Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
1801 N. Ocean Blvd., 338-1473
Donation welcome; turtle tours $3 (tickets must be obtained in advance).
Mon.-Sat. 9-4, Sun. noon-4; turtle tours late May-mid-July, Mon.-Thurs. 9 PM-midnight.
Children enjoy the four huge saltwater sea tanks containing many forms of sea life -- from coral to stingrays. A long boardwalk winds through dense forest to a 50-ft tower which you can climb to overlook the tree canopy. In the spring and early summer, staff members lead nighttime turtle walks to see nesting females come ashore and lay their eggs.
Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park
1301 Summit Boulevard
West Palm Beach
533-0887
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call 547-WILD for special event information and summer and holiday hours.
Discover why The Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park is the number one family attraction in Palm Beach County. This intimate, 23-acre tropical zoological garden is home to more than 400 animals representing Australia, South and Central America, Asia and Florida. The zoo is committed to the preservation of several endangered species including the Komodo dragon, bengal tiger, lemur, cotton top tamarin, golden lion tamarin, Florida panther, and features the nation's first outdoor exhibit of Goeldi's monkeys. Enjoy the children's area and reptile house. Explore the Cornell Nature Trail and shaded paved walkways throughout the zoo.
Hoffman's Chocolate Shoppe & Gardens
5190 Lake Worth Road
Greenacres
967-2213
For generations, the Hoffman family has been creating the most luscious chocolate masterpieces using only the finest ingredients. Each year more than 150,000 visitors are received at the Hoffman's Bavarian-style Tudor factory to watch the creations being made and to tantalize their senses with more than 80 varieties of confections. Located just in the back of our chocolate factory are the lush tropical gardens through which visitors stroll alongside colorful foliage, stopping to view the waterfall, fish pond, and a G-scale train village with 500 feet of track, while enjoying a chocolate treat. From Thanksgiving through the New Year, Hoffman's transforms the gardens into a Winter Wonderland with over 200,000 lights and brilliant displays. Visitors from near and far arrive at Hoffman's to view and enjoy this free event.
Yesteryear Village
South Florida Fairgrounds
West Palm Beach, 793-0333
First established in 1992, Yesteryear Village is now a major attraction at the South Florida Fairgrounds. In addition to being open during the 17 days of the South Florida Fair in January, the Village is host to two events during the year.
Summer Fair in May and Christmas in the Village in December. Yesteryear Village is also home to the magnificent Bink Glisson Museum. Creative artisans and craftsman, along with historic re-enactors bring the past to life in a wholesome entertainment venue.
Lion Country Safari
2003 Lion Country Safari Road
Loxahatchee, 793-1084
America's first "cageless zoo." Enjoy an exciting drive through one of the world's great wild animal preserves with more than 1,200 wild animals roaming free within inches of your car. Then visit Safari World amusement park with narrated boat cruise, miniature golf, animal and bird displays, paddleboats, reptile park, petting zoo, picnic area, restaurant, gift shops, a new carousel and Lory feeding aviary. While the African Lion is still a prominent species in the preserve, Lion Country also provides a home where rare and endangered animals can live and reproduce. Lion Country is one of America's leading centers for the education and preservation of wildlife. Rare births at Lion Country, such as the African elephant, white rhinoceros and giraffes, are some examples of the success of the cageless zoo prototype that has helped revolutionize the zoo industry.
South Florida Science Museum
4801 Dreher Trail North
West Palm Beach, 832-1988
Admission is $6 for Adults and $4 for children 3-17
Children under 3 are free. For more information call 832-1988
At the South Florida Science Museum, dozens of hands-on permanent exhibits as well as special traveling exhibitions appeal to all ages. The McGlinty Aquarium features tanks with Pacific and Atlantic species as well as Mangrove & Coral Reef habitats. The Aldrin Planetarium offers exciting star shows and spectacular laser light concerts. The Museum is open Mon. - Thurs, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sundays from Noon-6 p.m. On Friday nights the Telescope Observatory is open for sky viewing from dark to 10 p.m. (weather permitting.) Special traveling exhibits also.
Playmobil
FunPark
8031 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, 691-9880
The FunPark is a magical world filled with toys that inspire children's imaginations and surround them with exciting adventures. A hands-on play area indoors. Monday-Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Special Events & Birthday parties.
Fun Depot, Inc.
2001 10th Avenue North, Lake Worth, 547-0817
Fasten your "fun" belt and experience seven acres of attractions with their 175 arcade games and amusement simulators, NasCarts, go-carts, batting cages and laser tag. Call for group rates and birthday parties. Open all year and on holidays.
Sawgrass Recreational Park
Located two miles north of I-75 on Hwy. 27 N.
1-800-457-0788
Fax (954) 389-9425
Everglades tours at Sawgrass Recreation Park show the "real" Florida - the "sea of grass." See the Everglades by airboat, visit an Indian village, alligator and reptile exhibit and birds of prey. Allow two hours for everything.
Gift shop, craft stand, food, freshwater fishing.
Rapids Water Park
6566 N. Military Trail
West Palm Beach
842-8756
Rapids Water Park is South Florida's foremost family water park with over 12 acres of attractions. Plunge down 1,600 feet of spiraling flumes, dare to ride out the storm in Tubin' Tornadoes or blast off in the new Body Blasters enclosed slides. Get totally tubular in the quarter-mile action river, wave channel, aquatic rain forest and 25,000-square foot Big Surf Wave Pool. Little ones can also make a splash in the new Splish Splash Lagoon with 5 slides, a fort, shipwreck and water shooting canons. The Rapids is open from mid March through mid October in West Palm Beach.
Butterfly World
3600 West Sample Road
Coconut Creek
Deerfield Beach
TriRail from West Palm Beach
Open daily
Within giant walk through aviaries brimming with tropical flowers, are thousands of dazzling butterflies from all over the world. They often land and rest awhile on the shoulder of a visitor. They are most active on warm, sunny days. There are also cabinets of emerging pupae. The gardens are extensive and well worth the rail trip from the West Palm Beach area.