THINGS TO DO IN JUPITER: Spots for Brown Bag Lunch
Looking for a relaxing — and Covid-safe — spot to eat el fresco in Jupiter?
Here are my five brown bag favorites.
No charge for admission.
And parking is free at all of ’em!
Pelicans perch the dock and the kayakers float by on the east side of Alternate A1A north of Indiantown Road.
There’s always a breeze as the boats pass in front of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. It’s fun to watch the U.S. 1 bridge — scheduled to be replaced in about three years — go up and down.
If the sun’s too bright, take shade under gazebos on the north and south ends.
You might have to share the picnic table with the fishermen, who like to tell stories about the big one they caught — yesterday.
Go behind the Loxahatchee River Center next to Fire Station 18 on the east side of U.S. 1, and maybe one of the wooden gazebos — with picnic tables, trash barrels and cooking grills — will be open.
If it’s not your lucky day, park in the shade of one of the many sea grape trees. Roll down your windows and enjoy the cool breeze.
Through the thick mangroves, most about 20 feet high, watch the boats, paddle boarders and kayakers float by on the Loxahatchee River.
The sanctuary on Jupiter Park Drive has picnic tables next door to the visitor center.
After lunch, you can take a walk and see the otters, foxes, alligators, bald eagles, parrots, opossums, bears, panthers, snakes and all the other critters.
Don’t forget to make a donation in the wooden box as you enter the gift shop.
There’s lots of great places to dine at one of Palm Beach County’s smallest — and most popular — parks.
You can sit under the pavilion named after Roy Rood — a member of one of Jupiter’s pioneer families. Or stop along the jetty and watch the fishermen and the boats drift in and out of the Jupiter Inlet.
There’s more picnic tables near the kid’s snorkeling area.
For dessert, check out the DuBois Pioneer Home, one of the oldest buildings in Palm Beach County.
Pull up in the parking lot in front of the Lazy Loggerhead Cafe, and Jupiter’s best oceanfront view is right there.
About two dozen open wooden gazebos provide cool shade while you enjoy your lunch and listen to the waves pound the shore.
Walk off lunch down the path through the mangroves and watch the surfers, swimmers and kite boarders on the beach.
Riverbend Park/Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park:
If you don’t mind a few cantankerous squirrels, take a seat on the picnic tables next to the Jupiter Outdoor Center kayak/bicycle rental store.
The hut is cool, even on real hot days. The rumbling from the traffic on Indiantown Road is only a few football fields away, but the only noise you hear are a few squawking birds.
After lunch, take a walk around and check out the Seminole Wars battlefield sites.
And come back on your day off and go on a kayaking, bike riding or stand-up paddle boarding adventure at Jupiter Outdoor Center!
Check out the Local Leader in Outdoor Activities: Contact Jupiter Outdoor Center at jupiteroutdoorcenter.com
