Contrary to popular belief, Miami isn’t the only Florida city worthy of a weekend escape. Just a two-and-a-half-hour plane ride away from New Jersey, Palm Beach is filled with endless beaches, glamour, and waterfront dining. Read on to learn all about a glamorous weekend getaway to Palm Beach, Florida.
Flights
Head to Newark Airport (EWR) and catch a flight to Palm Beach (PBI). Both JetBlue and United offer direct flights. JetBlue has free snacks, WiFi and DirectTV, but either airline will get you there for your fun weekend away. PBI is hands down, one of the easiest and most enjoyable airports to fly in and out of. With short security lines and pleasant TSA staff, the overall vibe of this airport is relaxing and hassle-free.
Where to Stay
The Breakers | 1 South County Road
Anyone who’s heard of Palm Beach knows that The Breakers is one of the most well-known hotels to stay in Florida, let alone the US. Founded in 1896 by Henry M. Flagler, and then later reconstructed (twice due to fires) by the same men who designed Manhattan’s Pierre and The Waldorf Astoria, The Breakers is the epitome of luxury.
With its staggering arches and intricate paintings detailed across the hotel’s 200-foot-long ceilings, the main lobby is absolutely breathtaking. The Breakers even has an in-house Design Studio that creates a weekly floral masterpiece for the lobby with over 300 fresh flowers. Whether or not you choose to stay at the hotel, definitely be sure to enjoy a cocktail at the HMF and see The Breakers in all its glory and oceanside glamour.
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The Colony Hotel | 155 Hammon Avenue
The Colony Hotel is perhaps Palm Beach’s most enchanting boutique hotel. With its close proximity to Worth Avenue and the beach (not to mention its recent five-year, $18 million renovation), The Colony has been a PB landmark since its opening in 1947.
Picturesque in every way, The Colony Hotel mixes old and new. The entire hotel is adorned with pops of bright colors and whimsical prints (perfect for selfie backdrops, jussayin’) whilst maintaining its sophisticated Palm Beach style. From the striped, lime green lounge chairs, pretty pink cornhole boards, and white beach cruiser bicycles, The Colony boasts countless novelties to fill your IG stories.
More Lodging
In addition to the above, Palm Beach and its surrounding beach towns (West Palm, Jupiter, Juno Beach, and Singer Island to name a few) offer a variety of boutique hotels and waterfront accommodations for your weekend getaway. The Brazilian Court (301 Australian Avenue) is another top Palm Beach hotel that features elegant Spanish Colonial architecture and is home to Café Boulud from the internationally acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud.
The Wyndham and Marriott also have some nice properties such as the Wyndham Grand Jupiter at Harbourside Place (122 Soundings Avenue) and the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort and Spa (3800 North Ocean Drive) in the area for those looking for more budget-friendly options.
Where to Eat
Restoration Hardware | 560 Okeechobee Boulevard
Obsessed with Restoration Hardware in its entirety, we were ecstatic to brunch at its four-story mansion (nearly 80,000 square feet) in West Palm Beach on the way to PB island.
Restoration Hardware’s elegantly chic restaurant sits atop the mansion’s rooftop in a glass atrium that overlooks downtown West Palm Beach. Ornate with crystal chandeliers, heritage olive trees, and a stone courtyard fountain, it’s hard not to spend hours drinking rosé on the dreamy, white sofas. Plus, the burrata and RH burger are sure to put you in a food coma.
Pizza Al Fresco | 14 Via Mizner
If you need a break from all the window shopping on Worth Avenue, (or perhaps resting your arms from lugging around your newest splurge), find your way to Pizza Al Fresco. Located on Via Mizner just beyond its flower-walled alley, you’ll be greeted by the smell of wood fire pizza and bright blue umbrellas in the restaurant’s stunning courtyard. The perfect ambiance to people-watch as you eat your margherita napolitana pie. You may even catch a glimpse of a local PB woman (who has an apartment near the via) returning home with her pet pig.
U-Tiki Beach | 1095 North Highway A1A
For a more laid-back vibe and amazing food, hop in a cab and go to U-Tiki Beach in Jupiter. This waterfront dining sitch is a favorite local spot. With a no-reservation policy and a buzz-worthy atmosphere, be prepared to wait during the busy season on a Friday or Saturday night. But no need to fret, U-Tiki has a large bar and seating along the water for those waiting with magnificent views of Jupiter Lighthouse. There are even 30-minute tours of Jupiter Island by Conch Cruises for only $10 as you wait for your table. Be sure to try some of the restaurant’s highly-coveted dishes, such as the shaka shrimp, BBQ shrimp flatbread, and the surf + turf po boy. And now, we’re craving everrrrything.
