Tapestry of Nature: Exploring The Palm Beaches’ Outdoor Cultural Offerings

by Hannah Deadman-Arnst

As an avid traveler, I’ve explored so many facets of the U.S. Still, I keep coming back to The Palm Beaches. It’s no secret Florida’s Cultural Capital is one of the best places to get outside. Whether walking through unique arts districts, dining outside, or blazing a trail, the region gives me endless things to do. But there’s more to these outdoor adventures than meets the eye. With a rich history, curated sculpture gardens, and a dynamic lineup of cultural programs, The Palm Beaches offer the perfect mix of nature and art.

If you love maritime history like me, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum is a must-see. Constructed in 1860, the beacon has a longstanding history of helping ships avoid the dangerous shoals off Jupiter’s coast. Housed in a World War II U.S. naval building, the museum details the area’s intricate history over the past 5,000 years, including early Native Americans and pioneers, lighthouse keepers, and the Seminole Wars of Resistance.

After wandering the museum, stroll the grounds or nature trails that wind through Florida scrub, hammock, and rare sand pine forest. Or climb the lighthouse for unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean, Jupiter Inlet, and Indian and Loxahatchee Rivers. It’s a cool 105 steps to the top, but the view is worth it. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum even offers programs for the whole family. Every April, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival celebrates environmental short films by filmmakers from across the globe.

About 10 miles south of the lighthouse is John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Situated in North Palm Beach, this is a great place to explore South Florida’s coastal wilderness. It’s also The Palm Beaches’ only state park! Be sure to rent a kayak and paddle yourself over to historic Munyon Island. Named after Dr. James Munyon, who purchased it and opened Hotel Hygeia in 1903—which later burned down—the island is now a serene place to explore.

The park also has two hiking trails, but if you’re ready to relax with that beach read, walk (or hop on a tram) across the boardwalk for one of the county’s most pristine beaches. Then, cool down inside the nature center, with interactive exhibits that dive into the area’s coastal ecosystems, or browse the gift store for coastal keepsakes and artworks.

Crave solitude but prefer a manicured experience? Visit The Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach for a dynamic collection of art, literature, music, and drama programs. With special lectures, film screenings, children’s programs, two libraries, and traveling art exhibitions, this is a place you’ll return to again and again. A popular experience is the live performances, which welcome renowned classical artists. You can even catch the Palm Beach Symphony perform here throughout the season!

The Society also boasts two gorgeous botanical gardens with sculptures and themed spaces, including a fragrant moonlight garden, a Chinese garden, and other unique assemblages. It’s a must-see for my out-of-town friends and family!

Another horticultural haven is Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, the historic home and outdoor oasis of sculptor Ann Weaver Norton. Situated in West Palm Beach’s El Cid neighborhood adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway, the two-acre property has a collection of 250 rare tropical palms and cycads. It also features 100 unique works by Norton—including nine modern large-scale sculptures that complement the mysterious gardens in which they’re nestled.

Capehart Photography

The best part? This destination is a true urban refuge. The gardens are so lush, you don’t feel like you’re in the city. Check out the artist studio displaying Norton’s studies, armatures, and works in bronze, stone, and wood that inspired the monumental sculptures outside. Don’t forget to explore the historic home to see rotating art exhibitions showcasing visual artists—from the masters to contemporaries—from around the world.

For one of The Palm Beaches’ most unique cultural organizations, head to Delray Beach for Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. With six individual gardens inspired by those found in Japan, every plant and element is intended as a source of hope, renewal, and thoughtfulness. You can also learn about the historic Yamato Colony, an innovative 20th-century Japanese agricultural community that pioneered the Delray Beach/Boca Raton area and cultivated several crops, including pineapples.

Inside, the museum’s 7,000+ piece permanent collection and seasonal exhibitions enable guests to view works by Japanese artists and pieces inspired by the Land of the Rising Sun. Morikami also offers an array of special ongoing programs, including taiko performances and traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. No visit is complete without a stop at Cornell Cafe for Pan-Asian fare.

Want to engage your mind while spending time outside? Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton blends art, science, and outdoor adventure. In addition to a community center and sports and recreation facilities, the park features a theatre with professional performances, a science center, and a full-size carousel.

Designed with kids in mind, Sugar Sand’s Science Explorium is a free science center for inquisitive minds to learn about the world around them. Just outside is the Science Playground. Inspired by physical science, the accessible playground reinforces the concepts children learn inside the explorium.

Sugar Sand Park isn’t just for little ones. Everyone can enjoy the park’s 150+ seat Willow Theatre, which hosts music, dance, and theatrical performances throughout the year. The 132-acre park also has two nature trails that meander through Florida scrub and pine flat ecosystems.

Ready to plan your arts-inspired outdoor adventure? Visit our events calendar to get started.