The Palm Beaches offer many fun things to do. I’ve listed the activities that interest me. While you are our guest at the Oasis, we hope that you tell us what other activities you’ve enjoyed in our area.

Bird watching, water taxi, and nature preserves

Bird watching is an activity available to people of all abilities. Stellar bird watching venues abound.

As always with nature, the finest adventures are first thing in the morning and later in the day.

• DO NOT MISS! If you choose just one bird watching, alligator viewing, nature immersing, turtle glimpsing destination, go to Wakodahatchee Wetlands. Limited parking, go before 8am or after 3pm. (Plan at least one hour) 13270 Jog Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33484
• Visit and take a bird walk at Green Cay Nature Center  Visitor center, 1.5 mile boardwalk. (Plan 2 hours)
• Take a drive to see and experience the northernmost part of the Florida Everglades. Arthur R Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor center, cypress boardwalk, and easy-to-walk open space for bird viewing. (Plan at least 2 hours) 10216 Lee Rd, Boynton Beach, FL 33472
• Daggerwing Nature Center: 11435 Park Access Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33498
• Okeeheelee Nature Center: 7715 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33413
• Grassy Waters Preserve 8264 Northlake Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33412
• Check the Palm Beach county birding hotspots on eBird
• Best bird watching trails in West Palm Beach, Florida
• Best bird watching trails in Boynton Beach, Florida

Water Tiki Taxi Cruises

Tiki Taxi Cruises $10 gets you on the water and out drinking on the intracoastal waterway.
https://www.tikitaxiandcruises.com 
Thurs-Fri 5pm-11pm, Sat 1pm-11pm, Sun 1pm-9pm be sure to verify hours

$10 cruises, no reservations, beer, wine, cocktails, music.
Pick up and drop off every hour from the Boynton Harbor Marina next to 2 George’s Restaurant at 728 Casa Loma Blvd, Boynton Beach.

You can also head south to Ft. Lauderdale Water Taxi, more than a boat ride. https://watertaxi.com or head north for a narrated water taxi from Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores or go from Riviera Beach Marina Village to Peanut Island on a water taxi.

Palm Beach County parks

Palm Beach County has an extensive system of parks for all sorts of activities and fun. Browse the park amenities, locations, and locations on the county Parks and Recreation site.

Enjoy the online Leisure Times Ma​gazine​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, a publication by the parks and recreation team.

Everglades National Park and nature

The most biologically diverse park in our country, Everglades National Park is a 1.5-million-acre wetlands preserve on the southern tip of Florida. A wonderful way to learn about the Everglades National Park is to take the tram tour at Shark Valley. Tip: Reserve online. People travel from all over the world to visit our beloved Everglades. If you have time and the weather is not too hot, it is worth the 90-minute drive from the Oasis. Best to wake up EARLY to depart by 6:30am and be on the first tram tour at 9am to see the most wildlife. You can walk the trails too, visitor center, and so on. Pack a picnic for your lunch there. You’ll pass plenty of tourist spots along the way where you can enjoy the Airboat + alligator popular Everglades experience. You can also enjoy a shorter and less comprehensive time investment and take an airboat tour and get a hands-on alligator experience at the commercial Everglades Holiday Park anytime in the day.

Palm Beach urban outings

• Drive on A1A north to Palm Beach. Enjoy the renown columns of Royal Palm trees that line Royal Palm Way.
• Florida Rambler hits many of my top recommendations for 10 ways to enjoy Palm Beach.
• Walking tour of Palm Beach. You can take this suggested walking tour of West Palm Beach.
• Lake Trail “one of the best paved bike trails in South Florida” and a favorite destination for a fun bike ride or a short walk. Enjoy a walk or rent bikes from Palm Beach Bicycle Rentals.
• Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida is the east coast version of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Well-dressed people, well-appointed restaurants, and fancy upscale stores are very “Palm Beach.” While we don’t shop there, we do stroll the streets and might stop for a sandwich, ice cream, or drink. Lots of expensive drinking, eating, and shopping. Lovely walking and window shopping, many interior courtyards and antique stores are worth a visit. We like to stroll at dusk and enjoy the lights in the store windows.
• You will also enjoy the historic half-acre Pan’s Garden all-native botanical garden.
• The Breakers Palm Beach Resort Hotel. Vast, ornate, huge flower arrangements inside this architecturally stunning resort. We like to walk through the Seafood Bar to view the two L-shaped aquarium bar counters and watch small fish and other marine life explore the coral stones. We enjoy snacks and drinks in the HMF lobby bar. Lovely grounds where you can relax in the white wicker chairs across from the croquet lawn. Insider tip: Ask for self parking when you arrive, there are a limited number of spots near the front.
• Society of the Four Arts free outdoor garden in Palm Beach.

West Palm Beach destinations

• Rosemary Square shopping, dining, entertainment destination
• Clematis By Night weekly 6pm-9pm Thursday night free concert series on the Palm Stage at the Great Lawn downtown
• West Palm Beach waterfront with three floating public docks and a beautiful area to stroll by the water

Botanical gardens

We love gardens! These local gardens respect reciprocal botanic garden membership benefits if you are a member of another garden.

