As locals, were often asked what are the best things to do in Weston, and what are the best hotels, restaurants, shops and places for culture and nature in Broward Countys aptly named city nestled next to the Florida Everglades. If it feels like a utopia where children can still ride their bikes safely along a network of trails amid mature trees, its because Arvida, once owned by Disney, developed its original communities including Windmill Ranch Estates and Country Isles that grew into a 26-square-mile city that incorporated in 1996. More exclusive communities rose like Windmill Lake, Windmill Reserve, Weston Hills (Country Club), the Landings and Tequesta. Its no wonder that many celebrities and athletes such as Dan Marino call the area home. The excellent public school systemCypress Bay High School is affiliated with the prestigious Cambridge Assessment International Education programis a key selling point for families. Weston also boasts the Cleveland Clinic Florida/Weston Hospital listed on Newsweeks Worlds Best Specialized Hospitals 2023 and Worlds Best Smart Hospitals 2023. With easy access to Interstate-75, residents can conveniently access Miami, the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Alligator Alley to Floridas west coast. But multigenerational visitors and tourists alike have everything right here in their backyard as well. Please enjoy our curated guide for this idyllic oasis within the hustle and bustle of South Florida.Weston Restaurants
Serving as the citys main street, town square and teen hangout all in one, Weston Town Center is a major dining draw. Buenos Aires-born, Florida-based Grazianos Markets gourmet products favor its Italian/Argentine heritage such as homemade pastas, empanadas and prime butcher cuts. You may run into a familiar cycling club in search of a caffeine fix as you shop and dine. One can eat their way around the world at the centers ethnic eateries including Tarantella Ristorante, Yum Korea and Latin fusion-focused Bocas House, as well as concepts like healthy Carrot Express and The Cheese Course, which opened its original bistro and market here for charcuterie boards, fondue and breakfast. In October, Argentine gelateria Luccianos debuts. The pending Latin American chain Negroni Bar & Bistro bridges Asian and Italian fare. Offsite Little Hen serves proper English afternoon tea in a charming, floral-festooned setting. It also makes all-day dishes like chia pudding, club sandwiches, street tacos, crab cakes, and naturally, egg dishes of all sorts. For an authentic taste of France, travel to Bonjour French Bakery & Caf for Gallic specialties (croque madame, quiche, tartine davocat au saumon). Its professional pastry chefs excel in fancy cakes and tarts like mille-feuille. When craving a Japanese izakaya experience, locals reserve a seat at Ke-uHs elegant sushi bar. Hot and cold items touch on all the hits from salmon pizza to Kurobuta pork belly. Neat-as-a-pin market RememBR comforts homesick Brazilians with grocery products and prepared foods from their native country. They catch up over Brazilian drinks in its comfy lounge, and order groceries from the delivery service. At Bloom Nursery, Southwest Ranches Farmers Market champions organic produce, raw milk and grass-fed meat. Sip freshly cut coconuts and homemade kombucha while browsing acres of plants. Budding beekeepers learn apiary arts at Honey & Quail Eggs Farm, and bottle honey from its 24/7 self-service dispenser. Blind Eye Betty Farm, another source for honey and freshly laid eggs, honors its most productive hen who lost her eyesight.Weston Culture
Much of Westons cultural scene happens at Weston Town Center. Check its website calendar for upcoming highlights like Live Music Fridays, Spooky Halloween parade and trick or treat, Holiday Edition Craft Show and The Yuletide Carolers at the Bell Tower. For the first time in March 2023, Classic Cars & Tasting Garden combines two of its biggest events for a vintage display, food and wine. Films are a big passion in the area. Families bring blankets and picnics to Regional Parks Moonlight Movies in the Park from October to April. Formed decades ago, The Arts Council of Greater Weston hosts its 17th annual Weston Foreign Film Series from November through March at the AMC Weston 8 Theater. Local schoolchildren show off their talents for singing, acting, music and more at the councils Celebrate the Arts Day in January, and everyone learns something at its Weston World Fest in March. The Weston Music Society is also very active in performing complimentary concerts in genres from pops to tango. Many youngsters learn how to dance, draw and dream at Bonaventure Town Center Club.Weston Shopping
