Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Introduction

Palm Beach, located 65 miles north of Miami, sits right on Florida's Atlantic coast. For generations, the city has been the traditional winter home of American aristocracy -- the Kennedys, Rockefellers and Trumps, among others, have all fled northern climes for this slice of paradise. Beyond the upscale resorts that cater to such a crowd, Palm Beach holds some surprises, including the world-class Norton Museum of Art, top-notch birding and the sparkling Intracoastal Waterway.


Getting Around --

Although a car is almost a necessity in this area, a recently revamped public transportation system is extremely convenient for getting to some attractions in both West Palm and Palm Beach. Palm Tran (www.palmtran.org) covers 32 routes with more than 140 buses. The fare is $1.50 for adults, 75¢ for children 3 to 18, seniors, and riders with disabilities. Free route maps are available by calling tel. 561/233-4-BUS (4287). Information operators are available Monday through Saturday from 6am to 7pm.

In downtown West Palm, free shuttles from City Place to Clematis Street operate Sunday through Wednesday from 11am until 9pm, and Thursday through Saturdays 11am until 11 pm. Allegedly, the shuttles come every 5 minutes, but I'd count on them taking longer. Look for the bubblegum-pink minibuses throughout downtown. Call tel. 561/833-8873 for details.


Visitor Information --

The Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Ste. 204, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (tel. 800/554-PALM [7256] or 561/471-3995; www.palmbeachfl.com), distributes an informative brochure and answers questions about visiting the Palm Beaches. Ask for a map as well as a copy of the Arts and Attractions Calendar, a day-to-day guide to art, music, stage, and other events in the county.


Things to Do

Wherever there is an abundance of sun, sand and sightseers, there is golf, and Palm Beach is no exception. Many of the most meticulously manicured and challenging courses are privately owned, but hotel staffs help visitors find available greens. Downtown, the Norton Museum of Art displays works by the world's most recognizable names: O'Keeffe, Pollock, Monet, Renoir and Picasso. Nearby, City Place lures Palm Beachers with department store shopping. Look for strappy sandals, gauzy sundresses, and sexy beachwear.


Trump's Unreal Estate -- No trip to Palm Beach is complete without at least a glimpse of Mar-A-Lago, the stately residence of Donald Trump, the 21st century's answer to Jay Gatsby. In 1985, Trump purchased the estate of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post for a meager $8 million (for a fully furnished beachfront property of this stature, it was a relative bargain), to the great consternation of locals, who feared that he would turn the place into a casino. Instead, Trump, who sometimes resides in a portion of the palace, opened the house to the public -- for a price, of course -- as a tony country club (membership fee: $100,000). Rumor has it Trump is selling the place. In the meantime, he continues to make his presence loudly known in Palm Beach. While there are currently no tours open to the public, you can glimpse the gorgeous manse as you cross the bridge from West Palm Beach into Palm Beach. It's located at 1100 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach.


Lion Country Safari: Southern Blvd. W. at S.R. 80, West Palm Beach

  • Hours Daily 9:30am-5:30pm (last vehicle admitted at 4:30pm)
  • Phone 561/793-1084, 561/793-9797 for camping reservations
  • Prices Admission $26 adults, $23 seniors, $19 children 3-9. Van rental $10 per hour

More than 1,300 animals on this 500-acre preserve (the nation's first cageless drive-through safari) are divided into their indigenous regions, from the East African preserve of the Serengeti to the American West. Elephants, lions, wildebeest, ostriches, American bison, buffalo, watusi, pink flamingos, & many other unusual species roam the preserve. When awake, lions travel freely throughout the cageless grassy landscape (this can be very scary). In fact, you're the one who's confined in your own car without an escort (no convertibles allowed). You're given a detailed pamphlet with photos and descriptions, and are instructed to obey the 15 mph speed limit -- unless you see the rhinos charge (a rare occasion), in which case you're encouraged to floor it. Driving the loop takes slightly more than an hour, though you could make a day of just watching the chimpanzees play on their secluded islands. Included in the admission is Safari World, an amusement park with paddle boats, a carousel, miniature golf, and a baby animal nursery. Picnics are encouraged, and camping is available. The best time to go is late afternoon, right before the park closes; it's much cooler then, so the lions are more active. Though some may consider this a tourist trap, I had a great time.


Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park: 1301 Summit Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

  • Neighborhood East of I-95 between Southern and Forest Hill Blvds
  • Hours Daily 9am-5pm
  • Phone 561/547-WILD (9453)
  • Prices Admission $15 adults, $11 seniors, $10 children 3-12

If you want animals, go to Lion Country Safari. Unlike big-city zoos, this intimate 23-acre attraction is more like a stroll in the park than an all-day excursion. It features about 500 animals representing more than 100 different species. The monkey exhibit and petting zoo are favorites with kids. Stroller and wagon rentals are available. The newest attraction is the Tropics of the Americas, a 3-acre jungle path and complex that immerses guests in the animals, plants, and culture of a New World rainforest. You'll encounter animals such as jaguars, monkeys, giant anteaters, tapirs, bats, birds, snakes, and more. A new Siamang Habitat opened in 2005; it is currently home to a pair of primates known to be the largest species of lesser apes in the world. There are two Malayan tigers at the zoo now -- there are only 47 in North America. A baby jaguar cub was born in October of 2008. Mom is one of the zoo's endangered jags. New in 2009, a baby anteater named EO and two baby spider monkeys, a critically endangered species, born in November of that year. Allow at least 2 hours to see all of the sights here.


Rapids Water Park: 6566 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL

  • Neighborhood West Palm Beach (1 mile west of I-95 on Military, btw. 45th St./exit 54 and Blue Heron Blvd./exit 55 in West Palm Beach)
  • Hours Mid-Mar to Sept Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
  • Phone 561/842-8756
  • Prices Admission $32 Mon-Fri, $35 Sat-Sun; free for children 2 and under. Parking $10

It may not be on the same grand scale as the theme parks in Orlando, but Rapids is a great way to cool off on a hot day. There are 12 acres of water rides, including a children's area and miniature golf course. A few new attractions opened in 2007, including the Black Thunder, involving a huge dark funnel and water; a Raging Rapids ride; and an aquatic obstacle course. Check out the Superbowl, a tubeless water ride that spins and swirls before dumping you into the pool below, and the Big Thunder, a giant funnel that plunges you down 50 feet in a four-person tube. Claustrophobia, anyone?


Playmobil Fun Park: 8031 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach, FL

  • Neighborhood Palm Beach Gardens
  • Hours Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun noon-5pm
  • Phone 800/351/8697, 561/691-9880
  • Fax 561/691-9517
  • Prices Admission $1

For a child, it doesn't get any better than this. The 17,000-square-foot Playmobil Fun Park is housed in a replica castle & loaded with themed areas for imaginative play: a medieval village, a Western town, a fantasy dollhouse, and more. Kids can play with the Playmobil boats on two water-filled tables. Tech-minded youths may get bored, but tots up to age 5 or so will love this place. You could spend hours here and not spend a penny, but parents, beware: Everything is available for purchase. There's another Playmobil park in Orlando.


Palm Beach Free Museum Days:

  • Norton Museum of Art Free Thursdays for Florida residents till Sept. 3rd and Free Saturdays year round for Palm Beach County residents with proof of residency.
  • Flagler Museum This museum holds a yearly event on June 5th called Founders Day when admission is free to all.
  • Science Center and Aquarium Free admission is available to Bank of America customers. You can also save $2.00 of tickets with a Facebook check-in.

Free Museum Days in Boca Raton

  • Boca Raton Museum Of Art Free admission for members and children under 12 and for all visitors every first Sunday of each month.
  • Blue Star Museum which offers free admission to active duty military personnel and families.

