Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens: Four Decades’ Worth of an American Artist’s Work

For Ann Weaver Norton, art was a way of life from the moment she picked up a pencil. She was only five when she began drawing, and eight when she forayed into sculpting. So it probably came as no surprise to those who knew her that she ultimately pursued a career in art at New York City's National Academy of Design, Arts Student League of New York, and the Cooper Union.

At Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, you can see many of her finest works on display. The beautifully landscaped garden showcases pieces in bronze, stone, and wood, and they span 40 years' worth of work. Some of the sculptures stand more than 12 feet tall, creating an imposing presence in the garden. But Norton's strokes are so meticulous, especially when it comes to her abstract Gateways, that you won't be able to stop staring at any of the pieces, regardless of their size.

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
253 Barcelona Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 832-5328
www.ansg.org
www.yelp.com/biz/norton-ann-sculpture-gardens-west-palm-beach

Enjoy the Florida Wilderness at Village Park in Wellington

Many Wellington residents come to Village Park with a particular activity in mind: a stroll through the Peaceful Waters nature preserve. A boardwalk winds throughout the preserve, a pretty typical feature for the area. The thing that really stands out about Village Park's nature walk is that you're free to stray from the boardwalk if you like. Various dirt paths branch off from the boardwalk, allowing guests to explore the foliage and waters up close.

For those who are more interested in heavier exercise, Village Park also plays host to many athletic spaces. There are five soccer fields and four football fields, four baseball or softball diamonds and two hockey rinks, and many multipurpose rooms for open play. Set up a picnic in one of the pavilions or grab some food at the concession stands (there are five) before or after you compete with friends.

Village Park
11700 Pierson Road
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 791-4005
www.wellingtonfl.gov/community/parks-and-recreation/parks-a-rental-facilities/village-park.html
www.yelp.com/biz/village-park-wellington

Monkey Joe’s: Active Fun, Rain or Shine

Every parent dreads a rainy weekend with all of the kids cooped up indoors. That's where Monkey Joe's comes in. Rain or shine, sleet or hail, the indoor playground always promises active fun to the kids of Lake Worth—and a break from constant complaints for the parents of those kids.

So head to Monkey Joe's the next time that you can't seem to keep your brood entertained at home. There's plenty for them to do at Monkey Joe's, just keep a close eye on them from the tables at the center of the inflatable playground. Watch while they bounce around inside one of the inflatable houses or zoom down a cushy slide. Take younger kids to the Mini Monkey Zone, where toddlers can play with toys while the older kids keep the gravity-defying fun going. Rest assured that everything inside of Monkey Joe's is sanitary because it enlists Swisher's SWAT treatment to get rid of germs on a regular basis.

Monkey Joe's
6250 Lantana Road
Lake Worth, FL 33463
(561) 968-0009
www.monkeyjoes.com/locations/lake-worth
www.yelp.com/biz/monkey-joes-lake-worth

Let Kids Seize a Pirate Ship at Tiger Shark Cove Park

A pirate's ship. Castle turrets. A kid-sized locomotive. They were all built by volunteers for Wellington's Tiger Shark Cove Park, home to colorful Leather's Playground, which was designed by local residents. Children can explore its twisting wooden paths or swing between monkey bars. Parents love the park almost as much as kids not only for its creative features, but also for its safety: the ground is covered with a cushy blue mat to protect little knees and elbows, and the entire playground is fenced in with only one entrance and exit.

Beyond the playground, Tiger Shark Cove boasts three pavilions for picnics, as well as a concession stand for snacks. On weekends, you can reserve the pavilions for a half or whole day, but on weekdays they're first-come, first-serve. It also holds four softball fields and two batting cages for more structured play.

Tiger Shark Cove Park
13800 Greenbriar Boulevard
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 791-4000
https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/community/parks-and-recreation/parks-a-rental-facilities/tiger-shark-cove.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tiger-shark-cove-park-wellington

South Florida Science Center and Aquarium: From Meteorites to Alligators

If your children take an interest in nature in any capacity, then be sure to take them to the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. Its eclectic mix of exhibits and aquarium habitats showcase everything from local flora and fauna to artifacts from the field of space exploration.

Head to the "Out of This World" exhibit if you have a budding astronaut in your brood. He or she will probably enjoy getting the chance to touch a 232-pound meteorite and see the moon rock that's on display. The "Everglades" exhibit, on the other hand, caters to kids who want to learn more about their natural habitat. The hands-on exhibit teaches little ones about the colorful creatures living in the Florida Everglades, from the Florida Panther to the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. Anyone who wants to see the living, breathing creatures up close can head to the 3,000-square-foot aquarium, where you'll find everything from sea horses to rattlesnakes. Your youngster can even pet a live alligator every Saturday and Sunday afternoon!

South Florida Science Center and Aquarium
4801 Dreher Trail N.
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
(561) 832-1988
www.sfsciencecenter.org
www.yelp.com/biz/south-florida-science-center-and-aquarium-west-palm-beach

Anthony Vince Nail Spa: Decorating Wellington Fingertips

In contrast to many nail places that have a somewhat casual vibe, the interior of Anthony Vince Nail Spa in Wellington is modern and professional. That attitude extends to the services, which are performed to the utmost precision.

A wide variety of nail polishes and glosses are available in every color of the rainbow, and manicures start at just $13. More extravagant treatments include the royal spa pedicure, which pairs a lower leg and foot massage with a cleansing lavender scrub that exfoliates and revives the skin, then followed by a hot towel wrap and polish. Or go for the hot stone paraffin spa pedicure, which features an invigorating hot stone massage with leg and foot treatments. You need to call ahead for that one, though.

Ask for Sabrina! Her services receive rave reviews.

Anthony Vince Nail Spa
2605 South State Road 7
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 790-4883
www.avnailspawellington.com
www.yelp.com/biz/anthony-vince-nail-spa-wellington

Panther Ridge Conservation Center: See The Cats

Many people don’t realize that Florida is actually home to a wide variety of large wildcats, many of whom are rapidly finding their habitats decimated by the wave of real estate development that swept through our area over the last few decades. Panther Ridge Conservation Center was established in 1999 to provide a safe haven for big cats rescued from dangerous situations around the country, and now there are over twenty of the majestic animals currently in permanent residence there. Visitors are amazed by the incredible care that the animals are given. The cheetahs, jaguars, leopards and other animals are sheltered in clean, spacious enclosures and fed excellent food, keeping them in the prime of health. A visit here is a spectacular educational experience that far surpasses any zoo – you’ll learn so much about the lives of these animals, the conditions they were rescued from, and their species' futures. Panther Ridge is a fantastic organization and the Panther Ridge Convservation Center is well worth a visit.

Panther Ridge Conservation Center
14755 Palm Beach Point Boulevard
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 795-8914
www.pantherridgecc.org

Pin It on Pinterest