3-Day Guide to The Palm Beaches’ Top Sights
Explore some of the most popular local sites to help you navigate easily and make the most of your stay in and around The Palm Beaches.
Coming to The Palm Beaches? Whether exploring for a week or a weekend, it is easy to enjoy the destination staples and the must-see historical treasures that add to its natural beauty and glamourous feel.
Check-In
Explore the lavish history and culture that helped shape Palm Beach as a renowned winter getaway by starting things off with check-in at The Breakers Palm Beach. This captivating oceanfront property remains synonymous with seaside elegance and ever-evolving opulence. Its storied past began in 1896, when Henry Morrison Flagler, an American industrialist and railroad tycoon who worked alongside John D. Rockefeller, brought the East Coast Railway to Palm Beach and with it enhanced tourism to The Palm Beaches.
Day One
Start your day by heading over to the northern part of the county for some natural highlights that have been long-standing in The Palm Beaches for over 100 years. Before heading north, have a heart breakfast at The breakers or grab a bite to eat at Greens Pharmacy Luncheonette, located just north of The Breakers. Since 1938, this historic, little breakfast gem has doubled as a small convenience store and kitchen serving American breakfast classics and old-school milkshakes. Open 365 days a year, they maintain the nostalgic ambiance, a nod to simpler times.
The next must-see spot is one that is hard to miss: The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. Sitting pretty at 156 feet tall, it was one of the first buildings in The Palm Beaches. Built-in 1860, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is still active and available for climbing tours. Enjoy the historic grounds with a self-guided smartphone app tour and explore the Outstanding Natural Area that surrounds the lighthouse. Don’t forget to check out the adjacent nature trails, just a short walk away!
Enjoy this sight from the water by jumping on a paddleboard or kayak at Blueline Surf & Paddle or Jupiter Outdoor Center, both of which offer watersport rentals and guided tours. If all this activity works up your appetite, head straight across the Intracoastal Waterway to enjoy a bite to eat at UTiki Beach, which is open for lunch or dinner. It is the perfect place to take in the view from afar as you settle into the South Florida alfresco style.
Located less than 15 minutes away by car, you can meet our favorite little locals at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, where you will learn about ocean conservation as well as the loggerhead, leatherback and green sea turtles that call The Palm Beaches’ 47-miles of coastine home, year-round.
Make your way back to The Breakers to freshen up and take some time to enjoy the resort’s amenities before you discover one of the many reasons why The Palm Beaches are a favored foodie destination. If you’re seeking signature ambiance, memorable culinary experiences, and mouthwatering flavors, you are sure to feel satisfied at Buccan. Close your eyes and pick any of the sharable dishes, where multi-James Beard-nominated Chef Clay Conley serves up a world of flavor in each bite of the seasonal, carefully curated menu.
Day Two
Get up and head over to the central portion of the destination, West Palm Beach. Just a bridge ride away from Palm Beach you will find yourself in downtown West Palm Beach, the metropolis of The Palm Beaches. Here, you will find a hub for foodies, culture enthusiasts, and active travelers alike. Today, your breakfast stop is Hive Bakery & Cafe – a chic, American-style cafe that exudes comfort combined with upscale elegance. The menu includes breakfast favorites, and the bakery is stocked with a variety of loaves, croissants, cookies, tarts, and cakes.
The Norton Museum of Art is first on the agenda for the day. Take in the modern and contemporary pieces throughout the museum and the unique collection of artwork from around the globe. Walk under the colorful Chihuly ceiling showing the artist in a way not seen before.
Refuel at a hometown favorite called Howley’s. Far from a typical diner, this is a paradise for foodies who enjoy those classic, feel-good meals, with a twist. Open since 1950 and reestablished in 2004, this locale has been engrained in The Palm Beaches’ dining scene for 70 years.
Since it wouldn’t be The Palm Beaches if you didn’t soak up a little sun, head back to The Breakers for some R&R and treat yourself to the luxe historical hospitality that the destination has prided itself on offering since the Gilded Age. Once you’re ready to continue, freshen up and head downstairs to The Seafood Bar, where the views of the Atlantic will not be the only thing that surprise you.
Day Three
Rise and shine for day three! For the last day of your visit, you will want to make the most out of it. Enjoy taking in the salt and sand while dining at The Beach Club located on the pool deck of The Breakers. Serving up an arrangement of meals from healthy, vegan-friendly options to a good old-fashioned eggs benedict and juices, this venue has just what you need to start the day.
Today, we venture to Mounts Botanical Gardens, the first botanical garden in The Palm Beaches, with over six varieties of gardens to explore. Stop in for a self-guided tour or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the gardens, a nice way to relish in the newfound peace achieved from your visit. Next, consider heading south to Downtown Delray Beach and stop along Atlantic Avenue for some beach time, foot exploration, or for lunch! The popular avenue, a host to a multitude of restaurants, bars, art galleries, and shopping extends east to the Atlantic Ocean. As a very pedestrian-friendly destination, you can walk from one end to the other, dipping your toes in the sand after exploring the avenue, or start beachside and work your way down to the western side.
Several public transportation options make exploring that much more accessible with options such as Freebee. Enjoy lunch at trusted favorites such as Brulé Bistro for an eclectic tasting experience or Deck 84 for casual dining on the water. Pair your lunch with a side of nostalgia, with a visit to the Silverball Museum, where you can enjoy an array of pinball classics, arcade games, and memorabilia for all ages. If you find yourself staying for dinner (it’s easy to do), head over to Dada, a quirky restaurant housed in a vintage home with artistic influences sprinkled throughout.
Other accommodation options
For a stunning alternative, consider The Brazilian Court Hotel. This beloved luxury boutique hotel in elegant Spanish Colonial architecture, features lush tropical courtyards, fountains and a high-end restaurant run by Michelin-star chef Daniel Boulud.
