THINGS TO DO
The clue’s in the name: The Palm Beaches are some of Florida’s most beautiful stretches of sand. A whopping 47 miles of prime Atlantic coastline await here, plus 29 insanely photogenic beach parks. Whether you’re seeking sun and seclusion, watersports and adventures, wildlife or the jet-set scene, you’ll find it here.
Beach adventures include the Spanish Beach Park at Boca Raton, where nature trails loop through 95 acres of pristine wilderness; Ocean Reef Park at Riviera Beach, where you can settle in with your gang and barbecue; wildlife-centric John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, home to manatees, dolphins and mullet, plus turtle-tastic Loggerhead Park at Juno Beach.
The beaches are beautiful, but so are the lakes and waterways. Cruise the Intracoastal Waterway and Lake Worth Lagoon, or go fishing at Palm Beach Inlet. Set off on an airboat adventure in the famous Florida Everglades, or make a splash with paddleboarding, kayaking, diving and other watersports.
There’s plenty to do back on dry land. America’s first resort destination knows allabout relaxing: pick from one of the serene sea-view spas and unwind, beach-style. Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa has a refreshing Eau Zone and a fleet of nimble-knuckled masseuses; the famously opulent The Breakers Palm Beach Hotel has a decadent spa offering, too.
Foodies, if you’re hungry for Florida’s Tastiest Cuisine, start at The Palm Beaches. Do like the locals and eat your meals al fresco at a beachside restaurant (opt for sea-fresh seafood). If you like meals on wheels, look out for the mint-green, taco-toting Curbside Gourmet food truck in West Palm Beach and rock ‘n’ (spring) roll sensation, Spring In Roll Out. Barflies should flit to E. R. Bradley’s Saloon in West Palm Beach, and HMF restaurant and lounge bar at The Breakers Palm Beach Hotel.
The Palm Beaches are famed for their hospitality, inclusivity and general joie de vivre, making them a favourite with the LGBT community. The spectacular annual PrideFest is one of the county’s best parties; the International Gay Polo Tournament is another big draw on the LGBT calendar. All year round, The Palm Beaches have plenty to tempt LGBT visitors, who can pick from outdoors adventures, beach life, shopping trips, wining and dining, and the cosmopolitan nightlife of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth.
Then there’s the golf. Florida’s golf capital deserves its rep, as more than 80 professional golfers, including Rory McIlroy can attest. Pick from more than 160 public and private courses; try West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Palm Beach. Don’t miss Osprey Point Golf Course, named the world’s best eco-friendly facility by the World Golf Awards.
