Lantana town

Lantana is a cute seaside town. Ocean Avenue is its main drag and it has an assortment of shops and sidewalk cafes in little old tropical houses. A fisherman culture is alive along the intercoastal waterway just southeast of the drawbridge at Sportman's Park. Pelicans stand happily here on poles sticking out of the water. You can walk over the bridge and see the water below- "Over the bridge we go, there's lot of water below!"

Start your explorations by parking along the road once you turn onto Ocean Avenue from Dixie Hwy. Parking is free for two hours. There is a delightful bakery here called Palm Beach Bakery and Cafe, so good that it always has a line outside the door, run by a friendly Finnish lady. Try the filo dough roll with ground beef inside and melted cheese on top- yum! Similar to sausage rolls in Australia! Many Finnish people vacation here for the winter and they gather at this bakery- it's a truly cultural experience to hang out here for a while listening to Finnish and looking at the posters of Finnish music and dance events on the wall. Apparently in the 1940s Finnish people used to work as maids for the wealthy of New York and come down with them on vacation to Lantana. The Finnish liked it so much that when they retired they settled in Lantana.
Next stroll along Ocean Avenue past Old Key Lime House Restaurant with its bright green colors. Pass more cute restaurants and then sit at the intercoastal waterway with the fishermen at Sportsman's Park and watch the bridge go up every half hour.
There is a park with a high and fun-looking playground across the street, called Lantana Bicentennial Park. From the many benches and picnic tables, the expansive views of the water are lovely.
Walk over the beautiful salmon-colored intracoastal bridge, over Hypoluxo Island, to Lantana Nature Preserve, a beautiful jungle with a cement path that offers a short walk along the intracoastal waterway. Definitely check it out!
Walk a little further to the end of Ocean Ave, where you will find pretty and happening Lantana Beach with its seawall and fancy hotels. Here the water is often the clearest in South Florida!

Directions

The main drag of Lantana town is along Ocean Ave at around the 200 and 300 blocks. Exit Highway 95 at Lantana Rd and head toward the ocean. Turn right on Dixie Hwy and then turn left on Ocean Ave. You can park for free along the road for 2 hours.
Palm Beach Bakery and Cafe, 206 East Ocean Avenue, Lantana, FL 33462, call (561) 585-0222.

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