On a budget this summer? 10 fun things to do for free or under $20 in Palm Beach County
Summer fun can get pretty expensive pretty quickly. From theme park and water park visits to spending more on dining out and shopping during vacations, having a fun summer comes at a cost.
If you're still recovering from a summer vacation spending spree or saving up for one, you might be limiting your "fun" budget. But being short on extra spending money certainly doesn't exclude you from finding something fun to do around the Palm Beaches.
Here are 10 fun things to do in Palm Beach County for free or under $20. One of the activities listed is actually a nominee for USA TODAY's 2024 reader-voted list of the best free attractions in the U.S.
Take a stroll on the Lake Trail in Palm Beach
Palm Beach Lake Trail is a five-and-a-half-mile trail on the west side of Palm Beach that offers stunning views and glimpses into some of the most opulent properties in the area.
Along the path, you can stop to see the Flagler Museum, Henry Flagler's estate from the Gilded Age, and other landmarks like the huge Kapok Tree, originally from the Amazon rainforest. You'll also enjoy views of the Lake Worth Lagoon and the skyline of downtown West Palm Beach.
The Palm Beach Lake Trail starts at the intersection of South Lake Drive and Peruvian Avenue North in Palm Beach. The trail runs along the west side of Palm Beach, parallel to the Lake Worth Lagoon.
Bucket list: 55 fun things to do in Palm Beach County
Snorkel at Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach
One of three shark sculptures along the Phil Foster Park snorkel trail in Riviera Beach on November 19, 2015. (Richard Graulich / The Palm Beach Post)
It doesn't matter if you have a snorkel that you've only used once or if you're an experienced diver. Anyone who wants to see sea turtles, eels, starfish, tropical fish and even manatees can swim along the 800 feet of artificial reef just off the shore of Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach.
Phil Foster Park is located at 900 Blue Heron Blvd. in Riviera Beach. For more information, please call 561-966-6600.
Florida bucket list: 65 fun things to do, places to visit from the Keys to the Panhandle
Learn about sea turtles at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach
The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach is free to visit and offers a look into sea turtle rehabilitation. The sea turtle hospital, located on a stretch of Juno Beach that's a worldwide hot spot for Loggerhead Sea Turtles during nesting season, has aquarium tanks and educational opportunities for the whole family.
The sea turtle hospital's operating room even has a screen outside of it, where guests can watch sea turtle surgeries. Loggerhead Marinelife Center also hosts sea turtle releases and other eco-experiences that are free and open to the public.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a nominee for USA TODAY's 2024 "10Best" Readers' Choice list of the best free attractions in the U.S.
Loggerhead MarineLife Center is located at 14200 US-1, Juno Beach. For more information, please call 561-627-8280.
Enjoy nature at this botanical garden in Palm Beach
Flowers bloom in the Four Arts Botanical Gardens in Palm Beach, Florida on June 15, 2023.
The Society of the Four Arts' demonstration garden is maintained by the Garden Club of Palm Beach and has been offering free strolls through its flowering botanical gardens since 1938.
The 10-acre property also boasts a gallery building, libraries and a sculpture garden. Built in 1936 in an effort to stoke the arts and culture of Palm Beach County through a myriad of programs like concerts, art exhibitions, film screenings and children's events, this attraction is an idyllic piece of Palm Beach's history.
The Society of the Four Arts in located at 100 Four Arts Plaza in Palm Beach.
Catch a free outdoor movie on the West Palm Beach waterfront
Enjoy a family-friendly, free movie on West Palm Beach's waterfront once a month. Screen on the Green is an opportunity to movie-watch under the stars and by the water, hosted by the city of West Palm Beach on the second Friday of every month. Bring a blanket or chairs and a picnic if you'd like to, but there are typically food trucks nearby.
Check the City of West Palm Beach's website for movie schedule.
The Screen on the Green is located on the West Palm Beach waterfront at 100 N. Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach.
Get up close to a manatee at Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach
Although peak season to spot sea cows in South Florida's waterways is during the winter months, these friendly underwater mammals can be seen year-round. Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach offers up-close experiences with manatees and is free to visit.
They offer lagoon tours, Saturday story times for kids, $5 yoga classes for adults and even lectures. Check out their website for a live look of the docks before you head out to the lagoon.
