21 Fun Things to Do in Jupiter, FL

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Outdoors | Food & Drink | Beaches | Near West Palm Beach

Jupiter, Florida is an enchanting beachfront village that’s full of nostalgia. It’s hard not to feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you arrive. From its 19th-century lighthouse to its untouched nature and crystal blue water flowing through town, it’s one of my favorite destinations in Florida.

I’ve made plenty of day trips up to Jupiter since living in Fort Lauderdale for the past four years. Days spent hiking, scuba diving, and exploring history are some of my favorite things to do in Jupiter. You’ll discover many of these activities and more throughout this guide!

21 Best Things to Do in Jupiter, FL

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-627-8280 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: Suggested $5 donation per visitor

Visiting the Loggerhead Marinelife Center is one of Jupiter’s best family-friendly activities. Kids and adults alike will find fun things to do as they meet sea turtles currently rehabbing from injury and illness, discover Florida’s coastal ecology, and explore the interactive aquarium. 

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is especially cool because the beaches surrounding Jupiter happen to be the busiest loggerhead sea turtle nesting sites in the world. As such, Palm Beach County makes a concerted effort to protect the endangered species as they visit the town to lay their eggs.

After spending an hour or two in the center, head to the picnic tables out back for a BBQ while the kids play on the playground before spending the rest of your day on the beautiful stretches of Jupiter Beach.

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-747-8380 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tue – Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: $12 adults, $6 under 12 – 6, free 5 and under

History buffs will find solace in the wide array of historic sites in Jupiter. The most gleaming of them is the famous Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. 

Built in 1860, the Jupiter lighthouse has been guiding sailors home for over a century while still shining bright today. Down below, visitors will find attractions in the museum highlighting indigenous history, Spanish exploration, and natural Jupiter.

Visiting Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is a must-see and it’s one of my favorite stops when I take a day trip from Fort Lauderdale.

🌴 Looking for more nature? The 120 acres surrounding the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse was designated in 2008 as an Outstanding Natural Area. Visitors can trek along the mangroves near the Loxahatchee River as it meets the open ocean.

Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-775-1818 | Website | Entrance: Tickets vary by game

The MLB’s spring training season comes around once a year with baseball fans from all over the country flocking to the Sunshine State. 

Jupiter’s ballpark, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, is home to the Miami Marlins and St Louis Cardinals during the spring season. Whether you’re a fan of the team or not, catching a game at Roger Dean Stadium is a perfect way to spend time on your spring break vacation!

Be sure to check the schedule at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches if you’re looking for more baseball. This park is just down the road and is equally as gorgeous and more centrally located in Palm Beach County.

Dive or Snorkel With Sharks

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 305-395-9140 | Website | Hours: Trips departures vary | Tour Price: $195 per person

This one is for the truly adventurous but I HAD to include it since it’s one of my favorite activities in Jupiter. The best part? Anyone can take the plunge! 

Sharks tend to stop in the waters off the Jupiter coast as they pass by in the Gulf Stream, a major ocean current. It’s one of the few places in the world where they arrive in such numbers and swimming with them is one of the most adrenaline-inducing activities to do. 

Florida Shark Diving has a boat leaving three times a day and is the perfect tour for snorkelers. For advanced scuba divers and thrill seekers, Emerald Charters runs the most intense boat charter in Florida.

🦈 Is it safe to dive with sharks? I blame Steven Spielberg and Jaws for the misconception about sharks. Contrary to popular belief, they are NOT man-eating killers. My favorite stat? You’re more likely to be bitten by a human in NYC than a shark in the entire world. [Source]

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-575-3399 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm daily | Entrance: Donations appreciated

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary has a mission to “Rescue, Rehab, Release, Educate” animals brought into their care. Essentially, the place is a hospital for sick, wild animals and a great spot for kids to explore and learn about different creatures found in the nearby wild.

Deep-Sea Fishing in the Gulf Stream

👉 Browse the Best Fishing Charters in Jupiter

The Gulf Stream is the major ocean current running directly past Jupiter, bringing sharks, sea turtles, and plenty of pelagic fish. Mahi, tuna, and kingfish, just to name a few, are often caught during deep-sea fishing excursions in Jupiter.

Book a private boat or hop aboard a group fishing charter for a chance to reel in the big one!

I recommend heading to Burt Reynolds Park located right off the A1A and US1 if you have your own boat. This park is named in honor of Burt Reynolds, who is from Jupiter. It’s a great place to launch your boat!

Outdoor Activities in Jupiter

The Nature Conservancy’s Blowing Rocks Preserve

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-744-6668 | Website | Hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm daily | Entrance: Cost of metered parking

Jetting from the sandy shores of Jupiter Island is a feature known as anastasia limestone. It’s the only of its kind and it creates a pretty neat feature: blow holes. 

As waves crash along the shore, the porous limestone funnels the wave’s energy through a small opening, thus “blowing” the water upwards from the rocks. It’s an awesome place to visit, hike, and spend a few hours learning about Florida’s natural history.

Loxahatchee River in Jonathan Dickinson State Park

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 772-546-2771 | Website | Hours: Sunrise – sunset | Entrance: $2 – $10 (depending on party size and vehicle) | 👉 Loxahatchee River Guided Tour

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is the largest state park in Southeast Florida and the best place to do some paddling in Jupiter. Winding through the park is the mighty Loxahatchee River where you’ll spot everything from alligators to river otters and manatees.

Look up to see ospreys and bald eagles swoop into the water to grasp their prey before nesting in the surrounding cypress trees.

Jupiter Beach Park

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-966-6600 | Website | Hours: Sunrise – Sunset | Entrance: Cost of metered parking

When the weather’s just right, near Jupiter Inlet, you’ll witness a rare sight in South Florida: surfing. Typically, you need to go to beaches in North Florida for that, but not if you’re visiting Jupiter.

