Things to do in Palm Beach
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Sprinkles
In this fashionable yet laid-back place, beach bums sit shoulder-to-shoulder with heiresses and enjoy the sandwiches, soups and knock-out gelato.
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Cycling Trail
Even among all the manmade luxuries and surgical enhancements, there are, believe it or not, some truly natural wonders to be found in Palm Beach. Singer Island, just off the coast of the Island, is among the most peaceful, and is home to the wonderful 2-mile bike trail that runs between John D MacArthur State Park in the north and the free, airy strip known as Ocean Reef County Park in the south.
Pedaling along N Ocean Blvd, you'll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Lake Worth lagoon and Intracoastal Waterway, as well as its many lovely bridges. At MacArthur Park, there's a large and informative nature center, hiking trails and a downright magical, 1600ft elevated b…
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Worth Ave
This quarter-mile, palm-tree-lined strip of the highest end shops is like the Rodeo Drive of the east. You can trace its history back to the 1920s, when the now-gone Everglades Club here staged weekly fashion shows and launched the careers of designers from Bonwit Teller to Elizabeth Arden.
Today you'll find more than 200 shops, representing every exclusive brand known to humanity: Cartier, Armani, Gucci, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Ann Gish, Dana Buchman, Emilo Pucci and Hermes are just the beginning. (Half the shops close for summer.) It's fun to stroll and window shop, whether you want to lay down your plastic or not.
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Cycling & Rollerblading Trail
Another great strip for biking, running or blading is the Palm Beach Lake Trail, a smooth strip that runs from Royal Palm Way all the way to the northern tip of Palm Beach. It's sandwiched between two amazing views: the Lake Worth Lagoon to the west, and an unending series of mansions to the east.
Henry Flagler first began the idea of this lake trail as a place for restless hotel guests to go strolling; today, its 5 miles are ideal for folks who want to check out the Palm Beach way from a safe and rolling distance. A good place to park is at the Society of the Four Arts, which is near the start of the trail.
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Palm Beach Lake Trail
Another great strip for biking, running or blading is the Palm Beach Lake Trail, a smooth strip that runs from Royal Palm Way all the way to the northern tip of Palm Beach. It's sandwiched between two amazing views: the Lake Worth Lagoon to the west, and an unending series of mansions to the east.
Henry Flagler first began the idea of this lake trail as a place for restless hotel guests to go strolling; today, its 5 miles are ideal for folks who want to check out the Palm Beach way from a safe and rolling distance. A good place to park is at the Society of the Four Arts, which is near the start of the trail.
reviewed
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Mar-a-Lago
The most famous mansion overlooking this stretch of surf and sand is Donald Trump's predictably over-the-top Mar-a-Lago, purchased in 1985 for a measly around US$8 million and soon turned into a private country club. It's best glimpsed as you drive over the bridge from West Palm towards the ocean.
The rest of the stretch is a nonstop parade of riches, though nearly every sprawling estate is well hidden by walls and privet hedges. Still, it's kind of fun when you can catch a look at part of a big ol' house, and the views you can occasionally get of the ocean are even better.
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Palm Beach Polo & Country Club
One of the world's most renowned polo grounds, actually located in nearby Wellington, this is where to find the blue-blazer-and khaki-wearing Palm Beach caricatures of your dreams. You're also bound to spot some celebrities in the mix of box seats (there are enough for 3000 spectators), either watching the games or simply schmoozing in a sporty atmosphere.
Catch tournaments between January and April, including the Generosity Polo Match in March, plus the National Horse Show and other equestrian events on nearby show fields.
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Churches
This is a town where practically every little house of worship is gorgeous enough to be seen as a museum. St Edward Catholic Church has a cathedral-quality interior, while the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea is a historic landmark (1926) with a Gothic interior and the small but tranquil Cluett Memorial Gardens out back. Royal Poinciana Chapel, which dates from 1895, holds interdenominational services beneath its vaulted wooden ceiling.
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Cucina Dell’arte
Reminiscent of a Florentine cafe, this high-end eatery overflows with warm colors, art and some of the finest glitterati in Palm Beach. Around 10pm, they shove the tables out of the way and blast the music. Expect to see dancing botox queens, beautiful visiting fashionistas, desperate old guys and totally normal people soaking it all in. Pretentious enough to be fun, if you arrive wearing a serious face, you’ll be sorry.
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Green’s Pharmacy
This place, housed inside a working pharmacy, hasn’t changed since John F Kennedy, looking to slip away from the Secret Service, would stroll across the mint-green linoleum and grab a bite. Choose between a table or a stool at the Formica counter and order from the paper menu just like everyone else, from the trust-fund babies slumming it to the college girls headed to the beach.
