Your Complete Guide to Summer Deals, Passes & Freebies for Families in Broward & Palm Beach County (2026)

Last Updated: June 2026 · All pricing, dates, and program details below were verified for Summer 2026 at the time of publication. Always confirm with each attraction's official website before visiting, as schedules and pricing can change.

Summer in South Florida is long, hot, and full of opportunity — but it can also get expensive fast if you're paying full admission every time you walk through a gate. The good news: Broward and Palm Beach County are loaded with passes, programs, and completely free experiences that let families do more while spending significantly less.

This guide covers everything verified for summer 2026 — from the new South Florida Adventure Pass to free nature centers, library programs, museum deal days, and more. Bookmark this one. You'll use it all season.

The Big One: Multi-Attraction Pass

South Florida Adventure Pass (2026)

Valid: May 15 – September 30, 2026 | Purchase at any participating attraction

The South Florida Adventure Pass is the single best summer value for active families in Broward and Miami-Dade. For one flat price, the pass provides unlimited admission to all participating attractions from May 15 through September 30, 2026 — more than four and a half months of access.

Participating attractions for 2026:

Zoo Miami (NEW for 2026) — More than 2,000 animals from around the world across 340 acres, now included in the pass at no additional cost.

Butterfly World (Coconut Creek) — The world's largest butterfly park, with 20,000+ exotic butterflies, six aviaries, a Lorikeet Encounter, Bug Zoo, and botanical gardens.

Flamingo Gardens (Davie) — Botanical gardens and a wildlife sanctuary with rescued native animals including alligators, panthers, otters, and Florida's largest collection of native wildlife.

Museum of Discovery and Science / MODS (Fort Lauderdale) — 150,000+ square feet of interactive science exhibits, an aviation-themed Makerspace, wildlife habitats, an outdoor Science Park, and STEM shows.

Sawgrass Recreation Park (Weston) — Everglades airboat rides, reptile exhibits, alligator shows, and wildlife encounters.

Pricing: Adults (ages 13+) $60 + tax. Children (ages 3–12) $50 + tax. Existing annual passholders at participating attractions receive a $10 discount.

Why it's one of the best summer values in South Florida: with unlimited admission across five premier attractions for more than four months — including Zoo Miami at no additional cost this year — families who plan to get out even a handful of times this summer will save dozens or even hundreds of dollars compared to paying single-day admission at each venue.

Where to buy: In person at any participating attraction starting May 15, 2026. No reservations required. A pre-purchase form is available at southfloridaadventurepass.com to save time at the gate.

Always Free: No-Cost Experiences Worth Knowing About

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center — Boca Raton (Always Free)

1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton | Free admission, free parking

One of the best completely free family experiences in all of South Florida, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton is a 20-acre coastal preserve unlike anything else in the county. Situated on Boca Raton's barrier island within a rare remnant of tropical hardwood hammock, Gumbo Limbo offers a 1/3-mile elevated boardwalk through the coastal forest, Jacob's Outlook (a 40-foot observation tower with an ADA-accessible ramp and sweeping barrier island views), large outdoor marine aquariums with native fish and resident sea turtles, a butterfly garden with wild butterfly species visible year-round, the Ashley Trail overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, and a Florida Atlantic University marine science laboratory with a public gallery for viewing ongoing research.

Sea turtle nesting season programming (March–October) makes this one of the best places in Palm Beach County to learn about sea turtle conservation. Admission is always free. Parking is free (though limited — consider rideshare or carpooling given current construction). A must-visit for families in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and across southern Palm Beach County.

Manatee Lagoon — West Palm Beach (Always Free)

6000 N. Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach | Free admission

Manatee Lagoon is an FPL eco-discovery center on the West Palm Beach waterfront where families can observe manatees in their natural warm-water habitat from elevated viewing platforms — completely free of charge. The facility includes interactive educational exhibits about manatees and the local aquatic ecosystem, making it as educational as it is entertaining. Manatee sightings are most frequent in cooler months but the facility is open and free year-round. A beloved Palm Beach County hidden gem for families.

Fern Forest Nature Center — Coconut Creek (Always Free)

201 Lyons Rd. S., Coconut Creek | Free admission

A 244-acre wilderness preserve in the heart of Broward County, Fern Forest offers walking trails and an elevated boardwalk through one of the most peaceful natural areas in the county. Named for its extraordinary concentration of native ferns, the preserve features birding trails, guided nature walks, and a serene escape from the surrounding suburban landscape. No admission fee, no parking fee. A wonderful option for a quiet morning with younger children or a nature walk with older kids interested in Florida ecology.

Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center — Davie (Always Free)

3501 SW 130th Ave., Davie | Free admission

A lesser-known gem in western Broward County, Long Key Natural Area features multiple walking path options including a paved wheelchair-accessible path, a wooden boardwalk for wildlife observation, and a natural dirt trail through native vegetation. Free admission makes it a perfect spontaneous outing for families in the Davie, Weston, and Plantation areas.

