Every city has them: guided tours that lead throngs of visitors around town, pointing out local landmarks and sharing historical anecdotes. They may be geared toward vacationers, but these excursions are also a great way for residents to learn more about the place they call home. View your neighborhood through a tourist’s eyes on these outings.
Jupiter: Experience North County’s seaside town the best way possible: on the water. The Manatee Queen cruises down the Intracoastal along Jupiter Island as the boat captain shares stories of nearby homes and landmarks. (561-744-2191)
West Palm Beach: Get to know the city by land or by sea: Roll through downtown with Palm Beach Segway Tours, or embark on the Diva Duck Amphibious Tours and plunge into the Intracoastal on a vessel made for water and streets. Yes, the jokes are corny—and you’ll be laughing the whole way. (561-287-9449; 561-844-4188)
Palm Beach: Local resident Leslie Diver proudly narrates the history, architecture, and people of Palm Beach on her Island Living Tours. The choose-your-own-adventure options include a three-hour driving tour, a trek through the town’s most elegant gardens, and a shopping tour of Worth Avenue. (561-868-7944)
Lake Worth: Discover the charming homes that make up this colorful town in the walking and driving tours offered by The Cottages of Lake Worth. The self-guided tours include stops at several of the area’s 1,000 historic houses, which represent a variety of architectural styles. Many were built before 1939 and still boast original features. (615-330-1819)
Delray Beach: History buffs will appreciate the two-hour Ride and Remember Trolley Tours, held once a month by the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum (the next one is May 14). Passengers on the air-conditioned trolley disembark at significant sites such as the Marina Historic District, Old School Square, and the Sandoway House Nature Center. (561-279-8883)
Boca Raton: Foodies, let your stomach guide you through Boca Raton on the Savor Our City Culinary Tour. Participants sample cuisine from five to six restaurants and gourmet shops, visit a historical landmark, and uncover insider tips about the city. (800-979-3370)
Vero Beach: Hear haunting tales that hit close to home during the Vero Beach Historical and Ghost Walking Tour, held Friday and Saturday nights. Led by Rebecca Salinas and Thomas Adams, a fifth-generation Vero Beacher, this 90-minute walk covers nearly a mile and weaves in accounts related to historical buildings and major area events. (772-559-5966)
Hidden Gem: After a nine-year renovation, the historic DuBois Pioneer Home in Jupiter has reopened to the public. Harry DuBois, a settler who transported building materials for Henry Flagler’s construction projects, built the two-story wooden house in 1898 on a hill overlooking the Jupiter Inlet. Visitors can now tour the first floor of the home, which consists of a kitchen, living room, dining room, and bedroom outfitted with 1930s furnishings acquired by the Loxahatchee Guild. Be sure to look for a quilt of the DuBois generational tree—and make note of the pronunciation of the family name: “doo-boys.” (561-966-6609)
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