Weston Town Center houses a variety of retailers. Since 2001 many milestones have been commemorated with a trip to family-owned Weston Jewelers that recently expanded to Hard Rock. Its vast assortment of watches and fine jewelry culls from Chopard, Cartier, Bvlgari and Rolex. Ladies find date night dresses, boho resort pieces and accessories at Marcellas Boutique, while gents have a great selection of imported menswear labels for sports jackets to swim trunks at Fiorelli. A branch of Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming launches soon, giving pooch parents another option besides longtime Koko-Bone Grooming Spa & Boutique in another center. People dont stop at grooming their pets. Locals get their nails and waxing done at Passion for Nails, while Ale Jr. Salons second-generation, Venezuelan hair stylist charms them during cuts and colors. With the proximity to mega outlet center Sawgrass Mills, Weston is truly spoiled. Fashion editors mine its outdoor luxury wing called The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills. Among more than 70 chic brands are Valentino, Prada, Balmain, Loro Piana, Frette, Salvatore Ferragamo, Brunello Cucinelli, Gucci and the Webster. Being one of Floridas top tourist attractions along with Walt Disney World, it needed its own accommodations; the 174-room AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise opened in 2021.Weston Outdoors & Wellness
Whereas coastal Floridians must drive for a taste of true wilderness, Weston residents and visitors are a stones throw from Everglades National Park. The citys a great jumping-off point for ranger-led canoe trips and hikes to view alligators, roseate spoonbills and rare native orchids, or buzz around atop an airboat, an age-old tourist attraction. Weston is sports obsessed; from little ones to old timers, everyone gets in the game. It might be a round of golf at the private Club at Weston Hills, the PGA Honda Classics former stomping ground with a $2 million makeover and new name. Brush up at its Weston Hills Learning Center before teeing off at two re-bunkered and re-grassed championship courses originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Other amenities are lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, heated pool and new 50,000-square-foot clubhoue. Tennis players also join Weston Racquet Club Cliff Drysdale Tennis for even more tennis courts, plus pickleball and padel courts. Members of Midtown Athletic Club Weston often spot tennis legend Martina Navratilova. Weston turns out tomorrows pro athletes too. Nonprofit youth soccer club Weston FCs players go on to compete around the world, while national gymnastics champions train at TAG USA. Cyclists are in heaven gliding along 46 miles of marked bike lanes with Fixit Bike Repair Stations should they get a flat. Nearby Markam Park appeals to mountain bikers thanks to devoted volunteers who build trails and host races, while stationary bike riders are slaves to CycleBar. People appreciate the tranquility of Peace Mound Park, whose Tequesta Trace burial mound is an important part of Floridas history. Its Fido-friendly policy is the norm around here. The regions equestrian heritage sets it apart as well. Respected facilities are The British Barn, Dash Stables Ranch and International Equestrian Center, among many. Runners are ready for Rotary Club of Westons 25th annual Rotary Run for Tomorrow half marathon for Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital in December. Savanna planned community has its own waterpark, skatepark and soccer field. Residents also frequent the Weston YMCA and 102-acre Weston Regional Park with a community center and well-tended athletic fields. The choices to get moving are infectious.Weston Hotels
Many a traveler has spent the night or a longer vacation here thanks to an array of lodging, whether the immensely popular Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Weston and its sister property TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Weston to the nearby Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, an overnight landmark for its dramatic guitar shape. For more upscale accommodations and longer stays, Vacation Village Resorts operates three properties in Weston; Mizner Place at Weston Town Center, Vacation Village at Weston and Vacation Village at Bonaventure offer one, two or three-bedroom suites ranging from 625 to 875 square feet with partial or fully appointed kitchens. Renovations are underway to upgrade dcor, while amenities include heated pools and fitness centers. Not only do they continually win RCI Gold Crown and Silver Crown awards, but they win over guests of all ages with a sunny home away from home.
Socials