Bank of America Museums on Us

On the first weekend of every month, anyone with a Bank of America credit or debit card can get free admission to South Florida Science Center & Aquarium


Beaches

Public beaches are a rare commodity in Palm Beach, with many of the best cordoned off around private oceanfront estates. Midtown Beach is a notable exception, east of Worth Avenue, on Ocean Boulevard between Royal Palm Way and Gulfstream Road, which boasts more than 100 feet of undeveloped sand, a golden island of undeveloped strand in a sea of glitz and glamour. Swim in the surf, build sandcastles and work on your tan beneath the eye of a watchful lifeguard. Groomed beach sand, picnic facilities and outdoor recreation dominate at Phipps Ocean Park, another public beach especially popular with families. At the south end of Palm Beach, it's a less-popular but better-equipped, on Ocean Boulevard, between the Southern Boulevard and Lake Avenue causeways, there's a lively public beach encompassing more than 1,300 feet of groomed oceanfront. With picnic and recreation areas and plenty of parking, the area is especially good for families. This newly widened coast is now a centerpiece and a natural oasis in a town dominated by commercial glitz. There are no restrooms or concessions here, though a lifeguard is on duty until sundown. A popular hangout for locals lies about 1 1/2 miles north of here, near Dunbar Street; they prefer it to Midtown Beach because of the relaxed atmosphere. Parking is available at meters along Florida A1A.


Biking

Rent anything from an English single-speed to a full-tilt mountain bike at the Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop, 223 Sunrise Ave. (tel. 561/659-4583; www.palmbeachbicycle.com). Rates are $15 per hour, $29 per half-day (9am-5pm), and $39 for 24 hours, and include a basket and lock (not that a lock is necessary in this fortress of a town). The most scenic route is called the Lake Trail, running the length of the island along the Intracoastal Waterway. On it, you'll see some of the most magnificent mansions and grounds, and enjoy the views of downtown West Palm Beach as well as some great wildlife.


Golf

There's good golfing in the Palm Beaches, but many private-club courses are maintained exclusively for members' use. Ask at your hotel or contact the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau (tel. 561/471-3995) for information on which clubs are available for play. In the off-season, some private courses open to visitors staying in Palm Beach County hotels. This "Golf-A-Round" program boasts no greens fees; reservations can be made through most major hotels.

The best hotel for golf in the area is the PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens (tel. 800/633-9150; www.pga-resorts.com), which features a whopping 90 holes of golf.

The Palm Beach Public Golf Course, 2345 S. Ocean Blvd. (tel. 561/547-0598; www.golfontheocean.com), a popular public 18-hole course, is a par-3 that was redesigned in 2009 by Raymond Floyd and includes new layout, more holes by the ocean, and, down the road, a state-of-the-art clubhouse. The course opens at 8am on a first-come, first-served basis. Club rentals are available. Greens fees start at $14 to $45 per person depending on time and season.


Scuba Diving

Year-round warm waters, barrier reefs, and plenty of wrecks make South Florida one of the world's most popular places for diving. One of the best-known artificial reefs in this area is a vintage Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, which was sunk offshore in 1985. Nature has taken its toll, however, and divers can no longer sit in the car, which has been ravaged by time and salt water. For gear and excursions, call The Scuba Club, 4708 N. Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach (tel. 561/844-2466; www.thescubaclub.com).

