Free Things to Do in West Palm Beach, Florida

Vacations can be costly and many people can't afford big vacations this summer. Maybe you live in the area and are looking for something fun and free to do. Well if you live in, or are traveling to the greater West Palm Beach area, here are some must have tips for you to have a fun filled summer for free! Bring the sun block; you're going to need it. Sun block is a small price to pay to spend a day at one of many public beaches in the greater West Palm Beach area. Palm Beach County's Ocean Rescue lifeguards and inflatable rescue boat operators protect swimmers at thirteen oceanfront and three inlet parks from Tequesta to Boca Raton. Admission to all parks is free! For general park information call (561) 966-6600. Here are the details:

Carlin Park. 400 S. S.R. A1A, Jupiter, Florida 33477. 120.31 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset; lighted facilities open until 11:00 pm when in use. 3,000 feet of guarded beach frontage. Saltwater fishing and surfing not permitted in guarded swimming area. Facilities include: Seabreeze amphitheater, 2 baseball fields, 2 bocce courts, 6 tennis courts, 1 sand volleyball court, open play field, picnic areas with grills, 3 group picnic pavilions, 26 family picnic shelters, 1.25 mile exercise course with 20 exercise stations, playground with 3 play structures, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, parking, and the Lazy Logger Head Café. Beach surf wheelchairs are available by contacting a lifeguard to arrange use. For beach conditions call (561) 624-0065. For the Lazy Logger Head Café call (561) 747-1134.

Coral Cove Park. 19450 S.R. 707, Tequesta, Florida 33469. 31.42 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. 600 feet of guarded beach frontage. 600 feet intracoastal waterway frontage. Saltwater fishing and surfing not permitted in guarded swimming areas. Facilities include: picnic areas with grills, playground including 1 play structure, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and parking. For beach conditions call (561) 624-0065.

DuBois Park. 19075 DuBois Road, Jupiter, Florida 33477. 18.69 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. 1,200 feet of beach frontage, including 100 feet guarded beach frontage. Swimming area is guarded from 9:00 am - 5:20 pm, seven days a week from Memorial Day until Labor Day and then weekends and holidays only during the remainder of the year. Saltwater fishing and surfing not permitted in guarded swimming area. Facilities include: jetty, picnic areas with grills, 1 group picnic pavilion, playground including 1 play structure, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and parking. DuBois Park is also home to the DuBois Pioneer Home, operated by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, and Indian Mound historical/archaeological site. For beach conditions call (561) 624-0065. For information on the DuBois Pioneer Home call (561) 747-6639.

Gulfstream Park. 4489 N. Ocean Boulevard, Gulfstream, Florida 33483. 6.83 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. 600 feet of guarded beach frontage. Saltwater fishing and surfing not permitted in guarded swimming areas. Facilities include: picnic areas with grills, playground including 2 play structures, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and parking. For beach conditions call (561) 276-3990.

Juno Beach Park. 14775 S.R. A1A, Juno Beach, Florida 33408. 5.24 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. 300 feet of guarded beach frontage. Daily designated surfing area available. Saltwater fishing permitted from pier. Surfing and salt water fishing not permitted in guarded swimming areas. Facilities include: 990-foot pier with bait shop and snack bar, picnic shelters, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and parking. For beach conditions call (561) 624-0065. For pier/fishing information call (561) 799-0185.

Jupiter Beach Park. 1375 Jupiter Beach Road, Jupiter, Florida 33477. 46.49 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset; inlet fishing available 24 hours. 1,700 feet of guarded beach frontage. Saltwater fishing and surfing not permitted in guarded swimming area. Facilities include: jetty, picnic areas with grills, 1 group picnic pavilion, 1 sand volleyball court, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and parking. Beach surf wheelchairs are available by contacting a lifeguard to arrange use. Jupiter Beach Park is also home to the historical Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, operated by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society. For beach conditions call (561) 624-0065.

Loggerhead Park. 14200 U.S. Highway 1, Juno Beach, Florida 33408. 17.26 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. 900 feet of guarded beach frontage. Saltwater fishing and surfing not permitted in guarded swimming area. Facilities include: activity building, horseshoe area, volleyball area, nature trail, picnic areas with grills, 1 group picnic pavilion, 7 family picnic shelters, playground including 2 play structures, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and parking. Beach surf wheelchairs are available by contacting a lifeguard to arrange use. Loggerhead Park is also home to the Celestial Railroad historical marker and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. For beach conditions call (561) 624-0065. For the Loggerhead Marinelife Center call (561) 627-8280.