Research your visit before you go, some gardens require pre-booked online tickets.

• Mounts Botanical Gardens in West Palm Beach (where we are members of the Bromeliad Society and the Native Plant Society). Lovely to visit, a bit shabby compared to big city botanical gardens, but overall great! 20 miles
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden In Miami, a well-worth-it hour drive (off-peak drive time/can be 2+ hours during rush hour, so go early). We like to take the tram tour, since the gardens are quite large to walk in a single day. Drive into Matheson Hammock on your way out… stop and watch the kite surfers. 65 miles.
• Morikami Japanese Gardens and Museum We like to dine at the delicious and affordable waterfront restaurant. 12 miles.
• Flamingo Gardens old Florida wildlife sanctuary and botanical gardens. 45 miles.
• Butterfly World small but mighty. 3 acres of butterfly aviaries and botanical gardens. 24 miles.

Dining out

Our favorite on-the-water and downtown Boynton Beach dining venues plus a few more ideas:

• Two Georges Waterfront Restaurant 11am-11pm watching boats glide by is a prime draw at this mellow marina eatery. Ask about feeding the catfish. Get a colorful T-shirt. No reservations.
• Dune Deck 8am M-F, 7am Sa-Su; close 4:30pm Treat yourselves to breakfast or lunch on the beach. Huge portions, homemade everything, even the Greek yogurt. Municipal parking for a fee. The restaurant is cash only. No reservations.
• Hurricane Alley 11am-10pm Local favorite downtown spot with sidewalk seating, casual atmosphere, affordable prices, and the best fish dip anywhere. No reservations.
• Bennys on the Beach. 7am-9pm; close 10pm Fro-Sat. On the beach, wind blowing in your hair dock seating, in Lake Worth. Good: takes online reservations for dinner. Bad: limited municipal parking, go early (happy hour). Online reservations available for dinner.
• Ocean Breeze Kitchen 8:30am-8:30pm Direct oceanfront casual $$$ dining. Splurge and enjoy the view. Walk through sumptuous 5-star Eau Resort, past the pool, and sit under yellow and white striped umbrellas. We always take guests here.
• John G’s 8am-3pm Breakfast and lunch in Manalapan Beach. Cash only. Delicious. YMMV. No reservations.
• Casa Linda 11am-9pm Mexican food served by a wonderful family, not a lot of atmosphere, but delicious food. No reservations.
• Bone Fish Grill 11am-9pm Delicious seafood at this chain restaurant in nearby Renaissance Commons. Online reservations, but be sure to check wait time.
• Roadhouse Grill  Lively chain steakhouse serving American fare with a Southwestern spin amid Texas-themed decor. No reservations.
• Rice Thai & Asian 11:30am-8:30pm Devoted followers for a reason at this hidden gem of Boynton Beach. Always a seat here.
• Many good restaurants are on Congress Avenue close to the Oasis (steak, seafood, BBQ, Thai, and so on).
• Boca Raton offers more upscale restaurants in many locations, including the iconic open-air Mizner Park.
• Grandview Public Market food hall and live music in West Palm Beach.
• Delray Beach Market Florida’s largest food hall for culture, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• There is so much more to see and eat and enjoy in all directions. Do you have a favorite restaurant to add to this list? Let me know.

Farm market stores

Popup farmers markets are seasonal and varied. The local favorites include:

• Bedners Fresh Farm Market Two locations: Delray Beach and the flagship store out west where you can visit when you go to Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Seasonal events, berry picking, music, petting zoo, corn maze, all sorts of fun can be had at this local place to shop, eat, enjoy.
• The Girls Hidden in a strip mall, we recommend that you visit this truly amazing farm store, U-pick strawberries, exotic birds (a fun place to shop for fresh veggies). See tropical birds, gardens, swans, miniature donkeys, pick your own strawberries from the hydroponic garden. This fun and unusual destination lets you see critters, pick food, and eat delicious homemade ice cream while you are there. Plan at least one hour, two is better.
• The Boys Farm Market is a local institution that is known for crowds and chaos. 14378 S Military Trl., Delray Beach, FL 33484. (561) 496-0810 Delicious prepared foods, fish, fresh veggies, deli, meats, and cheeses. Be prepared to battle for a parking spot and then play bumper cars with your shopping cart. Customers are loyal for a reason.

Seasonal Weekend Farmers Market during winter and spring months

• Delray Beach  (~October-May) in downtown Delray Beach, off Atlantic Avenue and SE 2nd Avenue. Vendors feature fresh eggs, fresh veggies, homemade breads, clothing, live music, and lots of fun. Bring your credit cards and cash and have fun.
• West Palm Beach Farmers Market on the waterfront, near the end of Clematis Street. Big, more than 300 vendors, worth a visit. A very social farmers market, lots of dogs walking, music playing, prepared food for purchase.
• Check the local Palm Beach Post newspaper (especially the Friday section TGIF for events and happenings).