Things to Do in Palm Beach County: A Local's Guide

The things to do in Palm Beach County go well beyond the beach. The county stretches 60 miles from north to south and offers a range of activities that most South Florida visitors never discover. From world-class sportfishing at Jupiter Inlet to Broadway shows at the Kravis Center, from polo matches in Wellington to snorkeling at Blue Heron Bridge, Palm Beach County has a depth of activity options that surprises people who expected a simple beach vacation. This guide covers the best of it — activities that locals actually use, organized by category.

Beach Activities

Palm Beach County has more than 47 miles of Atlantic coastline. However, not all beaches are equal. Here is where locals actually go.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach is one of the best natural beaches in South Florida. A 1,600-foot boardwalk crosses Lake Worth Lagoon to reach the barrier island. The park has snorkeling in the ocean and the lagoon, nature trails through native coastal hammock habitat, and excellent sea turtle nesting observation in season. Also, the park keeps crowds well below the managed public beaches to the south. Admission is $5 per vehicle. This is the closest thing to a wild beach experience in Palm Beach County.

Juno Beach Pier and Sea Turtle Nesting

Juno Beach Pier is one of the top fishing piers on Florida's Atlantic coast. The pier stretches 990 feet into the ocean. In addition, Juno Beach is one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world. Loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles nest on the beach from May through October. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center — located directly on the beach — offers free admission and runs a sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation hospital. Nighttime turtle walks (guided programs during nesting season) book up weeks in advance. This is one of the genuinely special wildlife experiences in all of Florida.

Boca Raton's South Inlet Park

South Inlet Park in Boca Raton is a local favorite for clear water and relatively minimal crowds. The park sits at the South Lake Worth Inlet, where tidal flow keeps the water cleaner than most of the county's beaches. Locals consider it to have the clearest water in Palm Beach County. First, there is excellent snorkeling around the jetty rocks. Also, the park has picnic areas and a small beach for swimming. Parking is free, which is increasingly unusual at South Florida beaches.

Singer Island and Palm Beach Island Beaches

Singer Island in Riviera Beach has excellent beaches with manageable crowds, partly because the area has fewer hotels than Delray or Boca. Palm Beach Island's beaches are pristine and well-maintained. Limited public parking on Palm Beach Island naturally restricts crowds. The Town of Palm Beach maintains its beaches meticulously and enforces strict regulations that keep the experience high-quality.

Boating, Fishing, and Water Sports

Water access is one of Palm Beach County's most significant lifestyle assets. The Intracoastal Waterway runs the full length of the county, and ocean inlets at Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, and Jupiter all provide deep-water ocean access.

Jupiter Inlet: Sailfish Capital

Jupiter Inlet is one of the most productive fishing inlets in Florida. During winter months — November through March — sailfish stack up just offshore, making Jupiter Inlet one of the best sailfish destinations on the East Coast. Numerous charter operations run out of Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores and the Jupiter marinas. In addition, the inlet itself offers snook, tarpon, and cobia fishing. Offshore, the Gulf Stream runs within 10 miles of shore near Jupiter, giving access to wahoo, mahi-mahi, and tuna in a short run.

Blue Heron Bridge Snorkeling

Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach is consistently ranked as one of the best shore diving and snorkeling sites in the southeastern United States. The bridge sits at the Phil Foster Park, where divers can enter directly from shore. The underwater topography includes ledges, sand flats, and artificial reef structures that support extraordinary biodiversity — seahorses, frogfish, eels, octopus, and hundreds of fish species. Also, the site is so shallow that no boat is needed. Snorkeling equipment is all you need. Slack tide (around high tide) is the ideal time to visit.

Loxahatchee River Kayaking

The Loxahatchee River is one of only two federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in Florida. The river flows through Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County and is easily accessed from Jupiter. Paddling the Loxahatchee gives you encounters with manatees (common in winter), alligators, ospreys, and herons. Several outfitters in Jupiter rent kayaks and paddleboards. The river corridor feels completely removed from suburban South Florida.

