Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Lake Park, Florida

Situated on the Lake Worth Lagoon, this coastal community in Palm Beach County was established in the 1920s by the enterprising developer, Harry Seymour Kelsey. He engaged renowned urban planners to design what would be the first zoned municipality south of Washington, D.C.

During the peak of the Florida land boom, Kelsey’s vision was abruptly halted by a catastrophic hurricane in 1928 and the Stock Market Crash of 1929, leading to a declaration of the settlement’s suspension and the loss of its charter.

Fortunately, the situation in Lake Park is now considerably more stable. With a population of approximately 9,000, the town features a lagoon-front park and a marina that hosts a vibrant monthly community gathering.

Lake Park is in close proximity to beach parks, celebrated dive locations, and numerous attractions within the Palm Beaches.

1. Kelsey Park

The primary destination for relaxation by the Lake Worth Lagoon in Lake Park is this waterfront park named in honor of the town’s founder. If you haven’t visited Kelsey Park recently, the array of enhancements may surprise you.

The standout feature for me was the playground, designed with a marine life theme and featuring exceptionally soft surfacing. Additionally, the expansive Lake Park Tennis & Pickleball Center is located here, with reservations managed through the Lake Park Special Events Department.

Above all, Kelsey Park serves as an ideal setting to linger and appreciate the lagoon. Numerous individuals launch kayaks and paddleboards from this location or cast their fishing lines from the shore.

2. Lake Park Harbor Marina

This 112-slip municipal marina is a bustling departure point for a multitude of water activities in and around Lake Park. These offerings include snorkeling excursions, fishing charters, paddleboarding, and much more.

For serious mariners heading to the Bahamas (60 nautical miles to the east), Lake Park Harbor Marina is the sole facility of its kind that provides extended overnight trailer parking.

Personally, I visited for a leisurely stroll. It is among the best spots in the vicinity to witness the sunrise, complemented by an area with landscaped elements, mature trees, and benches. Aim to be here on the last Friday of each month for the delightful Sunset Celebration.

3. Sunset Celebration

On the final Friday of every month, a substantial free gathering occurs at Lake Park Harbor Marina. This mini-festival known as the Sunset Celebration is a remarkable event and represents my preferred time to be in the area.

For three hours, visitors can enjoy live music featuring outstanding performers from across South Florida, coupled with local food vendors, artistic crafts, and a full cash bar with happy hour pricing.

The Sunset Celebration offers a unique experience every month, incorporating seasonal themes. For instance, I attended during Halloween, which included a costume contest and trick-or-treating.

4. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

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North of Riviera Beach, the coastline’s extensive development diminishes, giving way to over 430 acres of mangroves and tropical coastal hammocks.

At John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, I appreciate the tranquility found away from the busier beaches of the Palm Beach area. The parking lot features an impressive nature center, showcasing exhibits that delve into the rich ecology surrounding the area.

From there, a picturesque boardwalk leads you over the lagoon, through the hammock, and onto the beach. Although it is quite a lengthy journey, it is one that will remain memorable.

In addition to traditional beach activities, the park is an excellent venue for paddling, allowing visitors to navigate through the mangroves along the estuary.

5. Park Avenue, Lake Park

A number of Lake Park’s local businesses are concentrated along several blocks of Park Avenue, which extends east to intersect with US 1.

Rather than a conventional downtown, these shops, dining establishments, services, and event venues are slightly set back from the avenue, featuring expansive parking spaces throughout.

Nevertheless, I recommend disembarking from your vehicle to discover what awaits you. At the time of my visit, there were a variety of eateries offering pan-Caribbean, Jamaican, pizza, and a gastropub. These were enhanced by the delightful Brewhouse Gallery, which I will address below.

Interspersed with dance studios, barbershops, and fitness centers are stores selling art supplies, vinyl records, antiques, and Asian specialty foods.

6. Riviera Beach Municipal Beach Park

The nearest beach access to Lake Park is just five minutes away, representing an ideal location. You will find a spacious public area, with paved paths traversing the dunes and leading to the magnificent Atlantic shoreline.

My preferred time to visit is shortly after the tide recedes, as this presents opportunities to discover various intriguing shells. Behind the beach, ample grassy areas feature pavilions and a dense canopy of trees, perfect for picnics.

Not to be overlooked, the beach is adjacent to a vibrant commercial district, offering ten distinct dining options during my visit, including seafood, Mexican cuisine, and ice cream treats.

7. Phil Foster Park

For decades, the Blue Heron Bridge, connecting West Palm Beach with Singer Island, has been an internationally recognized site for diving and snorkeling.

In fact, few locations globally combine such rich marine biodiversity with easy access and near-perfect underwater visibility.

Phil Foster Park serves as the entry point, and there is a designated snorkel trail looping around the southern side of the bridge.

Among the fascinating submerged features, you are likely to encounter pipefish, seahorses, octopuses, batfish, stargazers, frogfish, and numerous other species that could fill this list. Remember to bring a diver-down flag and maintain distance from the swimming area and boat channels.

