Palm Beach is located on a narrow barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean. Within the town limits, the coastline stretches for more than 12 miles. In addition to the coast, historic sites, a botanical garden, a long trail, and a golf course offer a range of things to explore. When planning your trip, first consider whether you want to focus mainly on the beach and outdoor activities or on culture and history.
Beachfront and the Lake Trail
Mid-Town Municipal Beach is one of the Town of Palm Beach’s two public beaches. Lifeguards are on duty at the public beaches seven days a week, year-round. The Town’s Ocean Rescue unit provides public safety and emergency medical services at both public beaches. Thus, both the Atlantic location and the designated rescue services are practical points to keep in mind when planning a beach stay.
The Lake Trail offers a different way to spend time outdoors: It is almost six miles long and is used by cyclists, joggers, and walkers. Electric bicycles, motorized skateboards, and other motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail. At the southern end of the Lake Trail, paid public parking is available along South Lake Drive. Its length, users, and rules give the trail a distinct character, clearly different from spending time at a public beach.
Whitehall, historic sites, and garden culture
A visit to the Flagler Museum includes the first and second floors of Whitehall, the grounds, and the Flagler Kenan Pavilion. The visit therefore takes in both the rooms inside the building and the grounds and pavilion outside. Sea Gull Cottage is the oldest house in Palm Beach. The Royal Poinciana Chapel opened in 1897. These facts highlight different aspects of local history: one house with a special place in the town and a chapel with a clearly stated opening year.
The Earl E.T. Smith Preservation Park also offers a tangible connection to local history: It is a public space directly west of Town Hall, in the Town Hall Historic District. Pan’s Garden offers a botanical focus. It is Florida’s first botanical garden composed entirely of native plants. Together, the historic district, individual buildings, and garden offer different perspectives on Palm Beach.
Worth Avenue and golf
Worth Avenue is a notable destination with a range of luxury shops; it also offers outdoor dining. Visitors who want to include shopping and dining in their stay will find both in the same named destination. The Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course is another clearly defined attraction: The course has 18 holes and is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. For practice, it has a full-length driving range, a putting green, and a practice bunker.
These offerings appeal to different interests, without forming a single route: the beach, a longer stretch along the Lake Trail, historic sites, garden culture, and golf each offer a distinct focus. So if you’re looking for a hotel in Palm Beach, it helps to decide first which of these themes you want to shape your stay. This way, you can choose your destination based on the activities you actually plan to enjoy.
Discover more destinations: Riviera Beach, Boynton Beach, Loxahatchee, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Ocean Ridge, Atlantis, Greenacres
For the main travel overview: Palm Beach.
