So you’re planning a trip with your kids to Palm Beach County … how exciting! Whether you’re scheduling your visit in winter or summer, there are always experiences and outings for families available in our area. Read our 4-day kid-friendly itinerary and plan the perfect vacation for the entire family!

Where to Stay: The Opal Grand Resort

This oceanfront resort located steps from the ocean in Delray Beach is walking distance to upscale boutiques, art galleries, chef-driven restaurants and exciting nightlife. The resort has heated pools perfect for kids ,and a poolside bar to help parents relax while keeping an eye on the little ones. Just the perfect place for a family beach vacation!

Additionally, Opal Grand Resort offers Waves Kids Club programs, allowing parents to sit back, relax, and enjoy their vacation knowing their children are happy, engaged, and in safe hands (there is one dedicated instructor per seven students). The Kids Club is available to resort, dining, and event guests during their visit, for an additional fee.

 

Day 1

Have breakfast at the hotel, and then get ready for a day of animal encounters and fun in the sun!

Lion Country Safari

There’s no need to “bless the rains down in Africa” when an exotic safari is available right in Loxahatchee. Lion Country Safari, dubbed one of the 10 Best Drive-Through Animal Safaris by USA Today, is one of the most popular and wildest attractions in The Palm Beaches. With over 1,000 animals, encounters and feedings, your family is sure to have a memorable time. We recommend starting your morning here when the weather is cooler—the animals also tend to be more active then. But you can easily enjoy the whole day on property taking advantage of multiple rides, their water sprayground, feeding the giraffes, and their food service locations for refreshments, snacks, or a delicious lunch.

Lunch at Guanabanas

Next, head to Guanabanas in Jupiter. Opened by surfers as a sandwich shop in 2004, Guanabanas has grown to become an institution in northern Palm Beach County.

The restaurant boasts a prime location right on the water, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. Guanabanas is designed to look like a Tiki Bar, complete with thatched roofs and bamboo accents. The overall vibe is tropical and relaxed, making it the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat with family.

Hit the Beach

After lunch, head to Dubois Park for some quality time by the ocean. Lined with palm trees and protected waters, Dubois Park is located on the southern edge of the Jupiter Inlet. Pull into the ample parking lot and you’ll notice the park doesn’t face the ocean, but rather the beautiful and historic Jupiter Inlet.

Look west and you’ll see the Jupiter Lighthouse. Look east and you’ll see the mouth of the inlet leading into the shimmering ocean. A man-made barrier of natural rock and concrete shelters a pool of water, perfect for bathers of all ages.

The water is replenished and cleaned by the natural currents of the inlet, and access to the swimming area is easy and well-marked. There are public bathrooms available, as well as small grills for cooking. Best of all, the calm swimming area is great for kids, and parents will appreciate how easy it is to keep track of little ones.

Afternoon with the Sea Turtles

Not too far from Dubois Park you’ll find the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. Loggerhead Marinelife Center offers families an enjoyable afternoon with sea turtles, whether you choose to spend your time spotting ocean creatures in their onsite aquariums or checking out the “patients” in their turtle rehabilitation facility. You can even participate in their turtle walks and see how the turtles nest and lay their eggs on our beaches. It’s an amazing thing to witness!

Dinner with the Kids

For dinner stay in Jupiter and grab a bite at Dune Dog Cafe. This colorful, beach-casual classic has a fun (and expansive) menu of hot dogs, hamburgers, fish and seafood, wings, ribs, and more.

There are tons of options for children on the regular menu, but the “puppy menu” offers some favorite kid foods together with waffle fries, a drink, and ice cream. Huge bonus for families: On Wednesdays after 4pm, kids eat for just 99 cents.

If you opted for an afternoon in Boca Raton, then grab dinner in Mizner Park. Here, you’ll find several options suitable for kids such as Calavera’s Cantina or Kapow Noodle Bar. Make sure to stop by Sloan’s to grab a scoop of ice cream. The whimsical décor, colorful walls, and creative flavors never fail to impress little ones!

 

Day 2

To start your day, get breakfast at the Beach Market Cafe within the Opal Grand Resort. This cafe offers bowls, smoothies and fresh treats, and breakfast sandwiches in a beach-inspired environment.

Morning at Strawberry U-Pick Farm

After breakfast, visit the strawberry U-Pick farm.

What started primarily as a strawberry U-pick farm has morphed into a fun family destination with lush gardens and beautiful grounds that feature swans, exotic birds, a petting zoo, and more. Families especially love the mining station where kids can sift for gems and minerals.

When you get hungry, make sure to stop by The Girls’ ice cream parlor for some delicious homemade ice cream, or walk next door for a slice of New York-style pizza at Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria (open daily from 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.). You won’t regret it!

Afternoon in Delray Beach

Head back to the hotel and enjoy some relaxing time while the kids have fun in the heated pools. You can also reserve a beautiful large cabana that fits the entire family, comfortably.

Then, check out one of the several family-friendly attractions in Delray Beach.

Just across the street is the Sandoway Discovery Center. In this interactive museum kids will spend hours exploring the local marine life and touching some of the animals and insects.

