THE SUMMER BUCKET LIST WE ACTUALLY USE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY
This isn't every single thing to do in Palm Beach County.
It's the short list — the spots we come back to, the ones worth the drive, and the few we tell friends about again and again.
We live and work here, and somewhere around the third week of summer, every parent we know starts asking the same question:
"Okay… what are we doing today?"
So we wrote down our honest answers.
No sponsorships. No filler. Just places that have earned repeat visits from our family.
We've sorted them by the kind of day you're having, because that's how summer actually works around here.
FOR WHEN IT'S TOO HOT TO BE OUTSIDE
Stay Cool, Stay Sane
$1–$2 Summer Movies
Theaters across Palm Beach County • Weekday mornings • All summer
A morning movie in full recliners and glorious air conditioning for the price of a snack.
There are actually five theaters offering discounted summer movies this year — from $1 tickets to completely free screenings — so we rounded them all up in one place.
→ Read our complete Summer Movie Guide
Palm Beach County Library Summer Programs
Countywide • All summer • Free
Easy to forget and impossible to beat on a rainy afternoon.
Story times, crafts, reading challenges, and family events happen at branches across the county, and they're all free.
Honestly, the library may be the most underappreciated hero of a long Florida summer.
FOR WHEN EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET IN THE WATER
Salt, Sand & Splash Pads
Palm Beach Zoo — Kids Free + Splash Pad
West Palm Beach • June 1–July 31 • Up to four kids free per paying adult
All summer long, up to four children receive free admission with one paying adult.
The splash pad is where we tend to spend most of our time, and the shaded walkways make it surprisingly manageable for parents, too.
Tip: Purchase adult tickets online, but don't pre-purchase the free kids' tickets.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
North Palm Beach • About $5 per car • Calm snorkeling water
Palm Beach County's only state park is one of our favorite hidden gems.
The estuary side offers calm water that's ideal for younger children learning to snorkel, and a few dollars gets your entire carload access to two miles of beautiful beach.
One tip: Even snorkeling near shore requires a dive flag, but rentals are available onsite.
Peanut Island
Riviera Beach Marina Ferry • Small ferry fee • Protected snorkeling lagoon
A quick ferry ride transports you to what feels like your own private island.
The snorkeling lagoon is calm and family-friendly, but honestly, our kids think the ferry ride itself is half the adventure.
FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING WILD
Animals, Up Close
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Juno Beach • Open daily • Free (donations welcome)
A working sea turtle hospital located just steps from the beach.
Visitors can see recovering sea turtles up close, learn about conservation, and leave with a greater appreciation for the wildlife that calls South Florida home.
It's free, meaningful, and one of our favorite places in the county.
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
Jupiter • Open daily • Donation-based
Florida panthers, black bears, owls, bobcats, and alligators — all rescued animals receiving care and rehabilitation.
It's right in our backyard and makes for a gentle, educational morning outing.
Tip: Check current hours before heading over.
Lion Country Safari
Loxahatchee • Drive-through safari and walk-through park • Paid admission
Drive your own vehicle through more than 600 acres while giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and rhinos wander nearby.
It's worth making the trip west at least once each summer.
There really isn't anything else like it nearby.
FOR WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING FREE & EASY
The No-Fuss List
Manatee Lagoon
West Palm Beach • Free • Waterfront exhibits
Free, breezy, and right along the Intracoastal.
While the manatees are primarily a winter attraction, the recently renovated exhibits, shaded picnic areas, and waterfront setting make this an easy family outing year-round.
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
Boca Raton • Free admission (parking fee applies)
A peaceful boardwalk winds through a coastal hammock ecosystem, leading visitors to another sea turtle rehabilitation center.
It's worth the drive south if you're already planning a beach day in Boca.
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Jupiter • Paid admission • Climbs offered throughout the day
Closest to home for us, and still somewhere we never get tired of visiting.
Climb the historic 1860 lighthouse for arguably the best view in town, then explore the grounds while the kids burn off some energy.
The tickets are worth it for the view alone.
Clematis by Night
Downtown West Palm Beach • Thursday evenings • Free
Free live music every Thursday evening along the waterfront.
Bring a blanket, let the kids dance around, grab dinner nearby, and call it an easy summer night.
ONE NOTE
Hours, dates, promotions, and pricing can shift throughout the season, so it's always worth taking thirty seconds to check each attraction's website before heading out.
