CC Travels: Palm Beach
Palm Beach is one of the most coveted coastal destinations in the US and it's iconic for a reason. It offers incredible style, shopping, dinning, pristine beaches, architecture, and so much more!
In the New York area (where I live), Palm Beach is an incredibly popular destination during the winter months. It's a great place to visit for a long weekend, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy it's beauty and charm.
Read on for my recommendations of where to stay, dine, shop, and entertain the kiddos in Palm Beach.
Downtown Palm Beach.
WHERE TO STAY
Credit: The White Elephant
THE WHITE ELEPHANT
This is my go-to destination for a visit with just my husband. I love this hotel. There is a White Elephant on Nantucket, where we've also stayed, and they're both excellent boutique hotels. I love small, exclusive feeling hotels, where there aren't crowds and lines. If you share that sentiment, this is the hotel for you in Palm Beach! While the Colony (see below) is boutique as well, it's a tourist destination, so substantially busier than White Elephant. White Elephant offers great walkability and they have house cars that will take you all over the island and to lots of places in West Palm. They do set ups at the beach and deliver food there (even though the beach is a bit of a walk). The service was exceptional.
The only con is that there are few amenities. The pool is tiny and there is only one restaurant (Lola 41 - also in Nantucket). While it's an amazing restaurant it's a more limited menu (mostly sushi). This is not my top recommendation for traveling with kids for that reason.
The lobby of the breakers.
Enjoying a Coconut Margarita pool/beachside at The Breakers.
THE BREAKERS
This is a great destination if you like luxury travel and you're traveling with kids.
There are multiple restaurants and pools, a private beach, a playground, arcade, ice cream and candy store, etc. There is so much to do you dont even have to leave the resort.
This may not be a con for everyone, but it's a massive resort with over 500 rooms, access to private "club" members and a tourist destination, so it's very crowded and busy. If you don't stay there it's definitely still worth a visit! You can access the restaurants and shopping and see the spectacular lobby and grounds.
Outside of The Colony Hotel.
THE COLONY
I stayed at The Colony for a work trip for Cailíní Coastal and it was a perfect destination traveling solo, or with a girlfriend. The hotel has rich history and is renowned for its quintessential Palm Beach design. Even if you dont stay there I highly recommend you visit the hotel to see the lobby and visit Swifty's for a poolside lunch.
It's has great walkability just at the end of Worth Ave. If you're a design lover, you'll gush over this hotel!
It is an old hotel and while the rooms have been updated you can still tell they're old. Rooms are very small, but charming.
Credit: White Elephant
WHERE TO SHOP
IN PALM BEACH...
Worth Avenue is a must-see. You can spend a morning or afternoon walking this iconic street and its offshoot Vias. Some of my favorite destinations on this charming street include:
Poupette St Barths
My go-to for summer dresses
Raptise Rare Books
This is such a cool and unique store with vintage books (think Holy Bibles from the 1800s), early-editions of classic books, and books that once belonged to famous and/or historic figures.
Kassatly's
The oldest store on Worth Ave (nearly 100 years old) offers luxurious linens from chic sleepwear to embroidered towels.
There are so many major designers are on Worth. The Ralph Lauren store is the most beautiful and a must-see.
Casa Branca
Beautiful textiles and furniture.
Aerin
Small but beautiful store with apparel, accessories, beauty and home finds.
Walker Zabriskie
Great furniture shop with some coastal nods.
Off of Worth Ave.:
Julia Amory
Cute dresses and a beautiful store.
Royal Poinciana
A perfectly manicured outdoor mall with notable brands like Zimmerman, La Ligne and Hermes, among many others!
IN WEST PALM BEACH...
West Palm Beach is a design lovers' haven. Some of my favorites places to shop home in West Palm are:
Hive
They have a home store, kids' store, women's store, men's store and amazing cafe. You can make a morning or afternoon at Hive.
Meg Braff's colorful shop & studio.
Meg Braff
An incredible interior designer with a studio/shop.
Danielle Rollins
Another incredible interior designer with a studio and her shop is right next door to Meg Braff's.
Casa Gusto
Down the road from Meg Braff and Danielle Rollins' stores, is a jewel box of a home store. They make the most spectacular and unique furniture, accents, and more. They also sell antiques.
Vintage finds.
Palm Beach Regency
This is a destination trip as it's far, but if you're looking for larger scale vintage finds; this is a great visit!
For more vintage/antique finds, visit antique row on South Dixie Highway in West Palm.
WHERE TO DINE
I am not into a scene, so many of the trendier spots did not make their way to my list; but here are some of my recommendations for places to go - most are kid friendly!
Al fresco dining at Lola 41.
This does get a bit sceney, but the sushi is just so great and it's one of my favorites from Nantucket.
Great American cuisine. It's owned by the Breaker's but not located at Breakers. Good couples dinners or an elevated dinner with kids.
Credit: Colony Palm Beach
A must-visit! This iconic Palm Beach restaurant offers poolside dining at the Colony Hotel. I love it for lunch - they have amazing salads and it's amazing people watching.
Beautiful courtyard outside of Pizza Al Fresco.
This casual Palm Beach spot is the perfect place for a family lunch or dinner. They have a large patio (ask to be seated outside), great pizza, salads and fresh seafood.
A clean and fresh breakfast at Hive.
Located in West Palm, Hive Cafe is ideal for breakfast, lunch, or simply picking up a pastry and coffee to go. You can make a morning or afternoon out of your trip, but visiting the multiples stores that surround the Cafe (home, childrens, women's apparel and men's apparel).
Credit: The Breakers
This is my favorite restaurant in Palm Beach. You feel like you're on a boat in the middle of the ocean and the views are spectacular. Located within The Breaker's Hotel, this is one of Palm Beach's only waterfront dining options (surprisingly)! They dont take reservations, walk in only, so arrive on the early side for your planned dining time. If there is a wait, there's lots to see and explore walking around The Breaker's. I love sitting at the bar if you can nab a seat!
WHERE TO GO WITH KIDS
THE BREAKERS
Whether or not you're staying there, visit The Breaker's. Our girls loved exploring the resort; they have an adorable candy/ice cream shop, a mini golf course, arcade and great playground. We spent a lot of time here, even when we weren't guests!
THE BEACH
No trip to Palm Beach is complete without a visit to the pristine beaches. My girls and I loved collecting the beautiful white shells.
THE ZOO
The Palm Beach Zoo is a really great and manageable outdoor zoo. You only need a couple of hours or a half day to tackle.
HIVE KID'S STORE
Hive is such an amazing store to see and their kids' store might be my favorite part. It's full of toys, darling clothes, and is a fun experience for all! Pop over to their cafe afterwards for a treat.
A great indoor activity if you have a rainy day or just need a break from the sun. They have great hand-on exhibits for kids of all ages and an aquarium!
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