Top 14 Exciting Activities in Palm Springs, Florida

In the previous 20 years prior to the writing of this article, the population of this village in Palm Beach County has experienced a significant increase, tripling in size. Palm Springs is a residential community conveniently situated inland, adjacent to Lake Worth Beach along the Atlantic coast.

A notable feature of this area is the municipal complex, inaugurated in the 2000s, which includes event spaces along with family-friendly amenities such as a splash pad and a miniature golf course.

Palm Springs represents a substantial metropolitan region, where one does not need to travel far for amenities. World-class visitor attractions in Palm Beach are just minutes away, as well as the eclectic downtown and beachfront of Lake Worth Beach.

1. Palm Springs Village Center Complex

The focal point of Palm Springs is a compact district that houses the town hall, public library, police department, and various public facilities.

Notably, the Village Center Complex provides active recreational facilities for various sports, hosting public baseball, football, and soccer programs.

This area also serves as a gathering place for families to relax and enjoy picnics. I personally appreciate the miniature golf course, while children often find delight in spending hours at the splash pad.

Outdoor events in the village are frequently held at the performance space within the complex, which is equipped with an audio-visual system and covered seating for attendees.

2. Downtown Lake Worth Beach

With a historic and trendy appeal, the downtown district presents a vibrant area to discover, situated just five minutes east of Palm Springs.

Along the parallel thoroughfares of Lake Avenue and Lucerne Avenue, visitors can find nearly 50 historic structures. Many of these buildings house galleries, unique shops, live entertainment venues, bars, and a variety of restaurants.

This area has transformed significantly from its reputation in the early 1990s, which was characterized by decline. Events such as the Street Painting Festival held in February now attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

3. Lake Worth Beach Park

If you desire a beach day, the nearest public access point is a mere ten minutes away at Lake Worth Beach. This delightful location offers a chance to enjoy the sun, sand, and ocean without the intrusion of high-rise developments commonly found along much of the Atlantic coast.

Here, visitors can appreciate a family-friendly beach, complemented by an elegant casino building dating back to the 1920s. The area features a small boardwalk with shops and restaurants, and just south lies the Lake Worth Pier.

Access to the pier is $1, or $3 for those interested in fishing. My preferred time to visit is at dawn when the landscape is illuminated in golden hues, followed by breakfast at Benny’s on the Beach, a beloved local establishment.

4. Palm Beach Zoo

In the vicinity of Palm Springs, you will find one of Florida’s premier zoological attractions. The distinguishing feature of Palm Beach Zoo is its naturalistic environment.

Each exhibit, ranging from Florida Wetlands to Asia, Tropics of the Americas, and The Islands, immerses visitors in a tropical adventure. A rich background of ferns, palms, and banyan trees enhances the experience, as animal enclosures blend seamlessly with the lush vegetation.

With over 500 animals on display, visitors can opt for additional experiential opportunities, such as interacting with a capybara, hand-feeding a sloth, or coming face-to-face with a Florida panther.

Should you be visiting with children on a warm day, remember to bring along bathing suits and towels to enjoy the expansive fountain and splash pad.

5. Mounts Botanical Garden

Source: Jillian Cain Photography / shutterstock

One of my favorite places is Mounts Botanical Garden, which is the largest and oldest public garden in Palm Beach County.

This 14-acre space was established in the 1950s and now boasts over 6,000 tropical and subtropical plants sourced from around the globe.

What captivates me is the unique atmosphere of each secluded garden. For instance, the Rose & Fragrance Garden offers numerous sensory delights, while the Garden of Tranquility incorporates a contemplative Asian influence.

Approximately two dozen distinct areas are interconnected by trails and equipped with informative plaques, ensuring visitors both appreciate the beauty and gain knowledge about the flora on display.

6. John Prince Park

Source: Starr Environmental / Flickr

Spanning across 700 acres adjacent to Lake Worth Beach, John Prince Park offers a straightforward way to enjoy the outdoors without venturing far.

Lake Osborne serves as the park’s focal point, providing a variety of recreational activities, including boating and fishing.

For those interested in extended outdoor stays, the park has an expansive campground featuring numerous individual sites. Additional amenities include walking paths, a golf learning center, an exercise trail, a boat ramp, and ample shaded seating areas.

My children had an enjoyable time at the large splash park, which is part of an accessible Boundless playground.

7. John Prince Golf Learning Center

Source: John Prince Golf Learning Center / Facebook

For avid golfers visiting the Palm Springs region, numerous options are available within a short drive.

