While South Florida is typically pretty expensive, Palm Beach County is actually fairly reasonable and there are quite a few things to do for free here.

27 Free Things To Do In Palm Beach County, Florida

ByHaley Posted on Updated on
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Looking For Some Free Things To Do While You’re Visiting Palm Beach County, Florida?

As a former local (I lived in Palm Beach County for 2+ years), I explored the entire area and experienced all the natural, wildlife, and outdoorsy-type things to do here. South Florida isn’t typically cheap, but Palm Beach County surprisingly has some great options, so here’s my ultimate list of free things to see and do here.

🆓 27 Free Things To Do In Palm Beach County, Florida This Weekend

Palm Beach County consists of towns like West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Boca Raton, and Juno Beach, but despite being in South Florida, there are actually a lot of awesome free things to do here:

1. See The Everglades

Grassy Waters Preserve is one of my favorite places to visit in Palm Beach County to try and spot alligators.

I’ve been on a few Everglades airboat tours and they’re definitely worth a trip from Miami/Fort Lauderdale, but you can see a piece of them for free in Palm Beach County at Grassy Waters Preserve.

Last time I visited, I walked the Cypress Boardwalk (takes about 30 minutes) and saw plenty of birds and snakes, but no gators 🥲 that time.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Gators Like Sun & Heat
  • Parking: Free

2. Search For Manatees

The Manatee Lagoon is one of the coolest things to see in Palm Beach County when it's cold out, and it's completely free to visit.

Sea cows (aka manatees) are all over Florida waters, but to have an almost guaranteed look at these squishy nose creatures, visit the Manatee Lagoon on a cold winters day.

When they swim to the warmer waters of the Lagoon (a result of the neighboring power plant), this is the coolest place to visit in Palm Beach County, plus it’s completely free to visit.

I’ve visited when there was only a manatee or two here, and when there were dozens of them because it was an extra cold day (it gets very crowded on these cold days).

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Anytime, Winter’s Best
  • Parking: Free (limited)

3. Snorkel Under A Bridge

Cato's Bridge is one of the best local secrets in Palm Beach County and with your own gear, its completely free.

Cato’s Bridge is a local secret, but with your own gear, it’s a great place to find marinelife. In just one dive here I saw a starfish, manatee, lots of fish, and just missed seeing a shark.

The current can be strong so it’s best for confident swimmers, and also watch out for jumpers (bridge jumping for fun is popular here).

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: High Tide
  • Parking: Free (limited)

4. Learn About Turtle Rehabilitation

The Loggerhead center is the perfect place to get a look at some sea turtles and learn more about them.

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is an awesome free place to visit to learn more about ocean and sea turtle conservation, and maybe see some turtles being rehabilitated (I saw 3 last time I was here).

The center also offers special events, paid tours, guided hikes, a sensory day, and even a weekly beach clean up.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Almost Everyday
  • Parking: Free

5. Find Iguanas

Anchorage Park is always crawling with iguanas.

The local Anchorage Park, just down from where I lived, is one of the best places to find iguanas strolling around on the ground or hanging out in the tress along the south side of the park.

Beware of angry iguanas if you visit when it’s cold because they freeze, fall out of trees, and awake in a bad mood.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Iguanas Like Warm Weather
  • Parking: Free

6. Snorkel At The Best Spot In Town

Phil Foster is the best place to snorkel in Palm Beach County and with you're own gear, its completely free.

Phil Foster Park doesn’t look like much (it’s a small beach strip on the side of a bridge in the inlet), but it’s one of the best places to snorkel in Palm Beach County, and with your own gear, it’s free (though there are tours available too).

I’ve snorkeled here half a dozen times and seen tons of marinelife (here’s a video of some) like moray eels, roughtail stingray, pufferfish, jellyfish, starfish, grouper, yellow spotted stingray, barracuda, and lots of other beautifully colored fish.

*️⃣ Tip: cops shut the parking lot down when it reaches capacity so arrive early, well before high tide, to get a spot

7. Explore A Historic Gothic Church

The Bethesda Church is such a beautiful gothic style church that looks like it belongs somewhere in Europe.

I was driving on Palm Beach island one day when I passed by Bethesda-By-The-Sea, and was so awed at the beautiful architecture that I had to check it out.

The church and grounds are beautiful, like something out of Europe, and while anyone can walk around, the church does offer guided tours.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Anytime
  • Parking: Free

8. Attend The Equestrian Festival

The Equestrian Festival is a great place for anyone that loves horses, plus its free.

