It’s no secret that tourists love Florida. Whether they’re heading to meet their favorite princess at a theme park or sitting by the beach, the Sunshine State always delivers. While it may be tempting to go to one of the famous beaches in South Florida, you may regret it. Why go to a crowded beach with expensive parking when you can opt for a much less touristy beach and not have to fight the crowds? If you’d rather not fight traffic or crowds, Deerfield Beach, Florida, might just be for you. Let’s check it out!
About Deerfield Beach, Florida
Located in Southern Florida, Deerfield Beach is in Broward County. The city of Deerfield Beach sits between Miami and West Palm Beach and has a population of about 82,000. It was founded in 1890 and received the name “Hillsborough” as it sat along the Hillsboro River.
The city was later renamed Deerfield after the many deer that locals could see grazing along the Hillsboro River. Despite being a predominantly agricultural community, the town saw the importance of letting tourists know about the beach. To help promote the beach, the city changed its name to Deerfield Beach in 1939.
Due to its location in Southern Florida, summers can be scorching and humid; temperatures range from the upper-80s to the low 90s. The winter months have very low humidity and temperatures in the mid-70s.
What Is Deerfield Beach Known For?
One of the main attractions to Deerfield Beach is its beach. Tourists flock to Deerfield Beach to enjoy all that South Florida offers, but without the crowds. The city’s beach earned “Blue Wave” status from the National Clean Beach Council.
8 Best Things to Do in Deerfield Beach, Florida
There are lots of things to do when you visit Deerfield Beach, Florida. Let’s take a look at several of the best options.
1. Stroll the Deerfield Beach Boardwalk
One of the best ways to start your day is a walk on the boardwalk at Deerfield Beach. Start the day with a lovely stroll and get a great view of the sun rising over the ocean. The pier is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. It’s $1 for residents and $2 for non-residents to go out on the boardwalk.
The boardwalk extends 976 feet out into the ocean and is a great place to do some fishing. The city sees the pier as its crowning jewel. Thousands of visitors and fishers regularly flock to the pier. You can rent fishing gear, grab a snack from the concession stands, or buy a souvenir to remember the trip.
2. Visit Quiet Waters Park
Quiet Waters Park encompasses 425 acres. Some of the most popular activities at the park are the annual Renaissance Festival and the Ski Rixen cable water-skiing system. This skiing system is one of 79 cable water-ski attractions in the world. Quiet Waters Park is also home to the only wakeboard and water-ski resort in South Florida.
The park also has options for bike rentals, basketball courts, and several lakes for fishing. You could easily spend an entire day at Quiet Waters Park and still not get to see or do everything it has to offer.
3. Grab Dinner at JB’s on the Beach
When you dine at JB’s on the Beach, you get an incredible ocean view, but that’s just the beginning. The live entertainment and incredibly fresh seafood will have you planning your next visit as you pay the check.
This restaurant is everything you expect out of a South Florida ocean-side restaurant. Delicious seafood, an incredible view, and a relaxing atmosphere.
4. Visit the Deerfield Beach Historical Society Museum
When you visit the Deerfield Beach Historical Society Museum, you’ll experience the people, places, and events that make up Deerfield Beach’s history. The building housing the museum is incredibly beautiful. Complimentary tours are available every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Be sure to check their EVENTS page before planning your trip. You never know what’s going on at this museum. The historical society does a fantastic job of planning special events and outreach services to help others connect with the city’s history.
5. Visit the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
The Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge is a 26,400-acre refuge to protect the endangered Florida panther. The park was established in 1989 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To provide the safest environment possible for this precious species, a vast majority of the refuge is closed to the public.
However, two walking trails are open. Seeing a Florida panther in the refuge is incredibly rare, but it does happen. If you plan to go for a walk on one of the paths, understand how you should respond if you encounter a Florida panther.
In the spring, the refuge opens some areas of the park that are typically closed to the public. The refuge hosts buggy tours, swamp hikes, birding tours, and plant ID walks. The park will also occasionally host special tours based on staffing and volunteer availability throughout the year. Keep an eye on the park’s events calendar if you’re interested in a tour.
6. Stroll the Deerfield Beach Arboretum
Also known as the Tree Zoo, the Deerfield Beach Arboretum houses more than 200 exotic trees from five continents on a half-mile walking path. Guests can attempt to spot the many different species of trees on the fully wheelchair-accessible path. The Arboretum does offer free public tours on the first Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. from September through June.
Whether you’re planning to walk or jog on the trail, keep an eye out for butterflies, otters, raccoons, turtles, ducks, and many more critters. The park encourages guests to bring a pair of binoculars and a camera to make the most out of their time.
7. Hit the Water! Check Out Ski Rixen
If you’ve always wanted to give skiing a shot, here’s your chance! Ski Rixen is the country’s first cable park for skiing. The park uses a pulley system to pull guests over the smooth water, whether they’re looking to enjoy slalom skiing, trick skiing, kneeboarding, wakeboarding, or even surfing without a wave.
However, if skiing isn’t for you, the park is also home to the massive Wibit Aquapark. This inflatable island will have you racing your friends and family around obstacles. You can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, and more from the park’s marina. Ski Rixen sits inside of the massive Quiet Waters Park.
8. Take the Kids to Splash Adventure Water Park
Also located inside of the Quiet Waters Park is Splash Adventure Water Park. If you have young children, they’ll be talking about this water playground for years to come. The playground has slides, tunnels, turn valves, wheels, and levers.
The park is closed for the 2021 season, but normal operating hours are 10 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. It costs $6 per person or $4.40 per person after 3 p.m. You can also get a season pass. You can easily spend all day playing in the water park and even grab lunch at the concession stand to avoid leaving the park.
Many of the cities in the Sunshine State offer an abundance of outdoor activities. The great thing about Florida is that many of the activities are open all year because of the weather. Deerfield Beach is a destination that we think you’ll enjoy checking out the next time you’re in Southern Florida. Have you been there yet?
