Boynton Beach

Experience Old Florida charm in Boynton Beach, where cozy restaurants and boutiques line walkable Ocean Avenue and canopy-covered walkways lead to warm sea breezes and a wide stretch of sand at Oceanfront Park. (Don’t miss the giant blue sea turtle sculpture and life-size chess board near the concession stand.)
 
Each October, Ocean Avenue transforms for the Haunted Pirate Fest and Mermaid Splash. (Speaking of jolly buccaneers, there may be a few hanging around the city’s Harbor Marina, where scenic dockside restaurants serve up frosty tropical libations.) Outside of downtown, more retail therapy awaits along the Congress Avenue corridor and Renaissance Commons, while the taproom at Due South Brewing Company opens for tours and tastings of locally made craft brews.
 
Ready to get out on the water? Beaches like Oceanfront Park are some of the prettiest in the area, with access to coral and artificial reefs. Jaycee Park hugs the Intracoastal Waterway with easy access for canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. (Keep an eye out for the chance to spot manatees, who frequent the mangrove areas here.)
 

For even more natural pursuits, head to the Everglades and the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge, where you can paddle through sawgrass marsh and spot birds, gators and other wildlife. On land, ranger-led tours and hiking trails traverse one-of-a-kind terrain.