Palm Beach, Florida is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway with the girls. This pastel-hused town has amazing beaches, trendy restaurants and resorts, and the best shopping. With a glamorous past, Palm Beach is certainly not your typical Floridian beach town.
Historically known as America’s first resort destination, Palm Beach is the spot where the glitterati of society travelled to throughout the 20th century. Nowadays, this old-school glamor remains, but Palm Beach is decidedly hip, modern, and much more accessible to those of us who are not movie stars or railroad tycoons.
High Season in Palm Beach is between December-February when the humidity drops and temperatures are still mild. Travelers from northern states flock here to enjoy the pleasant weather and escape the cold during these months. Low season occurs during the summertime, when the temperatures and humidity are high. If you’re looking for the best weather with lower rates, head to Palm Beach during the spring.
HOW TO GET THERE
Palm Beach has its own airport which is serviced by many major US airline companies. Flights to nearby airports in Fort Lauderdale or Miami are sometimes easier to find depending on where you are flying in from.
If you fly into Fort Lauderdale or Miami, you can either hire an Uber or rent a car to get to Palm Beach. Uber is readily available to use along the coast here, so renting a car isn’t necessary to get around Palm Beach.
You can expect the below drive times to reach Palm Beach from the airport depending on traffic:
- Palm Beach International Airport: 15 mins
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport: 1 hour
- Miami International Airport: 1h30
WHERE TO STAY
Palm Beach is inherently chic and so are the hotels. With a modern twist on the old-school sophistication that makes this town so unique, hotels here are all about the trendy Palm Beach chic design aesthetic. I’ve selected some of my recommendations below to help you make your decision:
THE COLONY PALM BEACH
The Colony is the epitome of Palm Beach style and is the perfect spot for a girls weekend getaway. This pink palace is filled with palm print, pastels and A LOT of attention to detail. With a variety of different room options, each of their spacious suites and guests rooms is stylishly decorated and designed for comfort.
Located next to Worth Avenue, this boutique hotel is in walking distance from some of the best shops, restaurants, and of course, the beach! If you’re not in the mood to walk in the heat, the hotel also offers complimentary rides to and from the Breakers in their Escalade or to the beach on their pink, palm-print golf cart (which comes along with matching pink sunchairs, umbrellas and a cooler!)
The service here is amazing and the pool and restaurant are great places to relax if you don’t feel like going into town. The crowd here is a bit older, but this is pretty typical in Palm Beach.
Book a Room Here: The Colony Palm Beach
THE BREAKERS
If you’re wanting to splurge, The Breakers is THE hotel to stay at in Palm Beach. The Breakers is a Palm Beach institution and it is one of the places that has defined the town’s history and legacy until today. This hotel is the epitome of Palm Beach luxury and has a very high level of service and quality, making it one of the best resorts in America.
I only got to spend the day here by the pool and went back for drinks later that evening, but I would definitely try to book a stay here next time (if my bank account allows for it!)
Book a Room Here: The Breakers
THE CHESTERFIELD
If you’re looking for a quaint boutique hotel that is centrally-located and doesn’t break the bank, check out The Chesterfield. This vintage hotel has a charming pool area and an in-house bar and restaurant called the Leopard Lounge, which serves up classic cocktails and delicious food in a sophisticated, old-school setting.
P.S. Their Presidential Suite is exactly how I would imagine a real-life Barbie Dreamhouse, all covered in pink & white stripes and perfect for the gram!
Book a Room Here: The Chesterfield
Places I didn’t get to stay, but would love to go to next time:
- The Pineapple Pad: Designed by two Palm Beach influencers, this vacation rental is SUPER instagrammable and is the perfect spot for a couple of girlfriends to stay
- Eau Palm Beach: Beautifully designed by the famous Johnathan Adler and a FABULOUS award-winning spa, need I say more?
- The Brazilian Court: Lots of personality and amazing location + a great in-house French restaurant, Cafe Boulud
Need help packing for your trip? Checkout my Palm Beach Packing Guide
WHAT TO DO
DAY 1:
Arrive from the airport and take some time to settle in at the hotel. Since its a travel day, take it easy and relax by the hotel pool with a cocktail or two before setting out for the first night!
GIRLS NIGHT OUT
After some time in the sun, get ready for a girls night out and go for drinks at HMF at The Breakers Hotel. HMF is named after the hotel’s founder, Henry Morrison Flagler, and it is located in the stunning Florentine Room, which has been serving up cocktails to the who’s who of society for decades. HMF has brought this glamorous space into modern times with an inspired menu of cocktails and bites from around the world. If you’re a champagne cocktail-lover, try the Chanel #6.
Next on the agenda: dinner at Palm Beach hotspot, Buccan. This is THE spot to dine in Palm Beach at the moment, serving American fare with an international twist. Small plates are their specialty and each bite is full of flavor! I highly recommend the Maine Lobster XO Dumplings and Wood-Grilled Broccolini. Make sure to reserve in advance as tables can fill up very quickly, even in low season!
For late-night drinks, head to Cucina Palm Beach. This place is buzzing on the weekend and they even have late-night pizzas if you’re craving a bite to eat after a few glasses of wine.
DAY 2:
BEACH TIME
Start the morning off at the beach. Grab chairs with a perfect ocean view and take a swim in that turquoise blue water! Florida has some of the most amazing beaches in the US, so a beach break is a must when you travel here. Even in gloomy weather, the water felt amazing!
