An afternoon at a St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training game in South Florida is an adrenaline-pumping experience. You’ll get a preview of how the Cards will play this season, and a chance to explore and enjoy The Palm Beaches — talk about a win-win! The weather is beautiful in Florida this time of year, and the sunshine and tropical breeze will surely make you want to seek out some fun in the sun. When the game ends and you’re leaving Jupiter’s Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, don’t miss the many fun activities just a few minutes drive away.

1. Get a high-altitude view from atop the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

While the Gateway Arch stands a good bit taller, the 108-foot Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum was a soaring “gateway” for pioneers to The Palm Beaches. Built before the Civil War, the lighthouse was a stopping point for ships bringing travelers and cargo to South Florida. Now, more than 160 years after its opening, the lighthouse is an icon for The Palm Beaches, overlooking the beautiful Loxahatchee River and Jupiter Inlet. Climb to the top and enjoy the view. Afterward, take a five-minute drive over to DuBois Park for a palm-lined view of the inlet, or enjoy an outdoor meal at the island-themed Guanabanas.

EXPLORE JUPITER

2. Explore an unlikely cultural corner at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

If a walk along the flowers and paths of Forest Park in St. Louis is a family favorite, take a drive south of the stadium to Delray Beach and see the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. It was started by a colony of hopeful farmers that came from Japan in the late 1800s, and their memory is honored by this serene and beautiful grouping of Japanese-style gardens and structures. Exhibitions focus on Japanese art and culture, and the six distinct and breathtakingly beautiful gardens are inspired by the great gardens of Japan.

VISIT THE MORIKAMI MUSEUM AND JAPANESE GARDENS

3. Meet the manatees 

Being in The Palm Beaches during the colder months is the ultimate opportunity to meet one of our most beloVed local residents: the Florida manatee. From mid-November to late March, this docile herbivores migrate from the cold ocean waters to seek refuge in warmer inland waterways. There are several spots where you can see these iconic creatures, including Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach or  cato’s bridge in Tequesta.

FIND THE MANATEES

4. The sky’s the limit at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium

If you love museums, then satisfy your curiosity at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. View a show at the planetarium, and take a “Journey Through the Human Brain” — plus many more permanent and rotating exhibits. And be sure to check out the museum’s 10,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, teeming with stingrays, eels, seahorses and angelfish. It’s all just a half-hour drive from Jupiter.

MORE THINGS TO DO IN WEST PALM BEACH

5. Explore the arts in The Palm Beaches

If you’re pining for a visit to St. Louis’ Grand Center Arts District, fear not — there is world-class art and culture just minutes from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Palm Beaches are Florida’s Cultural Capital® with more than 200 cultural venues, from museums to art galleries to music venues and more. The Norton Museum of Art was founded in 1941 and now has a collection of over 7,000 works of art from around the world, spanning every type of media.

EXPLORE THE ARTS

And there’s so much more! There’s a wealth of gorgeous beaches, 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. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) and Miami (MIA) international airports are also only an hour away and accessible via the Brightline high-speed rail.  

Come to cheer on your St. Louis Cardinals 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.