Ocean Cay Park. 2188 Marcinski Road, Jupiter, Florida 33477. 13.44 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. Beach frontage is unguarded. Facilities include: salt water fishing, 2 group picnic pavilions, 7 family picnic shelters, seating plaza, playground including 2 play structures, 1 sand volleyball court, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, parking and bus shelter. For beach conditions call (561) 624-0065.

Ocean Inlet Park. 6990 N. Ocean Boulevard, Ocean Ridge, Florida 33435. 11.39 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset; inlet fishing available 24 hours. 600 feet of guarded beach frontage. 1100 feet intracoastal waterway frontage. Saltwater fishing and surfing not permitted in guarded swimming area. Facilities include: boat rentals, jetty, marina, ocean overlook, picnic area with grills, family picnic shelters, seating pavilion, playground including 2 play structures, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, parking, and the Taste of Chicago Waterfront Café. For beach conditions call (561) 276-3990. For boat rental call (561) 966-6646. For Taste of Chicago Waterfront Café call (561) 736-9400.

Ocean Reef Park. 3860 North Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach, Florida 33404. 12.62 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. 700 feet guarded beach frontage. Saltwater fishing and surfing not permitted in guarded swimming area. Facilities include: dune ecosystem overlook, picnic areas with grills, 1 group picnic pavilion, playground including 1 play structure, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and parking. Beach surf wheelchairs are available by contacting a lifeguard to arrange use. For beach conditions call (561) 276-3990.

Ocean Ridge Hammock Park. 6620 North Ocean Boulevard, Ocean Ridge, Florida 33435. 8.54 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. Beach frontage is unguarded. Facilities include: saltwater fishing, outdoor showers, and parking. No onsite restroom facilities available. For beach conditions call (561) 276-3990.

Peanut Island Park. 6500 Peanut Island Road, Riviera Beach, FL 33404. 80 acres of beach front and tropical island park fun open sunrise to sunset. 24 hour reserved beach camping. Swimming areas are guarded from 9:00 am - 5:20 pm, seven days a week from Memorial Day until Labor Day and then weekends and holidays only during the remainder of the year. Facilities include: beach frontage, intracoastal waterway frontage, guarded and unguarded swimming beaches and snorkeling lagoon, 2 boat docks, 20 reserved campground tent sites, 4 chiki huts, saltwater fishing in designated areas, fire ring, observation deck, 3 group picnic pavilions, picnic areas with grills, pier fishing, 1.25 mile walking path, restroom facilities, boat access and water taxi. Peanut Island Park is also home to the Palm Beach Maritime Museum and the historic John F. Kennedy Bunker. For park information and camp ground reservations call (561) 845-4445. For Palm Beach Maritime Museum and the historic John F. Kennedy Bunker call (561) 832-7428.

Phil Foster Memorial Park. 900 E. Blue Heron Boulevard, Riviera Beach, FL 33404. 14.65 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. 24 hour boat ramp access. 1000 feet intracoastal waterway frontage. Saltwater fishing not permitted in guarded swimming area. Facilities include: guarded swimming area, boat launching ramps, non-motorized vessel launching beach, docks, saltwater fishing pier and platforms, picnic area with grills, family picnic shelters, playground with 2 play structures, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and parking. For beach conditions call (561) 624-0065.

R. G. Kreusler Park. 2695 S. Ocean Boulevard, Palm Beach, Florida 33480. 4.23 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. 450 feet guarded beach frontage. Saltwater fishing and surfing not permitted in guarded swimming area. Facilities include: restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and parking. Beach surf wheelchairs are available by contacting a lifeguard to arrange use. For beach conditions call (561) 276-3990.

South Inlet Park. 1298 S. Ocean Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33432. 11.10 acres of beach front fun open sunrise to sunset. 850 feet guarded beach frontage. Saltwater fishing and surfing not permitted in guarded swimming area. Facilities include: jetty, picnic areas with grills, 1 group beach picnic pavilion, sand volleyball area, playground including 1 play structure, restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and parking by fee only. Beach surf wheelchairs are available by contacting a lifeguard to arrange use. For beach conditions call (561) 276-3990.

Remember the sun block!

For more information visit Palm Beach County Department of Parks and Recreation at http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/parks/