The Equestrian Winter Festival is one of the largest events in Palm Beach County and the longest running equestrian event in the world, plus horse shows and events are free, aside from Saturday night on-site parking (free off-site parking is available).

Wellington International also hosts many other free horse events in addition to the Festival.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: January-March + Other Events
  • Parking: Mostly Free

9. Go Night Searching For Turtles

It's fun to search for Sea Turtles at night but remember not to disturb them in anyway.

Searching for Sea Turtles that come on shore to lay eggs is one of the most unique things to do in Palm Beach County, and while there are paid tours available, you can go on your own for free.

I recommend searching at Juno Beach because you can park along the beach, where as some parking lots have gates that close at sundown.

Remember not to touch them, walk towards them (they can come towards you), use bright lights (red flashlights are okay), or be impatient.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: May-October
  • Parking: Free

10. Watch A Parade Of Decorated Boats

Last time I watched the Holiday Boat Parade, I went to the North Palm Beach Country Club and sat on the side of one of the fairways to see the boats.

The Holiday Boat Parade is a fun, free way to watch decorated boats cruise the inlet and compete for best decorated. Scope out a spot to watch early because parking lots and viewpoints fill up, and bring chairs.

11. Swim With Sea Turtles

Singer Island is one of the best beaches to visit in Palm Beach County, especially when its high tide and the turtles are swimming around, plus it's completely free, parking and all.

Ocean Reef is one of my favorite beaches off Singer Island because parking is free, snorkeling can be awesome at high tide, and it doesn’t seem to get as much seaweed.

When I’ve snorkeled here I’ve seen marinelife (here’s a video of some) like manatees, sea turtles, lots of fish, and just missed seeing an octopus.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: High Tide
  • Parking: Free

12. Visit A Nature Center

The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is one of the few free things to do in the south part of Palm Beach County.

Typically the further south in Palm Beach County you go, the more expensive things get, but Gumbo Limbo is a free nature center to visit with a butterfly garden, boardwalk, outdoor marine aquarium, and Sea Turtle rehabilitation facility.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Almost Everyday
  • Parking: Free

13. See The Famous Lighthouse

The Jupiter Lighthouse is the most famous and iconic symbol of this old fishing village.

While the museum and climbing up the lighthouse does have a cost, there are a few free spots to get pictures of this iconic symbol of Jupiter.

I recommend going behind U-Tiki Beach, the Lighthouse Park, DuBois Park, or Jupiter Inlet to get a good view.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Anytime
  • Parking: Free

14. Watch Waves Crash At Blowing Rocks

Blowing Rocks Preserve is on the northernmost end of Palm Beach County and while it's free to visit, it can get crowded and parking is limited when it's high tide.

Blowing Rocks Preserve is a cool place to watch waves crash and spew against the rocks, plus get some great photos, but I don’t recommend swimming here because of bull sharks.

It’s best at high tide, but the preserve’s technically only open from 9:00-4:30 and their parking lot does close. Coral Cove Park is just south, so you could walk up the beach anytime to see the rocks.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: High Tide
  • Parking: Free (limited)

15. Visit A Wildlife Sanctuary

My family loves animals and we're always supportive of organizations that attempt to protect and rehabilitate them.

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is a free zoo (donations accepted) in northwest Palm Beach County for injured and rehabilitated animals. Their mission is to rescue, rehab, release, and educate, but they also have over a dozen permanent residents (animals too injured or domesticated to return to the wild).

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Almost Everyday
  • Parking: Free

16. Stroll Around A Weekend Farmers Market

I still order imported olive oil from my go to farmers market in Palm Beach Gardens because it is so good!

Going to a Farmers Market is a great way to start the weekend in Palm Beach County, and outside of buying organic local produce or freshly caught fish, parking and strolling around is free.

17. Watch The Sunrise Over The Atlantic

Watching the sunrise over the Atlantic is one of my favorite free things to do in Palm Beach County.

Growing up we visited my mothers native California often and always loved watching the sunset over the ocean, so after moving to Florida, I thought I should see the other side of things.

After waking up quite early and being surprisingly cold one morning, I watched the sun rise over the Atlantic. I highly recommend it, and suggest Juno Beach for the occasion.

18. Watch Boats At The Jetty

The Jupiter jetty is my favorite place to go to relax, be calm, and be at peace.

