Boynton Beach, FL - What's to do?
 

In April, I will be visiting relatives who have just moved to Boynton Beach, FL which apparently is near West Palm Beach. They have kids age 2 and 6; mine are 14 and 16.<BR><BR>We'll be there for 6 days. What is there to do there besides shopping and swimming? I usually prefer very active vacations with lots of museums, sightseeing, etc., so I'm concerned about filling the time. Thanks for any suggestions.

How about driving up to Disney for a day? It will take about 2 hours each way and could be worth it if you've never been there.<BR><BR>My in-laws live in that area (Fort Pierce, to be exact) and we visit one Disney park every time we visit. We went to Epcot last time. <BR><BR>It would be a long day, but worth it!

I would check out Kennedy Space Center, which has great tours. It too is a bit of a drive, on the Atlantic coast, due east of Orlando (http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com). I don't know exactly when you will be there, but a shuttle launch is scheduled for April 4 - and THAT is a sight to see!<BR><BR>Our kids like Lion Country Safari, which is quite close to West Palm (http://www.lioncountrysafari.com). Lots of great animals in fairly natural settings that you drive through.<BR><BR>There is the smallish, but well regarded Norton Art Museum in West Palm.<BR><BR>The Everglades are about an hour or two to the south (depending on what part you go to). There are wonderful boardwalks through swamps teeming with wildlife. At the southern tip is Flamingo, where you can rent canoes and paddle through an old canal system for still more birds and 'gators.

I enjoyed the Morekami Museum and Japanese Gardens right in Boyton Beach. Lunch was wonderful, too.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. <BR><BR>ALF, do you have any details about walking in the Everglades -- are there state parks or Audobon reserves or something official like that? Would I really be safe paddling among the gators?

At Shark Valley National Park there is an hour tram ride through part of the Everglades. If I remember correctly, it was a two hour drive from Fort Lauderdale. We saw over 100 alligators up close, huge adults and newborns. There are also walking and bike paths in this park. It's amazing how close you can get to the animals and they just lie there as they are very used to people. Perhaps the only incident occurred when a child fell off his bike and landed on one. His parents were able to scare the animal away...the child needed stitches but was fine.

Thanks for hte details, Evelyn, that sounds like exactly the sort of place that would MAKE the trip for my 14 yo son!

I'm pleased that you liked this idea. We also stopped at a bird and butterfly place nearby which he might enjoy. I cannot remember the name of it, but it was delightful, friendly, well-run. I think the national park site is down, but look up Shark Valley on Google and you'll find some information. Even though it is not well known, there were hundreds of people there last February.

I know there is a small water park in Boca Raton - don't know the name, you could check w/chamber of commerce. <BR><BR>Some of the orange groves have tours in a tram, an alligator to visit, free samples. <BR><BR>Deerfield Beach - they have a free boat that goes to a nature preserve.<BR><BR>My kids when they were young loved Lion County Safari.<BR><BR>Given the huge age difference between your kids and your relative's kids makes activities a bit tough.<BR><BR>Airboat ride on into the everglades.<BR><BR>My parents live in Boynton Beach and have never found too much to do besides recreating - beach, renting bikes,tennis, things I mention above.<BR><BR> We usually include at least a few days in Orlando for pure fun because once we get down to Boynton/Delray it is all family visiting.

My family is also planning a trip to the Palm Beach area. I found a lot of info on Fodors.com under destinations, Palm Beach, top sights and activites. http://fodors.com/miniguides/mgresul...ur_section=sig There is a section there on a National Wildlife Refuge off Route 806.<BR><BR>We are also considering the Lion Country Safari and Butterfly World. I found some small discount coupons at http://beachbucks.com<BR><BR>Have fun!

While in Ft. L. I looked at guide and saw that just west of Boynton Beach was an orange grove. Maybe this would be an option for you.

An orange grove? Orange groves cover most of south and central Florida....there are loads of them everywhere...but to make a special visit? Just look out your car window as driving by the millions of them!

Hey X:<BR><BR>They are not everywhere. Not at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and most coastal towns. You have to travel inland to get to them so they are not everywhere - broad statement.

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach is an outpost of the Everglades (somebody referred to it above; it's the NWR off Route 806). Sawgrass and swamp, and pretty neat for something so close to suburbia. But if the weather's been dry (which I think it has) it loses a little something.<BR><BR>I second the suggestion of the Morikami Museum and Gardens (actually in Delray Beach, not Boynton, but what's the diff? they all run together :-)). Also, should you happen to be into Orchids, the headquarters of the American Orchid Society in Delray Beach has exhibition greenhouses.<BR><BR>And if you get really bored, you can do what I do most of the time down there: I'll give you my parents' address and you can listen to them argue.

Thanks, everyone, for the wonderful suggestions.<BR><BR>KT, thanks even for your offer to lend me your parents. After a few days with a two-year-old, that might look good!<BR><BR>Looks like we'll have to rent a car. Any tips or suggestions?

I've lived in Palm Beach County for many years. Personally, I feel that the most enjoyable activities here involve our outdoor amenities-- beaches, boating, reef diving, etc. I recommend spending a day at John D. McArthur State Park in North Palm Beach (maybe a 20 min. drive north of Boynton). The beach there is rather private and pleasant and there's a boardwalk that takes you through a sampling of Florida's habitats-- estuary, hardwood hammock, reef. Kayak rentals are available. You can find lots of local information on this website:<BR><BR>http://www.gopbi.com<BR><BR>--check under "Sports/Recreation" and "Events" for good details & photos of available activities and places of interest.

Topping for Ellen