Comprised of a gem box collection of 39 southeast Florida cities and towns tucked neatly between Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, the 2,300-square-mile region of Palm Beach County is referred to as The Palm Beaches. As the largest county southeast of the Mississippi River, its land area is larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island, separately. Hugged by the Atlantic Ocean on its eastern coast and caressed by Lake Okeechobee to its west, The Palm Beaches stretch from the coastal towns of Tequesta and Jupiter to its north, out west to the agricultural riches of Loxahatchee, Belle Glade and Pahokee, and south to the beachside cities of Boca Raton and Highland Beach.

Located about two hours or 168 miles southeast of Orlando and about one hour north of Miami or 67 miles, The Palm Beaches offer visitors everything from classic luxury to natural wonder. Its diverse collection of lodging options — ranging from luxurious properties to trusted brand hotels — innovative culinary landscape, eclectic range of shopping venues and insurmountable attractions make it Florida’s finest travel experience. On the following pages, we welcome you to explore the iconic destination’s most-unique assets and traveler experiences.

America’s First Resort Destination®

In 1893, Henry M. Flagler declared Palm Beach a “veritable paradise.” That year, Flagler started building the largest wooden hotel structure in the world — The Royal Poinciana Hotel — in Palm Beach. The endeavor would connect his railroad from the northern United States to South Florida. In 1896, he opened the Palm Beach Inn, which soon thereafter became The Breakers Palm Beach, now a legendary AAA Five Diamond property. Palm Beach was incorporated 18 years later, and since Hollywood’s elite, heads of state, literary icons and international business magnates have vacationed on the lush island and surrounding area. The Flagler Museum, located on Palm Beach, offers a glimpse into the life of its namesake mogul and allows visitors to tour his winter residence, Whitehall. The island’s rich history, Addison Mizner-inspired architecture, luxury resorts, famed Worth Avenue and new arrivals add to the appeal of this historic destination.

Beaches, Waterways and Marine Activities

47 miles of Atlantic coastline, and a surprising number of waterways including the Intracoastal Waterway, Loxahatchee River and Lake Worth Lagoon offer no shortage of liquid assets in The Palm Beaches. Access to Lake Okeechobee – one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States, is another draw. The Lake, which lines the destination’s western border, is world famous for its big bass. Anglers anxious to catch their trophy fish can drop their lines in the second-largest freshwater lake in the United States. The Palm Beaches are the closest place in North America to the Gulf Stream current, an oceanic conveyor belt of warm water and an artery for marine life to migrate, such as sea turtles (home to five of the seven species), tropical fish, sailfish, goliath grouper and dolphins. The destination’s offshore reefs are home to a diverse abundance of marine life, and its warm, clear water makes it a tropical paradise for bathers, snorkelers and scuba divers.

The fishing season is virtually year-round, with specific species of fish more prolific certain times of the year. While the winter is peak for bass and ladyfish, the transition into spring brings snook and blue marlin. Under the summer sun, anglers can find concentrations of mahi-mahi, wahoo, sailfish and an occasional tuna. In the fall, black and silver mullet travel south along coastal beaches, as do bluefish, tarpon, barracuda, kingfish and jack crevalle, to name just a few. Water-bound travelers can enjoy free boat and kayak docking year-round along any of the ports along The Palm Beaches’ Intracoastal. A large selection of marinas and dockside restaurants along the Intracoastal Waterway are available for travelers who want to spend their entire day on the water. Also, in between these famous fishing waters, anglers can cast a line in countless miles of productive fishing canals, estuaries and the Intracoastal Waterway. The endless water activities include fishing, diving, snorkeling, sailing, paddle-boarding, canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, boating and yachting. With an average annual temperature of 78 degrees and ample Florida sunshine, this enviable subtropical climate provides an ideal environment for year-round outdoor aquatic fun.

