Get ready for some serious fun in the sun! Palm Beach, Florida is a paradise where the rich history is as hot as the weather. Top notch people watching from celebrities to the uber wealthy, incredible beach views, swanky hotels and restaurants, designer shopping, museums, art galleries and even an island excursion is what we’ll cover in this guide to your unforgettable Palm Beach getaway.
Day 1: Arts, Bites and Taylor Swift Sightings In West Palm Beach
Breakfast at Hive Bakery
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the trendy Hive Bakery and Cafe. Enjoy locally sourced produce, fluffy omelets, and house made pastries all with high-quality ingredients. The cafe is next to Hive for Her and Hive Home, Gift & Garden in case you’re up for a little shopping as well.
Norton Museum of Art
After breakfast, walk over to the Norton Museum of Art to experience European, American, Chinese, contemporary and photography collections. Check their website to see which exhibitions are featured during your visit as some may require an additional admission fee and time slot. The Rembrandt exhibition featured the largest collection of privately held Dutch 17th-century paintings and made a huge impression on me. The one that caught my attention the most was actually not a Rembrandt but Card Players by Jan Lievens. The use of lighting and the expression on each player’s face is so detailed and real that I felt like I was in the room looking over at their table.
City Place and Clematis St.
Next head over to City Place for some shopping, dining, and entertainment. Rosemary Square is the main section within City Place where you’ll find all the activity. There’s a beautiful LED tree that changes colors at the center of one of the plazas. A few blocks away is the lively Clematis Street where you’ll find great nightlife and restaurants. If you’re a Taylor Swift fan like my daughter and I, visit Harry’s for dinner and drinks where Taylor and Travis once enjoyed a date night. The staff apparently only had a 15min heads-up so you never know who you might see in Palm Beach! We would’ve died to see Taylor!
Day 2: Peanut Island and Rooftop Views
Peanut Island
Spend a few hours relaxing on Peanut Island which is just a short boat ride from Riviera Beach Marina. The only way to get to the island is via boat. Bring towels, snacks, snorkeling gear and whatever you may need as there are zero vendors on the island. The beach area is to the left once you dock which you’ll probably want to enjoy first. Later, you can walk around the entire island on a paved path spanning about 1.25 miles. Lookout for iguanas, but don’t worry they’re shy. You can watch our youtube video on Peanut Island here.
The Ben Hotel
Head back to Palm beach for dinner and drinks at the swanky Ben Hotel. The rooftop restaurant, Spruzzo, features a beautiful view of the Palm Harbor Marina and The Breakers Hotel. The 1st floor also has a chic restaurant that’s quieter with a dark moody vibe.
Day 3: Chic Spots, Hidden Gems & History in Palm Beach
Brunch at The Colony Hotel
Start your final day at The Colony Hotel, a chic pink paradise with tropical decor and famous past guests like Frank Sinatra and Sophia Loren. Snap some cute photos outside on the lawn and near the pool before heading out.
Designer shopping on Worth Ave
Next head towards Worth Ave for designer shopping including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., and Max Mara, or The RealReal for previously loved items. I saw a gorgeous Van Gogh inspired Louis Vuitton bag at The RealReal which was so hard to put down.
Instagrammable Spot
If you love unique looking doors, head to the Italian restaurant Renato’s, just one street north of Worth Ave. Across the street are turquoise doors outlined with bougainvillea. Stop inside the restaurant if you’re still hungry, otherwise head back down Worth Ave towards Clock Tower.
Clock Tower
At the end of Worth Ave and standing against the Atlantic Ocean is a 25ft tall Clock Tower. This was once the site of the Palm Beach Pier but was demolished in 1969 after damage from several hurricanes. In 2010, the Town of Palm Beach approved a renovation project for Worth Ave which included rebuilding the Clock Tower with materials sourced from the Dominican Republic. Walk along Ocean Blvd heading north and sit on the beach to relax for a little while.
Lake Trail
If you’ve regained your energy after the beach, you can walk approximately 1.5 miles to The Flagler Museum via the Lake Trail. Keep heading north on Ocean Blvd and turn left on Seabreeze Ave, then keep walking until you reach Lake Trail. This is a residential neighborhood with beautiful homes ranging in different architectural styles. Lake Trail is paved so you just need comfortable shoes for walking. You’ll have gorgeous views of the lake and the West Palm Beach skyline all the way until you reach The Flagler Museum.
The Flagler Museum
Henry Flagler was the co-founder of Standard Oil but later became the “Father of Florida.” He started with a hotel and then extended the railroad system when he realized the need for improved transportation to support his hotel investments. The museum was Flagler’s winter home and is also referred to as “Whitehall.” Henry Flagler’s granddaughter, Jean Flagler Mathews, turned the property into a museum in 1960. If you love history and European architecture, this museum should not be missed and is a great segway to our next stop, The Breakers Hotel, also built by Henry Flagler.
The Breakers Hotel
Wrap up your trip at the iconic Breakers Hotel – this place is class, class, class! Stay here if you can afford it, otherwise you can still get beach access, enjoy the grounds, and eat at the restaurants. Henry Flagler founded the hotel under a different name in the late 1890s and it suffered from two fires but was rebuilt larger and nicer each time. The hotel was renamed “The Breakers” because guests often requested rooms on the side where the large ocean waves would break on the surface of the water. When you first walk in, you’ll feel like you’re entering a grand ballroom hallway in Europe. Head to the Seafood Bar for dinner (get the salmon!) and HMF for a cocktail. Walk along the beach or just sit for a while watching the waves break.
When To Visit
Florida is hot and humid so the best time to visit is October – April when the temps are milder. Any time of year will be fun, but you may need to adjust some of your plans such as getting an Uber instead of walking everywhere. Enjoy!
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