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Other Culinary Hot Spots
In recent years, Palm Beach has become a lively, culinary destination filled with copious fine dining options. Sant Ambroeus (340 Royal Poinciana Way #304), Palm Beach Grill (40 Royal Poinciana Way #336), The Honor Bar (340 Royal Poinciana Way, #332), and Buccan (350 South County Road) are all PB favorites with exquisite lunch and dinner menus. (Our standard order at Sant Ambroeus is the spaghetti alla carbonara, followed by the Coppa Prince Edward never disappoints.) And for those of you looking for a wild night out, check out Cucina (257 Royal Poinciana Way) for its weekend midnight disco and party scene. #KissMeThursdays at Cucina have also become very popular, as its Palm Beach’s only Girl’s Night Out Dinner Party.
^ Some of the sweet treats you can pick up at Jupiter Donuts!
Other PB area hidden gems frequented by the locals with a much more relaxed and casual atmosphere include JimmyChangas (106 North Olive Avenue), The Square Grouper Tiki Bar (1111 Love Street), Little Moir’s Foodshack (103 South US Highway 1) and Leftovers Cafe (451 University Boulevard), Guanabanas (960 North Highway A1A), Dune Dog (775 North Alt Highway A1A), Jupiter Donuts (420 US Highway 1), and Taco Chula (10800 North Military Trail, Suite 108).
Things to Do
For our vacationers who want to get more out of a Palm Beach getaway than the beautiful beaches and alluring pools, there is an abundance of fun and cultural activities to experience in PB.
Worth Avenue
Simply put, Worth Avenue is the Rodeo Drive of Palm Beach. Just a couple of blocks from the ocean, Worth Avenue is beautifully lined with endless palm trees and some of the world’s most high-end stores (Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany’s, Gucci…to name a few).
And even though a shopping spree may be out of the question for most, it is still worth an afternoon stroll (pun intended). While window shopping, discover the avenue’s charming “vias,” or quaint courtyards filled with flower-lined walls, pretty fountains, little boutiques and restaurants.
Rosemary Square (formerly known as City Place)
Just over the bridge as you leave PB island, you will find yourself in downtown West Palm Beach – home to Rosemary Square (renamed a couple of months ago). A dining and entertainment destination for both locals and weekend visitors, Rosemary Square is set to soon transform into an even more vibrant community with public artwork installations and new dining and shopping offerings with its recent five-year $550 million planned investment.
As its modification begins, visit the historical Clematis Street – full of antique shops, live music, restaurants, and nightclubs. Or hit the Square on a Friday or Saturday night and catch a show at the Improv Comedy Club (550 South Rosemary Square, #250), where you and your vacay crew are sure to enjoy some laughs and late-night drinks.
Flagler Museum | 1 Whitehall Way
For those yearning for some of Palm Beach’s history and culture, take an hour to explore the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. Open to the public and a deemed a National Historic Landmark, the Flagler mansion called “Whitehall” boasts a 75-room estate and splendor from the Gilded Age. The museum not only features guided tours, but also changing exhibitions throughout the year. On a side note – the Flagler Museum is a beautiful and unique wedding venue for any brides-to-be out there considering a destination wedding.
Other Activities
Beyond the activities mentioned above, you can also plan a relaxing day at the spa or play a round of golf at one of the many courses in the area. PGA National Resort & Spa (400 Avenue of the Champions) is home to the Honda Classic and offers both amenities for couples or groups of friends who want to stay close while enjoying their very different ideas of fun. Or, for our sea life lovers, head over to Loggerhead Marinelife Center (14200 US Highway 1) and learn about the rescued sea turtles (baby ones, too) being rehabilitated by the center’s staff and local volunteers. And if you’re lucky, you may even get to witness one being released back into the ocean.
The Final Verdict
Palm Beach is the perfect weekend getaway that can be dressed up or down – depending on your mood. Glam-filled or casually relaxed, sipping a cocktail under the Florida sun is the oasis you deserve after a busy work week. And who knows, you may even find yourself becoming a PB regular this year!
Have you visited Palm Beach? What are some of your favorite local spots? Let us know in the comments below
