Flagler County / Palm Coast Area  Activities

There’s no end to the fun in Flagler County—from swimming and surfing in the Atlantic Ocean and strolling our beautiful beaches to arranging a tennis clinic at a first class resort, golfing at a challenging championship course, fishing, taking a walk through our eco-tourism parks or riding on one of our many bike paths. You can have fun in Flagler County and forget the crowds and noise.

Things To See & Do

Beach

There are 19 miles of sunny beaches in Flagler County and there is rarely a traffic jam or crowds. Swim, sunbathe, surf or just walk the beach. You can even walk your dog or take a horseback ride on our beaches (except inside the Flagler Beach city limits from 20^th Street North to 20^th Street South). Come enjoy the peaceful beaches of Flagler County.

Golf

One of the finest golf destinations in the country is located in Flagler County. Palm Coast is home to the only resort in the U.S. with courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. Palm Coast Golf Resort’s five signature courses provide a lifestyle for residents that’s the envy of nearly every golf enthusiast – a true "golfer’s heaven". The courses, all located in some of Florida’s most picturesque woodlands, each have their own individual style and variety of challenges or enjoy Flagler Beach’s ocean-side nine-hole course at Ocean Palms located on A1A in South Flagler Beach. Ocean Hammock Golf Club is a magnificent new Jack Nicklaus Signature design featuring 6 holes along the Atlantic Ocean. With 5 set of tees, this championship-caliber course offers every player a challenge.

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Tennis

Flagler County is home to 52 tennis courts located throughout the county. The Player’s Racquet Club in Palm Coast offers 18 tennis courts (12 clay, 4 hard and 2 grass) and is considered one of the finest in the Southeast. The Players Club has activities for all levels of players and is home to several USTA Sanctioned National events or enjoy one of the many public courts, most of which are lighted for night time play.

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Water Sports

Water sports abound in Flagler County and include surfing, jet-skiing, water skiing, boating, freshwater fishing and deep-sea fishing.

Fishing

Fish are abundant in Flagler County. Whether you prefer freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing, Flagler has it all. Lakes, canals, Intra-coastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean offer anglers many opportunities to cast a line. Freshwater fisherman can expect to see bass, speckled perch, crappie, catfish and bream. For the surf and pier fisherman you are likely to find trout, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, drum, snook, grouper, red snapper, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, jacks, pompano, whiting, redfish, drum, flounder, tarpon and a host of other species. Further offshore – dolphin, tuna and wahoo.

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Things To See

Marineland

Marineland opened in 1938 as the world’s first "oceanarium." Although a great deal of marine research is done here, Marineland is best known for its dolphin shows and aquarium displays. Here, one can discover the mysteries of a tropical reef, a rainbow-colored world teeming with marine life. Divers hand-feed sharks, turtles and eels. "Swim with the Dolphins" program is available.  Located on Hwy. A1A North in County, Open every day except Tuesday, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Admission. (904) 460-1275 or (800) 279-9194. Click here for access to the Dolphin Cam. Watch dolphins as they swim around!!

Flagler Auditorium

The region’s newest performing arts center, this state-of-the-art facility, includes a main theatre, a black box theatre, and seats 1000 and is host to outstanding entertainment throughout the year featuring drama, music and dance.  Contact the Box Office at (386) 437-7547 for show dates and times.

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Holden House Museum

Built in 1918 by Tom Holden, a pharmacist, the Holden House holds the history of Flagler County’s beginning before its official inception in 1917. From the brightly colored apothecary bottles, whose glass adorns the eaves of the building, to the beautifully restored pine floors that were made from local lumber, the home surrounds its visitors with the feeling of old-fashioned southern hospitality and graciousness from the moment one enters. Run by the Flagler County Historical Society, the Holden House, located at 204 East Moody Blvd. in Bunnell, is open on Wednesdays from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Free admission. (386) 437-0600 or (386) 439-3093.

Florida Agricultural Museum

The Museum to be built in Flagler County, will be a 300-acre outdoor, living history educational park depicting Florida’s heritage, including its Native American settlements, Spanish era missions of the 1600s, British plantations, open range cracker cattle ranching of the 1800s, and more modern agricultural farming. On exhibit now: "Florida’s Forest – Turpentine and Trees". The museum is located at the Island House on Princess Place Road at the Princess Place Preserve, off Old Kings Road in north Flagler County. Hours: Wednesday through Friday 9 AM to 4 PM. Free Admission. (386) 446-6730.

