Palm Beach Information & Travel Tipps – learn what makes Palm Beach the ideal place for your next vacation.
Sights and Attractions
Palm Beach, a small island between Lake Worth Lagoon and the Atlantic Coast, is famous for its white, sandy beaches, excellent golf courses, interesting museums and lush natural surroundings – no wonder that this place is so popular with well-to-do vacationers. Two highways connect the island with West Palm Beach on the mainland, where a plethora of shopping opportunities and family-friendly attractions await you.
Palm Beach is the perfect place to explore Florida’s beautiful coastline. Not far from the city lies the 250 acre Green Cay Nature Center. In these extensive wetlands, you can spot herons and storks from the comfort of elevated boardwalks, while the Green Cay Visitor Center houses turtles and baby alligators. If you want to see Florida’s famous manatees up-close, you should take a trip to Manatee Lagoon. Here, the animals are seeking shelter from November to April, and at the Lagoon’s museum guests learn more about the behavior of these gentle grazers. Situated further north, the small town of Jupiter makes for a perfect boating destination. Climb the 105 steps of its lighthouse for beautiful ocean views, or explore the waterways with their lush vegetation on a kayak ride.
No vacation in Florida would be complete without a trip to the Everglades. Luckily, it only takes 2 hours by car to get from Palm Beach to Shark Valley, the closest entrance to Everglades National Park. Here, you can explore the “River of Grass” on an airboat trip and spot Florida’s famous alligators in the water. If fishing is for you, there is no better place than Lake Okeechobee. Situated one hour away from Palm Beach, The Sunshine State’s biggest lake is known for its huge fish population.
Beautiful Beaches
With its long coastline, Palm Beach is the perfect place for your vacation by the sea. And you do not have to stroll far from your hotel or condo to go sunbathing and swimming: The city’s public beach amazes with excellent cleanliness and crystal-clear waters without being overrun by tourists. Guests who wake up early are rewarded with stunning sunrises. Lake Worth Beach south of Palm Beach is particularly popular with families. Here, little guests can swim under the watchful eyes of life guards and enjoy themselves on the playground.
Once a favorite holiday spot of John F. Kennedy, Peanut Island attracts snorkelers with its fascinating underwater world. In Ocean Reef Park, no boat engines disturb the peaceful atmosphere, and guests can explore colorful coral gardens in the shallow water. Still further north, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park amazes visitors with its scenic nature and untouched beaches – perfect for daytrips and picnics.
Shopping Opportunities galore
Palm Beach might not boast giant malls like Sawgrass Mills or Miami’s Dolphin Mall – but this does not mean that the city lacks shopping opportunities. On Worth Avenue, for instance, Mediterranean architecture and lush palm trees provide the perfect backdrop for boutiques like Chanel, Gucci and Ralph Lauren.
If you are looking for stylish swimwear, you should visit the fashion boutiques near Breakers Hotel. Of course, shoppers should also take a trip across the lagoon to West Palm Beach: The city is home to the Garden Mall with its 160 stores, as well as Clematis Street, a perfect place for high-end shopping and live concerts every Thursday night. Bargain hunters head for the Palm Beach Outlets: More than 100 stores are offering discounts of up to 70 percent. And if you are looking for vintage products, the Antique Row is ideal for you.
Cultural and Culinary Highlights in Palm Beach
Palm Beach would not be the same without Henry Morrison Flagler, the famous investor who put this holiday destination on the map. To this day, his house can be found on the west coast. The interior design has not been altered and still speaks volumes about Flagler´s extravagant taste. His influence can also be seen at the Breakers Hotel, a true Renaissance Palace known for its huge wine collection. As a unique feature, the fine wines are stored not in a cellar, but behind the bar for every guest to see. The hotel’s opulent interior evokes memories of the 1950s – except for the sushi bar, that is.
Another Palm Beach original is the Leopard Lounge. Here, guests enjoy excellent cocktails and dance the night away to live music. Green’s Pharmacy 1.5 miles to the north is both a pharmacy and a restaurant, so customers can enjoy grilled sandwiches and milkshakes after buying their medicine. It might seem strange to outsiders, but this “drugs and dining” concept is hugely popular: Green’s Pharmacy has been in business since 1938.
The church Bethesta by the Sea was built in 1925 – a time when Palm Beach was little more than a swamp. Here, guests find peace and quiet amidst beautiful gardens, while the church’s interior boasts colorful stained-glass windows. For a glimpse of Florida’s plant life, visit Four Arts Garden, an extensive park also known for its elegant sculptures. And if you want to marvel at 7.000 artworks, among them contemporary pieces as well as paintings by Picasso, Rubens and Miró, the Norton Museum of Art should be your next stop.
Child-friendly Attractions in Palm Beach
Guests visiting Palm Beach with children are spoilt for choice. The Rapids Water Park, for example, features exciting slides and a pool with 7 feet waves. Little tadpoles can play in the children’s pool, and if you want to relax, grab a tube and float around the lazy river.
The Palm Beach Zoo houses exotic animals like Malayan tigers, howler monkeys, tortoises, koalas, wallabies and komodo dragons in large enclosures. More than 500 species live here, many of them endangered. For child-friendly infotainment, visit the South Florida Science Center & Aquarium. Here, little guests can learn all about aquatic animals, dinosaurs, astronomy and many other topics. Exciting experiments, a butterfly garden and a minigolf course will keep your kids busy for hours.
Climate and Weather
Palm Beach features a tropical climate with warm, dry winters and hot, humid summers. During rainy season from late May to October visitors should expect rain on every second day, mostly in the afternoon. Temperatures rise to over 34 degrees Celsius, but a soothing ocean breeze provides some relief. Peak season from November to April sees pleasant temperatures with little precipitation. During this time, many “Snowbirds” from the northern US are migrating to Palm Beach.
If you want to relax on virtually empty beaches while still enjoying 20 sunny days a month, you should visit Palm Beach in April or May. Amazing bargains can be struck in September and October, before the winter guests arrive. However, these months coincide with Hurricane Season, so visitors should be wary of storms.
