Top Things To Do in Palm Coast 

What are the best things to do in Palm Coast, FL? Here are the top ten things to do in Palm Coast! 

Palm Coast, Florida, is a great place to live, surrounded by some of the best top-rated attractions on Florida's Northeast coast. Undoubtedly worth the move and the visit, Palm Coast is home to pristine beaches, award-winning resorts, championship golf courses, world-class restaurants, exciting museums, and well-maintained state parks. 

Best known for its affordable housing and low cost of living, Palm Coast is a safe place to live, full of many sought-after neighborhoods perfect for families and retirees. Whether you are just visiting the area or are ready to make Palm Coast your permanent destination, finding something to do is an easy task since the city is full of adventures and activities worth exploring.

In this guide, learn about the best things to do in Palm Coast that are available all year round. Keep reading to learn more.  

Here are the best things to do in Palm Coast 

Visit the Beach 

Located on the Atlantic Coast in Northeast Florida, Palm Coast has miles of uncrowded beaches that welcome locals and tourists year-round. Perfect for a family vacation or a romantic getaway, the Palm Coast and Flagler Beaches are known for their spectacular ocean views and for being pet-friendly. 

Featuring cinnamon-colored sand and clear blue-green water, spending a day or a weekend at the Palm Coast beaches is excellent for sunbathing, swimming, shelling, birding, walking, fishing, and partaking in water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding. 

Check out these best beaches near Palm Coast: 

Flagler Beach: Found on Florida's northeast coast, Flagler Beach is a beautiful beachside community known for its pristine shoreline, natural beauty, spectacular wildlife, and access to water sports. 

Old Salt Park: This beachside park at the Ocean Hammock Resort in Palm Coast is open to the public and has made a name for itself as a popular dog beach. Though not great for swimming due to its coquina rock formations, this beach is a great place to relax and soak up the sun. 

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area: This 145-acre Florida state park features easy access to the beach and unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean, making it an excellent spot for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. 

River to Sea Preserve: Offering public beach access, a beachside boardwalk, and spectacular ocean views, this beach preserve is perfect for sunbathing, fishing, wildlife viewing, camping, birding, canoeing, and kayaking. 

Varn Park: Located North of Flagler Beach, this eight-acre beachside park is pet-friendly,  features multiple amenities, and is a popular spot for surf fishing. 

Equestrian Adventures of Florida 

Address: Mala Compra Rd.  

Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM every day 

Phone Number: (386) 846-8386

Have you always wanted to ride a horse on the beach? Then make sure to check out Equestrian Adventures of Florida in Palm Coast. This beloved horseback riding tour takes place 45 minutes North of Daytona Beach and departs from the Jungle Hut Beach Access Point in Palm Coast. 

Open to experienced and new riders, this equestrian tour takes place during low tide and is truly a bucket list experience. Rides are offered seven days a week in the surf under the Florida sun. If you want to take a tour, rides are $135 per person, and there must be at least two riders. Private tours are also available. You can call ahead in advance to make a reservation. 

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park 

Address: 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd 

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a 425-acre state park found along state road A1A in Palm Coast that preserves the coastal scenery of northeast Florida. Well-known for its formal gardens, which are the centerpiece of the park. These gardens are the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon full of ancient live oak trees, birds of paradise, azaleas, and camellias. 

Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, this beautiful state park is home to coquina rock formations along the shoreline. Considered a sedimentary rock composed of shell fragments and quartz, these coquina rock formations make it an excellent spot for beachcombing. 

Offering many experiences and amenities for all age groups, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is an ideal destination for walking, fishing, shelling, birding, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and bicycling. Known to be pet-friendly and to feature various events throughout the year, including an Earth Day celebration and saltwater fishing clinics, there is always something cool to discover. 

European Village Palm Coast 

Address: 101 Palm Harbor Parkway 

European Village in Palm Coast is a top shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Considered a one-stop destination, European Village is home to seven restaurants, four of which were named among the top ten restaurants in Flagler County, six bars, and multiple local shops and salons. 

As the location of the Palm Coast Farmers Market, which takes place every Sunday from 12 PM to 4 PM, the European Village is the place to be for fresh produce and local goods. Featuring tons of free and easy parking, this cute shopping center is great for a night out with friends to enjoy live music and have a good time. 

Florida Agricultural Museum 

Address: 7900 N Old Kings Rd 

Hours: 10 AM to 4 PM Friday - Sunday, closed Monday - Thursday 

Phone Number: (386) 466-7630

Learn about Florida's agricultural history at the Florida Agricultural Museum in Palm Coast. Situated on a 400-acre pioneer homestead, visitors can explore five restored buildings built in the 1930s during the Depression. Home to farm animals, a historic dairy barn, a turn-of-the-century dry goods store, and a historic sawmill, this agricultural museum is truly a unique experience. 

Giving visitors a glimpse into what rural life was like in the 1800s, this museum was founded in 1983 to preserve Florida's agricultural past. Providing a fun and educational experience for all ages, this museum is one of the most popular attractions in Flagler County. Located only 25 minutes from Downtown St. Augustine, the Florida Agricultural Museum features permanent and traveling exhibits that everyone will enjoy. 

