Unforgettable Summer Activities in the Palm Beach Area

West Palm Beach | Richard Sagredo

For an unforgettable Palm Beach summer, explore these must-try experiences below. 

Visit the Area’s Famous Beaches

The Palm Beach area is globally renowned for its beaches. Deep-blue ocean water and pristine shorelines create a picturesque setting ideal for beating the Florida summer heat. Below are two of the area’s many famous beaches to explore:

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park: This state park offers gorgeous trails, an open shoreline, and plenty of recreational activities to try. 

Gulfstream Park: This underrated gem of a beach has limited crowds and picturesque areas for snorkeling and swimming.

Palm Beach | Joe Pregadio

Snorkel Through Phil Foster Park

Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach is one of the most acclaimed places to snorkel in Florida. Although it features a large beach where visitors can relax, the park is most known for its expansive underwater snorkeling trail. The area’s clear water is perfect for spotting stingrays, angelfish, parrotfish, grouper, and more. The trail also displays the park’s celebrated five-foot-long concrete hammerhead shark sculptures. 

Riviera Beach | Scott Greer

Witness South Florida’s Famous Marine Life

What truly distinguishes South Florida is its vibrant marine life, and the Palm Beach area offers the perfect opportunity to observe some of the beloved aquatic creatures of the region. Below are a few prime destinations to do just that: 

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: This turtle rehabilitation and conservation center in Juno Beach is ideal to visit during the summer, which marks the peak of the nesting season. 

Manatee Lagoon: Visitors to Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach can learn about Florida’s famous sea cow population and spot some of these incredible creatures. 

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center: This conservation and rehabilitation facility in Boca Raton houses an array of fascinating aquatic animals.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center | Tessa Wilson

Visit One of the Area’s Premier Museums

While the Palm Beach area is renowned as an outdoor paradise, sometimes a day inside is just what the doctor ordered. Listed below are just a few of the top-notch museums and cultural attractions to check out across the area:

Flagler Museum in Palm Beach: Visitors can take a self-guided tour through this 100,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion. 

Cultural Council for Palm Beach County: This organization supports the arts and culture of Palm Beach County and hosts exhibitions and performances from local artists. 

Cox Science Center and Aquarium: This family-friendly destination is dedicated to making science interesting and fun.

Norton Museum of Art: This museum provides diverse programming, and their impressive collection showcases more than 8,200 incredible works. 

Hike or Bike on the Palm Beach Lake Trail

If you are searching for an active and interesting way to spend a day in Palm Beach, the Palm Beach Lake Trail beckons. This picturesque 5.5-mile trail is ideal for bikers or hikers who want to take in all the city offers while enjoying an invigorating exercise session. The path runs along the Lake Worth Lagoon and strolls past several major landmarks in the city, including the Flagler Museum and a magnificent kapok tree brought in from the Amazon. 

Palm Beach Lake Trail | Rafael Figueroa