Alternatively, check out the Silverball Retro Arcade, which is just a 5-minute drive from the resort. This giant arcade room is full of classic arcade games. All games are set to free play, so no coins are needed with admission. With food and drinks available, you could easily stay there for hours.

Fun Dinner at Popstroke

Locate on Federal Highway, Popstroke is a newly opened mini-golf venue in Delray Beach. Here, kids can play mini golf, cornhole, connect 4, ping pong and more in a secured area. You can get dinner at Popstroke in their full-service restaurant offering award-winning burgers, tacos, and entrees. The restaurant has outdoor seating where kids can enjoy their meals while soaking up the Florida sun.

Day 3

Morning in the Water

Chances are, you came to Palm Beach County with your family to spend some time in the water. Our year-round warm weather certainly lends itself to that! Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach has something to make everyone in your family happy, whether the kids are water-slide addicts or Mom and Dad simply want some QT on the lazy river. Open March through August (and select weekends in the fall), Rapids features 42 attractions that are kid- and family-friendly … and some for those looking for a thrill.

With so many water attractions and dining options, you can easily spend the entire day at Rapids Water Park. But in case you want to opt for something different, check out Get Wet Watersports. They specialize in paddle board, bicycle and kayak tours for all sizes and ages. Book a sunset boat tour and enjoy your favorite beverage, listen to tropical music, and watch the sun fade into the horizon on a beautiful catamaran for two and a half hours. The waterway views, from port or starboard, of Lake Worth Lagoon, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean are breathtaking (yet relaxing) as you wind down your day.  

Lunch at the Sailfish Marina

Get lunch at the Sailfish Marina, which is just a 4-minute drive from Get Wet Watersports and a 15-minute drive from Rapids Water Park. Sit down and watch the boats come in, filled with the day’s fresh catches. Sailfish Marina & Restaurant offers a menu for everyone, but a must try is the fresh smoked fish dip. This light and tasty dish is a staple to the south Florida culture. 

Afternoon at Mantee Lagoon

Another can’t-be-missed family-friendly attraction in Riviera Beach is Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center®. This free educational attraction is dedicated to educating the public about manatees and the Lake Worth Lagoon, and inspiring communities to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations.

During the colder winter months, the facility’s observation deck is the ideal spot to view manatees basking in the warm-water outflows from Florida Power & Light Company’s adjacent Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center.

Dinner

For dinner start driving back to your hotel and stop at Benny’s On The Beach. Right on the sands of Lake Worth Beach, Benny’s makes for a great, easy dinner spot for the entire family. This amazing location immediately gives you vacation vibes, especially on the outdoor dining deck that extends pier-like down the beach. The menu is lengthy and reflects the beachy atmosphere, with peel ‘n’ eat shrimp, fish tacos, crab cake sandwiches, lots of salads and burgers, and lots more. Since Benny’s is popular at all times of the day, there are separate kids menus for breakfast and lunch/dinner. Don’t miss the nearby playground for a post-meal treat! 

Day 4

Today, you’ll spend the day in West Palm Beach, The Palm Beaches’ largest city.

Breakfast in Downtown West Palm Beach

For breakfast, sit outdoor at Pura Vida in downtown West Palm Beach. This cute place offers healthy bowls, breakfast sandwiches, avocado toasts, eggs, smoothies, sweet treats and much more!

Then walk around CityPlace, a neighborhood featuring local shopping, restaurants, and events.

Morning at the Museum

What’s a vacation without a little culture thrown in for good measure? The Palm Beaches are home to so many amazing museums, it’s hard to narrow them down. However, one of the most celebrated cultural icons is situated in West Palm Beach. The Norton Museum of Art may have been founded in 1941, but it now rivals some of the most modern museums in the U.S. In addition to thousands of square feet in gallery space, the Norton features a restaurant with a terrace, an adjoining 9,000-square-foot sculpture garden, and a Great Hall that doubles as a community space. It’s impressive. Don’t miss out on its top-notch collections, including world-class examples of American, European, Chinese, and contemporary art and photography.

The museum offers several programs and events for kids, such as family studios on Saturdays. Before you go, check out their calendar here.

Lunch: Back to the ’50s

For lunch, head to Howley’s. Comfort food, ‘50s décor, counter seating, cool local art, and a juke box are among the fun pleasures of this retro diner in West Palm Beach (which actually opened in 1950!). The expansive menu runs from breakfast to dinner and dessert, and while there’s a separate kids menu, there are plenty of shareable options here off the regular menu too.

Plan a Visit to The Zoo

The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is home to hundreds of animals and several different species, many of which are endangered, this zoo likely has at least one animal you’ve never seen before. Popular animal exhibits include the tigers exhibit and the Aldabra tortoise exhibit. The Fountain Plaza splash pad is also a super-fun activity for small children.

Italian Dinner

End your day with some delicious Italian fare. With two locations in The Palm Beaches, Elisabetta’s Ristorante serves classic Italian dishes, including pizza and pasta. Kids will love the Pasta Radiatore or the spaghetti with mozzarella and tomato sauce.

Their West Palm Beach location is located in downtown right on the waterfront, while the Delray Beach location is on Atlantic Avenue.