Palm Beach is such a special little island that I couldn’t love more. Every time I have the pleasure of visiting Palm Beach, my affinity for the town grows more and more. I hope my Palm Beach Travel Guide will help anyone out as they plan their own stay in the little Florida oasis! I originally posted my Palm Beach travel guide a few years ago and have since updated it with everything you need for a perfect trip. Over the course of my visits, I’ve stayed at a handful of places in Palm Beach, enjoyed many of the delicious restaurants, indulged in the incredible shopping, hunted around for antiques on South Dixie Highway, played on the beautiful beach, and walked and biked all around.
Palm Beach is a wonderful destination for any type of trip! I love Palm Beach for a mother-daughter trip, a girls’ weekend, a trip with children, or a couples weekend (especially if your boys like to play golf!). Keep reading for my recommendations on where to stay, eat, shop, and explore.
Palm Beach Travel Guide
Palm Beach Travel Guide: Getting There
Palm Beach is a breeze to get to. You can fly directly into the Palm Beach airport, which is an incredibly easy airport. The airport is about 20 minutes from central Palm Beach so the whole travel experience is easy. If you live somewhere without direct flights to Palm Beach or without an easy connection to the Palm Beach airport, then I recommend checking flights into Ft. Lauderdale, FL too as it is just a few minutes over an hour away from Palm Beach so it’s close enough to Uber or you can explore renting a car. Also, another alternative would be to fly to Miami and stay there for a night or two before renting a car and driving the 1.5 hours north to Palm Beach (you know I love Miami too!). In addition, there is a train that travels between Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Palm Beach!
Palm Beach Travel Guide: Where to Stay
I honestly have two must-stay places in Palm Beach, The Colony and The Breakers. Both can’t be missed! The Colony has more of a boutique hotel feel while The Breakers has more of a resort hotel feel. You absolutely cannot go wrong with either of them. They are also both in incredible walking locations! I always book both through my sister who is a travel advisor so we get all the amenities that booking through an advisor grants you!
The Colony Hotel:
When in Palm Beach, I love staying at The Colony! It is such a special hotel that has Palm Beach’s character splashed on every surface. After the recent fun, beautifully done hotel refresh by Celerie Kemble, it is hard to imagine staying anywhere else! I LOVE this historic boutique hotel. In addition, it has such an old Florida charm to it with a touch of Slim Aarons vintage flare. Celerie Kemble’s recent redesign kept the hotel’s old Palm Beach style while simultaneously modernizing the over 75-year-old establishment. The hotel’s famous pink façade, charming service, and storied mascot monkey all remained intact as they are engrained in Palm Beach culture at this point.
The hotel also boasts a dreamy pool setup with scalloped umbrellas and colorful pool chaise lounges. I love to take advantage of the pool setup for a swim, the Florida sunshine, a poolside breakfast, or for sipping an al fresco evening glass of rosé. The food at the hotel is delicious and I also love the live music at night in the main restaurant. I 100% recommend The Colony when booking a trip to Palm Beach. The hotel also has a selection of villas too that are wonderful for larger parties.
The Breakers:
This beachfront hotel is one of America’s grandest historic hotels and an icon of Palm Beach. It is definitely an institution and for good reason as it oozes old world Palm beach luxury and elegance. I couldn’t love staying at The Breakers more! The resort is everything: grand but also comfortable, luxurious but also inviting and wonderful for families, historic but it also has some of the best modern amenities of any hotel I’ve stayed at (ex: personal filtered drinking water spigots in every room).
There are so many thoughtful details that make staying at The Breakers amazing. The late 1800s Renaissance Revival style hotel was built by American business tycoon Henry Flagler and boasts it’s own private beach, multiple delicious restaurants (open to hotel guests and non-hotel guests), multiple pools, a beautiful spa, an amazing children’s playground and area, fantastic boutiques, a really fun hotel bar, sensational service, and all the old Palm Beach style you could ever dream of. I will stay here again and again and again!
Also to note is The White Elephant, The Four Seasons, The Brazilian Court, and EAU Palm Beach. I will say that I have stayed at the Palm Beach White Elephant and I wouldn’t stay here again. Its prices can match those of The Breakers and The Colony and it just doesn’t compare. The service is lovely but the property itself really really lacks for the price, the rooms aren’t anything special, and it has no Palm Beach charm, character, or history like The Colony or The Breakers. I would honestly recommend saving your money or staying somewhere else.
