The city of Davie, Florida is located in Broward County, about 25 minutes north of Miami. It’s home to over 90,000 and is part of the Miami metropolitan area.
The area was originally inhabited by the Tequesta Native American tribe. Some of their former campsites there date back over 5,000 years. It was later inhabited by Seminole Indians following Spanish colonization of the region.
The city was originally named Zona by Jake Tannenbaum and Tamara Toussaint. It was eventually renamed Davie in 1916 to honor Robert Parsell (R.P.) Davie who built the Davie School, the first school in the city.
The Broward County public school system operates eight elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools in Davie, Florida. There are also seven colleges and universities, four private schools and a public charter school within the city limits.
Davie is 35.7 square miles wide, The median home value is just over $379,000. Home values have risen in the city 2.4 percent in the last year. These values are expected to decrease by 2 percent in the coming year.
The median list price is $194 per square foot. The average listing price of homes in Davie is $379,900 and the average price of homes sold is $348,800.
There are plenty of fun things to see and do in the Davie area. Some of the most popular attractions include:
1. Vista View Park
A great place to get away from it all. The park has a great view of your surroundings. Perfect for biking, hiking, canoeing, picnics, family get togethers and other fun activities.
2. Butterfly Pavilion at Flamingo Road Nursery
The pavilion has dozens of different plants that attract butterflies. You may see a few fluttering about while you’re there. They also have a farmer’s live music and several live music performances every week. The center hosts special family-friendly events for Halloween, Christmas and other major holidays.
3. Flamingo Gardens
A popular non-profit that’s focused on environmental education and wildlife rescue. You can take guided walking tours and learn more about the history of the facility tour while you’re there. There’s a convenient tram ride around the various exhibits on display that you can get on and off at any time.
4. Buehler Planetarium and Observatory
The planetarium’s modern telescopes allow you to explore the night sky, and appreciate the vast wonders of outer space.
There are public shows and children’s shows that you can attend during evenings and weekends. If you want to learn more, you can join the Stargazer meetings that are held every Wednesday night when regular classes are in session.
5. Old Davie School Historical Museum
Established in 1918, the first school in the city was used until 1980. It still remains as one of the city’s oldest buildings. The museum offers an interesting glimpse of the area’s early days. Hands-on activities and experiences give visitors a better understanding and appreciation of local history.
6. Billie Swamp Safari
This tour service in the Big Cypress Seminole Indian reservation lets visitors get an up-close look at alligators, turtles, snakes and other local wildlife. There are also animals shows and a reptile house on the premises. A good day trip for families and small groups.
7. Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center
The visitors center has plenty of interactive exhibits for people of all ages to enjoy. Specific exhibits and other activities focus on local animals, plants and Native American culture and history. There are also outdoor paths and interesting works of art.
8. Young Art Museum
This museum is geared towards children. Kids ages 12 and under can play and interact with different exhibits. They’ll also learn about art, science, history, nature and culture. There are plenty of activities to keep children easily entertained and engaged for hours at a time.
9. Happy Pony World
If you’re looking for something different, give this place a try. They use horses in a variety of recreational and therapeutic activities.
You can tour the property on horseback or on foot if you wish. Each animal is matched with the skill level of their rider, so you can relax and enjoy your day even if you’ve never ridden a horse before.
10. Secret Woods Nature Center
This place can be a little difficult to find, but it’s always worth the effort. There are plenty of trails that take you through river and forest areas. You can observe over 20 different butterfly species at Butterfly Island, or participate in a living beehive, interactive snake exhibits and other activities while you’re there.
11. Tree Tops Park
This former dairy farm is home to over 150 acres of wetlands and forests. The park was created by a group of concerned citizens who prevented the land from being converted into a golf course.
Taking a leisurely stroll along any one of their many paths shrouded by towering oak trees is a great way to temporarily escape the sun’s rays on a warm day.
12. Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
The rodeo grounds have held annual events for over four decades. It’s a popular tourist attraction and a bit of a throwback to the days of the Old West. In addition to rodeos, there are arts and crafts shows, trade shows and live music.
Conclusion
These are just some of the many interesting things that you can do in Davie, Florida.
You can find out more about hours of operation and admission fees online. Many organizations also post event calendars on their websites. You may want to plan ahead in case of inclement weather.
Davie is a great place to visit any time of the year. There are always interesting destinations full of fun activities and events for children and adults.
Most area attractions are either right in town or less than an hour or two away. If you ever feel like there’s nothing to do, you simply haven’t found the right activity yet!