From legendary beaches and parks to world-class museums and unforgettable animal encounters, there’s no shortage of fun attractions for the young and young at heart in and around Palm Beach. Whether you’re looking forward to an adrenaline-pumping adventure, a relaxing day outdoors, an educational getaway, or just searching for anything fun to do, the destinations in the Palm Beaches are sure to delight.
On this page, we give you some of the best destinations and Palm Beach activities for families.
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MUSEUMS AND INDOOR ATTRACTIONS
- Cox Science Center and Aquarium
Located in West Palm Beach, Cox Science Center and Aquarium takes visitors on a fascinating journey through the latest cutting-edge discoveries in science and technology.
This fun, educational attraction features more than a hundred interactive exhibits including a 10,000-gallon aquarium, a full-dome digital planetarium, a newly renovated observatory, a quarter-mile science trail, mini galaxy golf, and more. The campus also hosts weekend programs and special performances throughout the year.
- Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
Completed in 1902, Whitehall was once the Gilded Age mansion of famous industrialist Henry Flagler. Today, the palatial landmark is a National Historic Landmark open to the public as the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.
A top destination for history buffs of all ages, the museum spans over 100,000 square feet and features 75 rooms filled with a collection of more than 50,000 paintings and artworks. The historic mansion provides a fascinating glimpse of the history of Palm Beach and Florida, which you can experience by joining a docent-led tour that will take you through the entire mansion. Flagler Museum also offers a printed tour and activity guide for kids.
After your visit, be sure to stop by the HM Flagler and Co. Museum Store on the first floor to shop for souvenirs, gifts, food items, and other mementos. The shop also features a wide selection of books focusing on Florida history and Gilded Age topics, as well as a children’s corner with an award-winning selection of titles for all ages.
- Norton Museum of Art
Immerse your kids in arts and culture by visiting the Norton Museum of Art, one of the top cultural destinations in Florida. Located in West Palm Beach, the Norton Museum of Art is the largest art museum in Florida and is home to a vast collection of more than 8,200 paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from all over the world.
The museum offers a variety of programs, workshops, and camps for kids aged five and above. One of their most popular art camps is their Summer Studio Tours, a program that allows kids to practice and sharpen their observational skills through an interactive tour of the galleries and the Sculpture Garden. Afterward, they’ll learn how to tap into their creativity and harness their imagination in a hands-on art workshop.
- Ragtops Vintage Car Museum
If you and your kids love automobiles, the Ragtops Vintage Car Museum is definitely a destination that’s hard to top. Spanning nearly 10,000 square feet, the museum boasts an impressive collection of sleek classic cars, signs, memorabilia, and other rarities.
- Bulk Candy Store
Learn about the history of candy production by visiting one of the most unique candy shops in the world. Bulk Candy Store offers guided tours and video presentations that tackle the history of candy and provide a deeper look into how they’re made and packaged. You’ll be able to enter a room completely decked out in colorful candy-themed décor and sample a variety of different candies.
The 40-minute tour starts and ends at the store, so you can cap off the experience by shopping for candy with a special tour discount. All children aged three and below can join the tour free of charge.
EXCITING ACTIVITIES
- Palm Beach Segway Tour
One of the best Palm Beach activities for families is a Segway tour of Palm Beach Island, West Palm Beach, the Flagler waterfront, and the Meyer Amphitheatre.
The two-hour tour offers opportunities to visit historic landmarks including the Seagull Cottage, Lake Trail, Bradley Park, Flagler Museum, and the Four Arts Society Sculpture Gardens.
Palm Beach Segway Tours are led by expertly trained guides who will keep you safe and entertained along the way. All riders need to be at least 14 years old. No experience necessary – you’ll be able to learn how to ride a Segway within minutes!
- Guided Snorkel Tour of Blue Heron Bridge
Join a guided snorkel tour of the world-famous snorkel trail under Blue Heron Bridge, located south of Phil Foster Park’s beach. You can access the reef area directly from the shore since it’s located close to the shoreline and is protected from boat traffic. Be sure to keep an eye out for incredible marine life including sting rays, parrotfish, angel fish, spade fish, and octopus.
The Blue Heron Bridge snorkel tour is perfect for beginners, as the site ranges in depth from around six to ten feet. It’s protected by barrier islands as well, resulting in calm, tranquil water conditions.
- Palm Beach Bicycle Trail
Rent a bike from the Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop and enjoy a scenic cruise along the Lake Trail, which runs 5.5 miles along the west boundary of Palm Beach. Two shorter trails are available as well: the 3.4-mile Pinehurst Trail and the South Lake Trail, which follows the Intracoastal Waterway.
