Things to Do in Lantana FL and Manalapan: Beach Days, Waterfront Parks and Small-Town Dining

Most things to do in Lantana FL revolve around the water. This small Palm Beach County town has its own ocean beach, Intracoastal parks with fishing piers and boat ramps, and one of Florida's oldest waterfront restaurants. Next door, Manalapan is quieter still, with a small shopping plaza and a county inlet park at its southern edge. This guide covers beach days, parks, dining and errands in both towns. It also looks at how daily life here compares with bigger neighbors like Lake Worth Beach and Boynton Beach.

Key takeaways

• Lantana's Municipal Beach Park at 100 N. Ocean Boulevard has about 750 feet of beach, a playground, a volleyball court, grills and a small pavilion.
• Residents can buy a beach parking decal for $37.28, with a limit of two per year, valid through September 30. Non-residents use the meters.
• Sportsman's Park on East Ocean Avenue has boat ramps and a fishing pier on the Intracoastal. Anyone can buy a boat trailer permit for $53.25.
• The Old Key Lime House dates to 1889 and is widely called Florida's oldest waterfront restaurant.
• Manalapan's Plaza del Mar has a Publix, casual restaurants and shops. Ocean Inlet Park sits just south of town at the Boynton Inlet.

Lantana and Manalapan at a glance

Lantana is an old fishing town between Lake Worth Beach and Boynton Beach. The town covers about 3 square miles, and most of it sits on the mainland along U.S. 1 and the Intracoastal. Its beach sits across the bridge on the barrier island.

Manalapan is much smaller. It sits on the barrier island between the Atlantic and the Lake Worth Lagoon, and part of it shares Hypoluxo Island with Lantana. The 2020 census counted 419 residents. In practice, the two towns share a bridge, a beach area and a lot of daily errands.

Beach days: top things to do in Lantana FL

For most visitors, the day starts at Lantana Municipal Beach Park. The town lists about 750 feet of beach for swimming and sunbathing. There is also playground equipment and a rock climbing wall for kids, plus a sand volleyball court. Picnic tables and grills are first come, first served, and a small pavilion can be reserved through the town. The park is open from sunrise to sundown, and alcohol is not allowed.

Beach parking rules

Parking is the main thing to plan for. Lantana sells resident parking decals for $37.28, including tax. Each household can buy up to two per year, and decals are valid through September 30. To get one, bring your vehicle registration, a driver's license with your current address and proof of residency. Non-residents can use the metered spaces instead.

If you are thinking about moving here, the decal is one of the small perks of living in town. It makes a quick sunset walk on the beach easy.

Intracoastal things to do in Lantana FL: fishing and kayaking

The Intracoastal side of town has its own set of things to do. Most of it sits along East Ocean Avenue, just west of the bridge.

Sportsman's Park and Bicentennial Park

Sportsman's Park, at 320 E. Ocean Avenue, has two boat ramps, fish cleaning stations and a seawall pier for fishing. Boat trailer parking needs a permit. Unlike the beach decal, anyone can buy one for $53.25, valid through September 30. Across the street, Bicentennial Park at 321 E. Ocean Avenue has open lawn space, a playground and its own seawall and pier for Intracoastal fishing.

Lyman Kayak Park

For paddlers, Lyman Kayak Park at 106 N. Lake Drive has a kayak launch and an observation dock. It is a quiet spot to start a paddle on the lagoon. Also, early mornings tend to be calm, which helps if you are new to kayaking.

Family things to do in Lantana FL at inland parks

Lantana has smaller parks inland too. Maddock Park on West Drew Street has a basketball court, a playground and a skate park. McKinley Park on Beach Curve Road has open space and play equipment. These are the kind of everyday parks that matter more once you live here.

Waterfront dining among the things to do in Lantana FL

Lantana's dining scene is small and casual. The best-known spot is the Old Key Lime House on the Intracoastal. The building dates to 1889, when it was a home for the Lyman family, the town's early settlers. It later became a restaurant and is widely called Florida's oldest waterfront restaurant. CBS12 reported that the owners still serve a family key lime pie recipe, and the place has a large tiki bar on the water.

Beyond that, most local dining sits along U.S. 1, Lantana Road and East Ocean Avenue. Expect casual seafood, diners and takeout more than fine dining. For a bigger dinner scene, many residents head to downtown Lake Worth Beach, Delray Beach or West Palm Beach.

