Palm Beach County, is not just a tourist’s playground, it is also a wonderful place to raise a family. Each community bodes a plethora of parks, child-geared businesses, and plenty of outdoor opportunities for immersion in education, nature, and fun. Spring is here and as the weather is getting warmer here are some places in Palm Beach County where you might beat the heat, escape the crowds, or find an animal in nature to make an outdoor day extra special.
Where To Take A Stroll In A Garden?
Leave all worries behind as you take a leisurely walk, or run if you are chasing young ones, through beautiful scenery (also great places for DIY photos-ops of you and the family).
Mount Botanical Garden is located near the West Palm Beach Airport, the oldest and largest botanical garden in the Palm Beaches offers educational classes, concerts, and family-friendly events in addition to the variety of tropical and subtropical plants from around the world.
Open Monday – Saturday 8:30 – 4p.m. and Sunday Noon -4p.m. Admission – $5 suggested donation. 531 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL
Bonsai Garden at Morikami Museum in Delray Beach, Fl
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. Walk through the wonderful Bonsai Collection and through the many Historical Gardens or join in at a Cultural event, such as the Hatsume Festival to celebrate the first bud of Spring.
Open Tuesday – Sunday 10a.m. – 5p.m. Adults $15, Seniors $13, and Children $9 (5 and under free). 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, Fl
Where To Cool Off?
When it is hot the last thing we want to do is leave our beloved air conditioning, but here is the solution for playdates and family days outside.
Coconut Cove and Calypso Bay Waterparks located in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in West Boca and Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach. Both parks have a lazy river, two 4 story water slides, sandy beaches, and toddler areas to play. Both parks will hold weekend hours until June 6th, and then after, will begin Summer hours 7 days a week.
Adults $10.60, Children Ages 3-11 $8.60, and Children Ages 1-3 $3.60. Coconut Cove – 20130 Regional Park Drive, Boca Raton, FL
Calypso Bay – 151 Lamstein Lane, Royal Palm Beach, FL
Seashells at Red Reef Park
Red Reef Park is a 67-acre beachfront park which includes 20 acres of Gumbo Limbo Environmental Educational Center in Boca Raton. Make a day of it and visit the Sea Turtles and then cross over A1A on the nature path to Red Reef Park for sun, fun, and snorkeling at the unique reef and rock formation.
Parking for the day is $16.00 at Patch Reef Park. Yearly parking permits are available for Boca Raton residents and metered parking is available across the A1A from the park. 1400 N. State Rd A1A, Boca Raton, Florida
Gulfstream Park is nestled between Delray and Boynton Beach, in the town of Gulfstream. There are picnic areas, a playground, and a shallow beach area. Perfect for little ones. Best of all, parking is free!
4489 N. Ocean Boulevard, Gulfstream, Florida
Where To Get Up Close And Personal With Wildlife?
See South Florida’s wildlife in their natural habitat. There is no better way to understand the environment we live in than getting out in nature to explore.
Green Cay Nature Preserve in Boynton Beach overlooks 100 acres of constructed Wetlands. Walk the 1.5 miles of elevated boardwalk to view birds, fish, turtles, and the occasional alligator. The nature center has extensive exhibits to educate about the wetlands and its inhabitants.
Boardwalk open daily 7a.m. – Sunset, Nature Center open Wednesday – Saturday 9a.m. – 3p.m. 12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach, FL
Bird-watching is a great activity at the Green Cay Nature Preserve & Wetland
At Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge enjoy canoeing, learning about the Everglades habitat, walking and biking trails, a butterfly garden and bird watching from the observation area at this National Preserve for the northern part of the Everglades.
Open from sunrise to sunset every day. Cars $5, Pedestrians $1. 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, FL