• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

Deerfield Island Park   (Photo: Courtesy of Broward County Parks and Recreation Division)

Catch the free ferry (service on Sundays and Wednesdays only) to Deerfield Island Park, where you can enjoy 56 acres of blissfully undeveloped Gold Coast land. Besides in-the-know locals (who quickly lay claim to the ten or so grills for Sunday barbecuing), you’ll share the preserve with resident armadillos, sea birds, gray foxes, and the threatened gopher tortoise. Stop for picnic provisions at the Publix (4703 N. Ocean Dr.) in nearby Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, or swing by Pa' DeGennaro’s Gourmet Deli for to-go sandwiches.

Published on Jan 12, 2008 as a web exclusive.