Originally posted by Children Services Council
With COVID-19 in the mix this summer, finding ways to get children away from their devices is harder than ever.
Here are 10 places you can go – in person – with your children in Palm Beach County and what you can expect as of June 17. Wherever you go, make sure to talk to your kids about:
- Practicing social distancing and keeping at least six feet away from other people.
- Wearing a face covering when other people are around or when they are inside a building.
- Avoiding touching high-contact surfaces, using sanitizer and the importance of washing hands.
- Using the restroom before leaving the house. Restroom availability at some locations is limited.
LION COUNTRY SAFARI, 2003 Lion Country Road, Loxahatchee
Take the family to Florida’s largest drive-through safari. Lion Country Safari was America’s first drive-through wildlife preserve and now is home to more than 1,000 animals. Face coverings are recommended at the outdoor gift shop, and guests must wear masks and practice social distancing when using the restroom. The Safari World Adventure Park with a splash park and rides is closed.
Hours: 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. on weekends.
Cost: $17 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance. The guide can be printed at home and the audio tour is available on the website
PALM BEACH ZOO & CONSERVATION SOCIETY, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach
Come spend the day at the zoo visiting more than 550 animals, including tigers, koalas and flamingos. The play fountain is open but guests are asked to be at least six feet apart. Numerous attractions are not open, including the carousel, train, reptile observatory, aviary and butterfly garden. Wagons for children and wheelchair rentals are not available. Capacity is limited and guests are encouraged to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
Hours: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
Cost: Free for children under 3 years old. $18.95 for children ages 3-12. $24.95 for 13 years old and up. $22.95 for people over the age of 60.
For more information: https://www.palmbeachzoo.org
PALM BEACH COUNTY PARKS
Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation has opened parks for walking, running, biking, equestrian riding, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and use of lakes while practicing social distancing. The dog parks also are open. All playgrounds, fitness zones, aquatic splashparks, indoor spaces and gyms remain closed. Sports fields are open for individual or small family open play, but not for teams. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Daggerwing Nature Center and Green Cay Nature Center are closed.
Many of the city parks in Palm Beach County have the same restrictions in place as the county parks. Before you go to a park, check online to see what is open and available .
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Cost: Free
For more information: http://discover.pbcgov.org/parks
SOUTH FLORIDA SCIENCE CENTER AND AQUARIUM, 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach
Your children can walk among superheroes, enter the hidden world of the Everglades and journey through the human brain at this engaging science center for children of all ages. The “Halls of Heroes” exhibit brings children up close to their favorite superheroes. All guests over the age of 10 and staff are required to wear a face covering inside the building. Capacity inside the center is limited and the interactive exhibits are not available. Visitors must practice social distancing.
Hours: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: Free for children under 3 years old. $7.95 for children ages 3-12. $11.95 for 13 years old and up. $9.95 for people over the age of 60. There are extra fees for a planetarium shows or to play mini-golf.
For more information: https://www.sfsciencecenter.org/
LAKE WORTH SWAP SHOP AND DRIVE-IN, 3438 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth
One of seven remaining drive-in movie theaters in Florida, the Lake Worth Swap Shop and Drive-In has nightly movie showings on its two screens. The box office opens at 7:30 p.m. Cars are required to park at least six feet away from each other and you must wear a mask if you exit your vehicle. Concessions are available.
Hours: First movie showing is at 8 a.m.
Cost: $7 per adults, $2 per child younger than 12.
BUSCH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, 2500 Jupiter Park Drive, Jupiter
Dedicated to the protection and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources, the Sanctuary educates as well as rescues and rehabilitates wildlife. A variety of programs are offered for the public including wildlife encounters in the Cypress Amphitheater at 3 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Watch the alligators and crocodiles get fed at 4 p.m. on Mondays and enjoy the nature trails. The Sanctuary asks guests bring face coverings and practice social distancing. Water fountains are closed, so please bring your own water.
Hours: 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on Mondays-Saturdays. Closed on Sundays.
Cost: Free, but donations are encouraged.
For more information: https://buschwildlife.org
LOGGERHEAD MARINELIFE CENTER, 14200 U.S. Highway 1, Juno Beach
Learn about ocean conservation at this state-of-the-art facility with an outdoor sea turtle hospital. The nearby Juno Beach Pier also is open. Face coverings are required of all guests older than 10 years old and capacity is limited. Social distancing is expected. Access to certain indoor spaces is prohibited.
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated.
For more information: https://marinelife.org
SANDOWAY DISCOVERY CENTER, 142 South Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach
Want to see sharks and stingrays get fed? This facility teaches children and adults about Florida’s fragile ecosystems and the creatures that live in them. Capacity at the center is limited and guests are required to wear face coverings indoors. No interactive exhibits are available and the restroom is closed.
Hours: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Tuesdays-Saturdays. 12 – 4 p.m. on Sundays. Closed on Mondays. Check the website for feeding times.
Cost: Children under 3 years old are free and everyone else is $6 per person.
For more information: https://sandoway.org
THE SCULPTURE GARDEN AT THE NORTON MUSEUM OF ART, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach
Enjoy an extraordinary collection of sculptures while walking in lush South Florida greenery. To ensure a full experience of the garden and maintain safe distancing measures, capacity is limited. While walk-ups are welcomed, advance timed tickets are strongly recommended. Group sizes are limited to six people. Masks are required. No public restrooms are available.
Cost: Admission is free, but you can make a donation upon arrival. Donations will go to the Palm Beach County Artists Relief Fund.
Hours: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. on all days but Wednesday. The garden is closed on Wednesdays. The hour from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. is reserved for visitors older than 60 years old.
MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, 531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach
Enjoy the peace and beauty of the 14-acre public garden that has been part of Palm Beach County for more than 65 years. Capacity is limited and “high touch” fixtures such as picnic tables have been removed. Guests are asked to practice social distancing and strongly urged to wear face coverings while in the garden. Face coverings are required in the nursery and office areas. Water fountains are not available.
Cost: $10 for ages 13 and up. $5 for children ages 5-12. Only credit or debit cards will be accepted. No cash.
Hours: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