Equestrian

The Palm Beaches’ western community of Wellington is one of the top three places on the globe for polo and equestrian activity. In fact, the International Polo Club Palm Beach features the world’s best polo teams and players, making it an epicenter of social activity from fall to Spring each year. Down the road at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, Saturday nights “in season” attract thousands to witness internationally recognized equestrians competing in high-intensity competition, followed by nightlife opportunities with energy to match. Additionally, the county is home to The Gauntlet of Polo, The Winter Equestrian Festival and the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington. Mark your calendar for The Ultimate Week of Sports, which allows you to experience the Honda Classic, Equestrian, Polo, Tennis and Spring Training all during the same week.

Family Fun

More than 100 family-friendly attractions welcome parents and kids to a variety of educational and cultural opportunities to enjoy. Families can climb up the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse for a spectacular view of the county and nearby coast, get close to sea turtles and marine life at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, feed a giraffe at Lion Country Safari, make a discovery at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, play arcade games at Boomers, canoe the Loxahatchee River, make a splash at Rapids Waterpark, or hike through Florida’s Natural Scenic Trail.

Additionally, top-notch resorts offer kids clubs ready to keep the little ones entertained and happy while the parents enjoy the adult amenities. Family-friendly resorts include Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, PGA National Resort, The Breakers and The Boca Raton.

Florida’s Cultural Capital®

More than 200 cultural attractions make this destination Florida’s Cultural Capital®, including theaters, museums, art centers, indoor and outdoor auditoriums, enchanting gardens and other cultural venues. A small sampling of attractions includes the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Norton Museum of Art, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Wick Theatre and Costume Museum, Silverball Museum & Arcade and the Boca Raton Museum of Art. A variety of cultural opportunities include nationally recognized performers and dozens of past and ongoing internationally renowned annual events, such as MOSAIC – Month of Shows, Art, Ideas & Culture, ArtiGras, Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, SunFest, Lake Worth Street Painting Festival, the Delray Affair, and Festival of The Arts BOCA.

Furthering the opportunity to enjoy local art and meet local artists, The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County offers a unique Cultural Concierge program that provides visitors with complimentary insider recommendations, exclusive amenities and customized experiences.

Florida’s Golf Capital®

Visitors of all skill levels can play on 160+ public and private golf courses, including the famed fairways at PGA National Resort, Okeeheelee Golf Course, Palm Beach Par 3, The Breakers Palm Beach, The Seagate Hotel & Spa’s Seagate Country Club and The Boca Raton. In addition to being home of some of the best courses in the world, Florida’s Golf Capital® is also home to numerous pro shops and teaching facilities, including Leadbetter Golf Academy and the John Webster Golf Academy. More than 60 current and past professional golfers, including Ernie Els, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus, Camilo Villegas and Tiger Woods currently or have resided in The Palm Beaches due to the year-round play and course options. The Palm Beaches hosts one of the PGA of America’s most highly anticipated tournaments, The Honda Classic. Mark your calendar for The Ultimate Week of Sports, which allows you to experience the Honda Classic, Equestrian, Polo, Tennis and Spring Training all during the same week.

LGBTQ+

The Compass Community Center is one of the largest hubs in the state for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Notable events such as the International Gay Polo League’s annual tournament and Palm Beach Pride take place in The Palm Beaches, while LGBTQ+-owned establishments are also part of the destination’s offering.

Spa and Wellness

Mineral pools, exclusive product lines and lavish treatments, are among some of the experiences visitors can enjoy at multiple spas and wellness centers, some of which are recognized internationally for their rejuvenating treatments — Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa, PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, The Breakers Palm Beach, Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa and The Boca Raton.

Dozens of outdoor community programs throughout the county invite visitors and locals to experience yoga, Pilates
and other forms of wellness, at donation-based pricing, making health and wellness more manageable while
vacationing.

Thriving Culinary Landscape

With more than 3,200 dining venues and a well-balanced fusion of celebrity chefs, cutting-edge newcomers and classic masters, The Palm Beaches provide an abundant and diverse array of dining options. Independent, provincial restaurants, resort dining, and eclectic, avant-garde eateries give the destination its global reputation as a true melting pot for culinary exploration. World-celebrated chefs, such as Daniel Boulud, Akira Back, Mauro Colagreco, Clay Conley, Lindsay Autry have contributed to the destination’s diverse culinary landscape. Additionally, several of these chefs have earned prestigious accolades, including James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chefs of the South” nominations consecutively. Boasting many cocktail bars, 20+ breweries, and a handful of food tours, the destination offers a growing number of hot spots for imbibing. Additionally, The Palm Beaches have been home to some of the most-anticipated annual food and beverage events in Florida, including Boca Bacchanal, Savor the Avenue, Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, Palm Beach Summer Beer Fest, Savor the Avenue, Restaurant Month of The Palm
Beaches, and Flavor Palm Beach.