Scuba diving at the world renowned Blue Heron Bridge, also known as Phil Foster Park, is something every diver who visits West Palm Beach, Florida should experience. The Blue Heron Bridge was chosen in 2013 as the best dive site in the world by PADI’s Sport Diver magazine for good reasons… Its diversity of marine life and its easy accessibility are just two of the many important traits of this terrific dive site. When you dive Blue Heron Bridge you encounter numerous sea creatures that are a rarity to find throughout the world. Seahorses and pipefish in all sizes and colors make the top of the list at this amazing dive site. Octopus, including the Atlantic long arm (aka. mimic octopus), can be found while diving here. Add to the list the odd marine life such as sea robins, flying gurnards, batfish, frogfish, stargazers, and over 100 different species of nudibranchs to name a few. Dive Blue Heron Bridge for a simple and FREE beach shore dive. The deepest depth you’ll find at the bridge is just over 20 feet. A 45 minute to 2 hour dive is the norm here. Best of all, no matter what the weather is like out on the open ocean, the Blue Heron Bridge is still accessible for diving thanks to its location in the protected Lake Worth Lagoon. Few dive sites in the world give you the option to dive when the weather turns for the worst. There is snorkeling at Phil Foster Park, too! With the recent addition of a snorkel trail at the Blue Heron Bridge, even those who are not scuba certified can enjoy this amazing marine park. Opened in August 2012, the Phil Foster Park Artificial Reef and Snorkel Trail is an 800-foot-long tract of artificial reef incorporating more than 600 tons of Anastasia rock boulders in a depth ranging from six to ten feet. In the short span of time since it was created, the Phil Foster Park Artificial Reef and Snorkel Trail has attracted countless marine life. All kinds of juvenile tropical fish can be seen flirting in and out of this artificial reef.


Tennis

There are hundreds of tennis courts in Palm Beach County. Wherever you are staying, you're bound to be within walking distance of one. In addition to the many hotel tennis courts, you can play at Currie Park, 2400 N. Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach (tel. 561/835-7025), a public park with three lighted hard courts. They're free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.


Water Sports

Call the Blue Water Boat Rental, 200 E. 13th St., Riviera Beach (tel. 561/840-7470; www.bluewaterboatrental.com), to arrange sailboat, jet-ski, bicycle, kayak, water-ski, and parasail rentals.


Spectator Sports

The posh Palm Beach Polo and Country Club and the International Polo Club are two of the world's premier polo grounds and host some of the sport's top-rated players. Even if you're not a sports fan, you must attend a match at one of these fields, which are on the mainland in a rural area called Wellington. Rest assured, however, that the spectators, and many of the players, are pure Palm Beach. After all, a day at the pony grounds is one of the only good reasons to leave Palm Beach proper. You need not be a Vanderbilt or a Kennedy to attend -- matches are open to the public and are surprisingly affordable.

Even if you haven't a clue how the game is played, you can spend your time people-watching. In recent years, stargazers have spotted Prince Charles, Sylvester Stallone, Tommy Lee Jones, Bo Derek, and Ivana Trump, among others. Dozens of lesser-known royalty keep box seats right on the grounds.

Dress is casual; a navy or tweed blazer over jeans or khakis is the standard for men, while neat-looking jeans or a pantsuit is the norm for women. On warmer days, shorts and, of course, polo shirts are fine, too.

General admission is $15 to $45; box seats cost $75 to $100 but are usually for members only. Call for more information. Special polo brunches are often available too at $85 per person. Matches are held throughout the week. Schedules vary, but the big names usually compete on Sunday at 3:30pm from January to April.

The fields are located at 11809 Polo Club Rd. and 3667 120th Ave., South Wellington, 10 miles west of the Forest Hill Boulevard exit off I-95. Call tel. 561/793-1440 or 204-5687, or visit www.internationalpoloclub.com for tickets and a detailed schedule of events.


Shopping

No matter what your budget, be sure to take a stroll down Worth Avenue, the "Rodeo Drive of the South" and a window-shopper's dream. Between South Ocean Boulevard and Cocoanut Row, there are more than 200 boutiques, posh shops, art galleries, and upscale restaurants. If you want to fit in, dress as if you are going to an elegant luncheon, not the mall down the street.