Explore Delray Beach's arts district
Delray Beach's Pineapple Grove neighborhood is teaming with artsy endeavors. Explore the district and check out the mosaic of street art and murals, or pop into one of the many art galleries, colorful shops, restaurants or cafes.
The Pineapple Grove Arts District is located just off of Atlantic Avenue on NE 2nd Avenue in downtown Delray Beach.
Listen to a free concert on the water in downtown West Palm Beach
If free movies on West Palm's downtown waterfront don't tickle your fancy, try out one of the free concerts held every third Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
No outside alcohol is permitted at Sunday on the Waterfront concerts, which are hosted by the city, but much like Screen on the Green, guests are encouraged to enjoy food trucks and bring blankets to spread out on the grass in front of the outdoor amphitheater.
Sunday on the Waterfront is located at the Meyer Amphitheater at 104 Datura St. in downtown West Palm Beach.
Learn about the local ecosystem at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton
Explore nature and local marine life this weekend at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton.
Similar to Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is a Boca-based research and rehabilitation facility with learning opportunities for the family.
Gumbo Limbo is a vital caretaker of Boca Raton's local ecosystem and boasts butterfly gardens, boardwalk trails, and outdoor aquariums. It costs $5 per person to explore Gumbo Limbo.
See local art at The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County in Lake Worth Beach
See an excellent exhibition celebrating 100 years of Boca Raton at the Cultural Council's 'Reflections of a Century."
Last but certainly not least Palm Beach County's cultural center in Lake Worth Beach offers a variety of opportunities to explore and interact with local art.
The main gallery has ongoing, rotating exhibitions that focus on art that was either made in or is unique to Palm Beach County. The cultural center is open to the public every Tuesday through Saturday, from noon through 5 p.m.
The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is located at 601 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth Beach. For more information, please call 561-471-2901.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Free things in West Palm Beach for students summer break
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
20 hours ago
- USA Today
A floating Disney bubble: What families can expect on Disney cruises
A floating Disney bubble: What families can expect on Disney cruises Show Caption Hide Caption Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom tour on the new Disney Treasure USA TODAY took a ride on the brand new Disney Treasure cruise ship. Here's what to know about the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom. "Family travel' is a six-part series showcasing the best experiences and destinations for young families looking for an escape. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can click here to fill out this quick form. I've been visiting Disney parks my entire life. I thought I knew what the Disney bubble was. Disney Cruise Line blew my definition out of (or into) the water. Everything Disney fans look for in a Disney vacation is – as Disney likes to say – plussed up on their ships. Here's what I experienced on my first Disney cruise and what your family can expect on yours. What is special about a Disney cruise? Disney cruises are made for Disney fans. 'We know that when guests get on one of our ships, 40, 50% of them are saying the only reason I'm cruising today is because Disney is here,' Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro told USA TODAY last August, ahead of the cruise line's expansion announcements at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. 'These cruise ships are ways that we can tell all of the amazing stories that we have. We bring them to life in dining; we bring them to life theatrically. We bring them to life through technology and our cast members.' Many ship venues are inspired by Disney stories. Guests who want to learn how they can take an Art of the Theme Show Tour during their sailing. Disney characters roam about regularly and unlike in the parks, never have long waits to meet them. The entertainment on board is truly Broadway quality, not only because Disney is at heart an entertainment company, but it's also produced numerous shows on Broadway. My favorite show on our Disney Treasure sailing was "Disney the Tale of Moana," which Disney developed with Broadway veterans and Polynesian cultural advisors and cast. The youth clubs, particularly for younger children, feel like stepping into Disney movies. Many kids happily spend hours there, and adults wish they could, too. The closest grown-up guests get is during open houses. Guests rotate through a variety of themed restaurants for dinner each night of their sailing, and servers rotate with you so they can get to know you and your preferences, as well as any dietary needs. The level of customer service is exactly what you'd expect from Disney. Ships are designed with families in mind. Most staterooms have split bathrooms, so multiple people can get ready at the same time, and most feature bathtubs, which are clutch with young children. You're traveling with fellow Disney families and fans, who share your enthusiasm. Non-Disney fans can still enjoy sailings, but for those who love Disney, it's the ultimate floating Disney bubble. Disney parks take to the seas: How the new Disney Treasure makes magic Is a Disney cruise all-inclusive? Disney cruises include