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3.4
5 votes

Kennedy Bunker

Peanut Island, West Palm Beach, Florida 33480 USA

Closed Now
Opens Tue 7a
  • Independent
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“President Kennedy's secret Florida bunker!”

Although there remains some question as to whether President Kennedy ever intended to use the 1960s bomb shelter built for him beneath this island, tourists come in droves to explore the bunker and enjoy the beautiful scenery. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the SeaBees secretly, and very quickly built a bunker for the President, who spent a great deal of time at the Kennedy Compound here in Palm Beach. Although it would have been a temporary command center for the nation in a time of crisis, it is still relatively small. It was constructed adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Station, about 100 yards away, concealed in the woods, underground, but above the water table. The bunker had fallen into complete disrepair, but was restored by the Palm Beach Maritime Museum ... with some difficulty, since it is at the water table and had been semi-flooded for a long period. With the exception of a presidential seal, added as a modern enhancement, the declassified, decommissioned bunker is very close to the original. The structure is covered with earth and many layers of concrete and rebar. Entry is via a blast-hardened tunnel, with a 90 degree angle to minimize shock effects from a nuclear explosion. Entry is through a secure decontamination area, which was, however, and interestingly, made of plywood. This is a thought-provoking exhibit, especially in light of recent events in the United States. Below: Bunker door and entrance tunnel; Main room in the bunker, where President Kennedy might have run the U.S. during the first hours or days of a nuclear attack.

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Reviewed by
helenhendrix

  • 2 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
January 27, 2019
Rated

The website says this has been closed indefinitely in 2017. :(

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Reviewed by
Tatiana Danger

  • Road Warrior
  • 1,169 Reviews
  • 910 Helpful
April 11, 2016
Rated 4.0

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the SeaBees secretly built this bunker for President Kennedy in case of attack while at his house in Palm Beach. It was constructed adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Station, about 100 yards away, concealed in the woods, underground, but above the water table. After many years of disrepair, the Palm Beach Maritime Museum restored the bunker to its original glory.

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Kennedy Bunker

Peanut Island
West Palm Beach, Florida
33480 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 7:00 am - 7:30 pm

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  • Unavailable
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    Pets Allowed
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    Wifi
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    Wheelchair Accessible
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    Credit Cards Accepted
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