If you’re looking for an out of the ordinary Florida vacation, you need to know more about The Palm Beaches.
Known as the gentler side of Florida, The Palm Beaches are where 47 miles of gorgeous shoreline has everything apart from crowds. It’s also famous as America’s First Resort Destination™ so you won’t be short of great places to stay, from grand hotels to charming beach houses. And although you may not have heard of this part of Florida yet, it’s surprisingly easy to reach: The Palm Beaches are just 50 miles north of Miami Airport. But all this good news aside, it’s the amount of fun potential here that will really thrill your kids, here’s a hint of what they can look forward to, all year round.
Rapids Water Park, Riviera Beach
South Florida’s largest waterpark is at home in The Palm Beaches. Covering an immense 35-acres, Rapids Water Park is the only one in the state to feature a duelling water coaster. Although, if that’s not your thing there are more than 40 other rides, slides, tipping buckets, downhill racers, 7-storey drops and wave pools to try instead.
Young surfers keen to skill build on this Florida vacation, will be delighted to find a FlowRider at Rapids. And your littlest thrill-seekers can look forward to plenty of splash around fun that’s just the right size for them too. Then, when it’s time for a bit of downtime, the park’s lazy river runs for an amazing quarter of a mile and there are cool cabanas to rent as well – only perfect for families.
Shark Wake Park, West Palm Beach
Welcome to the wake park where younger kids aren’t standing on the side line watching older ones having all the fun. Shark Wake Park is made for everyone, or at least everyone who loves the water and playing in the sun.
Big thrills come from two full-size cable wake parks for wakeboarding and kneeboarding. Then, just as exciting but on a different scale, there’s the largest floating waterpark on the east coast. The park also has a snack bar for essential re-fuelling or just catching a breath and a cool drink. Plus, all the staff are fully trained and great with kids, so you’re in good hands. Did we mention parents can get in on the action here too?
Fun Depot, Lake Worth
Too young to drive? That doesn’t stop kids racing round the go-kart track at Fun Depot. In fact, real driving is pretty boring compared to this half-mile speedway of curves, twists and turns where they get to take the training wheels off and let loose.
Although, that’s just a hint of the fun at Fun Depot. As well as go-karts, there’s a riotous family games arcade with everything from video games and virtual reality to mini-bowling. And if you really want to up the competitive spirit, face-off with your kids at Laser Force, the 4,000 square foot laser tag arena.
Cox Science Center and Aquarium, West Palm Beach
The Palm Beaches have more than their fair share of wildlife in the wild. However, at Cox Science Center & Aquarium it couldn’t be easier to to get up close to fascinating creatures and learn about phenomenal natural wonders.
The 10,000 gallon Aquarium of the Atlantic gives kids a rare glimpse of what lies beneath the waters that make a Florida vacation such fun. The Everglades is up for exploring through interactive exhibits. And the Center is also home to the only public planetarium in The Palm Beaches; regular shows are a must-do for star struck kids.
An early childhood playground allows younger visitors to explore in their own safe space . Although, if you all want to play together, The Conservation Course has to be one of the most original games of mini-golf ever.