Want a relaxing Florida vacation far from the madding crowds? Head to Boynton Beach. A family-friendly town boasting fab restaurants, lush parks, and an extensive wildlife refuge, there are so many fun things to do in this Gold Coast gem.
Boynton Beach is sandwiched between glitzy Palm Beach (16 miles to the north) and glamorous Boca Raton (14 miles south), both of which are easy day trips. But there are so many interesting and relaxing places to visit here that tourists tend to stay put during their holiday.
This small town offers a nice break from touristy kitsch and overcrowded attractions common in larger, more popular cities (hello, Orlando and Miami). Instead, couples and families alike can spend their sunny Florida days lounging on the quiet, sandy beach at Ocen Ridge Hammock Park, deep-sea fishing offshore, or looking for wildlife in the Seacrest Scrub Natural Area.
These are the best things to do in Boynton Beach.
11 The Best Day Trip From Boynton Beach
If there’s extra time, use it to visit nearby Delray Beach. Lively and glam, this buzzy town boasts a fabulous beach, oodles of charm, and a lengthy strip of lovely boutiques and tasty eateries.
The drive from Boynton will only take about 12 minutes, which is well worth it for those looking for something fun to do at night. Play mini golf, catch an outdoor concert, or people-watch on Atlantic Avenue.
10 Get Creative At The Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center
There’s seemingly no end to the fun that can be had at the Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center. Fronted by tall palm trees and set across the street from City Hall, this pretty building houses enough programs to keep even the pickiest of travelers busy.
Take a painting workshop, admire the art on show at one of the rotating exhibits, or sign up to learn West African Dance. Lessons and events are targeted at children and adults, so this is a perfect place to visit with the family.
The outdoor playground is fun enough that it might be tough to get the kids to venture inside the center. Once they’ve entered, they’ll be happily entertained.
- Address: 125 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 8 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Closed Sundays.
9 Spot A Turtle At Seacrest Scrub Natural Area
Spanning about 54 acres and boasting under a mile of hiking trails, Seacrest Scrub Natural Area isn’t the largest nature preserve. But what this pretty spot lacks in size, it more than makes up for in wild wonders.
The two main trails are ideal for hikers who enjoy a flat, easy path. They’re also wheelchair accessible, which means strollers do well here, also. The Gopher Tortoise Trail is the easiest to traverse. Its paved surface covers a mere 0.18 miles. Sand Pine Trail is sandy (obviously) and stretches for 0.75 miles. They make up part of the Great Florida Bird and Wildlife Trail.
Pack binoculars, as the scrub is home to a wide variety of birds. A camera is another must for those hoping to see wildlife up close—some endangered and protected species, like the gopher tortoise, make frequent appearances.
- Address: 3400 South Seacrest Boulevard, Boynton Beach, Florida
- Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset.
8 Let The Kids Loose At Schoolhouse Children’s Museum & Learning Center
Rainy days happen, even in the Sunshine State. As any parent knows, it’s important to be prepared for these days with fun indoor activities. That’s where the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum & Learning Center comes in.
A haven for children, this fun center knows how to engage its youngest visitors. Kids are encouraged to interact with the exhibits; they’re told to touch, build, and create while exploring within these fun walls.
Board a “train,” feed and milk a “cow,” or examine patients in the “doctor’s office.” There’s no end to the inventive ways children and their adults can enjoy this attraction.
Adults can only enter the museum when accompanied by a child.
- Address: 129 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida
- Tickets: Adults and children over one cost $6.50, and $5.50 for seniors over 62.
- Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 12:30 pm and 1 pm to 4:30 pm.
7 Ride A Tractor At Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market
When many tourists think about a Florida vacation, they don’t imagine themselves in the middle of a field, picking strawberries, sunflowers, or grape tomatoes. In fact, many travelers weren’t aware there were pick-your-own farms in Florida.
Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market offers this opportunity and so much more—like tractor rides through the nearby Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, feeding camels at the Animal Edventure Park, and wandering through a corn maze. There’s even a section where kids can mine for gems.
When hunger strikes, the farm’s fresh market is the best place to enjoy a sweet treat, and some of the most delectable fresh fruits and veggies picked right here. Save room for homemade ice cream!
Check the farm’s website before heading out to see which produce is available for picking at that time.
- Address: 10066 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, Florida
- Hours: The Animal Park and Tractor Rides are only available on weekends between September 24th to May.
