Lantana

City Population: 12,550

The Town of Lantana is a coastal community in Palm Beach County that still retains the charm of its origins as an old Florida fishing village. Nestled along the coast of Palm Beach County and noted as one of the oldest communities in South Florida, it’s a great destination for vacationers and home seekers alike. When it comes to small-town charm, Lantana has it. Step foot inside any of the three square miles of Lantana and you’ll be greeted with a warm welcome.

Originally named after wildflower that grows in the area, Lantana was founded by Morris Lyman and incorporated in 1921. Pieces of Lantana’s history are found throughout town with nods to Lyman and the earlier settlers on the names of various parks, buildings, and developments.

For a taste of history, drop into the Old Key Lime House, a family-owned restaurant and bar built in 1889, located on the Intracoastal Waterway.

This hidden gem of a town is home to cottage-style shops, a fishing pier, a two-acre boat-launching facility, a kayak park, and panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway, making it a destination for a day on the water, kayaking, picnicking, or simply watching boats go by. On a dazzling sunny day, Lantana Municipal Beach is the perfect place to warm your toes in the sand. Ample parking, sand volleyball courts, picnic tables, and a children’s playground create the ideal setting to relax with family and friends, soak up the sun, and watch the clouds pass by.

Just steps from the beach, nature lovers can gather at the Lantana Nature Preserve. Once the town landfill, the land was restored to create a native habitat for wildlife. These 13 acres of nature sanctuary welcome bird watching and hiking with views of the Lake Worth Lagoon.

This unique coastal forest is home to zebra longwing butterflies, red fox, osprey, kestrel, green heron, loggerhead shrike, and many more species of birds and small mammals.

The town also hosts an array of ways to get involved. Beach cleanups are a fun way to meet new friends and give back to the community. The town coordinates these cleanups to help protect the ocean and ecosystem—something the town puts an emphasis on in many different ways. The junior lifeguard program is offered to children interested in learning the responsibilities of ocean lifeguards. The program provides young men and women a sound aquatic background and acquaints them with the hazards of ocean swimming while exposing them to an environment that promotes courtesy, respect, discipline, and good sportsmanship.

“Enjoy Lantana!” is a town-wide initiative to produce a variety of special events that provide unique year-round experiences for residents and tourists. Family-friendly events include movies at the beach, Fourth of July festivities, the Haunted Nature Preserve in October, and a Winterfest Parade in December.

Visitors and residents can find an array of amenities at city parks for launching a boat, recreational fishing, picnicking, organized sports, and skateboarding at the Maddock Park Skate Park.