Offering a historic buildings tour and an animal tour at an affordable price, learning about agriculture history could not be any more fun or accessible. Since the museum is located on hundreds of acres of land, horseback riding trail rides, horseback lessons, and summer horse camps are also available. Make sure to plan your trip before visiting. 

Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa

Address: 200 Ocean Crest Drive 

Hours: 24 hours 

The Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa is an upscale resort located 33 miles from Daytona Beach and 23 miles from St. Augustine, which makes it a centrally located destination for anyone moving to Palm Coast or visiting the area. Situated on over two miles of beautiful uncrowded beach, this spectacular oceanfront resort features a full-service spa and Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson signature championship golf courses. 

The perfect destination for corporate events, family vacations, gatherings with friends, and romantic staycations, the Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa offers luxury for any situation. Providing excellent service, luxurious rooms, suites, and villas, this resort is known for its top-rated amenities and experiences. 

Featuring a water park, pools, marina, fitness center, a kid's camp, and highly-rated dining options, there is always something to do. Since the resort has its own private beach, visitors will have easy access to water sports activities, including swimming, kayaking, water skiing, paddleboarding, parasailing, sailing, and jet skiing. 

Princess Place Preserve 

Address: 2500 Princess Place Road 

Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM 

Considered to be a historical and environmental treasure in Palm Coast and Flagler County, Princess Place Preserve is the place to be for a relaxing afternoon. Situated on 1,500 acres, this nature preserve protects the oldest homestead in the country and provides visitors a glimpse into old Florida. 

Between state road A1A and Interstate 95, Princess Place Preserve features miles of hiking trails, equestrian trails, camping sites, and fishing spots along the Matanzas River and Pellicer Creek. A hidden jewel, this preserve in northern Flagler County is a must-visit for families and outdoor enthusiasts.  

The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience 

Address: 9505 N Ocean Shore Blvd 

Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday - Friday, closed Saturday - Sunday 

The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience in St.Augustine is a marine lab part of the University of Florida. This research and teaching facility is a center for biomedical and biotechnology research. Founded in 1974, this laboratory studies marine animals. It applies research to human health problems and the environment through biodiversity, ocean health, aquatic chemistry, neuroscience, cell regeneration, sensory biology, embryology, and evolutionary genomics. 

Comprised of more than 70 staff members, associates, visiting scientists, and students, The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience is a leader in studying marine life and medicine. Home to The Sea Turtle Hospital, which opened in 2015, this laboratory has also done much for sea turtle conservation in Northeast Florida. 

Marineland Dolphin Adventure 

Address: 9600 N Ocean Shore Blvd 

Hours: 8:30 AM to 3 PM every day 

Considered one of Florida's first mammal parks, Marineland Dolphin Adventure in Marineland is only about a 15-minute drive North of Palm Coast via state road A1A. Referred to as the "world's first oceanarium," Marineland Dolphin Adventure is a top-rated and state-of-the-art entertainment and swim with the dolphin's facility. 

Entertaining visitors since 1938, Marineland is dedicated to educating the public about bottlenose dolphins through hands-on interaction. Known to take good care of its animals, this popular attraction is accredited by multiple organizations, including the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association, the American Humane Conservation, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. 

Providing affordable general admission tickets and annual passes, this popular attraction is a great place to bring the whole family for a fun day spent with marine animals. Since reproduction programs have been successful, Marineland has not collected any dolphins from the wild since 1972. Sand Tiger Sharks, Stingrays, Sea Turtles, Eels, Diamondback Terrapins, and Red Footed Tortoises also call Marineland Dolphin adventure home. 

You can make reservations in advance online. Start planning your trip today. 

City Repertory Theatre 

Address: 160 Cypress Point Parkway 

The City Repertory Theatre in Palm Coast is a small and intimate venue host to theatrical performances. Providing alternative entertainment, this performing arts theatre is the only theatre of its kind in Northeast Florida in the City Market Place. A great place to experience the local arts scene with friends or family, the City Repertory Theatre features unique shows and performances with affordable general admission prices. Tickets can be bought online or at the box office. Ensure you arrive at least 30 minutes before to find your seat and purchase beverages. 

FAQs 

How far is Palm Coast from Disney? 

The driving distance between Palm Coast and Disney World is 96.5 miles, almost a two-hour drive. 

How far away is Palm Coast from Miami? 

The driving distance between Palm Coast and Miami is 287 miles, equating to a four-hour drive. 

Is Palm Coast near West Palm Beach? 

Palm Coast is 225 miles from West Palm Beach via Interstate 95 South and is a three-hour drive. 

What Ocean is Palm Coast, Florida, on? 

Palm Coast is located on the Atlantic Coast and is found on 70 miles of saltwater and freshwater canals. Home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic, the water is warm and blue-green. 

Best Things To Do in Palm Coast, FL - Final Thoughts 

Whether you are searching for something fun to do with the whole family or for a new date night idea with your loved one, Palm Coast has no shortage of unique and exciting attractions that everyone will enjoy. If you are moving to Florida and are ready to call Palm Coast home, contact us to get in touch with one of our Realty Specialists. UpHomes is here to help you find your dream home.