3 Best Sights in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast, Florida

Off Wabasso Beach Road, the 64 acres here are almost completely surrounded by water. In addition to a 600-foot boardwalk through the mangrove shoreline and a 1-mile canoe trail, there are aquariums filled with Indian River creatures. Boat and kayak trips to see the historic Pelican Island rookery are on offer along with guided nature walks and touch-tank encounters. Call or check the center's website for times.

This hydroland is the place to go for an interactive marine experience and to live the center's mission "to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida's coastal ecosystems through education and research." Petting and feeding stingrays can be done at various times; in the morning, a sea turtle program introduces you to three full-time residents. Make sure to catch the "feeding frenzy," when keepers toss food into the 750,000-gallon lagoon tank and sharks, tarpon, and snook swarm the surface. Join a 1-mile guided walk through the coastal hardwood hammock and mangrove swamp habitats, or explore the trails on your own—you may see a dolphin or manatee swim by.

The draw here is 135 acres of mostly undisturbed Florida pine flatwoods with 2½ miles of self-guided trails and demonstration landscaping, including a butterfly garden and coastal dune habitats, all with interpretive signs. School groups use the trails during the week, and there are special events like summer day camps. The Gold LEED-certified buildings on site hold the gift shop and classrooms.