June 2018

LOCAL TRAVEL
Quaint
Lighthouse Point
by Robyne Friedland
Florida is a great tourist destination.
Sandy beaches, warm weather, cruise
departures, and the House of Mouse
— Disney World. However, Florida has
many great towns that tourists, as well
as locals, never get to experience. In
this feature, you will get to walk through
one of our local towns and learn about
restaurants, attractions, and must see
places for children. Each month we will
focus on a different age group and a
different town, so you can plan for those,
“Mom, I’m bored” days.
Today, we are going to tour Lighthouse
Point. This quaint town is located near
the ocean, a 25 minute drive from
Parkland, and home to 10,000 residents.
The town is two square miles and caters
to outdoor activities, especially those
involving the water.
While I was driving into town, I noticed
the streets contained many walking
bridges, sidewalks, bike paths, and
parks. One house looked like it was a
flea market but it was just decorated with
tons of nautical accessories — it’s a must
see.
My first stop was the NautiDawg Marina
Café. The restaurant is at the base of
the marina. You can eat outside and
look at the water and the boats. The
restaurant allows children to run along the
boardwalk and has a menu just for them.
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The staff is very accommodating and
the locals eat there often. The restaurant
has a small store and sells dog themed
paraphernalia. The food was good and
moderately priced. I asked the staff and
local patrons to share favorite LHP places
to visit. Each smiled and told me to see
parks, the local diner, and an amazing ice
cream shop.
I drove to the parks — Dan Witt and
Placid — and they were typical parks
with playgrounds (toddler and elementary
age). Each park contained fields and
courts for every sport. Additionally, each
park had a large grassy area for town
events and fairs. These parks are central
to the city’s social life.
It was lunchtime, so I asked locals at the
park where to eat. I was directed to the
Red Fox Diner. Driving towards the diner,
I passed many churches, specifically “The
Pink Church,” and many neighborhoods
bordering water. The town feels like a
small resort while functioning as a regular
city. Although it is a short drive, I enjoyed
the scenic drive to the diner.
At the diner, I was immediately greeted
by friendly staff. The place was decorated
with red foxes and a wall covered in a
nautical scene. The kids have their own
menu, receive red lollipops, and can draw
foxes on a white board in the back. The
food was delicious, the staff knew the
locals by name, and the atmosphere was
kid friendly.
Next, I drove to Exchange Club Park. This
park is unique. There was a large grassy
area that was surrounded by mangroves
and a small patch of sand leading up
to shallow, inter-coastal waters. I had
discovered a beach environment without
all the people, fees, and litter, plus a
grassy area to play sports.
JUNE 2018
I wanted to end my day on a sweet note,
so I drove to the ice cream store. I was
immediately drawn to the beautifully
painted walls and the carousel statue.
The shop is staffed by the friendliest
people, allows several tastings, and the
variety of flavors are endless. Children are
not only welcomed, but encouraged to
eat, sing, and play. I understand why this
is a town gem.
I truly enjoyed visiting LHP and will
definitely bring my children there to enjoy
a brief staycation. The pace is slower
and you will have a great day enjoying a
quaint, local town. P
IF YOU GO
Red Fox Diner
2041 NE 36th Street
Frosty Point Ice Cream Parlor
2022 NE 36th Street
Placid Park
3550 NE 27th Avenue
Dan Witt Park
4521 NE 22nd Avenue
NautiDawg Marina Café
2841 Marina Circle