There is no shortage of things to do in Palm Coast, and that is a big part of why so many of our clients never want to leave. As a family-run brokerage rooted here since 2008, Charles Umpenhour, Inc. gets asked about the best beaches, parks, and trails almost as often as we get asked about homes for sale — so we put our favourites in one guide for newcomers and locals alike.
Palm Coast blends coastal Florida nature with an easygoing, master-planned lifestyle. Here is how we would spend a great weekend in the area.
Get outside: parks and nature
The outdoors is the headline attraction. Top picks for things to do in Palm Coast:
- Washington Oaks Gardens State Park: formal gardens, a rose garden, oak-hammock trails, and a famous coquina-rock beach on A1A
- Waterfront Park: a 20-acre Intracoastal park with a fishing pier, playground, pavilions, and connected trails
- Linear Park and the trail network: part of more than 130 miles of trails threading the city for walking and biking
- Bings Landing and the Hammock: riverside parks, boat access, and quiet beach stretches on the barrier island
Palm Coast is car-dependent — it scores about 6 on Walk Score — but the trade-off is easy driving access to all of it.
Hit the beach
You are minutes from the Atlantic. Flagler Beach’s low-rise, old-Florida charm and historic pier are a short drive south, the Hammock’s quieter beaches sit just east near Hammock Dunes in Palm Coast, and day trips to Ormond Beach and St. Augustine are simple from here. Boaters have it even better, with roughly 70 miles of saltwater and freshwater canals inside the city.
Golf, dining, and gathering spots
Golfers are spoiled for choice, from the Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Grand Haven to the championship layouts inside Hammock Dunes. For dining and shopping, European Village is the walkable hub — restaurants, bars, shops, and a weekly farmers market wrapped in European-style architecture near Palm Harbor.
Add a busy calendar of community events, farmers markets, and festivals, and there is always something on the schedule.
Family-friendly things to do
Families settle in fast here. Beyond the parks and beaches, the city’s playgrounds, sports fields, splash pads, and community programs keep kids busy year-round, and the surrounding nature — kayaking the canals, fishing the Intracoastal, spotting wildlife at the state park — turns an ordinary weekend into an adventure.
If all this has you picturing a move, our complete guide to buying a home in Palm Coast walks through the process, and our Palm Coast real estate market update shows what buyers face right now. Deciding between coastal cities? Our Palm Coast vs Ormond Beach comparison helps.
Make it home
Half the fun of these things to do in Palm Coast is doing them as a resident, not a visitor. When you are ready to plant roots, our home buyers’ resources and Palm Coast communities pages are the place to start, and you can learn more about our family team any time. As a trusted local brokerage, Charles Umpenhour, Inc. knows every section and can point you to the neighbourhood that fits your lifestyle.
FAQ
What are the best things to do in Palm Coast, FL?
Top picks include Washington Oaks Gardens State Park and its coquina-rock beach, Waterfront Park on the Intracoastal, the city’s 130-plus miles of trails, golf at Grand Haven and Hammock Dunes, and dining and shopping at European Village.
Is Palm Coast good for families?
Yes. Palm Coast offers beaches, parks, trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and community events, plus easy access to Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach, and St. Augustine, which makes it popular with families, retirees, and remote workers alike.
What outdoor activities are there in Palm Coast?
Kayaking and boating the canals, fishing the Intracoastal, biking the trail network, walking Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, and relaxing on nearby beaches are among the most popular outdoor things to do in Palm Coast year-round.
Thinking about calling Palm Coast home? Call Charles Umpenhour, Inc. at (386) 447-4663 or connect with our family team through cuirealestate.com and let our family help yours enjoy everything there is to do in Palm Coast.