The Jupiter jetty is my happy/calm place and my favorite spot to watch people fish, see the boats go in and out, and feel the wind on my face.

Most piers in Florida (including Palm Beach County) have a small fee to walk out, but the jetty is completely free.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Anytime
  • Parking: Free (limited)

19. Go To The Beach

Palm Beach County is the best when it comes to beach days because parking is completely free, unlike most beaches to the south.

In South Florida, going to the beach isn’t always free because most places from West Palm Beach and to the south charge for parking, but in North Palm Beach County, beach parking is still free!

20. “Hike” Juno Dunes

Hiking isn't quite the same in South Florida but there are plenty of places to walk around in nature.

South Florida doesn’t have much “hiking”, but there are plenty of places to walk around in nature like Juno Dunes Natural Area (just across the street from the beach).

It’s particularly nice at sunrise (I went after watching the sunrise over the Atlantic) and has miles of trails, an observation deck, a boardwalk, boat docks, and kayak access, but not much shade (so come prepared).

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Anytime
  • Parking: Free

21. Bike Hog Hammock

I love to bike the Hog Hammock trail because its a very different Florida environment.

The Hog Hammock trail is great for “hiking” or biking in a forest landscape (as opposed to the typical tropical Florida landscape). Sunset is a great time to go for more animal activity (last time I saw birds and a turtle).

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Anytime
  • Parking: Free

22. Watch Inter Miami

While going to an Inter Miami game these days is quite expensive, there are a few places you can go in Palm Beach County for a free watch party.

While actually going to an Inter Miami game is worth it (although especially expensive now), some bars/restaurants in Palm Beach County host free (with food + drinks) Inter Miami watch party’s.

23. See Sandi

It might not snow in Florida, but Holidays are still very unique in this tropical destination.

Sandi is a 35 foot tall, 700 ton tree made out of sand, accompanied by music, a light show, more sand sculptures, themed mini golf, story time, movie night, Santa sightings, and more (all for free).

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: December-New Years
  • Parking: Paid

24. Wander Around Abacoa

Abacoa is a fun little neighborhood/mini little town to explore and maybe attend some events.

Abacoa’s a cute little neighborhood town with a few hotels, a Main Street with shops and restaurants, concerts, golf courses, Baseball Spring training (Miami Marlins + St Louis Cardinals), and other special events.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Anytime
  • Parking: Free

25. Explore A Historic Park

Riverbend is a unique park to visit in northern Palm Beach County with lots of trails, rental options, and historical sites, plus its completely free.

Riverbend is a huge park that’s free to visit in northwest Palm Beach County with hiking trails, 1838 historical battlefields, horse trails, biking and bike rentals, kayaking and kayak rentals, a 1930 Sawmill, and picnic areas.

I rode bikes here last time on the Riverbend Loop and found the history of the park quite interesting.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Anytime
  • Parking: Free

26. Watch Golf

Golf is the top thing to do in Palm Beach County, Florida, and although the tournament isn't free for everyone, going to a tournament is a great way to experience the game.

While the Palm Beach Classic professional golf tournament isn’t free for everyone, they do offer free tickets to a max of 2 kids (15 & under) per 1 ticketed adult, and active duty, reservists, retirees, their registered dependents, and non-retired veterans.

27. Get Outdoors At John Prince Park

John Prince Park is a very popular place to spend some time outdoors or even camp overnight.

John Prince Park is a popular place to spend the weekend in Palm Beach County, with all their amenities (some free) like campgrounds, ballfields, trails, a dog park, playgrounds, open fields, and a golf center.

I used to play soccer here on the weekends and there was always lots of people spending time outdoors.

  • Where: Maps link
  • When: Anytime
  • Parking: Free

🔁 Sum Up: Free Things To Do In Palm Beach County, Florida This Weekend

While most of South Florida is pretty expensive, there are a surprising number of free things you can find to do in the Palm Beach County area this weekend whether that’s watching the sunrise over the Atlantic, seeing a wildlife sanctuary, “hiking” in nature, or snorkeling in search of marinelife (one of my personal favorites).

Haley

Haley is the owner and author of Adventure Evermore, a travel blog that encourages users to explore, adventure, & bucket list around the world, no matter what anxieties or other difficulties they may have. When she's not writing blog posts about her favorite destinations, she's reading, playing soccer, or watching sports, movies, or TV (especially The X Files).