For guided bike tours, Island Living Tours offers a fun bike tour where you’ll pedal through Worth Avenue’s historic vias and past grand Gilded Age estates and landmark destinations.
OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS
- Palm Beach Zoo
Treat the family to an extraordinary wildlife experience by visiting Palm Beach Zoo, home to more than 550 animals including incredible creatures like white alligators, Aldabra giant tortoises, Florida panthers, golden lion tamarins, red ruffed lemurs, squirrel monkeys, and many more!
Palm Beach Zoo also features several kid-friendly attractions including a kid zone, a nature play pavilion, a safari train, and a wildlife carousel. Remember to pack towels, bathing suits, and extra clothes if you’re visiting in the summer so your kids can cool off and frolic in the refreshing water jets at the play fountain!
- Manatee Lagoon
Head to West Palm Beach’s Manatee Lagoon to witness dozens of manatees swimming in the area in search of warm waters. Managed by Florida Power and Light, the Manatee Lagoon features a variety of exhibits including listening stations, fish tanks, and observation decks overlooking breathtaking views of Palm Beach Island.
Florida manatees are the largest types of manatees in the world and can grow up to 12 feet long and weigh more than 1,200 pounds. They are known to migrate during the winter months towards warmer waters, and many are drawn to Manatee Lagoon during peak season, making it the best place to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures.
- Rapids Water Park
Rapids Water Park is among the most popular destinations for families in West Palm Beach and is the perfect to cool down, especially during those hot summer months.
Water slides and activities at the park are divided into three “thrill levels”: mild, moderate, and wild. The park features 35 water slides and has several kid-friendly play areas filled with all sorts of water play structures like Alligator Alley, Barefootin Bay, Splash Hill, and Splish Splash Lagoon. There’s also a quarter-mile-long lazy river where you can float around while having fun dodging jets from water shooting cannons.
- Peanut Island
Peanut Island is a small island within the Lake Worth inlet, close to where Palm Beach separates from Signer Island. If you’re in the mood for an outdoor adventure, this is one of the best Palm Beach activities for families as it offers a variety of recreational opportunities including fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, camping, and other fun opportunities to create unforgettable memories.
Encompassing approximately 80 acres, the manmade island has a storied past, being the location of a secret nuclear bunker for former President John F. Kennedy during the Cold War. The bunker still remains on the island to this day, but was closed in 2017 and is currently being restored and renovated by Palm Beach County.
The waters surrounding Peanut Island are a haven for boaters, with many shallow sections and sandbars where you can drop anchor. It’s perfect for renting a pontoon and enjoying a fun day out in the water with the family!
- Okeeheelee Park
Located west of West Palm Beach, the picturesque Okeeheelee Park offers a plethora of recreational opportunities for the whole family. One of the largest parks in South Florida, the park encompasses over 1,700 acres and is bisected by Forest Hill Boulevard east of the Florida Turnpike.
The park’s northern section features amenities including a BMX track, water skiing lakes, and the 27-hole Okeeheelee Golf Course. The southern section is home to the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, a nine-mile equestrian trail, and a network of multipurpose trails.
Other attractions you can find at Okeeheelee Park include a nature center, a mile-long fitness trail, several ball fields and soccer fields, a disc golf course, tennis courts, and the Pooch Pines Dog Park.
- Grassy Waters Preserve
Owned and maintained by the city of West Palm Beach, Grassy Waters Preserve is a thriving wetlands ecosystem that provides freshwater to West Palm Beach, South Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Island. It encompasses approximately 23 square miles, consisting of a diverse landscape filled with tree islands, wetlands, and forested hammocks.
For families looking for a fun outdoor getaway, Grassy Waters Preserve features a network of trails with varying lengths and difficulty levels, all accessible free of charge. Guided canoe trips and hiking excursions led by experienced naturalists are also available. Remember to stop by the visitor center, which features a variety of exhibits and displays showcasing the history and ecology of this fascinating natural reserve.
- Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
Get to see an amazing display of sculptures and other jaw-dropping artworks at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, the former residence of renowned sculptor Ann Weaver Norton.
Located in West Palm Beach’s El Cid neighborhood, this unique attraction is a reflection of Ann Norton’s vision of the symbiotic relationship between art and nature. Displayed throughout the two-acre property are more than a hundred works by the artist, including nine monumental garden structures. Exploring the largest tract of the gardens as you discover mysterious monoliths amidst a lush jungle-like setting is definitely an experience you and your family will never forget!
- Municipal Beach
Located at the end of Worth Avenue, Municipal Beach is one of Palm Beach’s two scenic public beaches and is an excellent family-friendly destination thanks to its relaxed vibe, beautiful golden sands and turquoise waters, and easy access to shops and restaurants.