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Dune Deck Cafe
Adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton (but worlds away), this breezy, friendly outdoor spot is right on the beach – fie on the sea grape for obscuring the ocean views! Offering omelettes, burgers and fresh salads, it’s a great place to head when all you feel like pulling on is flip-flops and beachwear. Beware: the Deck is cash only and there’s no ATM on-site.
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Chuck & Harold's
The lines snake out the door at this Island landmark on Sundays, when everyone clamors to see and be seen here as they dine on filet-mignon-and-eggs and smoked-salmon platters. The American-bistro fare - ranging from grilled mahi-mahi to big, fresh salads and pastas - is beloved in these parts, especially from one of the coveted outdoor patio tables.
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Phipps Ocean Park
- Palm Beach, USA
- Sights › Beach
Surprise - Palm Beach boasts two beautiful public beaches, kept uncluttered with mansions by their ever-shifting white sands. South of Southern Blvd on Ocean Blvd, before the Lake Worth Bridge, Phipps Ocean Park is a place to sun yourself. Also check out Palm Beach municipal beach (Ocean Blvd). Bicycle trails run along both beaches.
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Palm Beach Municipal Beach
- Palm Beach, USA
- Sights › Beach
Surprise - Palm Beach boasts beautiful public beaches, kept uncluttered with mansions by their ever-shifting white sands. Palm Beach municipal beach, along Ocean Blvd between Royal Palm Way and Hammon Ave, is open from sunrise to sunset year-round. Also check out Phipps Ocean Park (Ocean Blvd). Bicycle trails run along both beaches.
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Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
The resplendent Henry Morrison Flagler Museum housed in the railroad magnate's winter estate, Whitehall Mansion. Admission includes the house, special exhibits, Flagler's personal train car and an excellent acoustic guide. Call about afternoon tea ($18), served during winter in the lovely glassed-in pavilion.
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Nick & Johnnie’s
The newest spot in town, this elegant California-inspired restaurant serves everything from kosher hot dogs to lemon panko yellowtail. With its robin’s-egg-blue and chocolate walls, abundant mirrors, endless black bar and travel photos by local shooter Tony Arruza, this gargantuan see-and-be-seen spot nails sophisticated fun.
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Echo
This ultramodern Asian restaurant, simultaneously slick and inviting, offers dishes grouped according to the five elements: wind (small plates), fire (the wok), water (sushi, seafood, shellfish), earth (meat, game, poultry, produce) and – since the options in this last ‘element’ are, indeed, heavenly – flavor (desserts).
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Deja Vu Consignment
Palm Beachers don’t like to be seen multiple times in the same outfit so this immaculate secondhand store overflows with very gently used clothes. Most of the items are grandma-friendly, but a little digging can yield fantastic results. Prices can still soar into the thousands for the likes of Armani suits.
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Ta-Boó
If you believe the legend, the Bloody Mary was invented here, mixed to soothe the hangover of Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton. Today, with the most coveted window seats on Worth Ave, competition is stiff. But get past the intricate woodwork and you’ll enjoy a well-executed US bistro meal.
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Society of the Four Arts
The concert series here includes cabaret, the Palm Beach Symphony, chamber orchestras, string quartets and piano performances. There’s also a Friday and Sunday film series, screening everything from foreign flicks to hard-hitting documentaries
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Palm Beach Invitational International Piano Competition
Each spring, the Flagler Museum hosts this prestigious three-day event, during which fine keyboardists spar for the chance to give a concert at New York's Lincoln Center. It's sponsored by the Guild for International Piano Competitions.
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Café Boulud
It's fine French from the New York celeb-chef Daniel Boulud, so expect to be wowed. The menu is organized by traditional, seasonal, vegetable-inspired and international themes, with always-rotating stunners.
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Royal Poinciana Playhouse
This glamorous and historic theater stages local productions, public speakers and Broadway hits, and delivers the type of old-world charm that makes you want to dress up to go to a show (imagine!).
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Bice Restaurant
It's high-class Italian here, where the chi-chi clientele is all too proud to be feasting on veal cutlets, delicate pastas or juicy chops - all served with a hefty portion of attitude.
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TooJay's Gourmet Deli Restaurant & Bakery
Catering to homesick New Yorkers in its cavernous dining room or at the deli counter, this fave turns out killer hot-pastrami sandwiches, whitefish salad, fresh-baked challah and more.
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