If you wish to practice without committing to a full round of golf, the John Prince Golf Learning Center is an excellent option. I have seldom encountered a driving range as impressive as this one.

Whether in need of professional guidance or simply wanting to practice, the facility features 60 grass hitting stations and multiple target greens shielded by bunkers.

The area also includes over 16,000 square feet of putting and chipping greens, complete with three regulation practice holes.

8. Lake Lytal Park

Situated at the northern edge of Palm Springs, another expansive public park in Palm Beach County invites exploration. The aquatic center at Lake Lytal Park features a 50-meter pool, three slide flumes, and an interactive play area for children.

The surrounding park boasts attractive landscapes along with extensive recreational facilities. A large cluster of palms and pines on the southern edge provides a scenic setting for walks and picnics.

Moreover, one can find multiple baseball and softball fields, pickleball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, racquetball courts, and three playgrounds for younger visitors.

9. Cox Science Center and Aquarium

Source: Christopher A. Salerno / shutterstock

At the time of writing this article, this significant attraction neighboring Palm Beach Zoo was undergoing renovations, anticipated to conclude in the 2020s.

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium has a rich history dating back to 1961, and in 2021 raised nearly $50 million for substantial expansion efforts.

Although renovations were in progress during my visit, numerous activities were still available. Children particularly enjoy the interactive science exhibits along the Fisher Family Science Trail and the aquariums showcasing the captivating marine life from the Atlantic coast.

One exhibit that particularly impressed me was the Journey Through the Brain, which visualizes contemporary research regarding human cognition in remarkable detail.

Furthermore, the center features an 18-hole mini-golf course with a conservation theme, an observatory, and Palm Beach County’s only public planetarium.

10. Adventure Mini Golf

One of the joys of visiting the coast is engaging in a round of miniature golf. You can experience this at Adventure Mini Golf, conveniently located just minutes away.

Geared towards families, this establishment features two 18-hole courses set amidst artificial hills, tropical vegetation, ponds, streams, fountains, and waterfalls.

During my visit, the courses had just been adorned with fresh turf, and the wooden pathways were recently refurbished. To avoid the summer heat, consider beginning your game at sunset, as this venue remains open until 10:00 PM.

11. Lake Worth Playhouse

Located within the historic Oakley Theatre (established in 1924) in Lake Worth Beach, this venue hosts a diverse array of performances year-round, including movies, musicals, dramas, children’s shows, and even operatic and ballet productions.

During my visit, I had the pleasure of attending the playhouse’s 71st season and witnessed a superbly executed performance of West Side Story. Other productions featured in the season included Rent, Oklahoma!, Ragtime, and Clue.

The playhouse’s Stonzek Theatre screens independent and foreign films daily. Despite having contemporary sound and projection systems, it retains an abundance of charm and character, far surpassing corporate multiplexes.

12. DEFY Palm Springs

For parents with energetic children, DEFY Palm Springs is the ideal indoor trampoline park to visit. While it is part of a national chain, each location presents its unique offerings.

The Palm Springs location features numerous attractions for active kids and teenagers; I counted over a dozen options during my visit with my children.

Among the highlights are a spacious open jump area lined with trampolines, a ninja course, battle beams, a basketball court for dunking, a wall trampoline, a zip line, a trapeze area with aerial silks, and a parkour course.

13. Fun Depot

Families visiting the Palm Springs area will find an abundance of activities to engage in, including Fun Depot, a classic family entertainment center featuring a wide array of attractions sure to delight children.

The standout feature is an outdoor karting track, extending half a mile and filled with thrilling twists and turns. Inside, a 4,000-square-foot laser tag arena hosts ten-minute games in an exhilarating blacklight environment.

Additionally, the facility houses an arcade that combines the latest games with nostalgic favorites from parents’ childhoods. Be on the lookout for specials such as Family Fun Night every Tuesday and Thursday.

14. Ragtops Automobile Museum

Source: Ragtops Motorcars Palm Beach / Facebook

Located just five minutes away in Palm Beach, this dealership specializes in the restoration of classic American automobiles. The inventory is ever-changing, with each vehicle serving as a museum exhibit until sold.

Within this ‘selling museum,’ visitors can expect a unique experience with every visit. The showroom is adorned with Art Deco lighting, vintage posters, paintings, neon signs, historical model cars, and other captivating decor.

I spent nearly an hour admiring a collection of well-preserved vehicles, including notable models such as the 1939 Pontiac Silver Streak Deluxe Six, the 1941 Plymouth Convertible, the 1937 Chrysler Imperial, and the 1935 Ford Rumbleseat Convertible Cabriolet.