Flagler Beach Family Fun: Where to Play, Laugh and Explore

Flagler Beach is a picturesque beach town situated on Florida’s east coast. The city draws visitors looking to escape the hustle of large metros, but still has plenty to do. Plus, it’s never hard to find beaches to pitch an umbrella and relax. If it’s time for a new place, check out all the Flagler Beach family fun and popular activities.

Flagler Beach Family Fun: 5 Ways to Get Everyone Together

Visit Flagler Beach and Municipal Pier

Flagler Beach and nearby Palm Coast beaches offer more than 19 miles of ocean views and places to play. Flagler Beach welcomes families – and pets in certain sections – year-round.

For more Flagler Beach family fun, visit Flagler Beach Fishing Pier. For a small fee, visitors fish from the pier and enjoy stunning views of the water and marine life. Frequent visitors also suggest chatting with fishermen who know the area best.

Hike Gamble Rogers Recreation Area

This popular gathering spot sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. The park measures 145 acres and is named after Gamble Rogers, a Florida folk singer and storyteller.

Popular activities range from bicycling and birding to shelling and swimming. Families enjoy strolling nature trails to the beach, which is home to protected sea turtles and their eggs. Gamble Rogers Park also has a boat ramp, so boaters and paddlers have easy access to Intracoastal Waterway.

When not in the water, visit the butterfly garden. This attraction offers a serene escape where visitors see butterflies, flowering plants, other insects, and birds. In addition, families enjoy reading about native plants and butterflies and taking lots of photos.

Canoe Bulow Plantation Ruins

Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park tells the story of sugar plantations in east Florida. This site once served as home to the Bulow family, who grew sugar cane, cotton, rice and indigo. However, Second Seminole War left the plantation in ruins.

Today, families explore this historical site and go boating, fishing, canoeing, and hiking. Start with a self-guided hike through one of the largest sugar plantations in east Florida. Explore ruins of the sugar mill, wells, spring house, boat slips and housing. Then rent canoes from the park office and spend time on the water. Families also enjoy amenities such as picnic areas with grills and restrooms.

Explore Flagler Beach Historical Museum

Perfect during a rainy day, Flagler Beach Historical Museum showcases the area’s history through photography, displays and an expert docent.

Volunteers welcome guests every day to learn about the Palm Coast area and local history. Artifacts cover settlements from as early as 1500s to 1900s, and include documents, memorabilia, Native American life and space exploration. The entire tour takes less than an hour, and don’t forget to leave a donation.

Play at Marineland Dolphin Adventure

For Flagler Beach family fun all ages enjoy, head to Marineland Dolphin Adventure. This attraction is located a 30-minute drive north of Flagler Beach and offers different experiences. Examples include swim adventures, dolphin encounters, meet-and-greets, special tours and workshops.

Those short on time may purchase a general admission ticket. General admission grants access to viewing animal habitats, such as dolphins, sea turtles and red-footed tortoise. Marineland Dolphin Adventure also hosts daily presentations included with admission.

Drive to Palm Coast

Those who vacation in Flagler Beach also have access to nearby Palm Coast. The city is situated north of Flagler Beach and has several places for Flagler Beach family fun. State parks and nature preserves showcase Old Florida and wildlife. Then shop European Village and local art galleries.

To see a show, check the schedule at Flagler Auditorium. Here families enjoy live entertainment, music, theatrical performances, holiday extravaganzas and Broadway favorites.

For the best local experience, dine at these Palm Coast restaurants. Not only will families find fresh seafood, but the area also has favorites that serve breakfast, barbecue, pizza, burgers, steak, pasta and other entrees.

Browse Flagler Beach vacation rentals perfect for families.