Winter is the season here: two spring training stadiums, twelve weeks of international show jumping and polo every Sunday, all within 45 minutes of Boca Raton.
The short answer
Palm Beach County sports include spring training at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches (Astros and Nationals) and Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter (Marlins and Cardinals), Sunday polo at the International Polo Club in Wellington, the Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington International, and public golf and tennis at Osprey Point and Patch Reef Park.
Local's pickThe center of American polo, running Sunday matches from January to April in Wellington with lawn seating, box tables and a famous divot stomp at halftime. Dress up; it is that kind of afternoon.
Local's pickHome of the Winter Equestrian Festival, twelve weeks of world-class show jumping from January to April. Grounds admission is free most days and Saturday Night Lights is one of the county's best free evenings out.
The largest croquet facility in the world, with ten acres of lawn in West Palm Beach, public lessons on Saturday mornings and a restaurant overlooking the courts. Whites are traditional but not required for beginners.
A 1,700-acre county park with a water-ski lake, BMX track, nature center, golf course and miles of paved trail. Free to enter and big enough that it never feels full.
A 27-hole county-run course in West Boca that plays well above its green fees, with a lit driving range and a good grill. Book a week ahead for weekend mornings in season.
A poker room, simulcast racing and a surprisingly good restaurant, open late seven days a week just off Belvedere Road. The main indoor late-night option in the county.
Boca's main community sports park: 17 lit tennis courts, pickleball, ball fields, a large shaded playground and a paved loop. Courts can be booked online and mornings are the civilised slot.
Jupiter's spring training park, shared by the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals, and the only stadium in Florida hosting two MLB clubs. Small, walkable and easy with kids.
Spring training home of the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals, with February and March games plus Florida State League baseball into the summer. Berm tickets are cheap and shaded by late afternoon.