Tequesta town

Tequesta has a slightly more artsy feel to it than Jupiter or Palm Beach Gardens. There are independent coffee shops, rather than just Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. And there is a successful art center. Because it sits at many forks of the river, there are waterways nearby. The main area is on Tequesta Dr, and there are also some ugly strip malls on US Highway 1.

There's no college nearby, but you can still check out some pretty cool coffee shops. Oceana Coffee Cafe (not to be confused with Oceana Coffee Roasters nearby) has photography from local artists and an attractive interior. Unfortunately, they let their yummy baked goods sit out on the counter without a display case, so you can only really buy a drink. You can ask if they have been baking though, and they might be able to get you a fresh baked warm cookie from the back! Perk Coffee (shown above; closes 3pm) has a large, lovely patio with tropical plants all around and sunshine filtering through the leaves. It's really pleasant! They have live music on Saturday mornings (come early because it gets crowded at this time). Perk Coffee also has an attractive, though small, interior. Their baked goods, such as cranberry muffins, are good when they are freshly delivered from Importico Bakery. Unfortunately, the staff won't tell you if they are fresh when you ask. Sometimes they taste several days old which is really gross. They do get the pastries delivered fresh every day, but once they run out of the fresh ones, they serve whatever is leftover from earlier. Their iced hibiscus tea is delicious and there is no sugar added.
Across the street from Perk Coffee, check out Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & 2D Studio (not to be confused with Lighthouse ArtCenter 3D Studio which is where many of their classes are held), which has colorful art and photography by talented artists. It's really fun to visit, and is housed in a modern, beautiful building. This is always a nice outing! Next door to Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & 2D Studio is an ice cream shop called Village Scoop Shack. The ice cream is really good, and the decor is chic like you're in California, with a colorful mural on the wall and hanging wicker lights. 
From Perk Coffee, walk along Seabrook Rd to Constitution Park and enjoy the short, shady, paved loop around the park- it is gorgeous with palm trees galore. This park is amazing for kids because of its playground with huge slides. 
Also from Perk Coffee House, you can walk west along Tequesta Drive to Tequesta Bridge. You can stand on the bridge and check out the pretty view. 
Eataliano Gelato Bar has delicious sfogliatella lemon pastries and hazelnut gelato, which you can eat outside under the cute arches of their pretty, yellow building with big arches. Carve Surf and Coffee is a really pleasant place to go! The decor is beautiful and modern, with an ocean theme, and wicker lanterns. They rent out surfboards, and sell some cute home items, but best of all is their banana bread which is moist and delicious. Next door, Sweets Beach is gift shop with some cute kids clothes, books, and toys, though it's a bit crowded in its setup. 
On Center Street in Jupiter, nearby, but not in Tequesta, check out: The Lokomotive Coffee (closes 3pm) has an unusual space, huge and eclectically decorated, and good tea and pastries. Nina's Bakery (closes 3pm), next to it, has delicious lemon cupcakes. Jupiter Donuts (closes 1pm), next to it, is just a simple place but has good cake donuts! Giverny Gardens, just a little further down the street, is a beautiful garden center with every plant you could imagine. 
Another place to walk (you must drive there) is the loop around Tequesta County Park, which has wild vegetation and hard-packed white sand. It is an isolated area, so bring a friend.
Catch the live music at Blue Pointe Bar and Grill, where the views are out of this world. There is live music at almost all times, and you can kick back on an adirondack chair and be mesmerized by the clear water below. Also nearby in Jupiter, check out Harbourside, a lovely development on the water, with restaurants and a colorful amphitheater. It has a popular coffee shop called Subculture Coffee, with steam pump decor, loud music, and lots of young professionals with laptops. Love Street has incredible views of Jupiter Lighthouse and the crystal clear water of the inlet, plus an upmarket vibe. 
If you'd like a juicer juice, head a few minutes into Jupiter to Modern Juice, and enjoy the colorful local art on the wall. There is a Starbucks (287 E. Indiantown Rd) next to it with lovely green skinny palms to watch as you sip your tea on their patio. Fresh Market is next door and has a good selection of healthy foods.
There is lots of nature nearby: You can climb the Jupiter Lighthouse or you can admire the clear water at the park below it. Walk the paved trail at Jupiter Lighthouse Natural Area to a gazebo on the intracoastal and walk the Jupiter Lighthouse Coast Guard Trail across the street for amazing views of the turquoise water. Stand on Catos Bridge admiring the amazing water of the intracoastal below. Or go to the beach at Coral Cove Beach, or the river beach at Coral Cove Intracoastal Beach. Two hours before high tide, check out Sawfish Bay Park, for crystal clear water and lots of wildlife.

Directions

Tequesta town is just north of Jupiter. The main area is on Tequesta Drive and there are also some ugly strip malls on US Highway 1.
Oceana Coffee Cafe, 150 US Highway 1, Tequesta, FL 33469. Don't get this confused with Oceana Coffee Roasters which is their supply store and doesn't have as nice an interior.
Perk Coffee House, 384 Tequesta Dr, Tequesta, FL 33469.
Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & 2D Studio, 373 Tequesta Dr, Tequesta, FL 33469. This is not the same place as Lighthouse ArtCenter 3D Studio which is where many of their classes are held.
Village Scoop Shack is next door to Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & 2D Studio.

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