Things to do in Manalapan next door

Manalapan does not have much of a town center, and that is by design. Most of the town is private homes along State Road A1A and on Hypoluxo Island. Still, a few spots draw people from Lantana and beyond.

Plaza del Mar

Plaza del Mar sits at the corner of East Ocean Avenue and South Ocean Boulevard. The town's website describes it as an upscale shopping center anchored by a Publix grocery store. Its tenant list includes casual restaurants such as John G's and the Ice Cream Club, along with boutiques, salons and a bank. For beachgoers, it is the easiest place to grab lunch or groceries near the sand.

Ocean Inlet Park and the Boynton Inlet

Manalapan's southern edge is the South Lake Worth Inlet, which locals often call the Boynton Inlet. Ocean Inlet Park, a county park, sits on the south side of the inlet in Ocean Ridge. It covers about 11 acres from the ocean to the lagoon. The park is popular for inlet fishing, beach time and watching boats run through the cut.

Public beach access in Manalapan

Manalapan's oceanfront is mostly private estates. So for a public beach day, most people use Lantana's beach park at the north end or Ocean Inlet Park at the south end. Check posted signs before you park along A1A.

Daily life beyond things to do in Lantana FL

Living here is different from visiting. Lantana feels like a small town, with its own police, water utility and marine safety team. Errands are close by along U.S. 1 and Lantana Road. In addition, I-95 runs along the west side of town, so trips to West Palm Beach or Boca Raton are fairly direct.

Compared with Lake Worth Beach and Boynton Beach, Lantana has fewer restaurants, shops and events. However, it is quieter, and the beach and boat ramps are easy to reach. Many residents like that trade. They live in the small town and drive a short way for a bigger night out.

Manalapan is quieter still. Daily shopping happens at Plaza del Mar or on the mainland, and there is very little public life inside town limits. For buyers who want privacy above all, that is the appeal.

Housing near the things to do in Lantana FL

Housing in the two towns sits at very different price points. According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Lantana had 168 active residential listings, with a median list price of $372,500. That median mixes condos, townhouses and houses, so a single-family home near the water will usually cost more. You can browse current listings on our Lantana page.

Manalapan is an ultra-luxury market with very few listings. The same MLS data showed only 19 active residential listings on October 1, 2026, mostly large estates, so a median price there says little about a typical home. See our Manalapan page for what is on the market. For a deeper look at the trade-offs, read our guide to living in Lantana.

For county context, Palm Beach County's single-family median sale price was $650,000 in August 2026, according to Miami Realtors. The condo and townhouse median was $300,000. So Lantana gives buyers a beach-town address below many coastal neighbors.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in Lantana FL?

Most people start at Lantana Municipal Beach Park. After that, try fishing from the piers at Sportsman's Park or Bicentennial Park, or launch a kayak at Lyman Kayak Park. Dinner at the Old Key Lime House on the Intracoastal is a local tradition.

Is parking free at Lantana beach?

Not for most visitors. Non-residents use metered spaces. Lantana residents can buy an annual parking decal for $37.28, up to two per household, valid through September 30.

Does Manalapan have a public beach?

Manalapan's oceanfront is mostly private. Most people use Lantana's beach park just to the north or Ocean Inlet Park at the Boynton Inlet just to the south.

Where can I launch a boat in Lantana?

Sportsman's Park at 320 E. Ocean Avenue has two boat ramps on the Intracoastal. Trailer parking needs a permit, which anyone can buy for $53.25.

Is Lantana a good place to live if I like the beach?

For many buyers, yes. The town runs its own beach and Intracoastal parks, and prices tend to sit below many coastal towns. The trade-off is a smaller dining and shopping scene and limited homes for sale.

Sources

• Town of Lantana, Municipal Beach Park
• Town of Lantana, resident parking decals and boat trailer permits
• Town of Lantana, Sportsman's Park
• Town of Lantana, parks and facilities
• Town of Lantana, about us
• CBS12, The Old Key Lime House (July 2026)
• Town of Manalapan, Plaza del Mar
• Town of Manalapan, history
• Wikipedia, South Lake Worth Inlet and Ocean Inlet Park
• Wikipedia, Manalapan, Florida (2020 census)
• Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 market report

Own a home in Lantana or Manalapan? Buyers watch for every new listing in these small towns, so see what yours could sell for with a free home valuation. Thinking of moving here? Book a neighborhood tour for Lantana and we will show you the beach, the parks and the streets that fit your budget. Contact our team.