Jupiter, Florida

Jupiter and the surrounding beach communities are first-class destinations for fun in the sun, but they also boast a host of non-beach-related attractions sure to float your boat.

Jupiter

Make no bones about it, the first thing you'll want to do in Jupiter is hit the beach. Miles and miles of sand stretch all along the coast, but good places to start include Jupiter Beach Park , at the mouth of the Loxahatchee River . To experience the distinctive beauty of this mighty waterway, hop on a boat or spend an afternoon on the Riverwalk , an expertly landscaped pathway that snakes along the water, past marinas, yacht clubs, parks and dockside restaurants and watering holes like Jetty's and the world-famous Square Grouper .

Right across the river from the Grouper is the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse , a towering reminder of the town's maritime heritage, celebrated by locals and tourists alike. Tour the lighthouse and picnic in the lush riverfront park in which it sits. For more on the history of this seaside community, attractions like The Last Galleon , a sunken ship, and the Dubois Pioneer Home , built atop an authentic Native American shellmound, are must-see spots.

Today, Jupiter is home to some of the most cherished big-league points of interest in all of South Florida. The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary , a combination veterinary hospital and educational facility, is beloved by kids of all ages from all over the world. Similarly huge crowds gather at Roger Dean Stadium , spring training home of the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals . Join them and watch the "boys of summer" work themselves out of their wintertime funks. If there is one treasure in Jupiter to which every visitor must make a pilgrimage, surely that treasure is the Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum , a comprehensive commemoration of the life and times of the mustachioed icon – and the iconic mustache itself. If the lines and admission fees of zoos, spectator sports and museums prove too dauting, put yourself in the center of your very own first-hand adventure. Take the plunge with Jupiter Dive Charters or Scuba Works . They'll gear you up for and ferry you out to one of the Jupiter coastline's many wreck diving sites . If you like hooking fish rather than just gawking at them, set out to sea as a contestant in the Jupiter Billfish Tournament , a three-day sportfishing extravaganza. And for an activity completely devoid of fish, enter yourself in Jupiter's annual Loggerhead Triathlon . After all that, hunger will surely strike. When it does, choose from high-energy beachfront eateries like Dune Dog , or off-beat local favorites like Little Moir's Food Shack .

Juno Beach

As if Jupiter proper were not beach oriented enough, this district takes it to the max. Juno Beach Park is the anchor, with its miles of sandy beaches, trails, picnic areas and more. Before hitting the beach, you'll need to hit a surf shop such as Ground Swell , where you'll be outfitted with everything you need for a proper endless-summer experience. The Marinelife Center of Juno Beach will push to enjoy the beach in a whole new way. Through educational programs and displays, and face-to-face encounters with live leatherback sea turtles, the center leaves no visitor unappreciative of nature's bounty.

Restaurants here, even if not located right on the beach, honor South Florida's seafood-lovin' heritage with all their might. Hurricane Cafe , for example, has a boatload of elegantly prepared fish plates on their menu. At the annual Art Fest by the Sea , the food is a big part of the show. The fest draws hordes of fun-loving art lovers to Juno Beach, all reveling in an epic celebration of art, food and fun.

Tequesta

This district is home to a fine mix of culture and commerce. The Lighthouse Center for the Arts champions art, drama and creativity of every stripe, offering programs and exhibitions both enlightening and entertaining. The height of culture! Just down the road is Tequesta's Fashion Mall , a stunning example of a mall being the best a mall can be. The height of commerce! Combining the best of both worlds is independent bookseller My Book Place - track down a fine piece of literary culture, and then buy it!

When it comes time to get back to nature, Tequesta's got a bit of that too. Coral Cove Park is a spacious beach, wide open and unspoiled. Bring the whole family and marvel at the rays of the sun and the churning of the surf. Loggerhead Reef , just off shore, is an ideal place to dive and soak in the undersea wildlife.

Palm Beach Gardens & Palm Beach County

Golf is the name of the game in Palm Beach Gardens. The world-famous PGA National Resort is located here, and fans of the sport know this is the place to be for a truly all-golf-all-the-time experience. Book a room at the on-site PGA National Resort Hotel & Cottages , and play a few rounds. The resort also plays host to such internationally renowned events as The Honda Classic Tournament .

If your party includes members less inclined to label themselves "golf crazy," send them over to the Eissey Campus Theater for an evening (or afternoon) of dance, drama or musical performance. The Raymond F. Kravis Center for Performing Arts down in West Palm Beach is a prime performance destination if there ever was one, playing host to operas, plays and more. If their distaste for theater is on par with their distaste for golf, perhaps they like to shop! In that case, Gardens Mall just might be the answer.