Palm Beach Luxury Travel Guide
We kicked off our Southern Florida road trip in sunny Palm Beach, Florida. It was everything we’d hoped for and more. From sand and surf to lush gardens, posh shopping, and incredible fine dining, our time in Palm Beach was fantastic from start to finish. I hope my Palm Beach Luxury Travel Guide helps you plan and enjoy the trip of a lifetime to this tropical paradise.
How to Reach Palm Beach
We flew directly into Palm Beach International Airport, which serves most of the country and abroad. Our Delta flights were exceptional. The airport was easy to navigate, and when we asked where the luggage carousel was, a friendly airport staff member guided us in the right direction. Oh, the airport has TSA Pre-Check, too!
Overall, it was a great experience in a clean, straightforward airport.
How to Get Around Palm Beach
We rented a car from Hertz and found driving to be the best way to get around. The downtown is walkable, but when it came to exploring the surrounding area, there wasn’t much public transportation. Surprisingly, free parking was abundant around the Palm Beaches.
Driving was simple, convenient, and the roads were never crowded, so it’s a great place to drive if you’re a nervous or inexperienced driver. If you’re visiting from abroad, be sure to have the necessary permits and insurance. You’ll be just fine!
Best Time of Year to Visit Palm Beach
We visited in winter, and while this is the busy season in Florida, thanks to snowbirds, nothing was too busy to be unenjoyable. It’s such a large area, with so many fun things to do, that it’s never been a problem. The weather was sunny, in the mid-70s the entire time, and it didn’t rain once during our four-day stay.
The rest of the year, of course, is hotter. June – September is hurricane season. While it isn’t necessary to entirely avoid visiting this time of year, do have a plan in place in case flights are delayed or a storm rolls in. At least get travel insurance when visiting this time of year for extra protection and peace of mind. That’s good advice for visiting anywhere with regular, potentially impactful storms.
Where to Stay in Palm Beach
We stayed at the gorgeous Colony Hotel on Hammond St. It had the perfect location. The Colony was beautiful, and if we didn’t want to leave, they had everything from meals & drinks to entertainment, activities, a pool, beach access, and hotel rooms that felt more like a pied-à-terre than a rented room.
Where to Eat in Palm Beach
The food in Palm Beach is SO delicious! We seriously didn’t order a single bad thing, which I think qualifies it as a foodie paradise. Here are some of my favorite places to eat in Palm Beach.
Swifty’s at The Colony
Lovers of good food can’t visit Palm Beach without dining at Swifty’s. When you go, mail me some of their gluten-free corn bread muffins as a referral commission. (I’m not joking. I NEED to eat those again! lol)
Buccan
For a taste of home, we stopped here to try the Maine Lobster Ceviche, MA Oysters (the BEST in winter!), and the yellow snapper. This is a great spot if you’re vegan, gluten-free, or pescatarian. They had plenty of options.
Golden Juicery
Perfect for those days when you crave something fresh, organic, and clean. This was so good that we went back —three times!
Sushi by Bou
If you love omakase, you need to visit Sushi by Bou– Trust me!
Aquasan
I wanted to visit a tiki bar, and this restaurant was the perfect blend of fun, kitschy, and high-end. The flavors were phenomenal, the staff was extremely kind, and the portions were generous. Plus, the vibes were so fun. This was one of the best meals of our Florida visit!
Pura Vida Miami
Everything at Pura Vida Miami is organic. That was one of the main draws for us. The other was that nearly everything can be made gluten-free for no extra charge!
The Seed.
This was another awesome café for anyone with food allergies. We loved our meals! I’m so thankful the area had plenty of allergy-friendly food options that kept us energized without making us feel heavy.
Want more recommendations? Check out Where to Eat in the Palm Beaches
What to Do In & Around Palm Beach
Beach Day
Spend the day reading, swimming, surfing, shelling, and relaxing on one of many beautiful beaches. We loved Palm Beach, Juno Beach, and Palm Beach shores.
Climb Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
This was one of the best views of our entire trip. It’s well worth the climb up, and it’s only 105 steps! Plus, upon survival, you get a nifty certificate saying you made it.
Pro-tips: Don’t wear a hat atop the lighthouse– it’s windy. Also, look out for rainbows cast by the lighthouse’s Fresnel lenses. They’re enchanting!
Easternmost Point in Florida
Walk along a breathtaking, white sand beach, and end at the easternmost point in Florida. You know, for bragging rights!
Glass Bottom Kayaking
Get Up and Go Kayaking offers 2-hour guided tours, where kayakers can spot manta rays, manatees, starfish, and more. The owner, Tammy, is SO kind & knowledgeable– we loved her! If you book with her, tell her I sent you 🙂
Manatee Lagoon
You can’t visit Palm Beach during manatee season (aka the winter) without visiting Manatee Lagoon! When we visited, the researchers working there counted more than 236 manatees and their tiny babies!
Mounts Botanical Garden
This garden was so pretty. If you love gardens, give it a stroll.
Pan’s Garden
A free garden in downtown Palm Beach, it’s just steps away from Worth Ave.
Pick Up Litter
The beaches were almost spotless, but we did our part and spent the better part of an hour scouring for any stray bits of plastic. We ended up finding only a few. Wherever we go, we strive to leave each place better than we found it. That’s easy with these convenient trash pick-up stations at every beach. I’d love to see these in more parks and beaches around the nation. Imagine what a difference it would make if we all cared more about our world.
Pool Day
Lounging by the pool is a must in Palm Beach.
Shelling at Juno Beach
I love seashells, so when I spotted piles (and piles and piles and piles) of shells here, I snagged a few of my favorites. Just make sure they’re empty first.
Shopping on Worth Avenue
All the best stores in one place. Yes, I did need an extra suitcase. Whoops!
Safety
We never once felt unsafe in Palm Beach. The only danger we were ever in was the risk of having too much fun (or maybe getting a little sunburned). Still, be aware that the ocean around Palm Beach is home to jellyfish, sharks, sting rays, etc. We saw a few little jellies that had washed ashore, but we had no problems wading in the water and shelling. Keep an eye out for rip currents, too, and note the swimming conditions when at the beach. When in doubt, stick to the shore.
Otherwise, Palm Beach was an incredible spot for a romantic couple’s trip. I’d love to come back with some of my girlfriends for a girls’ weekend. I can also see this being an awesome spot for a bachelorette weekend!
Explore my adventures in Palm Beach, Florida, and the United States.
