the entrance to Green Turtle Plaza, the home of one of my favorite sub shops, La Spada's. Laura Huck created several pieces for Lauderdale-by-the-Sea including the Coral Reef Arch at the town entryway. Town Manager Connie Hoffman first spotted Huck's work in Nova Scotia where the works were installed in 2002. Huck specialized in outdoor painted sculptures and has developed a process where they do not weather. She ended up designing five colorful sculptures for the city with inspiration drawn from her dives with scuba instructor Rene Bobadilla. Artist Laura Fisher Huck visualized, researched, designed, and then drew the art work. It was then cut and fabricated by a structural engineer. The pieces were made out of aluminum so it would not corrode, coated with zinc oxide primer, and then hand painted with UV protecting acrylic paint. During the last step, six coats of UV protecting epoxy were also applied. Green Turtle and Blue Tang was installed in 2013 and features a green sea turtle, the largest of the hard shelled turtles. They are unique because they are herbivores with a diet consisting of sea grass and algae. Green turtles are found around the world but their numbers have declined as they have been used for their meat and eggs. They have also lost nesting habitat due to coastal development. They are listed as an endangered species. Surrounding the turtle are colorful blue tangs, a fish often seen on Florida's reefs. The blue tangs are giving the turtle a bath by eating the algae off of its shell. In 2021 Lauderdale-by-the-Sea budgeted $200,000 to restore the Laura Fisher Huck sculptures by the beach. Green Turtle and Blue Tang has never looked better. I love the intricacy of this sculpture and it's theme. It's a great reminder to protect endangered sea turtles and keep your garbage off the beach. These and other sea turtles nest on the beach a few feet away March through October.

I loved that this trail is so close to my house, I just wonder why I never knew about it…read more The walking trail is free as well as the parking. The trail is nicely shaded and has a paved walkway which makes it easy for parents pushing their child in a stroller or the casual jogger out on a nice morning. The trail has plenty of benches as well as beautiful views of the natural landscape and the water that separates the path from the golfers on the course. Along the way there are information boards to learn about the Preserve environment. There are emergency posts located along the 1.1 mile trail incase there is a problem if 911 needs to be called. I also noticed a cute painted rock collection that stretches over 30 yards in the shape of a snake. Next time I will will be bringing a rock to contribute. Overall, I thought this place was great on a nice day but it would be too hot during the summer to visit.

This trail has really blossomed with all the foliage since opening many years ago. About half the…read moretrail is shaded now. There are views of waterways and the golf course. There are informational stands along the one mile path. Make sure to find the rock snake:) There is easy parking at the golf course. There's a restroom in the clubhouse.