Palm Beach Travel Guide: Where to Shop
Worth Avenue:
One of the most quintessential Palm Beach experiences to have is to window shop along Worth Avenue. It’s the iconic shopping street in town and has everything from big names like Saks to harder-to-come-by brick and mortars like Stubbs & Wootton to specialty boutique shops like Casa Branca. There are also a few cute baby stores and antique stores along the way as well. But the best part of Worth Avenue is wandering around all the little vias or alleys off of Worth. There is so much to see!
AERIN:
I’ve been to the AERIN Lauder store in East Hampton too but the AERIN store in Palm Beach is just so beautiful. All the brand she sources for the store are unique and beautiful + all her own designs and beauty products are so divine. Every time I walk in, I think to myself that I could buy the whole store. You may remember me sharing that I gifted each of my bridesmaids an AERIN perfume as part of my gifts for the girls on my wedding day. So I’m definitely a forever fan!
CJ Laing:
I just adore CJ Laing. It is one of my go-to shops discovering new-to-me small brands, colorful beachy dresses, summer knits, and also whimsical prints. Everything in the store is colorful beach perfection.
Serena & Lily:
Serena & Lily knows exactly where to open up shop! The sea-inspired home brand opened a Palm Beach location in late 2019 with a gorgeous storefront now on N. County Road. The coastal designs of Serena & Lilly definitely belong in Palm Beach so I highly recommend a visit to the store if you live somewhere without your own location.
Skinny Dip:
A collective store filled with a mix of well-curated mini boutiques. You’ll find clothing, accessories, decor, fun Palm Beach items, and more. Plus, there is a wine and coffee shop inside so you can sip and nibble while you shop!
Leta Austin Foster:
Other than Aerin, I would say this is my other favorite store in Palm Beach! Leta Austin Foster is renowned around Palm Beach and within the interior design industry. The minute I met her in her store the first time I visited, I fell in love with her! She is a wealth of knowledge of design and antiques and also loves chatting with her shoppers all about her experiences. She sells adorable baby clothes, divine linens, special décor treasures, vintage finds, coffee table books, and more. I also bought a vintage botanical print that I have hanging in our living room.
Jennifer Miller Jewelry:
I love one-of-a-kind stores that are specific to the cities they are in (she only has locations in New York and then this location in Palm Beach) so this jewelry store is a hit with me. In fact, my sister bought the most gorgeous ombré pink and coral statement earrings on a trip here a few years ago!
Stubbs & Wootton:
It was so fun to step inside a Stubbs & Wootton store to try on all the loafers and slippers in person. I’ve had the most amazing time getting creative with designing a pair for myself here at the store before… hint, hint: I really went for it and designed a bright pink pair!
Kirna Zabête:
This is such an amazing boutique that I can’t recommend it enough! The boutique does the most outstanding job buying and sourcing for their store. I always swoon over pieces from some of my favorite designers like Lisa Marie Fernandez and Saloni. The boutique carries so many different designers and is always full of beautiful prints and colors. Such a wonderful women’s clothing and accessories boutique.
Lycette Designs:
Everything about Palm Beach is heaven for Grandmillennials. So, it’s no surprise that the city has an adorable needlepoint shop, Lycette Designs. Lycette Designs is owned by a grandmillennial herself so she knows how to cater to women in their 20s and 30s who have followed in their grandmother’s footsteps and become needlepointers. As such, Lycette Designs has made a splash in the needlepoint world and, specifically, the Instagram needlepoint world! So it’s a must-visit for youthful needlepoint designs like cheeky sayings.
Casa Branca:
Featuring refined wovens, playful prints, and textural wallpapers as well as porcelains and embroidered linens for the table and bed, Casa Branca has it all! I fell in love with Casa Branca when they came to Charleston for a pop-up and their Palm Beach store location is such a dream for interiors lovers. Such a unique, special store!
Julia Amory:
Known for her beautiful block print table linens, pareos, women’s clothing, and children’s clothing, Julia Amory is a creative force. Her Palm Beach showroom is just so adorable with lots of beautiful styles available to try on and shop. This is her only location so it is a really special Palm Beach shop!
Mary Mahoney:
Mary Mahoney is such a beautiful store! If I was getting married in the area, I would absolutely be registering here. In addition, the shop is heaven for tabletop and entertaining lovers. They carry just about every china pattern you can think of.
