10 Best Things to Do in Palm Beach County, Florida (2026)

Discover the best things to do in Palm Beach County, Florida, from snorkeling and beautiful beaches to Japanese gardens, nature trails, art and more.

Palm Beach County is one of those parts of Florida that can be easy to overlook. Miami gets the glamour with its luxury beachfront Miami hotels, Orlando gets the theme parks, and Palm Beach itself gets plenty of attention, but the stretch of coast around Boca Raton and Delray Beach has a completely different feel.

It is calmer, a little more relaxed, and surprisingly easy to explore. You can snorkel just offshore in the morning, wander through a Japanese garden in the afternoon, and finish the day with dinner on a lively downtown street without spending hours in the car. I really like that mix. You can have a proper Florida beach day without feeling like you have to plan every minute of your trip.

Whether you are visiting for a long weekend or staying for a full week, here are some of my favorite things to do in Palm Beach County, along with a few practical tips that can make your trip easier. If you have the time, we also recommend you enjoy a Key West Itinerary after your Palm Beach stay.

Best Things to Do in Palm Beach County, Florida

1. Base Yourself in East Boca Raton

If you want to explore this part of Florida without spending half your vacation driving around, East Boca Raton is a great place to stay.

The area around Mizner Park and the barrier island puts you close to the beaches, restaurants, parks, and many of the attractions on this list. There are plenty of vacation rentals and condos, particularly during the busier winter months, so it is worth booking ahead if you have specific dates in mind.

One thing people don’t always think about when booking a Florida vacation rental is general property maintenance. Florida’s heat and humidity mean insects are active throughout much of the year, so established properties often rely on regular Boca Raton pest control rather than waiting until there is a problem. I always like to read recent reviews and look for comments about cleanliness and maintenance before booking.

And if you are visiting Florida for the first time, my tips for planning a trip to Florida cover some of the things I wish more first-time visitors considered, from choosing the right area to visit to working out your budget.

Staying on the eastern side of Interstate 95 is also handy. A lot of what you will want to see is within a relatively short drive, which means you can spend more time at the beach and less time sitting in traffic.

You will probably still want a rental car for day trips, but once you are settled in, you may find you don’t actually drive all that much.

2. Go Snorkeling at Red Reef Park

Red Reef Park is a great example of why you don’t always need to book an expensive boat trip to see some of Florida’s underwater life.

The reef is just offshore and can be reached directly from the beach. Limestone boulders and artificial reef structures attract plenty of small Atlantic fish, making this a fun spot for snorkeling when the conditions are right. I would try to go in the morning if you can. The water is often calmer and visibility can be better before the afternoon weather rolls in.

You don’t have to spend the whole day in the water either. There are picnic areas and a playground, so it works well for families too. Parking is paid, and the rocky areas around the reef can be uncomfortable on bare feet, so bring water shoes.

Don’t forget the reef-safe sunscreen, either. The Florida sun is stronger than it sometimes feels when you are enjoying the breeze from the ocean.

3. Walk the Boardwalk at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

One of my favorite things about this area is how easy it is to combine completely different experiences in the same day.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is practically next door to Red Reef Park, so you can spend the morning at the beach and then wander through the nature center without needing to get back in the car.

The center protects a section of tropical hardwood hammock, with a boardwalk leading through the trees. There is also an observation tower where you can look out over the surrounding area, along with outdoor aquariums, sea turtles, and a butterfly garden.

And perhaps best of all, admission is free. It is the kind of place where you can happily spend an hour or two without feeling like you need to rush through it. If you are traveling with kids, it is especially easy to pair with Red Reef for a full morning.

Parking can be limited, though, so I would arrive earlier in the day if possible.

4. Spend an Evening at Mizner Park

Mizner Park is one of those places that is particularly nice once the sun starts to go down.

The Mediterranean-style buildings, palm trees, restaurants, shops, and open spaces give it a very different atmosphere from the beach. During the hottest part of the day, I wouldn’t necessarily make this my first stop, but in the evening it comes alive.

Grab dinner, wander around the plaza, have a look in a few of the shops, or check to see whether there is a concert or event happening at the amphitheater.

Even if you aren’t particularly interested in shopping, it is worth walking around. I love those evenings on vacation where there isn’t really a plan beyond finding somewhere for dinner and seeing where the evening takes you. Mizner Park works well for exactly that.

If you have a restaurant you really want to try, especially on a weekend, make a reservation. Popular spots can fill up quickly.

5. Visit the Boca Raton Museum of Art

If you need a break from the Florida heat, head into the Boca Raton Museum of Art, which is conveniently located right in Mizner Park.

The museum has a permanent collection covering modern and contemporary art, alongside changing exhibitions. I would check what is showing before your visit because the temporary exhibitions can be a big part of the experience.

You don’t necessarily need an entire afternoon here. An hour or two is enough for many visitors, which makes it an easy addition to a day that already includes lunch or dinner around Mizner Park.

It is also a nice reminder that there is more to Boca Raton than beaches and golf courses.

6. Slow Down at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach is probably one of the places I would make sure to include if I were planning a trip here. It feels completely different from the rest of your Florida itinerary.

