Comprising 39 towns and cities each with their own signature personality, The Palm Beaches, Florida offers something for every type of traveller.
Whether you’re looking for an adventurous escapade, a culture-fix, a culinary immersion, or a wellness getaway, The Palm Beaches has it all.
For the culturally curious
Known as Florida’s cultural capital, The Palm Beaches’ multifaceted culture and history shines through all of its cities. The most curious of travellers should head to the City of West Palm Beach – the pulse of The Palm Beaches. With tropical energy pulsing through its palm-lined streets, West Palm Beach is a hub of nightlife, entertainment, and cultural attractions. Art aficionados will love the Norton Museum of Art, home to a vast collection of 8,200 works of art, ranging from American and contemporary art to traditional Chinese art and photography.
For captivating performing arts, travellers should head to West Palm Beach’s Kravis Center for the Performing Arts for an array of concerts, comedy shows, ballets, operas and more, bringing a sense of occasion to any stay. In March, travellers can take a short drive to Mizner Park in downtown Boca Raton where theatrics take centre stage for the Festival of the Arts, featuring readings by Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, performances by actors like Bill Murray and favourite film scores performed by a live orchestra. In the summer months, Carlin Park in Jupiter becomes home to Shakespeare by the Sea, an ongoing tradition for nearly 30 years.
For the nature lover
Known as the sunshine state for good reason, The Palm Beaches are home to many outdoor attractions, making it the nature lover’s dream. One of the best spots for outdoor adventure is undoubtedly the Town of Juno Beach, home to one of the most densely nested sea turtle beaches in the world. From May to October, travellers can take part in sea turtle experiences with local experts to learn about Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s conservation efforts and help to nurse sea turtles back to health before returning them to their natural habitat.
Travellers can take to the water for the chance to see the annual Goliath Grouper aggregation, occurring from August through October. Each year, these gentle giants which are the size of a car come together to spawn in The Palm Beach’s warm water, making for the perfect spectacle for divers and snorkelers to marvel at. Thanks to the dedicated Palm Beach County Dive Association, the Goliath Groupers’ favourite spots have been marked as no-take zones, where fishing is not permitted, allowing travellers to get up close and personal.
For the adventure seeker
For an aquatic adventure, travellers should head to the City of Riviera Beach, standing as one of the 50 Best Dive Sites in the World. The Palm Beaches are home to the only living barrier coral reef system in the continental United States, and with the additional bonus being close to the Gulf Stream, the warm, clear waters make for one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the country. Top diving and snorkelling spots include the Underwater Snorkel Trail, Peanut Island, and Coral Cove Park; explorers can marvel at the multiple shipwrecks that lie beneath the surface, home to native sharks, goliath groupers, and other jumbo-sized beasts.
Boating enthusiasts should head to Palm Harbour Marina, just north of West Palm Beach, with 125 miles of scenic waterways and four major inlets leading to the Atlantic Ocean. With options for the active sailer, or those wanting to be led by a professional, there are endless options for enjoying the sun from the water. Those looking to live out their champagne dreams can indulge in a trip with Delray Yacht Cruises, offering year-round sightseeing cruises and private charters for a luxurious aqua escape.
For the foodies
No trip would be complete without discovering the best culinary secrets, and a visit to The Palm Beaches, Florida is no exception. Foodies should be sure to arrive hungry in West Palm Beach for the iconic West Palm Beach Food Tour, where culinary creativity comes courtesy of top chefs and innovative menus that range from the most relaxed of ocean-side pop ups to sophisticated fine dining restaurants. Along the way, guests are invited to bring cameras to capture the colourful street art and unique streetscapes to The Palm Beaches. Named a top 10 tour experience by Tripadvisor, this is not one to be missed.
For a unique culinary event, travellers can join Swank Specialty Produce for their newest dinner series- “Swank Table”– an al fresco dinner on the farm in Loxahatchee Groves. Guests can expect live music, cocktails, tapas, a five course dinner and a flow of local craft beer and wine. The night is made more special with a 20-minute hydroponic tour of the farm’s shade houses- it doesn’t get fresher than this.
For a sustainable dining experience, Sixty Vines, The Palm Beaches’ newest arrival, delivers wine from its 60 taps to offer the closest “from the barrel” tasting experience possible outside of the vineyard. Located in Boca Raton, this fresh restaurant brings fun and sustainability, with the tap system ensuring optimal taste by eliminating oxygen and maintaining proper temperatures, while also dramatically reducing environmental impact. Food lovers will enjoy the restaurant’s fresh ingredients, many sourced locally, in the seasonally inspired menu that pairs beautifully with wine, including plates perfect for sharing like charcuterie boards, seasonal proteins, pizzas, pasta and more.
Wine fanatics can keep their education going with a trip to the Virginia Philip Wine Spirits & Academy, offering over 1000 personally selected wines spanning regions all over the globe. Guests can enjoy an extensive sommelier experience with Virginia Philip, one of the first female sommeliers in the world.
For the wellness enthusiasts
The Town of Jupiter offers a beautiful balance of laidback luxury and natural beauty, standing as a sanctuary of wellness. Those keen to test their balance can try Yoga on the Water with expert Yogi Shelby Hunzinger, where a brief paddle takes yoga enthusiasts to a quiet floating studio on the water for the most tranquil yet energising fitness experience. Carry on the mindful moments with a yoga session to remember at Manatee Lagoon. These free outdoor sessions take place by the beautiful Lake Worth Lagoon along the waterfront or under the banyan tree, where lucky participants may even spot a native Manatee.
Those looking to indulge and rejuvenate can step into a secluded wellness sanctuary and embark on a wellness journey unlike any other at the newly reimagined Spa Palmera at The Boca Raton. Awarded Five Stars by Forbes Travel Guide 2023 and named Florida’s Best Resort Spa in 2022 by the World Spa Awards, Spa Palmera is a 50,000 square foot spa inspired by the elegant grandeur of Spain’s Alhambra Palace. It features 44 treatment rooms, elaborate mosaics, grand arches, a lush courtyard with tranquil gardens, waterfall whirlpools, a private spa pool, and a sense of quiet magnificence. With a signature Ayurveda collection, with ‘ayur’ meaning ‘life’ and ‘veda’ meaning ‘knowledge’, the Spa Palmera provides a space for reconnection. To truly switch off, indulge in the Abhyanga Massage, a 90-minute experience which taps into the concept of the ‘continuous flow’ of consciousness and life force.
For more information, visit www.thepalmbeaches.com
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