Explore Palm Beach
Our curated guide to the island
Palm Beach is so much more than a wedding destination. It's a place that rewards curiosity. Whether you arrive a day early or stay a day late, here are our favorite ways to soak it all in.
Featured Attraction
Flagler Museum (Whitehall)
This is a must-see. Henry Flagler's 1902 Gilded Age mansion is one of the most magnificent homes ever built in America: 75 rooms of marble, gold leaf, and jaw-dropping craftsmanship. The museum offers guided tours that bring the Flagler era to life, and the views from the Coconut Row entrance are stunning. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sundays from noon. Allow about 90 minutes for a full visit. It's the perfect Friday morning activity before the Welcome Celebration.
Shopping
Worth Avenue
Palm Beach's legendary shopping street: four blocks of luxury boutiques, art galleries, and charming courtyards called "vias" that wind between the buildings. You'll find Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès alongside independent jewelers and local designers. Even if you're just window shopping, the Mediterranean Revival architecture and lush landscaping make it a beautiful stroll. Don't miss the Via Mizner courtyard. It's like stepping into a hidden garden.
Royal Poinciana Plaza
A beautifully redesigned open-air shopping center with a curated mix of fashion, home goods, and wellness brands. Highlights include Sant Ambroeus (a chic Italian café perfect for people-watching), Kirna Zabête, and Le Labo. It's a more relaxed alternative to Worth Avenue with a modern Palm Beach feel.
Beaches
Breakers Beach
Right at the resort, this is the most convenient option. If you're staying at The Breakers or visiting for the weekend, you'll have access to a pristine stretch of sand with attendant service, beach chairs, and umbrellas. The water is warm and calm in September, perfect for a morning swim before the festivities.
Midtown Beach
A public beach just south of The Breakers with free parking and a laid-back local vibe. It's less crowded than you'd expect and has some of the best sunrise views on the island. Great for an early morning walk or a quiet afternoon with a book.
Phipps Ocean Park
A little further south, Phipps is a beautiful public beach with picnic areas, a playground, and a nature trail through the dunes. It's a wonderful spot for families or anyone who wants a more secluded beach experience. Parking is free for Palm Beach visitors.
Dining
Fine Dining
Café Boulud at The Brazilian Court is a Palm Beach institution, offering French-American cuisine in an elegant courtyard setting. Buccan is a local favorite with inventive small plates and a lively atmosphere (reservations recommended). Renato's on Via Mizner offers classic Italian in one of the most romantic settings on the island, with candlelit tables in a hidden courtyard.
Casual & Brunch
Sant Ambroeus at Royal Poinciana Plaza serves beautiful Italian pastries and espresso, perfect for a leisurely morning. Green's Pharmacy is a beloved local diner that's been serving breakfast since 1938 (cash only, no frills, incredible pancakes). Surfside Diner in West Palm Beach is another great casual spot with classic American breakfast and lunch.
Cocktails & Rooftop
The Spruzzo Rooftop at The Ben has panoramic sunset views over the Intracoastal. It's the perfect pre-dinner drink spot. Coyo Taco in West Palm Beach has a hidden speakeasy bar behind a bookshelf (seriously). HMF at The Breakers is an elegant lounge with craft cocktails and live music on select evenings.
Arts & Culture
The Society of the Four Arts
A cultural gem on the island with rotating art exhibitions, a sculpture garden, and a stunning botanical garden. The Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden is free to visit and absolutely worth a stroll. Open daily; check their website for current exhibitions.
Norton Museum of Art
One of the top art museums in the Southeast, the Norton houses an impressive collection spanning American, European, and Chinese art. The building itself, redesigned by Foster + Partners, is a work of art. Free admission on Fridays. Located in West Palm Beach, about a 10-minute drive from The Breakers.
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
A hidden treasure in West Palm Beach: monumental sculptures set among 2 acres of tropical gardens. It's peaceful, photogenic, and rarely crowded. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM.
Outdoor Activities
The Lake Trail
A scenic 5.5-mile walking and biking path along the Intracoastal Waterway. It runs from the north end of the island past some of Palm Beach's most stunning estates. Early morning is the best time; the light is gorgeous and you'll have the trail mostly to yourself. Bike rentals are available at Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop.
Peanut Island
A small island in the Lake Worth Lagoon accessible by water taxi from Riviera Beach Marina (about 15 minutes from Palm Beach). It has a snorkeling lagoon, a beach, picnic areas, and even a Cold War-era bunker built for President Kennedy. It's a fun half-day adventure, especially if you enjoy being on the water.
Bike Rentals
Palm Beach is flat, beautiful, and very bike-friendly. Rent a cruiser and pedal along the Lake Trail or through the quiet residential streets lined with banyan trees and bougainvillea. Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop (223 Sunrise Avenue) rents by the hour or the day.
Day Trips
Delray Beach (~30 min south)
A vibrant, walkable downtown with Atlantic Avenue at its heart, lined with independent restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is a serene escape just outside town. Great for a half-day trip.
Boca Raton (~40 min south)
Home to the stunning Boca Raton Resort (another Addison Mizner masterpiece), beautiful beaches, and Mizner Park, an upscale outdoor shopping and dining district. The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is a free, family-friendly stop with sea turtle rehabilitation tanks.
Jupiter (~30 min north)
A more laid-back coastal town with the iconic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse (climb to the top for panoramic views), Blowing Rocks Preserve (dramatic limestone shoreline), and Harbourside Place for waterfront dining. It's a lovely change of pace from Palm Beach's polished elegance.