lodging, most dining, entertainment, recreation, youth club access, and more in their standard fare. There is an additional fee for childcare for infants and toddlers under age 3 at 'it's a small world nursery.' Extra experiences like adult-exclusive dining, makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Sea, the Royal Court Royal Tea Party with Disney princess, and spa and salon services also have fees. Is all the food on a Disney cruise free? Meals at rotational dining restaurants, on-board buffets, and various food stands are included in the cruise fare, as is most room service. Guests may choose to pay extra for adult-exclusive dining like Remy or Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement. Treats at smoothie and sweets shops and snacks at concession stands near onboard movie theaters have à la carte fees. Specialty coffee drinks and alcohol are also extra. Do Disney cruises have good food? Yes. There are various options at each rotational restaurant. Guests are also welcome to ask for other offerings off menu, but what stuck out to me were everyday dishes like comforting congee at breakfast and a mountain of succulent crab legs during lunch at the Treasure's Marceline Market buffet. Mickey Churro Waffles and Disney Cruise Line chicken tenders are other fan favorites. So are Mickey ice cream bars, which you can order for free through room service. Italian-inspired Palo and other adult-exclusive restaurants, which cost extra, are so popular that reservations book up well ahead of sailings. Guests who miss out in advance can try to book in person upon embarkation. Is there unlimited alcohol on Disney cruises? No. There are no unlimited alcoholic beverage packages on Disney cruises. You can buy individual drinks and bottles of wine on board or pre-order bundles of hard seltzer, beer or wine. There are also deals like Drinks of the Day and the Beer Mug Savings package, which, for a one-time $15.25 fee, gets you 21-ounce beer refills for the price of 16 ounces. Upon initial embarkation and at each port, guests of legal drinking age may also carry on up to two unopened bottles of wine or champagne or six unopened beers no larger than 12 ounces. These must be brought in carry-on luggage, not checked, and may not be consumed in lounges or public spaces, aside from restaurants, where there is a corkage fee. Is there a casino on the Disney cruise? No. There are no casinos on Disney cruise ships. The closest thing to gambling is BINGO, which is extremely popular. Is there free Wi-Fi on Disney cruises? Yes. Guests can use free DCL Guest Wi-Fi to access the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App and message fellow guests. You can also message folks back home using third-party tools like Apple Messages and WhatsApp. However, you'll need paid internet service for anything more substantive like making calls, accessing social media, browsing the internet, posting or streaming video, and more. How much does a Disney cruise cost per person? Prices vary widely by sailing (ship, dates, itinerary, cruise duration and more), stateroom category, how many guests share the same stateroom and guest age. Kids under age 3, ages 3-12, and 13-17 are charged at different rates than adults, according to Plan Disney. Limited-time promotions also impact pricing. For instance, Disney Cruise Line is currently offering up to 30% off select summer 2025 sailings from the U.S. Prospective guests can find the latest special offers on the cruise line's website. Additionally, Disney Cruise Line passengers can lock in 10% off a future cruise when they purchase a refundable placeholder reservation while onboard a ship. At last check, the lowest priced sailing for a family of four departing the U.S. with two adults and two kids between the ages of 3-12 was priced at $2,620. That works out to $655 per person in an interior cabin on the Disney Wish for a 3-night Bahamas cruise leaving Port Canaveral on Aug. 22, 2025. Three-night cruises on the new Disney Adventure, launching in Singapore this December, start even lower. Does Disney Cruise Line go to Europe? Yes. Disney sails from three European ports: Barcelona, Spain Citavecchia, Italy (outside Rome) Southampton, England Transatlantic sailings are also offered several times a year. Do adults with no kids go on Disney cruises? Yes. Even though the cruises are designed with families in mind, lots of Disney adults sail kid-free. Many enjoy getting to feel like kids again themselves. Each ship and both of Disney's private island destinations have adult-exclusive areas and experiences. What are Disney's two private islands? Disney's has two private island destinations in the Bahamas: Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Is it cheaper to go to Disney or Disney cruise? That depends on how long you plan to sail versus visit parks, as well as choice of accommodations, dining and time of year. It can go either way. What is the cheapest way to book a Disney cruise? Guests will generally find the best prices the day itineraries are released. This happens a few times a year, about 15 to 18 months in advance of sailings, according to Plan Disney. Travelers can work with travel agents to keep tabs on when the next batch will be released or sign up for Disney Cruise Line email updates and follow the cruise line on social media. Are Disney cruises worth it? They are for many fans. 'They rate us very, very highly, and they tend to want to come back,' D'Amaro said. But just like any vacation, the cruises may not be worth it for everyone. The reporter on this story received access to the ship from Disney Cruise Line. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of reviews.
