City: Loxahatchee, FL

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (561) 790-1413

Address: 15130 Southern Palm Way

Description: Southern Palm is tucked away in a hidden corner of Palm Beach County—the quiet western community of Loxahatchee. This area moves to a different beat than the rest of the county, and the loudest sounds you hear may be the breeze through the palm trees or the soft echoes of the natural wonderland all around you.Built as a bed and breakfast in 1997, this house is set amid 20 serene acres of rural Florida and surrounded by tall pines and clear lakes and ponds. Sherry Reed, who built it and still owns it, says that a lot of her visitors are equestrians competing at nearby Wellington, or rowers using the rowing center nearby. But she also caters to couples and to families with children over 12.Here, in this quiet setting of rural Americana, is a bit of France. The eight rooms are decorated in Country French style, with wooden floors and chests, and eclectic antiques and furniture. In five of them, French doors open to private balconies. (However, there are also some modern touches, including wireless Internet and a minifridge in each room.) Breakfast—a continental combination of homemade baked goods, granola, fresh fruit, and yogurts—is served from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. And you have the choice of having it in the dining room or in your own room overlooking a tropical lake.The name Loxahatchee means “river of turtles” in the Seminole language, and in this area you’ll see a lot more than just turtles. You’re only minutes away from the lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, zebras, ostriches, water-buffalo, and friends at drive-through Lion Country Safari. The animals here are quite used to human visitors in cars, and you’ll be amazed at the way they nonchalantly gather around your car and cross the road right in front of you. You’re also close to the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. At this 220-square-mile wilderness, you can see Florida the way it’s been for a million years.On the other hand, at the Southern Palm, you’re also less than a half-hour from the lights of West Palm Beach, and the glamour of Palm Beach. Children 12 and up are welcome.

City: Loxahatchee, FL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (561) 753-9991

Address: 14555 Southern Blvd.

Description: There’s not a more aptly named restaurant/lounge in Palm Beach County, because “the boonies” is exactly where this one’s located. It’s way out west in horse country in the town of Loxahatchee. Here, cowboy boots and hats aren’t for show; they’re for everyday wear. “Country folks” still look you in the eye when they speak with you, and still say please and thank you. At Boonie’s, folks still know how to have a rip-roaring good ole time. (And if you’re old enough to remember the Marlboro Man, he hasn’t gone away, he’s merely gone out West to sit at the bar at Boonie’s.)There’s Country Western pretty much every night, ranging from sad love ballads and romantic wishes to foot-stompin’, toe-tappin’, two-steppin’, blastin’ guitars and fiddles and pianos. There’s poker for people who want to try their luck, karaoke for people who want to try their skill, and line-dancing for people who want to try out their coordination. Pool tables, of course. There’s an outdoor patio (with a lot of smokers). The food’s good, too; the Porterhouse, prime rib, and filet mignon are certified Black Angus beef, and the wings are great. The drinks not only taste good, but sound very cool: the cherry bomb is black cherry rum and Red Bull; the Washington apple is Crown Royal, a sour-apple mix called Apple Pucker, and cranberry juice.

City: Loxahatchee, FL

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (561) 966-6600

Address: 13751 Southern Blvd.

Description: Loxahatchee Groves is 30 acres of greenery, with thick strands of pine and palm trees. If you’re a horseman or woman, there’s a beautiful milelong equestrian trail through the woods here. There’s a 10-station exercise course, along with ball fields, picnic pavilions, and a playground.

City: Loxahatchee, FL

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (561) 793-1084

Address: 2003 Lion Country Safari Rd.

Description: As you head west on Southern Boulevard, the trappings of civilization slowly melt away. Minute by minute, you pass fewer houses, fewer stores, fewer signs. But then you see the entrance for Lion Country Safari, the only drive-through wildlife trail in Florida. Here, you’re the one in an enclosure (your car) and the animals are the ones who range freely. And they will range freely . . . right up to your car. Don’t open the windows, because these visitors will include lions and tigers. When you’re that up close and personal, it’s hard not to be awed by their magnificence.Other visitors will wander around your car, and sometimes sit down right in front of it—zebras, ostriches, buffalo, musk oxen, and African gazelles. The hippos and rhinos probably won’t; because of their girth, they don’t move around too much. But they’ll be near the road, and you’ll marvel, too, at these prehistoric-looking monsters, who weigh more than the car in which you’re sitting.One of the highlights of any Lion Country Safari visit is the giraffe section. They, too, will wander over—and above—your car, with their surrealistic-looking height and their slow-moving, peculiar gait. They’re an extraordinary sight, towering over you and distorting your sense of scale. You’ll most likely see babies (who will also tower over your car) with their mothers. There are nearly a thousand animals here and several shows, among them monkey shows and alligator feedings. There’s a petting zoo filled with sheep, goats, and pigs, and area with tropical birds of incredible colors. There’s a large cafeteria, a nice gift shop, and refreshment stands all over.