8. The Brewhouse Gallery

Source: The Brewhouse Gallery / Facebook

One of several appealing local businesses along Park Avenue, the Brewhouse Gallery serves multiple purposes. During the day, it operates as a vibrant cooperative gallery showcasing the work of 14 local artists at any given time.

By night, it transforms into one of the most esteemed live performance venues in South Florida, featuring an array of live music, open mic nights, poetry readings, and other engaging activities such as trivia nights and painting classes.

In 2020, they introduced their nano-brewery, adding high-quality craft beer to the offering. When I visited, they had more than 30 beers on tap, along with locally roasted coffee, a comprehensive wine list, and unique specialty sodas.

9. Peanut Island

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The dredging activities that created the Palm Beach Inlet and Port of Palm Beach also resulted in the formation of this 80-acre island.

Since the 1910s, Peanut Island has functioned as a public park, accessible only by water. The most convenient method of arrival, should you not have your own vessel, is to utilize a shuttle service from Riviera Beach.

Upon arrival, you will discover a small tropical paradise rich in historical narratives. One intriguing aspect is its Cold War legacy, showcasing a blast shelter constructed in the early 1960s for President Kennedy.

A pathway encircles the shoreline, connecting various small beaches, along with a scenic overlook on the northern side. Just offshore are snorkeling reefs teeming with marine life, accompanied by a sandbar often bustling with visitors during hot weather.

10. North Palm Beach Country Club

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In Lake Park, you are mere moments away from one of the nation’s premier municipal golf courses. This facility, established in the 1920s, transitioned to a municipal course in the 1960s.

Following renovations in the 2000s, the acclaimed Jack Nicklaus was invited to redesign the course. Characterized by an open links layout, it is one of only two courses in the United States designed by the Golden Bear.

Leveraging the natural sand dunes and bordering the Intracoastal Waterway, this course offers a strategic challenge, embodying Nicklaus’s hallmark playability.

11. Manatee Lagoon

Traveling south along Broadway, within just a few minutes, you will arrive at one of the best locations in the area to observe manatees.

These gentle creatures are known to seek warmer waters in winter, congregating around the outflow channel for a Florida Power & Light plant.

An entire educational facility has been established by the water’s edge, featuring indoor displays that elucidate the ecological importance of the Lake Worth Lagoon and provide comprehensive information on manatees.

While it is possible to see a manatee outside of peak season, I recommend visiting between mid-November and March for the highest likelihood of encountering these remarkable mammals.

Regardless of the timing of your visit, you will quickly realize the richness of these waters, often revealing sightings of rays, nurse sharks, and a diverse array of smaller fish.

12. Easternmost Point in Florida

For a unique excursion, you may wish to visit Florida’s easternmost point, located at the southeastern edge of Singer Island. This can be accessed through Riviera Beach Park.

An enjoyable little trail navigates through Palm Beach Shores, extending eastward along the Palm Beach Inlet. Eventually, the seawall transitions into a short jetty, although I found the path somewhat slippery during my visit.

I am consistently intrigued by such geographical oddities. It is no wonder that this spot offers excellent views of the sunrise, while also providing a majestic vantage point along the inlet, with large cruise ships frequently passing by.

13. Lake Park Scrub Natural Area

As of my most recent update, a variety of enhancements were planned for this preserve located in the western part of Lake Park. A range of passive amenities is due to be implemented, including trails, informational kiosks, and an observation platform.

Nevertheless, although the Lake Park Scrub Natural Area felt somewhat bare during my visit, it remains a delightful natural space. Spanning just over 50 acres, it encompasses a sandy expanse of scrubby flatwoods, wet prairie, and mesic flatwoods.

This area originally encompassed a much larger tract, extending all the way to the Lake Worth Lagoon. Be on the lookout for remnants of former Florida East Coast Railway infrastructure, as well as various wildlife, including osprey and gopher tortoises.

14. Ocean Reef Park

Just north of Riviera Beach lies another exceptional waterfront park, a mere five minutes from Lake Park. During my visit to Ocean Reef Park on a weekday, I enjoyed a vast expanse of sand almost entirely to myself.

There are 700 feet of guarded beach along this stretch, bordered by a cluster of dunes amidst the condominium structures. An overlook in this setting adds to the overall experience, making it a superb location to observe the sunrise.

As for the beach, swimmers should exercise caution due to potentially strong currents, particularly parents and less experienced swimmers. Additionally, be sure to bring snorkeling gear, as there are rocky areas ideal for exploration a short distance offshore.

Ocean Reef Park features a wide array of facilities, including a large picnic pavilion, individual picnic areas, extensive parking, restrooms, showers, and a playground.

15. Rapids Water Park

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Given the lively surf along the Atlantic Coast, a water park may be a more suitable alternative for families. Thankfully, there is an excellent option nearby in Riviera Beach.

A staple of the local landscape since the 1970s, Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach features over 40 attractions, including an impressive array of water slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river.

I typically head straight for the more exhilarating rides at such venues. Two standout attractions for me were Black Thunder, which propels you into a dark vortex, and the steep 70-foot drop slide known as Brain Drain.

Several attractions, such as Splish Splash Lagoon and the new Barefootin Bay, cater to toddlers and young children. Additionally, a selection of family cabanas can be rented for added privacy.