Near Palm Beach Is Florida's Day Trip Town With Coastline Views, Tasty Restaurants, And Nearby Beaches

Given how beautiful the beaches are in Palm Beach, it can be tempting to spend an entire vacation beside the ocean, lying on the warm, sugar-soft sand. But there's so much more to explore in the surrounding area to help you make the most of your trip. Lake Park, a town located along the Lake Worth Lagoon, about 20 minutes north of Palm Beach, has a mix of local restaurants and breezy waterfront views — and it doesn't take you too far from the beach.

With just over 9,000 residents, Lake Park has more of a small-town vibe amid South Florida's busier vacation destinations. According to Niche, it's considered both urban and suburban, with the Intracoastal Waterway and a downtown district along Park Avenue framing much of the experience. Lake Park also ranks fifth among Palm Beach County's most diverse suburbs on Niche. That's why it comes as no surprise that visitors can explore a wide range of cuisines while they're there. 

In terms of logistics, the easiest way to reach Lake Park if you're flying into the area via President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT) in West Palm Beach is to use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Palm Tran's Routes 1 and 20 also connect Lake Park with West Palm Beach and have several stops in town. However, from there, having a car (or access to a ride) will make it easier to navigate between Lake Park's restaurants and waterfront, as well as the surrounding beaches. 

To kick off your day in Lake Park, start at Kelsey Park, a laid-back waterfront spot where you can stretch your legs along walking paths and take in views of Lake Worth Lagoon. You might even spot a manatee or two! Palm trees line the grassy waterfront, with high-rise buildings across the water in sight. Visitors can also bring their rackets or paddles for a game on the park's tennis and pickleball courts. A gazebo available for rent, several pavilions, and benches facing the lagoon provide places to take in all the scenery between activities. The park also hosts community gatherings, including an annual Veterans Day Car show.

Nearby Singer Island offers ocean-side beaches, including Ocean Reef Park. Here, sandy paths wind through coastal greenery before reaching soft, warm sand and turquoise water. When the ocean is calm, visitors interested in snorkeling near Florida's Palm Beaches can explore offshore rock formations where fish gather, and sea turtles sometimes swim past. It's not just a crowded tourist area, either. One Miami resident on Google who frequents the park says, "The place is never empty but never too crowded, just the perfect spot to relax with kids and the family." In addition to setting up an umbrella and beach chairs along the sand, picnic areas offer a place to munch on a few snacks, and a playground gives children another activity when they need a break from the water. 

If you're okay with doing some more walking, consider John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, one of the best places to snorkel through a coral reef without a boat in Florida. Located between Lake Worth Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, the park is home to tropical and coastal plants. A 1,600-foot boardwalk crosses the estuary until it reaches the park's 1.6-mile stretch of oceanfront sand. Along the way, you'll see wildlife among native palms and dense coastal woodland. But be sure to allow enough time to walk in both directions, and bring water along with your beach gear. Once you arrive at the beach, swimming is allowed, although there are no lifeguards.

A visit to Lake Park isn't complete without a meal. Luckily, there are several options along the downtown Park Avenue corridor. Camilli's Pizza, described by one Google reviewer as a "no-frills" eatery, has been operating in Lake Park since 1968 and says its specialty is Chicago-style pizza. The menu features standard and specialty square-cut pies with a robust list of almost two dozen toppings. 

For Haitian cooking, visit Pearl of the Island, also on Park Avenue. Its menu includes griot (fried pork), along with stewed chicken, oxtail, and snapper that can be fried, stewed, or grilled. Entrées come with two sides, with options including plantains and diri djondjon (black mushroom rice). In addition to the food, past visitors often praise the atmosphere, which one Google reviewer describes as a "feel-good vibe and music playing the best songs."

Across from Kelsey Park, family-owned Pelican Cafe serves Italian dishes and breakfast staples. Breakfast runs until 2 p.m., so you'll have plenty of time for blueberry pancakes, an omelet, eggs Benedict, or even a bloody mary. On weekends, you'll even get a complimentary homemade "Decadent Donut" for the table to share (until they run out). During lunch and dinner, diners can sink their teeth into some Italian paninis, thin-crust Tuscan pizzas, and pastas, with choices for those who follow gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan diets. And if you want to get into the groove with some live music during your meal, check the restaurant's calendar for performances on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.