Spring Training is here, and the Houston Astros are once again going tropical in The Palm Beaches. Get tickets in advance and watch them play ball in gorgeous 70-degree weather as they take on their rivals and prepare for the season. When the game ends and you’re leaving The Ballpark of The Palm Beaches, check out these activities in and around West Palm Beach for some Texas-sized fun in the South Florida sun.

The Palm Beaches are the Spring Training location for the Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros and Miami Marlins. In 2023, Spring Training runs from February 25 to March 26. Watch the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at The Ballpark of The Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach. Or, head north to the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, which hosts the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins. View the 2023 full schedule.  

1. Trade longhorns for rhinos at Lion Country Safari

While King Ranch has the cattle, The Palm Beaches have herds of beautiful animals native to Africa. Just a few minutes’ drive southwest of the ballpark is a private preserve called Lion Country Safari. Opened in 1967, the drive-through safari park is home to more than 900 animals. You can see lions, white rhino, zebra and giraffe wandering free while you explore from the comfort of your vehicle. For a wild adventure, stay at the KOA Campsite, where you can camp in comfortable cabins, tents or RVs that are within earshot of lions roaring.

2. Grab an ice cream to cool down 

The Palm Beaches are home to tons of ice cream parlors, each offering unique flavors and ambiance. From Italian gelato to creamy popsicles, we guarantee you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth! Cehck out this list and pick your favorite! 

3. Cruise or paddle the Intracoastal Waterway

A lazy day tubing down the San Jacinto is relaxing, but how about some excitement on the water? West Palm Beach’s downtown waterfront is home to Visit Palm Beach’s watersports rental facility. Make a reservation in advance to rent a kayak or paddleboard or sign up for a cruise on a catamaran. Either way, you’ll be mesmerized by the views of the beautiful Lake Worth Lagoon, downtown West Palm Beach and Palm Beach!

4. Take an exciting airboat ride in The Everglades

No need to visit the Texas bayou to find a thrilling airboat ride. Airboat Rides West Palm Beach, located a short drive from the ballpark, is ready to take you on an exciting trip through the Florida Everglades. Reserve an hour-long tour or, if time allows, one of the longer exploration tours that are available of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and international biosphere reserve. Reservations are required.

5. Find your spot on the region’s 47 miles of golden beaches

The word “beach” is part of The Palm Beaches’ name, and many believe the destination has some of the finest coastline anywhere. The Gulf Stream makes its closest pass to land in The Palm Beaches, so the water is clear, blue and warm. Take your pick from wide, quiet beaches or busy inlets where beach lovers of all ages hang out. No matter where you are in The Palm Beaches, you’re just minutes from a world-class beach.

6. Go deep-sea fishing in the heart of the Gulf Stream or freshwater fishing in Lake Okeechobee

Fishing in the Gulf Stream is on every angler’s bucket list. The warm, fast-moving current brings big game fish of all types to the area, from sailfish and marlin to kingfish and snapper. It makes for an experience to remember… and to try again. There are several commercial fleets that will take you out for a half-day fishing trip and supply you with bait and tackle. The Blue Heron Fleet has vessels in Jupiter and Riviera Beach, and Sea Mist III operates out of the Boynton Beach Inlet. Or you can charter the 48-foot Ocean Breeze for a private charter fishing excursion. If freshwater fishing is your game, wide and beautiful Lake Okeechobee is waiting. Called “The Big O” by many anglers, the lake has been home to champion big-mouth bass fishing for generations. Local experts are ready to guide your time on the lake and help you find those spots where the big fish are hiding.

And there’s so much more! There’s a wealth of hip neighborhoods, natural wonders and waterfront restaurants to help round out your time in The Palm Beaches. Getting here is easy too. Fly into Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), the first airport in Florida to achieve Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR™ facility accreditation. Also located nearby are Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) and Miami (MIA) international airportsare also only an hour away and accessible via the Brightline high-speed rail. 

Come to cheer on your Houston Astros and stick around to enjoy all the area has to offer! Sign up for The Palm Beaches eNewsletter to stay up to date on the latest travel tips and trip ideas.