Most of the surf action occurs at Jupiter Beach Park where locals and visitors alike gather to ride the next swell rolling in!

Hobe Sound Hiking Trails

📍 Google Maps | Jonathan Dickinson State Park | Seabranch Preserve State Park | Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park

The best hiking trails found in South Florida are in Hobe Sound, just north of Jupiter. The natural scenery is the last of its kind along Florida’s southeastern coast and each trail you hike represents a lost ecosystem. 

At the very least, you’ll want to visit one of the three state parks, each with its own style of hiking trail: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Seabranch Preserve State Park, and Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park.

World Class Golf Courses

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-622-0036 | Website 

There’s a reason pro golfers like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Rickie Fowler call Jupiter, FL home – the golfing here is world-class. 

In total, you can find 16 golf courses in and around Jupiter (and even more if you travel slightly south towards Palm Beach). The best of the bunch include Abacoa Golf Club and Admiral’s Cove but extend to almost any in the area.

Food & Drink in Jupiter

Guanabanas Restaurant

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-747-8878 | Website | Hours: 11:30 am – 9 pm Sun–Thu; 11:30 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat

At Guanabanas Restaurant, it’s hard to distinguish whether you’re dining on a Caribbean Island or in Jupiter, Florida.

With island-inspired cuisine, fresh seafood, and delectable rum drinks surrounded by a thick tropical canopy, few places can compare in atmosphere and deliciousness.

Center Street Nook

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-745-7477 | Hours: 6:30 am – 2:30 pm daily

For a home-cooked menu, consider pulling up a chair at this all-American diner right in the heart of Jupiter. The friendly, neighborhood vibe will make you feel at home as you scarf down their delicious breakfast before setting out on a fun beach day.

Civil Society Brewing Co.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-855-6680 | Website | Hours: Opens 12 pm daily, Closes 8 pm Mon, 9 pm Tue & Sun, 10 pm Wed, 11 pm Thur – Sat

With two locations, West Palm Beach and Jupiter, Civil Society Brewing Co. is conjuring up Palm Beach County’s best beer. The laid back taphouse specializes in a variety of IPAs but has a wide selection of tastes for everyone’s liking.

Jupiter Beaches

Coral Cove Park

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-966-6600 | Website | Hours: Sunrise – Sunset | Entrance: Free!

Coral Cove Park on Jupiter Island is the perfect hideaway from the busy crowds at the more popular Florida beaches further south. The park is a continuation of Blowing Rocks Preserve with limestone formations splaying out into the ocean. 

Near the parking lot are picnic areas, playgrounds, and bathroom facilities. Overall, the park is excellent for sunbathing, shell collecting, fishing, snorkeling, and swimming.

Dubois Park

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-966-6600 | Website | Hours: Sunrise – Sunset | Entrance: Metered parking

Resting in the shadow of Jupiter Lighthouse is Dubois Park, one of the most popular parks on Jupiter Beach. Dubois Park is essentially an enclosed lagoon, providing the best swim and snorkel site for kids. 

The whole family can enjoy their time splashing around before sitting down for a picnic at one of the many BBQ spots covered by the natural palm tree shade.

Jupiter, FL Dog Beach

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-966-6600 | Website | Hours: Sunrise – Sunset | Entrance: Free

Jupiter Dog Beach is the place to go if you’re looking for a beach spot to bring your furry best friend. Parking is free within Ocean Cay Park where you’ll wander towards the shore for an off-leash experience your good boy/girl will surely enjoy.

Carlin Park

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-624-0065 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 7:30 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Carlin Park is the center of beach activity in Jupiter with fun things for everyone in the family. Basketball and volleyball courts, gazebos and grills for picnics, a cafe for delicious food, and even an outdoor amphitheater for large events are all located within Carlin Park.

Things to Do Near West Palm Beach

Snorkel at Blue Heron Bridge

📍 Google Maps | Pura Vida Divers Phone: 561-840-8750

You can’t come to South Florida and not snorkel Blue Heron Bridge. It’s practically a right of passage for visitors.

The snorkeling here is incredible with the most biodiversity of any snorkel site I’ve witnessed. Manta rays, nurse sharks, spotted eagle rays, seahorses, lionfish, and most Caribbean reef fish all make an appearance along the clearly defined snorkel trail.

If you’re looking for a guided tour, contact Pura Vida Divers – they’re the most reputable dive shop near Blue Heron Bridge!

🤿 Or take a self-guided snorkel tour: All you need is your own snorkel gear! I always recommend Cressi’s Palau snorkel set for travelers and beginners – it’s lightweight and works great.

Norton Museum of Art

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-832-5196 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat; 10 am – 10 pm Fri, 11 am – 5 pm Sun; Closed Tue | Entrance: $5-$18, adults, free under 12

The Norton Museum of Art provides a change of pace if you’ve had enough of nature and beach visits. Norton Museum of Art is located just down the road in Palm Beach.

The gallery features artists hailing from America, China, and Europe with historically relevant and contemporary pieces. Additionally, exhibitions are continually rotating so check their website to find out what’s currently on display!

Downtown West Palm Beach

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Scenic Sunset Cruise in West Palm Beach

Head into downtown West Palm Beach for an evening of hustle and bustle. The restaurants, boutiques, bars, and clubs are seemingly endless while emitting a completely different vibe than Jupiter. Oh, and the food is incredible with menus consisting of treats from across the globe.

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Which of these Jupiter, FL activities are you most excited about? What was your favorite thing on our list? Let us know in the comments below and check out our guide for more fun things to do in South Florida!