Free Museum Days & Discount Programs

Bank of America Museums on Us — Free First Full Weekend Monthly

Valid for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders

If you have a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch card, you have access to free museum admission on the first full weekend of every month through the Museums on Us program. Show your eligible card and a photo ID at the admissions desk to receive free general admission. The program covers participating museums across both counties. Check the Bank of America website or the individual museum pages for the full list of participating South Florida institutions and 2026 dates.

Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum — Free First Saturday Monthly

71 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton | Free admission first Saturday of every month

The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum offers free admission on the first Saturday of every month, with special family-oriented activities. A great low-pressure way to introduce children to local history and rotating exhibits in a community setting.

NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale — Free Days & Sunny Days/Starry Nights

1 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

The NSU Museum of Art offers periodic free entry days along with Sunny Days/Starry Nights events (11am–7pm) on the first Thursday of every month. Free activities for kids are included on free days. Check the museum's website (nsuartmuseum.org) for the full 2026 schedule and current admission pricing.

Broward County Library Summer Reading Program — Free

All Broward County Library branches

The Broward County Library's annual Summer Learning Program is one of the most underutilized free family resources in the county. Registration is free at participating branches and online. The program features reading and learning challenges for children, teens, and adults, along with special events, activities, and reward opportunities throughout the summer. It's a completely free way to keep kids engaged, learning, and connected to their local library during summer break.

Additional Deals Worth Knowing

Dive-In Movie Nights — Free, Broward County Parks

Many Broward County parks and municipal aquatics facilities offer family-friendly dive-in movie nights during the summer months. Guests can watch movies from the pool deck or while floating in the water. Event schedules, participating locations, and admission policies vary by city and facility, so check local parks and recreation calendars for current 2026 event details.

Dania Pointe Free Events — Free, Dania Beach

Dania Pointe, the outdoor lifestyle center in Dania Beach, hosts free Bubble Bash displays and regular free live entertainment and events throughout the summer. A no-cost way to get the kids out for an evening without spending at the gate.

Broward County Beaches — Always Free

It's easy to forget the obvious: 24 miles of Broward County beaches are free to access year-round, with restrooms, lifeguards at many locations, and metered or free parking depending on the beach. Fort Lauderdale Beach, Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, Deerfield Beach, and Pompano Beach all offer full beach access at no admission cost. The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk adds live music nearly every evening at the Hollywood Beach Theatre — also free.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season — Free, Palm Beach County Beaches

Sea turtle nesting season runs March through October along Palm Beach County beaches, with thousands of nests documented each year. The Museum of Discovery & Science runs guided sea turtle walks on select nights in June and July at Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club (ages 9+, reservation required). Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton also tracks nesting activity with live nesting totals posted on their website throughout the season.

Quick Reference: Summer 2026 Deals at a Glance

Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Summer

Buy the Adventure Pass early. The South Florida Adventure Pass goes on sale May 15, 2026. Prices are the same regardless of when in the summer you purchase, but buying early maximizes the number of visits you can make before September 30.

Go on weekdays. Most Broward County parks charge a $1.50/person gate fee on weekends and holidays — free on weekdays. Broward County beach parking is also less competitive Monday through Friday.

Maximize the Adventure Pass. With Zoo Miami added in 2026 at no additional cost, the pass now spans Broward and Miami-Dade. Plan a mix of Broward visits (Butterfly World, Flamingo Gardens, MODS, Sawgrass) with at least one Zoo Miami day to get the most from a single pass.

Check your library card. The Broward County Library Summer Learning Program offers free activities, reading challenges, and seasonal reward opportunities. Register early and start logging activities to get the most out of the program throughout the summer.

Beat the heat. South Florida summer afternoons routinely hit 90°F+ with high humidity. The best strategy for outdoor attractions is early morning (gates open at 8–9am for most parks) or late afternoon after 4pm when temperatures begin to drop. MODS and other indoor museums and science centers are ideal for the 11am–3pm heat window when South Florida temperatures are at their highest.

New to the area or thinking about making South Florida home? See the top family neighborhoods in Parkland or explore Coral Springs — two of Broward County's most sought-after communities for families.

More Friendly Scoop Summer Guides

Looking for more ways to keep the kids cool and entertained this summer? Don't miss our complete guides to splash pads and water parks across South Florida:

Sources: South Florida Adventure Pass official site (southfloridaadventurepass.com), Flamingo Gardens 2026 Adventure Pass announcement, Museum of Discovery & Science (mods.org), Zoo Miami, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (myboca.us), South Florida on the Cheap, Manatee Lagoon (FPL), Broward County Parks & Recreation, NSU Art Museum (nsuartmuseum.org), Visit Lauderdale family guides. Article prepared by The Friendly Scoop, powered by Homes by Cusi · Keller Williams Realty. Last verified June 2026.

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