You'd never know there was ever a recession based on the swarms of shoppers armed with bags from Gucci, Chanel, Armani, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton, among others. And besides the boldface collection of couturiers there are also a good number of unique, independent boutiques. For privileged feet, Stubbs & Wooton, 4 Via Parigi (tel. 561/655-4105), sells velvet slippers that are a favorite of the loofahed locals. For rare and estate jewelry, Richter's of Palm Beach, 224 Worth Ave. (tel. 561/655-0774), has been specializing in priceless gems since 1893. Just off Worth Avenue is the Church Mouse, 378 S. County Rd. (tel.561/659-2154), a great consignment/thrift shop with antique furnishings and tableware, as well as lots of good castoff clothing and shoes from socialites who've moved on to the next designers or, worse than that, to the big gala in the sky. This shop usually closes for 2 months during the summer; call to be sure. Oh, and if you plan to put something up for consignment, make sure to use the special "donor's door" (a nice way of saying service entrance) on the south side of the building.

City Place, Okeechobee Road (at I-95), West Palm Beach (tel. 561/820-9716), is a $550-million, Mediterranean-style shopping, dining, and entertainment complex that's responsible for revitalizing what was once a lifeless downtown West Palm Beach. Among the 78 mostly chain stores are Macy's, Barnes & Noble, Banana Republic, Armani Exchange, Pottery Barn, and SEE eyewear. Restaurants include a Ghirardelli ice-cream shop; Legal Seafoods; the legendary Tampa-based Cuban restaurant Columbia; Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood's Taverna Opa; City Cellar Wine Bar and Grill; Brewzzi; BB King's Blues Club; Blue Martini; and Cheesecake Factory. Best of all is the Muvico Parisian, a 20-screen movie theater where you can wine and dine while watching a feature.


Eating and Drinking

Palm Beach has some of the area's swankiest restaurants. Thanks to the development of downtown West Palm Beach, however, there is also a great selection of trendier, less expensive spots. Dress here is slightly more formal than in most other areas of Florida: Men wear blazers, and women generally put on modest dresses or chic suits when they dine out, even on the oppressively hot days of summer.

Leave the Bermuda shorts behind in favor of crisply ironed linen for swanky, oceanfront dining in Palm Beach. Overlook the surf dining on platters of freshly caught seafood, from Florida lobster to snapper, at beachside dining rooms. Southern barbecue reminds visitors that Florida is part of the South. Head to Tom's Place, an ultra-casual barbecue shack, for plates of flawlessly grilled and sauced chicken, pork and fish and side dishes of the region's traditional comfort food: black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes and cornbread.


Nightlife and Entertainment

Artists' lofts, sidewalk cafes, bars, restaurants and galleries dot Clematis Street, the pumping heart of Palm Beach nightlife. On weekends, yuppies mingle with stylish Europeans and disheveled artists sipping tropical cocktails at sidewalk tables or dancing to electronic mixes at youthful bars. On Thursdays, 20- and 30-somethings gather for live rock, blues, reggae and an art show for "Clematis by Night." The moneyed set in Palm Beach is most likely found sipping high-end ports and brandies at oceanfront hotel bars.

In 2008, Clematis Street, West Palm Beach's hub of nightlife, also known as the Clematis District, celebrated an immense resurgence, with a slew of new dining destinations, retailers, and nightspots that dot the street from Flagler Drive to Rosemary Avenue, creating a hot spot for a night out, especially on weekends, when yuppies mingle with stylish Euros and disheveled artists.

Over the bridge, it's a completely different world. Palm Beach is much quieter and better known for its rather private society balls and estate parties. With the exception of some restaurants that are more of a scene (such as Amici or Ta-boo), Palm Beach nightlife is more likely to entail sipping port at one of the finer hotels such as The Breakers, Colony, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, or Chesterfield.


The Performing Arts

With a number of dedicated patrons and enthusiastic supporters of the arts, this area happily boasts many good venues for those craving culture. Check the Palm Beach Post or the Palm Beach Daily News for up-to-date listings and reviews.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach (tel. 561/832-7469; www.kravis.org), is the area's largest and most active performance space. With a huge curved-glass facade and more than 2,500 seats in two lushly decorated indoor spaces, plus a new outdoor amphitheater, the Kravis stages more than 300 performances each year. Phone or check the website for a current schedule of Palm Beach's best music, dance, and theater.