Eight (now more affordable) things to do this summer in West Palm Beach and beyond
In Palm Beach County, the days are getting hotter, students are out of school and tourists are staking out the perfect spot on local beaches.
Yes, summer is right around the corner, and so are the summer deals and events. For the adventurous, a single summer pass offers access to a safari, a zoo, a science museum and an alligator farm.
For film enthusiasts, all of the major theaters are offering family-friendly movies for as little as $1.50.
And for those who want relief from the heat, a local water park is hosting weekly events, while a Greenacres bowling alley and a West Palm Beach museum are offering affordable fun.
Here are eight ways to get out and about this summer:
Rapids Water Park announces summer parties, movies and ticket discounts
Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach — voted one of the best outdoor water parks in the country two years ago — is hosting weekly events, along with a special offer on season passes that ends this month.
The water park, 6566 N. Military Trail, is throwing a foam party at the wave pool every Friday in June and July. The parties are from noon to 3 p.m. and include a live DJ.
The park is also planning "dive-in movies" every Monday in June and July, when families can enjoy a feature film while floating in the Big Surf Wave Pool or lounging on a beach chair. Keep an eye on the Rapids Water Park social media accounts and website, rapidswaterpark.com, for movie announcements and show times.
Both the foam parties and the movies are included with a general admission ticket, which range from about $50 to $60, or with a season pass that usually costs $129.95.
Season passes are on sale for $109.95 — or two monthly payments of $54.97.
Season passes also include unlimited visits, free parking in the regular lot, a 10% discount on food and merchandise, a 20% discount on cabana rentals and free admission to other parks throughout the country.
Cinemark, AMC and Regal theaters offer summer movies at deep discounts
Anyone can enjoy blockbuster movies in Palm Beach County for just $1.50 to $5 a ticket for both children and adults.
Cinemark is offering the $1.50 deal from June 19 through Aug. 10, during its Summer Movie Clubhouse promotion. The discounted movies — a lineup that includes "Sonic the Hedgehog," "Puss in Boots," and "Minions:The Rise of Gru" — will play on Wednesdays at 9:30 am.
Participating theaters include Cinemark Palace 20 in Boca Raton and Cinemark Boynton Beach 14. For more information, visit cinemark.com.
Regal is offering even more opportunities to catch a movie for just $2 a ticket on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., now through Sept. 6. The lineup includes "How to Train Your Dragon," "Shrek Forever After", "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie," "Kung Fu Panda," "Curious George," and "Paw Patrol."
The movie showings vary by location, so contact your local Regal theater for more information about the Summer Movie Express promotion.
If those options don't work, AMC Theatres' Summer Movie Camp is offering tickets for $3 on Wednesdays and $5 on Saturdays from May 27 to Aug. 30. The lineup includes "Boss Baby," "The Secret Life of Pets" and "Trolls World Tour."
For tickets and a full schedule of showings, visit amctheatres.com.
Visit Lion Country Safari and Cox Science Center and Aquarium with just one ticket
A deal known as the Summer Savings Pass offers entry to four attractions, including two in Palm Beach County, for the entire summer.
The pass offers unlimited access to Lion Country Safari, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach, the Everglades Alligator Farm in Homestead, and Zoo Miami.
The Summer Savings Pass is good through Aug. 31 and costs $65.99 for adults and $55.99 for children between the ages of 3 and 12. That's compared with the regular price of $45 for just one adult admission to Lion Country Safari.
More information about the attractions and passes is available at summersavingspass.com.
Boca Raton's Summer in the City offers free concerts at the Mizner Park Amphitheater
Summer in the City is bringing free entertainment to Boca Raton almost every Friday through early August.
All shows start at 8 p.m. (except for the Movie Soundtracks performance) at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real in Boca Raton.
The lineup includes:
The Elvis Presley Experience with Matt Stone on June 2.
The Beach Buoys, a tribute to the Beach Boys on June 16.
Movie Soundtracks performed by The Symphonia Boca Raton and the FAU Summer Concert Ban,d with Kyle Prescott conducting, on June 30. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Best of Both Worlds, a tribute to Van Halen on July 7.
Purple Madness, a tribute to Prince on July 14.
We Are Yacht Rock, soft rock hits from the late 1970s through early 1980s on on July 21.
Neil Diamond tribute featuring Rob Garrett on July 28.
"Attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, carpool and use free parking at City Hall and the Boca Raton Library," the city announced. "Food and beverages will be available to purchase inside the venue. All shows are rain or shine."
For more information, visit myboca.us .
Free bowling for kids twice a day, every day
Kids Bowl Free partners with more than 1,500 bowling centers around the globe, including at least one in Palm Beach County.
As part of the summer program, Greenacres Bowl, 6126 Lake Worth Road, is offering two free games every day to kids between the ages of 2 to 15.
To learn more and sign up, visit kidsbowlfree.com and gatorbowling.com.
"This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer," Kids Bowl Free said on its website.
West Palm Beach museum offers $10 art workshops for families
The Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, is the home of "Family Studio," a gallery experience and art workshop that costs only $10 for the whole family.
The program is for children between the ages of 5 to 12 and the grown-ups joining them. Each session is different, and the museum has programs scheduled for May 27, June 3, June 10 and June 24.
A description for the session in late June says families will "create your own book of memories using Polaroids, magazines, photocopies, text, and mixed media."
For more information, visit norton.org, and send an email to familyprograms@norton.org to check availability.
Something for everyone at Mounts Botanical Garden this summer
Mounts Botanical Garden, 531 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach, has dozens of classes and events scheduled throughout the summer.
In June, visitors can try their hand at watercolor painting, tai chi, photography, gardening, yoga and nature therapy, among other offerings.
Check out mounts.org for the full calendar of events and prices.
See a cougar or a capybara at the Palm Beach Zoo
The Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd. in West Palm Beach, is home to hundreds of animals — many of them endangered.
Visitors can see alligators, capuchin monkeys, giant anteaters, jaguars, otters and ring-tailed lemurs at a cost of $27.75 for adults, $25.75 for seniors and $21.75 for children ages 3 to 12.
Guests can get even closer to a handful of animals by purchasing a separate experience on top of the general admission ticket. The zoo offers a meet-and-greet with its koalas, Ellin and Sydney, or with its otters, tigers, tortoises, capybaras, flamingos and sloths.
Learn more and buy tickets at palmbeachzoo.org.
Giuseppe Sabella is a reporter at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at gsabella@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism and subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Summer fun: Rapids Water Park, Lion Country Safari and other deals