The public beach is regularly maintained by Palm Beach and is a terrific spot for sunbathing, swimming, sandcastle building, and soaking in majestic sunrise views over the Atlantic.
- Mounts Botanical Garden
Located next to the Palm Beach International Airport, Mounts Botanical Garden is a tranquil 200-acre tropical haven home to a renowned collection of 25 display gardens. Within its gardens are over 7,000 tropical and subtropical plant species including ornamentals, palms, cactus, roses, succulents, bromeliads, tropical and exotic fruit trees, herbs, native Florida plants, and more.
Mounts Botanical Garden also features a variety of fun attractions for youngsters including a giant green maze, towering moai statues, a koi fish pond, and a butterfly garden. One of its most unique attractions is the giant outdoor fort – the largest of its kind in Palm Beach County. Built by internationally acclaimed sculptor and environmental artist Patrick Dougherty, the massive fort was constructed from over 30,000 pounds of live willow branches and is a monumental piece of natural art.
Treasure trek maps are also available at the garden’s Welcome Center & Gift Shop, which will make the trip even more fun for children!
FUN EVENTS
- South Florida Fair
Held in West Palm Beach every January, the South Florida Fair is one of the oldest and largest community events in Florida. Each year, over half a million fairgoers are treated to 17 fun-filled days filled with world-class performances, thrilling midway rides, daily parades, carnival games, a smorgasbord of exhibits and vendors, and mouthwatering fair food.
- Sweet Corn Fiesta
The annual South Florida Sweet Corn Fiesta celebrates locally grown sweet corn harvested from the glades region’s famous black soil. Held at the Yesteryear Village every April, the event features corn-shucking contests, corn-eating competitions, live music, vendors, rides, delicious food, and more.
- North Palm Beach Links 5K Ghost Run
The annual Ghost Run at North Palm Beach is a fun Halloween event for the whole family. This event is held at North Palm Beach Country Club’s Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, taking participants on a scenic run through oak tree-shaded golf cart paths surrounded by tranquil ponds, rolling hills, and stunning views of the Intracoastal.
Children can take part in the “Li’l Goblin Gallop,” a 100-yard dash for kids seven and below, or “The Monster Mile,” a timed one-mile race for kids aged eight to twelve. All participants wearing Halloween running outfits get a chance to win great prizes!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING VENUES
Experiencing all these great destinations and Palm Beach activities for families will surely work up your appetite. Be sure to drop by these excellent family-friendly restaurants in Palm Beach:
- Pizza Al Fresco
Sink your teeth into a delicious slice of pizza fresh from the oven at Pizza Al Fresco, a casual restaurant with an outdoor courtyard surrounded by stunning architecture. Their pizzas are made using fresh, high-quality ingredients with crisp thin crusts baked to perfection using their wood-burning brick oven.
- Sloan’s Ice Cream
Indulge your sweet tooth at Sloan’s, an award-winning ice cream and candy parlor with tons of flavors, whimsical decorations, and the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked waffle cones. The famous ice cream shop was founded in 1999 by classically trained chef and ice cream aficionado Sloan Kamenstein, who envisioned creating an “ice cream utopia” for the young and young at heart.
Sloan’s ice cream is made in small batches with only the finest ingredients and is available in unique flavors like coffee and doughnuts, peppermint pattie chunk, chocolate peanut butter cup, oatmeal raisin cookie, strawberry cheesecake, and many more.
- Benny’s On The Beach
This top-rated restaurant in Lake Worth Beach is the perfect spot to enjoy a hearty feast after a family beach day.
Their extensive menu complements the laidback beach atmosphere, with dishes like fish tacos, peel-and-eat shrimp, crab cake sandwiches, and many more. There’s a separate kids’ menu as well filled with tasty treats like hotdogs, fish fingers, and chicken strips.
FULFILL YOUR REAL ESTATE GOALS IN PALM BEACH WITH THE FRISBIE PALM BEACH TEAM
These are just some of the many Palm Beach activities for families you can enjoy!
If you’re interested in buying a home in this highly desirable market, you need a team of local experts at your side to get the best results.
Working with the Frisbie Palm Beach Team allows you to experience a seamless and stress-free search so you can find the home that perfectly matches your lifestyle. Led by top broker-associate and longtime South Florida resident Suzanne Frisbie, the team represents buyers and sellers throughout the greater Palm Beach market, with a focus on high-end residential properties, commercial sales, and rentals.
Our team’s decades of in-depth local market knowledge, quantitative service-oriented approach, and reputation for upholding the highest standards of honesty and integrity puts you in the best position to find the finest real estate options available.
Get in touch with us today by calling 561.373.0941 or sending an email.