Lake Worth Inlet and Intracoastal Fishing

Lake Worth Inlet (at the north end of Palm Beach Island) offers strong snook and tarpon fishing, particularly during summer. The Intracoastal Waterway throughout the county is productive for snook, redfish, and flounder year-round. Many Palm Beach County residents keep center-console boats for quick trips through the Intracoastal to the inlet and offshore. Deep-water dockage properties on the Intracoastal are among the most sought-after real estate in the county for exactly this reason.

Golf

Palm Beach County has more golf courses per capita than almost any comparable market in the United States. The options span from private country clubs to public layouts accessible to anyone.

PGA National Resort

PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens is the county's most recognizable golf destination. The Champion Course is the site of the Honda Classic PGA Tour event each February. The resort has five courses in total and is open to resort guests. The Champion Course is playable by the public through resort tee times, giving non-members access to a true PGA Tour venue.

Emerald Dunes

Emerald Dunes in West Palm Beach is a Tom Fazio-designed public course consistently rated among the top public courses in Florida. The layout uses significant elevation changes unusual for flat South Florida, giving the course a distinctive visual character. Green fees vary by season but are reasonable by South Florida standards.

Public Golf Throughout the County

Palm Beach County has dozens of public and semi-private golf options. Ironically, some of the best-value public courses are directly adjacent to premium private clubs. For example, the Palm Beach Par 3 course on Palm Beach Island is a historic short course on the Atlantic Ocean that is genuinely one of the most scenic public courses in the state. Green fees are extremely affordable.

Arts and Culture

Norton Museum of Art

The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach is one of the largest and most significant art museums in the Southeast. The permanent collection spans more than 8,000 works across American, European, Chinese, and contemporary art departments. The museum underwent a major expansion in 2019 designed by Lord Norman Foster, adding gallery space and a courtyard café. Admission is $18 for adults, with free admission on certain days. Also, the museum runs lecture series, film programs, and family events throughout the year.

Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

The Kravis Center in West Palm Beach is Palm Beach County's primary performing arts venue. Broadway touring productions, the Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, and the Miami City Ballet all perform here regularly. The 2,200-seat Dreyfoos Hall has excellent acoustics and sightlines. The Kravis season runs September through June, with programming designed for Palm Beach County's significant seasonal resident population.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

The Morikami in Delray Beach is one of the most unexpected cultural destinations in South Florida. The museum focuses on Japanese history and art and is set within six acres of Japanese-style gardens. The Yamato-kan building is a genuine Japanese structure on the grounds. The museum runs the annual Hatsume Fair in February and the Lantern Festival in October — both draw large crowds from across the county. Admission is $15 for adults. The Morikami Café serves Japanese-inspired cuisine and is worth a separate visit.

Palm Beach Social Season

Palm Beach Island's social season runs from November through April, coinciding with the migration of seasonal residents. During season, the island's charity gala calendar is packed. The Palm Beach International Film Festival, the Palm Beach Boat Show (at the Palm Beach Convention Center), and the South Florida Fair in West Palm Beach all fall within the season calendar. The season's concentration of wealth and cultural activity makes Palm Beach County uniquely active during the winter months that are quieter in most American cities.

Sports and Recreation

Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium: Spring Training

Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter is the spring training home of both the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals. Spring training games run from mid-February through late March. Tickets are affordable — usually $15 to $35 — and the stadium's intimate size (6,940 seats) means you are close to the action regardless of where you sit. In addition, Roger Dean hosts the Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins affiliate) and Palm Beach Cardinals (Cardinals affiliate) for regular season minor league games throughout the spring and summer.

Polo in Wellington

Wellington International Equestrian Center hosts the Winter Equestrian Festival from January through April. International polo matches take place on Sundays at the Valiente Polo Farm and other venues in Wellington. Some events are free to attend. The Sunday polo tradition draws a mix of serious equestrian enthusiasts and casual spectators who enjoy the outdoor atmosphere. Tailgating at polo is a uniquely Palm Beach County social experience.