Palm Beach Artist Collective:
Charleston has an artist collective that is just wonderful. It is fantastic that the Palm Beach creative community is getting a location too. The collectives feature and profile local artists and also often host events to spotlight a range of different talents.
Love Shack Fancy:
The breezy, ethereal, romantic designs of New York based brand Love Shack Fancy fits right in in sunny Palm Beach. Stop by for fluttery dresses in ditsy floral prints, ruffled tops in floaty cotton + soft silk, and dreamy accessories for your wardrobe and hair.
Assouline:
You know Assoline as one of your favorite luxury coffee table book publishers. The store is a fun one to pop into because you can finger through some of their most iconic books.
Lindroth Designs:
Straw bag/basket heaven! Lindroth creates some of the most adorable and functional straw pieces around + they monogram up a storm so it’s a must! While I am obviously partial to Amanda’s Charleston location, her Palm Beach location is adorable and a must-visit when in the area.
Il Papiro:
Il Papiro is must-stop shop for chic desk accessories. Everything is done with the highest craftsmanship and in beautiful marbleized Florentine paper. I have their items adorning my desk at home.
Dixie Highway:
Wandering along Dixie Highway in a must when in Palm Beach! It is a street lined with antique stores so be ready to do a bit of digging for treasures for the home and the garden. I’ve popped into so many shops but I definitely have my favorites. My top choices are: Mecox (favorite!), The Elephant’s Foot, James & Jeffery Antiques, and Heath & Company.
Get The Gusto:
Get The Gusto is a charming shop full of things that will make your smile. It is your one-stop-shop for antiques, art, tabletop pieces, and objects old and new. When you walk in, you’ll feel as though you’ve been swept away into a dreamland inspired by designs from abroad. I have a beautiful paper floral from Get The Gusto that I have displayed in my powder bath.
The Kemble Shop:
Interior design mother-daughter-duo, Mimi and Celerie Kemble, have their own shop on the island so you can bring a little bit of Palm Beach’s whimsical style home with you. Kemble Interiors is who we have to thank for The Colony Hotel’s recent design refresh so, if you love the hotel, you’ll love their shop too.
Hive:
Hive has a series of boutiques, one for him & her, one for the home & garden + gifts and kids, one with a bakery and cafe. Each location is expertly done making it impossible to walk away empty handed! It is no surprise as the Hive boutiques are done by the interior design firm McCann Design Group.
Roller Rabbit:
I love Roller Rabbit so I consider it worthy to note that Palm Beach has a location. The brand’s designs really match the Palm Beach lifestyle so it is a great shop to visit. It is full of tons of swoon-worthy pieces from baby clothes to beach cover-ups to bedding.
Lilly Pulitzer:
Lilly Pulitzer goes hand in hand with Palm Beach so I consider it an absolute must to pop into the Lilly store at the Breakers Hotel. I’ve been wearing Lilly since I was a little girl so it is fun to experience the brand’s origin in Palm Beach.
Palm Beach Travel Guide: Where to Eat
Pizza Al Fresco:
Pizza Al Fresco has the most enchanting courtyard to enjoy while munching on delicious pizzas, salads, and fish. It is a Palm Beach staple. It is hard to beat the perfect atmosphere and yummy food… what’s not to love about an order of the salmon, prosciutto arugula pizza, a lobster Cesar salad, a grilled shrimp salad, and a bottle of rosé?
Buccan:
No trip to Palm Beach is complete without a dinner at Buccan. It might be Palm Beach’s best restaurant! Before my first trip to Palm Beach, it was probably the most highly recommended restaurant so we were so excited to try it. It was exactly what we were looking for: a happening spot to be on a Saturday night with a great cocktail list an elevated menu. I’ve loved it ever since!
Sant Ambroeus:
You may be familiar with Sant Ambroeus from their multiple New York City locations. Having been to their city locations too, I can confidently say that the Palm Beach location is just as charming and yummy complete with bright wallpaper, deep booths, an outdoor patio, and an Italian-inspired menu. They have delicious baked goods too!
Le Bilboquet:
NYC’s Le Bilboquet opened a Palm Beach location that is just as delicious as their location in the city. With its beautiful courtyard that calls to mind both Palm Beach and the South of France, Bilboquet’s serves up elevated French bistro style that includes lots of local ingredients. It’s a perfect spot to dine!
