Overview
Parkland is a city of about 35,000 people (2020) in western Broward County about 20 miles (32 km) from Fort Lauderdale.
2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Parkland
Parkland Airboat Rides
Everglades tours in the Loxahatchee preserve just west on Loxahatchee road in Parkland. An in-depth look at the everglades ecosystem, its history, and wildlife.
Barkland
2 acres of park dedicated to dogs. One area for dogs under 25 pounds and a larger area for dogs over 25 pounds. Amenities include a dog washing station, water fountains for both pets and people, walking trails, covered p…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 61°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Sep. (climate data from nearby Fort Lauderdale)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FLL Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale — 18 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DJT President Donald J. Trump International Airport, West Palm Beach — 27 mi away (major hub). Directions
Broward County Transit Bus #30 leaves from Fort Lauderdale's Central Terminal every 30 minutes ($3); transfer at West Terminal to Bus #2 (every 30 minutes) and get off at University D/Westview D (1hr 50min total) (Aug 2018).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $14 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Parkland Airboat Rides
- Lunch Bluefin Sushi Thai Grill
- Afternoon Barkland
- Dinner Pizza Time Caffe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
It is a mostly residential community, with many housing developments, and public parks. Parkland is known for its zoning laws, which are designed to protect the "park-like" character of the city. There were no stores or traffic lights in Parkland until the mid-1990s and early 2000s when large neighborhood developments (Heron Bay and Parkland Isles) were built.
It gained notoriety in February 2018 as the location of the deadliest high school shooting in American history, which took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Get in
By bus
Broward County Transit Bus #30 leaves from Fort Lauderdale's Central Terminal every 30 minutes ($3); transfer at West Terminal to Bus #2 (every 30 minutes) and get off at University D/Westview D (1hr 50min total) (Aug 2018).
By car
Parkland is about 24 mi (30 km) north and west of Fort Lauderdale.
Get around
Broward County Transit has several routes through Parkland.
Do
Do Barkland
2 acres of park dedicated to dogs. One area for dogs under 25 pounds and a larger area for dogs over 25 pounds. Amenities include a dog washing station, water fountains for both pets and people, walking trails, covered pavilions, and benches. There are also things for the dogs to climb through and climb over.
Eat
Eat Bluefin Sushi Thai Grill
Sushi, Thai food.
Eat Pizza Time Caffe
Pizza and authentic Italian cuisine.
Sleep
There are no hotels within the city limits, but there are two located just outside the city's borders.
Go next
Nearby
Coral Springs
City / town · 14 listings · 4 mi away
Tamarac
City / town · 4 listings · 7 mi away
Deerfield Beach
City / town · 11 listings · 9 mi away
Pompano Beach
City / town · 12 listings · 9 mi away
Boca Raton
City / town · 91 listings · 9 mi away
Sunrise
City / town · 3 listings · 11 mi away
Plantation
City / town · 7 listings · 13 mi away
Delray Beach
City / town · 45 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.