FAMILY FUN IS PLENTIFUL IN AMERICA’S FIRST RESORT DESTINATION
With more than 100 family-friendly attractions, 47 miles/76 km of sparkling coastline, outdoor adventure, arts and culture and a diverse culinary scene; The Palm Beaches offer many exciting and enticing experiences for the entire family. Get close to sea turtles and marine life at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, feed a giraffe at Lion Country Safari, make a discovery at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, snorkel along the spectacular trail offshore at Phil Foster Park or just kick back and relax on a postcard-perfect, golden-sand beach.
Loggerhead Marine life Center – Juno Beach
If you’re a fan of sea turtles and saving the planet, then you’ll enjoy this stop. On a mission to promote the conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on sea turtles, this center educates the public through engaging programming and rehabilitates sea turtles for release back into the wild. The perk here (besides the many sea turtles and friendly staff) is that this center is located just steps away from some of the most densely nested loggerhead sea turtle beaches in the world! Pack your swimwear and beach gear to enjoy the beach pre-or post-visit. Loggerhead Marine life Center features a recent $20 million expansion, showcasing their hospital, educational exhibits, classrooms, retail, research labs, and various areas for family exploration.
Rapids Water Park – Riviera Beach
South Florida’s largest water park has been standing since 1979! What started as four acres and a few slides grew to 35 acres of action-packed water slides and attractions. Take a jaw-dropping seven-story ride down Big Thunder, or a relaxing break floating through the serene current of the Lazy River. For the young and the young at heart, the wave pool, dual seven-story speed slides, and action park for young children and toddlers offer a non-stop day of aquatic fun. Explore the park with the entire family for hours of enjoyment, with 42 suitable rides and attractions for all ages.
Snorkel Trail at Phil Foster Park – Riviera Beach
Families can head to Riviera Beach to experience refreshing blue waters, a variety of marine life, and enjoy hours of snorkelling along an 800-foot stretch of boulders and an artificial reef. Ranked among the “50 Best Dive Sites in the World” by Scuba Magazine, the Snorkel Trail at Phil Foster Park hosts sea turtles, tropical fish, sailfish, goliath groupers, and dolphins. Manatee sightings are frequent in the winter and springtime, while sea turtles are common year-round. For the best snorkeling conditions, time your visit with high tide. The Palm Beaches are the closest place in North America to the Gulf Stream current, an oceanic conveyor belt of warm, clear water. This unique proximity to the Gulf Stream maintains comfortable ocean temperatures for divers and snorkelers.
Lion Country Safari – Loxahatchee
Florida’s largest drive-through safari displays 900 animals roaming in wide-open habitats within inches of your car! Rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and more can be spotted through the four-mile drive safari space. Other attractions at Lion Country Safari include an adventure park, a water park, refreshment and food stations, and gift shops for handcrafted goodies and souvenirs. Guests can enjoy animal habitats, a petting zoo, amusement rides, food and beverage options, and animal feedings.
Sugar Sand Park – Boca Raton
This 132-acre park is more than swings and sand, it’s a long-standing site for recreation, culture, entertainment, and education. Home to the Children’s Science Explorium, the Willow Theatre, and the community center, the park hosts numerous events. The park is part of the Art in Public Places exhibition, where artists can exhibit works free of charge in public spaces in a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture, glass, jewelry, pottery, and multimedia. Multiple areas perfect for relaxation are available, including shaded picnic villas and benches. Sugar Sand Park is also home to a 30-horse and wheelchair-accessible chariot carousel, open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10-2 p.m. The hard-to-miss attraction is covered by a decorative tent, with lights and music to enhance the festive scene. The Explorium offers an air-conditioned and educational oasis for families to learn and play in with a multitude of interactive displays and exhibitions. Sugar Sand Park offers something for every member of the family, allowing a relaxing, yet playful space to indulge in.
Cox Science Center & Aquarium – West Palm Beach
Entertain curious minds of varying ages with enthralling exhibits, interactive displays, and outdoor adventures at the Cox Science Center & Aquarium. Following recent renovations, the center now boasts 100 new hands-on exhibits, an upgraded planetarium, 1,000 sq.-ft. early childhood exhibit, a modernized theater, a science lab, an open-air amphitheater, and an 18-hole miniature golf conservation course that was named one of the “Top Thirteen Miniature Golf Courses in the nation” by Travel Magazine. Families can find educational fun waiting around every corner. One of the most popular exhibitions includes the Marvin Dekelboum Planetarium, the first and only public planetarium in Palm Beach County, as well as the 10,000-gallon aquarium housing some of Florida’s most beautiful native fish and marine life species. The Center strives to “Open Every Mind to Science,” providing more than 300,000 students, teachers, and visitors with science and technology education programs, and providing South Floridian locals and visitors the chance to enjoy themselves through indoor and outdoor educational activities.
For more information about The Palm Beaches, visit
www.ThePalmBeaches.com | www.thepalmbeaches.com/travel-trade-professionals
Take advantage of deals via The Palm Beaches Savings Pass
First published at Travel Industry Today