Flagler Beach Historical Museum

The Flagler Beach Museum features old photographs, antique tools, newspapers and other memorabilia from the early 1900's that trace the history of the city and a way of life in Old Florida. Also on display are archeological artifacts from the Bings Landing Park (fromerly known as the MalaCompra Plantation), fossils from the Intracoastal Waterway, and Indian tools from the surrounding area. Located at 207 S. Central Ave. in Flagler Beach, the museum is open Tuesday - Friday 10AM - 2 PM and on the second Saturday of the month from 12-3 PM. (386) 517-2025.

Farmer’s Market

Friday in Flagler Beach brings an old-fashioned theme to the center of town. Don't miss the opportunity to stroll amongst the vendors selling farm fresh vegetables, fruit, baked goods, nuts, and plants. Located at Veterans Park (corner of State Road 100 and Hwy. A1A in Flagler Beach).
Hours are 7 AM to 2 PM.

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State Parks

Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park

Once the site of a prosperous plantation of sugar cane, cotton, rice and indigo, all that remains of Bulow Plantation is the scattered ruins of a coquina sugar mill, the foundation of the manor house and workers village, several wells and a spring house. It was built in 1821 and destroyed in 1836 during the Second Seminole War. A scenic walking trail leads visitors to the ruins of the sugar mill where an interpretive center tells of the plantation’s history. Picnicking, canoe rentals, a nature trail and fishing are available. Located on Old Kings Road, three miles south of State Road 100 in Flagler Beach. Entry fee. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM. (386) 517-2084.

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach extends across a barrier island and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Intracoastal Waterway on the west. The 145-acre park offers coastal camping, a boat launch, picnicking, swimming, fishing, nature study and nature trails. Summer months bring sea turtles to lay their eggs in the sand at low tide. Located at 3100 South A1A in Flagler Beach. Entry fee. Hours are 8 AM to sundown. (386) 517-2086.

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Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Matanzas River, Washington Oaks State Gardens preserves 390 acres of Florida’s original coastal scenery. The park is part of Belle Vista Plantation owned by General Joseph Hernandez, a Spanish Floridian who was a militia general commanding troops in this part of Florida during the Second Seminole War. His daughter, Louisa, married George Washington, an ancestor of our first President, who subsequently bought the land from the Hernandez estate. Magnificent stately oaks and flowering gardens of native and exotic plantings prompted its later owner, the Owen D. Youngs, to gift much of the property to the State of Florida. Visitors can picnic, fish and walk through the ornamental gardens and along the river. Nature trails, an interpretive center and coquina rock formations are additional highlights. Located at 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd. In Palm Coast, two miles south of Marineland. Entry fee. Hours are 8 AM to sunset. (386) 446-6780.

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County Parks

Princess Place Preserve

Princess Place Preserve is a unique historical and environmental treasure containing the oldest homestead, circa 1886, in Flagler County. 1,435 acres are home to diverse ecosystems on the confluence of Pellicer Creek and the Matanzas River. Nature trails, picnicking, fishing, camping, bird watching and horseback trails are available at the Preserve. Located on Princess Place Road, off Old Kings Road in north Flagler County. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Free admission. (386) 437-7490.

Bings Landing

Originally known as Mala Compra Plantation, Bings Landing represents a portion of Jose Hernandez’s second plantation in the Hammock and is believed to have been his militia headquarters during the Seminole Indian War. At Mala Compra, sugar, indigo, citrus and cattle grazing thrived until a severe freeze destroyed the crops, and subsequent Seminole raids ravaged the area, burning all the existing buildings. Today, visitors can picnic, fish and enjoy the beautiful view of the Matanzas River. A playground and boat launch are available. There is currently an archaeological dig at the site uncovering the Hernandez artifacts. Located on A1A north of Palm Coast in the Hammock area.
Free admission. (386) 437-7490.

Flagship Harbor

This environmental preserve of 341-acres provides walking trails, picnic areas, education/picnic pavillion, barbecue grills, boardwalks and observation platforms overlooking the salt water marsh and Intracoastal Waterway. South of S.R. 100 between A1A and the Intracoastal Waterway. Adjacent to Flagship Harbor is Moody Landing which offers a public boat launch.
Free admission. (386) 437-7490.

Haw Creek Preserve at Russell Landing

Located south of C.R. 2006 between Dead Lake & County Road 305, this 1,015-acre site features horse training facilities, a boat launch, Pellicer Community Center and a large outdoor stove for cooking for groups. The Preserve is great for nature study, has 2 miles of hiking trails and boardwalks and excellent birdwatching from October-April.
Free admission. (386) 437-7490.

Flagler County has a number of other parks, for more information and a complete listing contact Flagler County Parks & Recreation at (386) 437-7490.

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