ROOFTOP LUNCH
Grab a late lunch at super chic rooftop restaurant RH. This spot is on the top floor of Restoration Hardware, which is a luxury home goods store. This means that the restaurant is immaculately decorated (and you will get so much decorating inspo, trust me!) The food is also just as impressive, with a seasonal menu and delicious bellinis. RH does not accept reservations and there is always a queue, so grab a drink from the barista and peruse around the store while you wait for your table.
SWEET TREAT
After lunch, grab an ice cream at the cutest pink and lime green spot called Sloan’s. They serve up all of your childhood favorites here and it is sooo worth all of the calories! Tip: There are a couple of locations, so make sure to go to the one that is on Clematis Street.
GET TO KNOW PALM BEACH
Now that you have refueled, it’s time to explore the colorful streets and alleyways in Palm Beach. Rent a cute bike at Palm Beach Cycle and have your camera ready! Check out some photos from my favorite spots below:
Palm Beach’s Most Instagrammable Door
During summertime, this Spanish Colonial doorway is in full bloom with bright pink bougainvillea! It’s become THE insta spot in Palm Beach and is located right across from Renato’s Restaurant.
Major Alley
A touch of Bermuda in Palm Beach. This cute little alleyway is filled with white-washed houses and lots of pretty greenery! Catch the bougainvillea here in summertime for the best backdrop. P.S. Remember that this is a residential street, so please be respectful!
Via Mizner & Via Parigi
These charming streets remind me so much of Europe. I totally felt like I was transported back to the south of Spain or Portugal walking through here!
After walking around, head back to the hotel to refresh and relax. If you have some energy left in you, find a ride down to Palm Beach’s hip and vibrant neighbor, Delray Beach. If you want to stay local, have an Italian dinner al fresco at Renato’s in Palm Beach.
DELRAY BEACH
Delray is full of small town charm, with colorful buildings and a wide selection of amazing restaurants and cute shops! Find a spot to watch the sunset near the cute pastel-colored lifeguard stands.
Reminder: All of the beaches in this part of Florida face east towards the Atlantic, so you will only see the colors of the sky change when watching the sunset on the beach since the sun is on the opposite side facing west!
After the sun disappears, head into town for dinner at Elisabetta’s. This new Italian bar and restaurant is all about aesthetics – with delicious food and a super stylish interior, it is sure not to disappoint! Start with the meatballs to share and try the spaghetti with burrata as your main.
If you want to keep the night going, check out Death or Glory Bar after dinner. Located in a vintage house from the 1920’s, Death or Glory serves up seasonal cocktails and bites until the early hours of the morning.
DAY 3:
SUNDAY BRUNCH
After a long night on the town, start your day with a delicious brunch at CPB at The Colony Hotel. They have all of the best brunch classics, plus you can stop by their pastel poolside bar for a mimosa or bellini afterwards.
WORTH AVENUE
Next up is Worth Avenue – this is a must when visiting Palm Beach. It’s time to shop until you drop on this iconic street lined with best: Intermix, Neiman Marcus, Saks, etc.
The Lilly Pulitzer flagship is also located here on Worth Avenue. This effortless resort-wear brand was born right here in Palm Beach by Lilly herself. What first started as a colorful shift dress to hide the stains from her juice stand on Via Mizner has now turned into a fashion empire! If you were a sorority girl in the South like me, I’m sure you have a few timeless Lilly Pulitzer pieces in your closet. The flagship here has some cool options for personalization and a cocktail bar, so be sure to check it out for a unique gift or souvenir to take home with you!
Shop some of my favorite boutiques in Palm Beach:
- C. Orrico: filled with all of the Palm Beach classics like Lilly Pulitzer
- CJ Laing: for the cutest tropical accessories and beach cover-ups
- Hive: super trendy boutiques selling Palm Beach Style for the whole family and your home
- Lindroth Design: lifestyle store selling all things that are Palm Beach Chic, with homegoods and super cute straw bags
- Skinny Dip: concept store with curated designers, and a coffee/ wine shop
- Stoney Clover Lane: customize your own accessories with fun patches and other personalization options. This is a great spot for gifts!
IF YOU DECIDE TO EXTEND YOUR STAY
- Book a Paddle Board Yoga Session and test your balance on the water!
- Have a relaxing spa day with a glass of champagne at Eau Spa
- Check out Grandview Public Market and peruse the vendors for a bite to eat, a craft cocktail or a unique gift
- Take in some culture and visit the contemporary collection at Norton Art Museum, the exhibitions and gardens at The Society of the Four Arts or the impressive 75-room Flagler Estate Museum, which was home to the Florida luxury tourism pioneer Henry Morrison Flagler (aka the father of Miami and Palm Beach)
- Charter a private sail boat and cruise along the coast with Palm Beach Sail Boat Charters
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
In addition to what I’ve already recommended above (HMF, Buccan, Cucina Palm Beach, RH, Renato’s, Elisabetta’s, Death or Glory, CPB), take a look at some of my other Palm Beach favorites below:
- Avocado Grill farm-to-table Floridian cuisine with the BEST guacamole
- The Regional for southern, seasonal-inspired American food. The brunch is sooo good.
- Grato for your Italian fix with home-made pasta, wood-fired pizzas and cocktails
- Mazie’s for a mix-up of diner and bistro food in a cool and cozy setting
- Celis Produce and Meraki Juice Kitchen for healthy smoothie bowls and juices
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