Honda Classic at PGA National

The Honda Classic is a PGA Tour event held at PGA National's Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens each February. The tournament draws top-ranked players and approximately 130,000 fans over the course of the week. General admission tickets provide access to most of the course. The Bear Trap — holes 15, 16, and 17 — is one of the most dramatic stretches of any course on the PGA Tour schedule. First, the par-3 15th over water. Also, the par-4 16th along the water. Finally, the par-3 17th completely surrounded by water. This is genuinely one of the best live golf experiences in Florida.

Dining and Nightlife

Palm Beach County's dining scene is anchored by four primary corridors.

Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach is the strongest dining strip in the county. It runs east-west through the city's walkable downtown with more than 50 restaurants and bars within a six-block stretch. The street is active seven nights a week year-round. In addition, the walkable format — unusual in South Florida — means you can move between venues without a car.

PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens offers the most upscale suburban dining corridor in the county. The stretch between Military Trail and US-1 has steakhouses, high-end casual restaurants, and enough national brands to satisfy every preference. The Gardens Mall and Downtown at the Gardens add retail and entertainment to the mix.

Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach is the nightlife anchor for the county's largest city. Live music venues, bars, and restaurants line the street from Dixie Highway to Flagler Drive along the Intracoastal Waterway. CityPlace (now The Square) is adjacent and adds a retail and cinema component.

Mizner Park in Boca Raton is a European-inspired open-air lifestyle center with upscale restaurants, an amphitheater, and boutique retail. It is the social center of Boca Raton's dining scene and particularly active on weekend evenings during the winter season.

Family Activities

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach is the single best free family attraction in Palm Beach County. The center rehabilitates injured sea turtles and provides full public access to the hospital and research facility. Staff explain the rescue process, injuries, and treatment plans for each patient turtle. Also, the center runs a research program on ocean health and sea turtle population trends that is internationally recognized. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged. Budget a minimum of 90 minutes.

South Florida Science Center and Aquarium

The South Florida Science Center in West Palm Beach is a hands-on science museum with a planetarium, golf simulator, aquarium, and rotating exhibits. It is designed for children but genuinely engaging for adults. Also, the museum runs evening "Science on Tap" events for adults. Admission is approximately $20 for adults and $15 for children.

Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society

The Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach is a 23-acre zoological park with more than 550 animals representing 190 species. Florida panther, jaguar, Komodo dragon, and giant anteater are among the signature exhibits. The zoo's Florida Wetlands section focuses on native species in natural habitat settings. Admission is approximately $26 for adults and $19 for children.

Why These Activities Matter for Real Estate Buyers

All of these things to do in Palm Beach County are not just a leisure list. They explain why real estate values in the county have appreciated so strongly and why buyers continue to choose Palm Beach County over comparable markets elsewhere.

Buyers are purchasing a lifestyle, not just square footage. The ability to snorkel Blue Heron Bridge on Saturday, attend a polo match in Wellington on Sunday, see a Broadway show at the Kravis Center on Tuesday, and take a sailfish charter out of Jupiter on Friday — that combination is what $650,000 to $4 million gets you in Palm Beach County. No other region in the country offers this concentration of activity options at this price point with no state income tax attached.

Pure Equity Realty represents buyers throughout Palm Beach County. We help buyers connect the lifestyle they want to the specific neighborhoods where that lifestyle is most accessible. Browse all active listings on our Florida homes for sale directory. For county event calendars and tourism resources, visit the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Start Exploring Palm Beach County

The things to do in Palm Beach County are extensive enough that long-term residents keep discovering new experiences years after moving here. Whether you are relocating, buying a second home, or investing in rental property, this activity depth is a core part of what makes Palm Beach County real estate worth buying. Call Pure Equity Realty at (561) 835-5400. We serve buyers and sellers across all five service counties and list homes throughout Palm Beach County at 1% commission.

For personalized guidance on buying or selling in South Florida, contact the team at Pure Equity Realty. We serve Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, St. Lucie, and Highlands counties with expert representation and a 1% listing fee.