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
American Airlines passengers bused over 140 miles in Italy after diverted flight
American Airlines passengers bused over 140 miles in Italy after diverted flight American Airlines may have sent the wrong aircraft, as Boeing documents and historical flight data shows a 787-8 plane would have been able to land at Naples International Airport without issue. Show Caption Hide Caption Summer air travel: What to know about cancellations, reimbursements American Airlines just canceled 1,000 flights. Here's everything you need to know about airports, flight cancellations, refunds, restrictions. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight to Naples, Italy, had to be bused over 140 miles to their destination from Rome because their plane was seemingly too big to land in Naples. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner departed Philadelphia at 7:10 p.m. on Monday, June 2, FlightAware shows. The flight was supposed to land in Naples around 9:10 a.m. the next day, but an American Airlines spokesperson told USA TODAY on June 7 that "operational limitations" led to the diversion and eventual landing at the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) in Rome at 9:43 a.m. on June 3. "Customers traveled from FCO to NAP by bus, and we apologize to them for this disruption to their journey," the American Airlines spokesperson said in a statement. FCO is about 145 miles away from Naples International Airport by road, meaning it would typically take more than two hours to drive between the airports. What may have caused the American Airlines flight to divert? Historical flight data via FlightAware shows American Airlines usually sends a Boeing 787-8 on flights to Naples. It is unclear why the airline sent the larger 787-9, which Simpleflying, an online aviation publication, says fits 290 passengers compared to the 787-8's 242 passenger capacity. Another key difference between the two Dreamliner variants, which have the same wingspan, is that the 787-9 is 20 feet longer, according to Business Insider. The 787-9 may have been diverted because it has different requirements for rescue-and-firefighting services (RFFS) than the 787-8, documents from Boeing and the International Civil Aviation Organization show. RFFS are needed to ensure aviation safety and minimize risks related to aircraft fires and incidents, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). While the 787-8 is small enough to land at an airport with Category 8 RFFS requirements, the 787-9 needs a Category 9 RFFS airport, the Boeing document shows. Data reviewed by Business Insider from AviationWeek's Acukwik says the Naples Airport meets Category 8 RFF, meaning a 787-9 would be too big to land there. Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
FAA caps flights at Newark Airport to cut delays through 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration finalized new air traffic restrictions at Newark Liberty International Airport, saying that arrivals and departures would be limited to 34 each per hour through Oct. 25, 2025. Arrivals and departures at EWR will be further reduced on weekends from Sept. 1 through the end of the year to accommodate airport construction. The FAA previously signaled it was planning to reduce traffic at Newark in response to weeks of delays caused by equipment outages and staffing issues that hampered the airport's capacity. "The confirmed reduced rates will maintain safety while alleviating excessive flight delays at the airport due to staffing and equipment challenges. The early completion of runway construction at the airport that added to the delays will also contribute to a more efficient operation," the FAA said in a statement. "Working with airlines and the airport, the limited arrival rate already paid dividends over the Memorial Day holiday with smooth travel into and out of Newark." United Airlines, which operates a major hub at Newark, touted the airport's on-time rate over the previous week. "Newark (EWR) is the most reliable airport in the New York City area this week," the airline said in a statement. United noted that 79% of its departures from Newark were on time between June 2 and June 5, while 88% of arrivals landed at Newark on time, and 90% of the airline's flights departing Newark arrived at their destinations on time. At a press conference announcing the early completion of a runway reconstruction project at the airport, alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, United CEO Scott Kirby said that travelers in and out of Newark will be able to take advantage of great airfare deals this summer. "We did get well behind on bookings because of the perception issues around Newark recently, so that means more seats are available, which means the fares are better than they're probably going to ever be in the years to come, so now's the time to book your vacation if you want to go to Europe or you want to head across the country," he said. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Newark flight? FAA reduces traffic to improve on-time performance
