Separated from mainland Florida by the Lake Worth Lagoon, Palm Beach offers world-class shopping, beaches and accommodations. From stunning historic estates and award-winning fine dining to lavish resorts and elegant tropical gardens, this opulent island and its unmatched Atlantic coastline make for an unforgettable trip to South Florida.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Discover the Best Shopping and Decadent Dining in Town
Ease into your day at Café Boulud, where you can enjoy a frothy cappuccino, pain au chocolat, fresh citrus salad or brioche French toast. Afterward, walk over to Worth Avenue, a shopping mecca with an international reputation — and the first stop on your Palm Beach circuit.
Alleys like Via Amore hide gorgeous garden patios and elaborate tiled sculptures. Track down the legendary bookstore, Raptis Rare Books, known to stock hard-to-find first editions by authors such as Julia Child and Edgar Allan Poe.
Don’t miss the Lilly Pulitzer store (the brand originated in Palm Beach), and be sure to stop by D. Dream Atelier for women’s clothing and accessories, Aerin for curated home goods, Stubbs + Wootton for colorful slippers and Mary Mahoney for beautiful linens and tableware.
For lunch, try the brick-oven pizzas and fresh salads at Pizza Al Fresco on Via Mizner before indulging in some of the island’s finest gelatos at Piccolo Gelato, where you can sample flavors like tiramisu and stracciatella. Vegan options are also available.
Next, head out for another round of shopping on South County Road. Don’t miss hit boutiques like Aristokids, C. Orrico and Amanda Lindroth before retiring to relax poolside before your big night out.
After sunset, dinner and drinks await at James Beard Award-nominated chef Clay Conley’s lively Buccan. In the heart of Palm Beach, this hip restaurant and bar guarantees imaginative international plates like hamachi tiradito, Moroccan-inspired lamb, braised veal caramelle and even a hot dog panini.
Pair your adventurous meal with a smoked-jalapeño margarita before heading out for dancing at Cucina, where weekend music runs late into the night.
Saturday: Explore Nature Trails and Stunning Estates
Start early at the classic soda fountain at Green’s Pharmacy & Luncheonette, a local landmark that has been serving home-style breakfast fare to locals and celebrities, including John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Buffett, since 1938. You can’t go wrong with the biscuits and gravy, the Western omelet or the deep-fried French toast.
Next, work off your meal with a little history and exercise. You can rent bikes, tandems, baby joggers and other wheeled transportation from the Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop. Take your selection to the streets to enjoy the perfectly paved 5.5-mile Lake Trail, which runs along the Intracoastal Waterway.
On your way back from the trail loop, be sure to stop at Whitehall, the impressive estate of industrialist Henry Flagler, now known as the Flagler Museum. Inside this Gilded Age mansion, completed in 1902, visitors can choose to take a self-guided walking tour or enjoy high tea at Café des Beaux-Arts.
Circle back to the bike shop to drop off your wheels, then walk over to nearby Royal Poinciana Plaza for the perfect lunch and people-watching at one of Sant Ambroeus‘ alfresco tables.
Start with a “One of These Days” Negroni cocktail before exploring the restaurant’s extensive menu of Milanese dishes, including vitello tonnato or tagliatelle alla bolognese. After lunch, it’s time to explore the rest of the chic shops in the plaza before hitting the pool or nearby beach.
In the evening, head to LoLa 41, a refined global bistro and sushi bar. Consider ordering Korean beef bulgogi over egg noodles, harissa clams or the signature burger, made with a special foie gras sauce.
Interested in a nightcap? Head to the sultry Leopard Lounge for creative cocktails and live music. The chic lounge oozes Gilded Age sophistication and, as its name suggests, is decorated in vivid animal prints.
Sunday: Visit Palm Beach’s Most Beautiful Gardens
To tide you over until brunch, grab a quick latte and almond croissant at Patrick Lézé Palm Beach before a Sunday stroll through the tranquil Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden and adjacent Four Arts Botanical Gardens, situated in the Society of the Four Arts campus.
Since 1938, these gorgeous gardens have safeguarded hundreds of species of native plants and tropical flowers, in addition to bronze statues, fountains and ponds.
The mission of the Society of the Four Arts, founded in 1936, is to inspire people through the arts. As such, the nonprofit regularly hosts dynamic concerts, art exhibits, workshops, films and more at their 10-acre campus. You’ll also find other sites on the grounds, including an art gallery and library.
Next, hit the nearby Surfside Diner for an easy, breezy American-style brunch. Order eggs Benedict or avocado toast paired with a pineapple mimosa. After brunch, enjoy your final afternoon lounging at the beach.
If you’re looking for more action you can opt to parasail, paddleboard, snorkel or even charter a boat at Get Wet Watersports. They also offer a two-hour narrated sunset cruise, which includes beer, wine, sodas and snacks.
After sunset, enjoy your final dinner at Palm Beach Grill. For more than 20 years this local staple has been known for its welcoming ambience and New American specialties. Check out their reserve list for delicious American wines to pair with oysters St. Charles, Florida red snapper, Creole jumbo shrimp and Key lime pie.
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