Howdy y'all! I'm Blaire, the girl behind TexaFlora, and my family and I call the Palm Beach area home. Here's your travel guide to Palm Beach from an expert on the area!
We are fortunate enough to live in the Palm Beach area, and we love being in sunny South Florida! We love the quiet, slow pace accompanied by the stunning architecture and breathtaking ocean views. Being a tourist AND a resident in this city has given me a unique perspective in giving recommendations on how to spend your time here.
What to Pack
A typical day in Palm Beach is filled with balmy breezes and sunshine. If you are visiting in the months of November-April, expect ideal weather with little to no rain and temperatures in the mid 70s to low 80s. The summer months are HOT HOT HOT with the occasional rain shower. This means that dresses, shorts and warm weather attire is pretty much appropriate year round.
Swimsuit: The sun is intense in South Florida, so I prefer to wear something with great sun protection. This Batik Unisuit is incredibly chic while still giving me the coverage I need.
Dresses: Grab a few sundresses for the day and perhaps a long maxi dress for the night. I love this Navy Stripe Shift Dress to wear to lunch and this Navy Off the Shoulder Dress for cocktails.
Cover Up: A cover up to take you from your room to the beach/pool and back is a must. I have been living in this Summer Bloom Front-Tie Cover Up.
Sandals: I love my Jack Rogers or Palm Beach sandals that can worn to the beach or an evening out.
Sun Hat and Sunglasses: Whether it's a packable sun visor or a wide brim hat, you want to make sure you have something to keep you covered while out shopping or laying poolside.
Accessories: Palm Beach is high-fashion, so this is the time to show off your favorite bag or statement jewelry.
Beach Tote: Bring along your straw beach tote that you can fit your towel and other necessities. You can use it as your carry-on if its too big to fit in your bag.
Be sure to leave a little extra room in your suitcase for purchases as there is plenty of shopping opportunities to be had (more on that below!).
Where to stay
The Brazilian Court: This was the first Palm Beach hotel I ever stayed at, and it really just oozes charm. The location allows you to be walking distance to Worth Avenue and several great restaurants. It’s a smaller hotel that has a boutique feel to it with old Florida Spanish style architecture and beautiful white scalloped awnings.
The Breakers: Certainly the most iconic hotel on the island, The Breakers allows you to feel like you have stepped back in time while still giving you all the modern amenities. It’s one of the very few beachfront hotels in the area, and the property is quite expansive. There are also several wonderful restaurants right there on property, so if you chose to not leave the premises during your entire stay, you would be just fine.
The Four Seasons: The Four Seasons is also beachfront. Located on the south end of the island, The Four Seasons is a beautiful, serene hotel that is decorated with whites and sea-inspired colors. We spent an anniversary weekend here and appreciated how quiet and peaceful it was.
Where to eat
Breakfast:
Sant Ambroeus: Even if Sant Ambroeus didn’t serve food, I would tell you to go there for the ambiance alone! It is the most darling restaurant and makes you feel like you are in New York City or Italy. They serve lunch and dinner as well, so you can’t go wrong with visiting Sant Ambroeus for any meal. Pop in for a latte or a scoop of gelato at the very least.
Surfside Dinner: This is the cutest spot for breakfast and feels like an old luncheonette. It is right on County Road, but make sure you get there early as it can get quite busy on the weekends.
Sunday Brunch at The Breakers: If you find yourself in Palm Beach on a Sunday morning and want to have a 5-star brunch experience, make a reservation for the iconic Breakers Sunday Brunch. They have anything and everything you could possibly imagine. Be sure to wear your Sunday best as casual attire (torn denim, t-shirts, hats and sweats) are not allowed.
Lunch:
The Honor Bar: This spot is great for lunch, dinner or just cocktails. I love their hand-shaken daiquiri. We almost always order the dip duo, kale salad and the burger with fries. The menu is small, but you can’t go wrong with anything you select!
Pizza Al Fresco: Nestled right off Worth Avenue, Pizza Al Fresco is a charming outdoor dining experience under the palm trees and is such a gem. This Italian restaurant has all of your favorite pasta staples and, of course, an amazing selection of pizzas.
Coyo Taco: One of the few fast casual restaurants on the island, Coyo Taco will satisfy your Mexican cravings. We love the Alambra taco, and the guacamole is delicious. Finish it off with some churros!
Seafood Bar: One of the few locations to take in a meal with an ocean view, the Seafood Bar at The Breakers is a wonderful place to eat lunch. As the name suggests, the fresh seafood is certainly a specialty, but even if seafood is not your thing, there are plenty of delicious alternatives to choose from.
Dinner:
Buccan: This is 100% my favorite restaurant and where we go for any and every special occasion. It's predominantly a tapas style menu offering many small plate selections, but there are also large dinner portions for individuals if you want to go that route. My favorite things to order are the watermelon martini, short rib empanadas, shrimp scampi, sweet corn agnolotti and whatever flavors they have of their homemade ice cream. Make sure you make a reservation relatively far in advance, especially if you are visiting during the busy season months of October-May.
Cafe Bolud: Located inside The Brazilian Court, Cafe Bolud is a must-visit if you want a high-end dining experience while still maintaining the laid-back island atmosphere. We ate here for our anniversary one year and enjoyed every bite of our food. I particularly loved the chocolate soufflé to finish out the meal!
BrickTops: BrickTops is a perfect place for a more relaxed dinner while still being walking distance to Worth Avenue. The cuisine is American, so you are sure to find something on the menu you will love.
What to do
Shop high end designers on Worth Avenue or small boutiques: Window shop or actually shop as you take a stroll down iconic Worth Avenue, which boasts of most high-end designers or pop over to the Royal Poinciana Plaza. If you are looking for more budget-friendly boutiques, check out The Skinny Dip or Rapunzel's Closet. Make sure to stop in C. Orrico to shop the latest Cabana Life styles!
Walk or bike the Palm Beach Lake Trail: If the weather permits, the lake trail is truly one of the best way to see the beautiful sites and homes. Its a 16-mile path, so you can do as little or much as you are up to!
Spend the day at the beach: Palm Beach has a large public beach with plenty of roadside parking. I recommend grabbing a sandwich from The Sandwich Shop (walking distance from the ocean), or pack your own charcuterie board and enjoy eating it seaside.
Tour the Flagler Museum or Visit The Breakers: If you enjoy history and want to learn more about Palm Beach, take a peek into Whitehall, the 73 room mansion of Henry Morris Flagler, or walk the grounds of The Breakers. Whitehall was built in 1902 by railroad tycoon Henry Flagler and is situated right along the intracoastal. Both are great indoor activities to do on a rainy or extra hot day.
Have a spa day: Make a reservation for a massage at The Breakers Spa or spend the day at Eau Spa and pamper yourself. I personally love the spa at The Breakers because they have complimentary gelato and frozen grapes in their lounge!
I hope you love my favorite place as much as I do, and maybe you'll pay Palm Beach a visit sometime this summer. Cabana Life styles are perfect for vacationing in South Florida, with their lightweight fabric and vibrant patterns! Even better, each piece is made with UPF 50+ material and will keep you protected and chic as you explore under the sun…whether it be Palm Beach or beyond!
Blaire was born and raised in Texas, but has called South Florida home for the past 7 years. She is a mom of 2 and lifestyle blogger, and you can follow her at @texaflora on Instagram or on her blog at texaflora.com.