Oh the beautiful Palm Beach, Fla. -- home to Mediterranean-style mansions behind lavish gates, flashy fashion and floppy hats at Sunday polo, and where media moguls and business tycoons dock their multimillion dollar mega-yachts. The likes of the Kennedys have called this elite island one of their homes, but very few make this island their full-time residence.
Though Palm Beach is known for being a winter playground for the wealthy, it's a fantastic tourist destination for the average traveler. In fact, many of us "normal people" live right over the bridge in the beautiful city of West Palm Beach. I only recently relocated to Tennessee so my husband could attend medical school here. But West Palm will always stay close to my heart.
So even if you don't have the money or desire to shop at the famous Worth Avenue or stay in the renowned Breakers resort, there are so many nearby attractions you can enjoy year round!
Once you've finished gawking at the abundance of Aston Martins, Ferraris, Maseratis, Bentleys and Rolls Royces, be sure to check out this list of must-dos in Palm Beach County:
- Catch a polo game at the International Polo Club in Wellington. If you're in the area anytime between January through April, you've got to stop by on Sunday for a polo match. The sport itself is regal and mesmerizing, but just as entertaining is watching the attendees in their brunch dresses and bow ties, as well as sipping champagne while stomping the divets. General admission tickets range from $10-$30.
- If shopping and dining is your scene, be sure to peruse CityPlace in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, Clematis St. (just a few blocks over), and Mizner Park in Boca Raton (30 min. south). Of the three, Clematis St. is ideal for nightlife with lots of bars, clubs and restaurants to choose from. The burgers at Grease are to die for, or if you love Asian cuisine, Palm Sugar gets high marks. But if you're looking for some retail therapy, head on over to CityPlace or Mizner.
- Stroll the Green Market on Saturday mornings at the waterfront (head east on Clematis). The Green Market is not your average farmer's market, with just a few produce stands and maybe some honey and jam. This weekly exposition of local businesses includes loose tea, spices, donuts, cupcakes, homemade pickles, grass-fed beef, flowers, lotions, honey, guacamole, handmade pasta, coffee, crepes, fresh produce, candles, smoothies and much more. My personal favorite: the coconut stand. They just slice open a green coconut and hand you a straw -- voila, fresh coconut water. Simply delicious! Once you've had your fill at the Green Market, you can wander through the antique flea market one block north.
- Go on a safari at Lion Country Safari! It's literally what it sounds like. You get to drive through the preserve, just like you would on an African safari. There are no fences or boundaries; you're right there in the middle of these animals' habitat.
- If you're planning a summer getaway to South Florida, plan on 90+ degree weather. The most obvious way to cool down? A mix of air-conditioned attractions and a dip at the beach. A more exciting way to cool down? Rapids Waterpark. With everything from wave pools to heart-dropping plunges, every visitor from 5 to 85 will enjoy their rides.
Those are just a few suggestions, coming from a former West Palm Beach resident. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's always the Norton Museum of Art, the South Florida Science Museum, the Flagler Museum, Palm Beach Kennel Club, Jupiter Inlet, deep-sea fishing, paddleboarding, Peanut Island, plenty of golf courses, and the obvious -- beaches!
And if these aren't enough, you can always drive two and a half hours north to Orlando, 45 minutes south to Ft. Lauderdale, or a little over an hour to Miami.
