The Marquee Escape: Peanut Island

For an island getaway without leaving the county, nothing beats Peanut Island — an 80-acre, boat-access-only county park tucked at the west end of the Palm Beach (Lake Worth) Inlet. The Gulf Stream pushes warm, crystal-clear water through the inlet, wrapping the palm-lined shores in conditions that feel borrowed from the Bahamas: swimming, snorkeling teeming with marine life, scenic walking trails, and picnic-perfect sand.

At peak spring break it’s also the county’s famous floating party — boats anchoring in long rafted lines off the sandbar — while the trails and lagoons keep the family side mellow. Pack the sunscreen, rent a kayak, and check our Peanut Island guide for how to get there and what to bring.

Ten Parks Worth the Trip

With dozens of county-run parks — from neighborhood playgrounds to thousand-acre preserves — plus state and city gems, the outdoor menu runs deep. Ten favorites for the season:

1. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park – Pristine beach, kayaking, and nature trails on a barrier island
2. Okeeheelee Park – The west-county giant: lakes, trails, golf, and more (keep reading)
3. Dubois Park – Jupiter’s waterfront jewel with a swim-friendly natural lagoon
4. Riverbend Park – Shaded canoe and bike trails along the Loxahatchee River
5. Phil Foster Park – Home of the famous underwater snorkeling trail
6. Carlin Park – Jupiter’s beach-picnic classic
7. Loggerhead Park – Sea turtles and coastal wildlife in Juno Beach
8. Blowing Rocks Preserve – Dramatic limestone outcrops and crashing surf on Jupiter Island
9. Peanut Island Park – See above; it earns both mentions
10. Spanish River Park – Boca’s peaceful beachside retreat

Beyond the green space, the county park system packs amphitheaters, equestrian centers, fishing lakes, golf courses, artificial reefs, aquatic centers, and nature exhibits — relaxation or high energy, your pick.

The Wild Card: Lion Country Safari

For the season’s most memorable day, drive through Lion Country Safari in western Palm Beach County — Florida’s drive-through safari, where lions, giraffes, rhinos, and zebras from six continents roam past your (air-conditioned) car windows. Afterward, Safari World keeps the day going: giraffe feedings, paddle boats, a splash park, and a petting zoo.

The accolades back the experience — it has earned national recognition including a USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice ranking and a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s best-zoos list — and locals (it’s in our Loxahatchee backyard) treat it as the hometown landmark the rest of Florida drives an hour to visit.

Beaches, Shelling, and the Lake Life

With more than 40 miles of Atlantic coastline, the beach menu runs from Tequesta to Boca Raton — family shores, surf spots, and quiet sand alike; our beach guides break down the standouts north to south. Shell hunters, set expectations honestly: The Palm Beaches aren’t Sanibel, but a keen eye and patience turn up real treasures — our shelling guide maps the best beaches for it.

Prefer lake life? Shark Park 561 inside Okeeheelee Park delivers the action: an inflatable floating obstacle course with climbing towers and slides, plus a cable wakeboard park — ride without a boat — making it a thrill-to-chill option for every age. And when hunger hits, the county’s waterfront restaurants and bars serve fresh seafood and tropical cocktails with sparkling views — our north-to-south waterfront dining series starts near Jupiter and works down the coast.