Gilded Age mansions and polished beaches
Palm Beach is a small, wealthy island town in South Florida known for grand oceanfront estates, the luxury shops of Worth Avenue and manicured streets. This guide covers the island and nearby West Palm Beach across the Lake Worth Lagoon, which has the museums, nightlife and more affordable hotels. It suits couples and travelers who like elegant, quiet holidays with shopping, art and beaches. Winter is the social season.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
Henry Flagler's 1902 Gilded Age mansion, with lavish rooms and his private railcar on display. It explains how Flagler built Florida's east coast resorts.
Check the official site for current prices.
A famous luxury shopping street with designer boutiques, hidden courtyards called vias and Mediterranean Revival architecture. Window shopping is free.
Free to stroll.
The main public beach on the island, with clear water and a view of the grand coastline. Parking is metered.
Free beach; metered parking.
A paved path along the Lake Worth Lagoon passing the backs of estates, gardens and yachts. Biking it is a classic Palm Beach activity.
Free to use.
A major art museum with American, European, Chinese and contemporary collections and a sculpture garden. It is the region's leading museum.
General admission listed at 20 USD on the official site in 2026.
The home and gardens of sculptor Ann Norton, with large brick sculptures among rare palms. It is a peaceful garden visit.
Check the official site for current prices.
A cultural center with galleries, libraries and free-to-visit gardens near the Lake Trail. It hosts talks and concerts in season.
Check the official site for current prices.
West Palm Beach's main dining and nightlife street, close to the waterfront and The Square shopping area. It is the lively counterpart to the island.
Free to walk.
Japanese gardens and a museum of Japanese culture built on land from a former Japanese farming colony. The walking paths are calm and beautiful.
Check the official site for current prices.
A drive-through safari park where lions, giraffes and rhinos roam open areas around your car. A walk-through park adds rides and animal feedings.
Check the official site for current prices.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one on the island, day two at the Norton, the sculpture gardens and Clematis Street, day three at Morikami or Lion Country Safari.
A lighthouse, calm inlet beaches and riverside dining.
19 mi · Car north, about 35 minutes
A lively main street close to the beach.
19 mi · Car or Brightline and taxi, about 35 minutes
Natural beaches and lagoon kayaking.
12 mi · Car, about 25 minutes
Everglades marsh with boardwalks and birds.
22 mi · Drive about 45 minutes
Best: December to April. Pleasant dry weather and the full winter social and cultural season.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
December to April
Galas, polo and cultural events fill the calendar.
Typically March
A large boat show on the West Palm Beach waterfront; confirm dates.
Typically February
Upscale fair of art and antiques.
January to April
Weekend matches in nearby Wellington; confirm schedules.
Based on UK FCDO travel advice for the USA (there is no US advisory for domestic travel): violent crime rarely affects tourists, so normal city precautions apply; Palm Beach is among the calmer parts of South Florida, with sun, rip currents and hurricanes the main hazards.
Worth Avenue and downtown West Palm Beach are walkable, but the island is long and sights are spread out.
Palm Tran buses and a free downtown trolley in West Palm Beach help, and Brightline stops in West Palm, but most visitors drive.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: luxury, couples
Grand resorts like The Breakers and boutique hotels near Worth Avenue.
Best for: first-timers, nightlife, value
Hotels near Clematis Street, The Square and Brightline.
Best for: families, beach lovers
Beach resorts north of the inlet near state park beaches.
Best for: budget, arts fans
Quieter residential areas with local cafes and murals.
| Main airport | Palm Beach International (PBI), 5 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxi or rideshare takes 10 to 20 minutes. |
| Around town | Use a car or rideshare; bike the Lake Trail on the island and walk Worth Avenue and Clematis Street. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Lyft |
A winter delicacy served chilled.
Old-school dining rooms serve chopped salads and seafood.
Easy to find in West Palm Beach.
Florida's classic dessert.
Many waterfront restaurants.
Popular in West Palm Beach.
Common in South Florida.
| Plugs | Type A and B, 120 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tip 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a few dollars per drink at bars, and 15 to 20 percent for taxis and tours. |
| Payments | Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors. |
| Etiquette | Dress smartly for dinner on the island; some clubs and restaurants expect collared shirts. Shirts are expected on Worth Avenue. |
Henry Flagler brought his railroad and built grand hotels on the island in the 1890s, creating a winter resort for wealthy Americans. His mansion Whitehall and The Breakers hotel still stand. In the 1920s architect Addison Mizner designed Mediterranean Revival estates and the Worth Avenue shopping street. West Palm Beach began as the working town for hotel staff across the lagoon and is now the larger city.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.