6 Walk The Jetty At Boynton Beach Inlet
Visiting the Boynton Beach Inlet is one of the best free things to do for families and couples alike. A laid-back point of interest, this pretty spot is a nice place to enjoy a quiet walk. An avid angler? A parent toting a fishing-obsessed child? This is the best place to visit for easy fishing.
The jetty is a popular place for anglers to reel in everything from snook to redfish to Spanish mackerel. The pelicans who frequent the jetty are a testament to the tasty lunch that swims in the water below. There’s also a playground, restrooms, showers, a picnic area, and a pavilion here.
Tourists can walk for miles on the soft, sandy shore. The safe, pretty beach at Ocean Ridge Hammock Park lies about a mile south.
- Address: 6990 North Ocean Boulevard, Ocean Ridge, Florida
5 Take An Airboat Ride In The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
It’s easy to fall in love with the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. A natural wonderland set within an urban landscape, this 145,000-acre refuge is the perfect place to destress. Nearly 50 miles of trails transport visitors into the depths of Florida’s most spectacular Everglades ecosystems.
From cypress swamps to wet prairies, the vegetation is impressive enough to entice a vast array of species to settle in. More than 20 types of mammals, 60 species of reptiles, and 250 varieties of birds call this serene spot home, and visitors can see many of them while exploring on foot, bike, kayak, or canoe.
Want to experience a true Floridian activity? Book an airboat ride.
- Address: 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, Florida
- Tickets: $10 per car daily or $25 per car annually.
- Hours: The Visitor Center is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
4 Body Surf At Ocean Ridge Hammock Park
Boynton Beach is an ideal destination for a long weekend getaway, and its access to spectacular beaches is just one of the reasons for its allure. Ocean Ridge Hammock Park lies just over the East Ocean Avenue bridge on the Ocean Ridge barrier island.
Here, tourists are welcomed by an 8.5-acre park highlighted by soft, golden sand on a beach known for its Zen-like ambiance and lengthy shoreline. There’s an outdoor shower, but facilities are better accessed at nearby Oceanfront Park (about a five-minute walk away).
Warning: Pay attention to the warning flags set out at the beach. Portuguese Man-of-War tend to wash up on the shores of Florida’s Atlantic beaches. Always watch where you step, especially near the water, between November and April.
- Address: 6620 North Ocean Boulevard, Ocean Ridge, Florida
3 Book A Deep-Sea Fishing Charter
Deep sea fishing is one of the best things to do in Boynton Beach. That’s why there are so many charter companies offering to take aspiring anglers for an adventure on the open seas. Depending on the time of year they visit, tourists could reel in a Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Blackfin Tuna, Sailfish, Marlin, or Wahoo in this top fishing destination.
Living on Island Time is one of the best drift fishing charters in Boynton Beach. The boat measures 60 feet, has air conditioning and comes with all the gear guests need for a successful haul. The captain and staff are friendly and helpful—they’ll even help clean the fish before travelers head back to their accommodations.
Pack water, a hat, and sunblock. There’s not much shade on the boat, especially for those actively fishing.
- Address: The Palm Beach Yacht Center, 7848 South Federal Highway, Hypoluxo, Florida
- Cost: $60 for adults, $45 for children aged 6 to 12, and $55 for students, seniors, military, first responders, law enforcement, and teachers.
2 Play All Day At Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park
Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park is the larger, rowdier neighbor of Ocean Ridge Hammock Park. Also located on the Ocean Ridge barrier isle, this popular, family-friendly beach is packed with amenities and plenty of fun things to do. Popular activities include sandcastle building, paddleboarding, body surfing, and kayaking.
Beachgoers can rent a cabana, sun lounger, and even umbrellas here. They can also cook their own meals on one of the grills and enjoy it on a provided picnic table. Pavilions offer a shady retreat, there are playgrounds for kids of all ages, and a café provides sustenance for those who prefer not to make (or bring) food themselves.
- Address: 6415 North Ocean Boulevard, Ocean Ridge, Florida
1 Spot A Gator At Green Cay Nature Center
Pelicans and sandpipers and grebes, oh my. There is a seemingly endless array of bird life to be seen at Green Cay Nature Center, so bring binoculars and a camera.
The center’s extensive boardwalk provides an easy way to get up close and personal with some of the area’s most captivating creatures. Look closely, and a turtle might pop its head out to say, “hello.” Alligators can be found here, too, which is always a thrill.
Download the QR Reader app on a smartphone before heading out. Multiple QR codes can be found on signposts throughout the center, offering interesting facts about the various regions.
- Address: 12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach, Florida
- Hours: The boardwalk is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Nature Center is open from Wednesday through Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. It’s closed Sunday through Tuesday.