The gardens wind around ponds and landscaped areas, with different sections inspired by Japanese garden design from different historical periods. Inside the museum, you can learn more about Japanese art and culture.

Give yourself plenty of time here. This isn’t really an attraction I would recommend rushing through in 45 minutes just so you can tick it off a list.

Two hours is a good starting point, although you could easily spend longer if you enjoy gardens, photography, or simply having somewhere peaceful to walk around.

Morning is my preferred time to visit, particularly during the warmer months. The gardens are beautiful in the softer light, and you will appreciate being outside before the strongest heat of the day arrives.

There is also an on-site café, which makes it easy to turn this into a leisurely half-day outing.

7. Wander Along Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach

If you are already in Delray Beach for Morikami, don’t immediately head back to Boca.

Stick around for the evening and make your way to Atlantic Avenue.

This is the kind of street that is fun to explore without a strict itinerary. There are independent shops, galleries, cafés, bars, and restaurants, with plenty of outdoor seating and people wandering between them.

Eventually, the avenue takes you right toward the ocean, so you can combine dinner and a stroll with a walk down to the beach.

There is a livelier atmosphere here on weekends, sometimes with street performers and larger crowds. If you prefer something quieter, a weeknight can be a better option.

Personally, I like leaving an evening like this fairly unplanned. Pick somewhere that looks good, grab a drink or dinner, and wander around afterward.

8. Let the Kids Loose at Sugar Sand Park

Traveling with children? Put Sugar Sand Park on your list.

The park has a huge science-themed playground, a carousel, and an interactive children’s science museum, so there is enough here to keep younger visitors entertained for quite a while.

It is also one of those useful places to remember when Florida weather does what Florida weather does.

A sudden rain shower doesn’t have to ruin the day, and you can always adjust your plans around the weather rather than sitting inside your hotel room wondering what to do.

Entry to the park itself is free, which is another bonus when you are balancing out the cost of paid attractions.

I would plan on spending at least a couple of hours here, especially if you have younger children who aren’t going to be satisfied with a quick walk around.

9. Meet Sea Turtles at Loggerhead Marinelife Center

If you love wildlife, make time for Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. This is a sea turtle hospital and marine conservation center where you can learn about the turtles that nest along this part of Florida’s coastline and see some of the animals being cared for.

What I like about this stop is that it feels like more than a traditional aquarium or zoo. You are actually learning about the local marine environment and the work being done to protect it. There are exhibits, educational programs and opportunities to see the resident sea turtles up close. Admission is currently free, although some experiences have an additional cost.

Allow an hour or two for a visit, and check the schedule before you go if you want to join one of the guided experiences. The center is mostly outdoors, so bring water and don’t underestimate the Florida heat.

If you are visiting with children, this is an especially good addition to a beach day. You can spend the morning at Juno Beach and then come here to learn more about the animals you might have been lucky enough to spot in the ocean.

10. Go on Safari at Lion Country Safari

For something completely different, drive west from the coast and spend a few hours at Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee.

Yes, an actual safari.

The attraction has a drive-through wildlife preserve where you can see animals roaming in large, naturalistic habitats from the comfort of your own car. After the drive-through portion, there is also a walk-through adventure park with additional animal habitats and encounters. The entire attraction covers more than 300 acres and is home to hundreds of animals.

This is one of those Palm Beach County attractions that can feel like a completely different vacation once you leave the coast behind. You go from beaches, palm trees and ocean views to giraffes, rhinos and other exotic animals.

Plan to spend around four to six hours here if you want to experience the whole park rather than simply driving through the preserve.

It is particularly fun if you are traveling with kids, but honestly, adults will probably enjoy the novelty just as much. There aren’t many places where you can have your own little safari adventure without leaving Florida.

Best Places to visit in Palm Beach County Overview

Stop	Best For	Cost	Time Needed
Red Reef Park	Snorkeling, beach days	Paid parking	Half day
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center	Wildlife, families	Free admission	1.5–2 hours
Mizner Park	Dining, shopping, evenings out	Free to explore	2–3 hours
Boca Raton Museum of Art	Art and exhibitions	Ticketed	1–2 hours
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens	Gardens, culture, photography	Ticketed	2–3 hours
Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach	Dining, shops, galleries	Free to explore	Evening
Sugar Sand Park	Kids, rainy-day backup	Free park entry	2–3 hours
Spanish River Park	Quieter beach, nature	Vehicle entry fee	Half day
Intracoastal paddling	Wildlife, outdoor activities	Rental fee	2–3 hours

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Palm Beach County isn’t somewhere I would visit if I wanted to cram ten attractions into two days. That’s not really the point. The appeal is being able to slow down a little.

Spend a morning snorkeling at Red Reef, wander through Gumbo Limbo, then take your time over dinner at Mizner Park. On another day, head to Morikami and let yourself spend a couple of hours walking around the gardens before finishing the evening on Atlantic Avenue.

There is plenty to do, but you don’t have to do everything. Book your accommodation early if you are visiting during the busy winter season, leave a little flexibility in your schedule for Florida weather, and don’t forget the sunscreen. Beyond that, my best advice is simply to enjoy the slower pace.

Sometimes the best part of a Florida trip is having nowhere you absolutely need to be for the next few hours.

Best Things to Do in Palm Beach County FAQ