Palm Beach Florida – the Rich are still here

Aerial photograph of the Town Of Palm Beach Florida. Photo by Michael Kagdis, CC-SA-3.0

When you hear about Palm Beach, Florida, think of sunny weather, beachfront mansions, nice sandy beaches and palm trees. This town in Florida may have the glitz and glamor, but it has a sleepy and relaxing vibe, making it quite attractive to snowbird retirees getting away from the brutal winter. But if you are a young traveler, don’t overlook the fact that there are also many “happening places” all throughout the town. Although there are a lot more exclusive areas in the United States than it used to be, Palm Beach still has its share of wealthy residents.

Some Palm Beach Stats

Palm Beach or the Island of Palm Beach to differentiate between the town and the county) is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. In 2000, Palm Beach had a year-round population of 10,468, with an estimated seasonal population of 30,000. Palm Beach is the easternmost town in Florida, located on a 16-mile (26 km) long barrier island.

The town has a total area of 10.4 square miles, but only 3.9 square miles of it is land, the rest being water. Right across the Intercoastal Waterway is West Palm Beach which is getting a good reputation of its own. You can read more about it in this USNews article. http://travel.usnews.com/West_Palm_Beach_FL/Travel_Tips/

Near Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida. Photo by Volkan Yuksel, CC-SA-3.0

Palm Beach | Palm Beach Island

Also called Palm Beach Island, the town is separated by the Intracoastal Waterway from other cities like the Lake Worth and West Palm Beach with a much larger population of 101,903 in 2012. The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a 3,000-mile waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. It has its own international airport and has an extensive public transport system.

Dining and Shopping

When it comes to trendy and sumptuous dining, Palm Beach has some of the best in the region. Restaurants like Palm Sugar, Buccan and The Blind Monk have made names because of their delicious cuisines and distinct style and ambiance. Shopping is a favorite thing to do by many tourists that come to Palm Beach. For some premier shopping, head out to Worth Avenue, the Rodeo Drive equivalent in Palm Beach. Here, you can find designer boutiques and luxury cars parading the street.

View of part of the lake bikeway along the Lake Worth lagoon (Intracoastal Waterway) in the Town of Palm Beach, Florida. Photo by Christopher Ziemnowicz, CC-SA-3.0

For more affordable shopping coupled with an open-air feel, head down to City Place in the downtown district. On top of shops, restaurants and bars, you will also be entertained by an IMAX movie theater and live music at the plaza during weekends. The town also sets up the Green Market every Saturday by the waterfront. This nice market mainly sells the three F’s – food, flowers and farmer’s fresh produce. Coming here, not only satisfies your appetite, it will also offer you a glimpse of the locals’ weekend living.

Palm Beach County

Palm Beach town belongs to a county of the same name. People mainly explore the county to enjoy its beautiful sandy beaches dotting the coastline. Some of the notable beach parks in the area include Carlin Park, Jupiter Beach Park, Ocean Inlet Park, Phil Foster Memorial Park, R.G. Kreusler Park and Peanut Island Park, which is only accessible by boat. One of the more upscale beach towns in Palm Beach County is Boca Raton, which is less than hour south of the town and worth exploring.

Worth Avenue in Palm Beach (Florida 33480) looking east

Activities

Aside from swimming and sunbathing; you can also engage in different water activities like snorkeling, diving, fishing and surfing to make your vacation more memorable. One water sport that has been making a lot of waves is paddle boarding, perfect for those seeking adventure and adrenaline rush. Just like surfing, standing on a board is also needed in this sport, but you will not deal with waves but instead use a paddle to move through calmer waters.

Season Tips

The busiest period in Palm Beach is from January to April, when the “snowbirds” come for the town’s comfortable weather. This weather allows for more outdoor activities like beach hopping, golf, tennis and picnics. If you plan to visit the town during this time, make sure to book your accommodation well ahead of time.

Night view of the Big Kapok tree near Flagler Museum. Photo by Volkan Yuksel, CC-SA-3.0

The off season for Palm Beach is from May to September. During this period, the weather can get really hot and rainy. If you don’t mind the heat and the rain, visiting at this time allows you to get great deals on hotels, spas and restaurants.

Money goes out like Water

Since Palm Beach is a place of luxury, Penny-pinching is definitely not a custom in Palm Beach. So when you cross over the Intercoastal from West Palm Beach to the city itself, brace yourself for a hole in your purse or wallet. If money is a concern, like it is for most of us, prepare for a long exhausting hunt for bargains.

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