Seafood Bar:
Upon landing in Florida, I instinctively crave seafood. To my enjoyment, the Seafood Bar at the Breakers Hotel is delicious. It is just one of the hotel’s marvelous restaurants. Honestly, every restaurant at The Breakers is fantastic!
SurfSide Dinner:
Breakfast at SurfSide Dinner completely hits the spot. It’s exactly what it sounds like, a casual family-friendly diner-esque restaurant that serves up fan favorites. There is always a mix of visitors and locals dinning here, so you know it’s beloved!
Honor Bar:
I’m a Hillstone Group fanatic so I can’t get enough of Honor Bar! The dip duo, the emerald kale salad, thai noodle salad, and the french fries are all perfection. I think Honor Bar is a Palm Beach must. They also have a sister location in the area with Palm Beach Grill… also great!
La Goulue:
I love the La Goulue in New York so I was excited to see that they opened a Palm Beach location as well. It is a can’t-miss spot for lunch, brunch, or dinner. The classic French bistro style restaurant’s Palm Beach location is beautiful too!
Lola 41:
I love Lola 41’s Nantucket location and their Palm Beach location doesn’t disappoint. The sushi is delicious and the atmosphere is happening. The bar really kicks it up when the sun goes down and they have a really nice patio.
Cucunia:
Cucina serves up delicious southern Italian food! I really swoon for the pizzas here but also love all the seafood on the menu thanks to the southern Italy influence. This is a great spot for dinner with a very happening vibe.
Swifty’s:
Swift’s, the poolside terrace restaurant at The Colony is one of my favorites. I’ve enjoyed multiple breakfasts and lunches here when I’ve stayed at The Colony. Everything is delicious and way better than what you might expect for poolside hotel food. Dining under striped umbrellas on a beautiful day doesn’t stink either.
Green’s Pharmacy:
This classic soda fountain has been a staple in Palm Beach since the 1930s. The restaurant and pharmacy are nostalgic for a bygone era of Palm Beach that remains intact within the walls of Green’s Pharmacy. You can’t beat a cold milkshake here on a hot day.
Celis Produce:
Sometimes when I travel, I really tire of one big meal after another. Celis Produce lends me a helping hand with their yummy juices, smoothies, açaí bowls, and light bites.
Piccolo Gelato:
A sweet little gelato shop that will fix your sugar craving on a warm Palm Beach day.
Palm Beach Travel Guide: Where to Explore
Bike The Lake Trail:
One of the best ways to take advantage of the island is to bike The Lake Trail. Biking is one of my favorite ways to see a new place because you can cover so much ground quickly while being outside. I love this little bike path and all the homes and water views it offers up along the way. P.S. If you don’t stay at hotel with bikes, then you can rent bikes from Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop.
Flagler Museum:
As a self-proclaimed history buff, I’m OBSESSED with the Flagler Museum. It is one of the homes of Henry M. Flagler that was preserved by his family. I recommend doing the full hour+ tour of the home to enjoy every inch of the property. The tour guides are wonderful, the life and history of Henry M. Flagler is fascinating, and his home is simply stunning. I highly recommend visiting the Flagler Museum for a little dose of history and culture in Palm Beach. Flagler really is the man responsible for Palm Beach as we know it. Touring the home will help you understand Palm Beach so much more.
The Society of the Four Arts:
The Society of the Four Arts is a cultural center within Palm Beach. You can tour the property and gardens and attend the incredible programming they put together November – April of music, art exhibits, workshops, film showings, and children’s programming.
Palm Yachts:
Spend a day on the water by chartering a dreamy yacht to soak up the Florida sunshine. Palm Yachts offers custom, fully-restored 17’ center console Boston Whalers with cabana striped Bimini tops. These one-of-a-kind, colorful picnic boats are perfect for anchoring at the sand bar, island hopping or sunset cruising with family and friends.
The Colorful Streets of Palm Beach:
One of our favorite activities is to bike ride up and down the neighborhood streets of Palm Beach. They are so many special, inspiring, and colorful homes!
The Beach:
I quickly learned that the beach is much more of an activity in Miami but that’s not to say the beaches of Palm Beach aren’t beautiful as well. My tip is to find a beach entrance along Ocean Blvd for an afternoon of sun, sand, and surf. P.S. If you stay at The Breakers, they have their own private stretch of beach.
Photography by Erica J Photography, Sarah Attaway, and me