Unexpected ‘Wild Side’ of The Palm Beaches

More than 80 recreational parks can be found throughout The Palm Beaches and outdoor spaces are in abundance. Native animal rescue and recovery efforts can be appreciated at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary, and Panther Ridge Conservation Center, while The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge allows visitors to get a taste of The Everglades since it’s comprised of more than 221 square miles of The Everglades and is surrounded by a 57-mile canal and levee system. Airboat tours along some of Florida’s most serene and scenic waterways, the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, several campgrounds and hiking trails can also be part of the visitor experience.

Unique Experiences

Travelers can enjoy a variety of unforgettable experiences, including camping on Peanut Island, up-close animal encounters at Lion Country Safari, sea turtle nesting tours at Loggerhead Marinelife Center or Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, croquet at the National Croquet Center, underwater dive encounters with Goliath Groupers – fish the size of Volkswagen Beatle cars or authentic Japanese Gardens at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Sports and adventure enthusiasts are welcome to watch MLB spring training for four MLB teams; the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals train at the new Ballpark of The Palm Beaches and the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins train at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, or visit Delray Beach Tennis Center during the Delray Beach Open.

World-Class Shopping

The Palm Beaches are the ultimate locale to partake in a session of retail therapy. Shop the many designer boutiques and trusted brand names in world-class malls or along historic avenues. If you want to save, visit the Palm Beach Outlets or discover eclectic finds at consignment boutiques tucked along West Palm Beach’s Antique Row, while four traditional malls are available throughout The Palm Beaches. Internationally known as a world-class shopping mecca, Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue is the preeminent designer shopping destination in Florida and The Royal Poinciana is another staple shopping destination for today’s fashions. Shoppers also might find top brands, designer bargains and one-of-a-kind finds at consignment shops all over the destination.

Year-Round Nightlife

From the hottest dance clubs, rooftop bars, free waterfront movie nights and evening street festivals, the districts light up with several entertainment options for couples, singles and families. Some of the more popular areas for nighttime activities are the waterfront dining and live outdoor entertainment center Harbourside Place in Jupiter and the swanky eateries at Downtown at the Gardens in Palm Beach Gardens. In the central part of The Palm Beaches, near Worth Avenue on the island of Palm Beach, visitors can spot a celebrity or two at late-night hot spots, such as The Royal Poinciana Plaza, The Chesterfield Palm Beach’s famous Leopard Lounge series. Downtown West Palm Beach’s Art & Entertainment District, Warehouse District and The Square, showcase free live music, outdoor events and street parties throughout the week, with a wide range of transportation options connecting all of them. The eclectic and artsy Lake Worth is known for its music venues, unique dining and colorful vibe. Atlantic Avenue and Pineapple Grove in vibrant Downtown Delray Beach boasts a plenitude of diverse bars and restaurants and is “America’s Most Fun Small Town,” designated by USA Today’s Rand McNally. Such events as the monthly “Art & Wine Promenade” in Northwood Village, the weekly “Clematis by Night,” “Evenings on the Avenue” in Lake Worth and Art Walks in
Delray Beach ensure nonstop, after-hours fun.

Weddings and Romance in The Palm Beaches

The Palm Beaches have spent more than a century perfecting the art of welcoming and entertaining guests. Whether they prefer a grand affair, an intimate gathering or a simple beachfront ceremony, couples will find virtually limitless options to create a wedding that is unique and memorable. As an added bonus, couples can contact Discover The Palm Beaches here for complimentary assistance in planning that special day.

T:  561.233.3002
E:  Information
W: The Palm Beaches

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