Palm Beach: Whether you’re a seasoned snowbird or a casual visitor, the warm Florida sun is very inviting, especially during the winter.
For many, Florida undoubtedly evokes blue skies, fine sandy beaches, and crystal-clear water.
But did you know that it’s possible to combine a sun-filled getaway with a fascinating cultural immersion and a stay filled with delectable culinary experiences?
This is what the Palm Beach area, located north of Miami, has in store for you.
“The Palm Beaches,” as locals like to call them, bring together 39 towns and villages along the Atlantic coast where luxury, gastronomy, and natural treasures meet. And that’s not all! As the cultural capital of Florida, the region is bustling with creativity, with more than 200 museums, theaters, events, festivals, and attractions to explore.
HERE ARE SOME PLACES TO REMEMBER FOR A MEMORABLE GETAWAY IN PALM BEACH COUNTY:
FIRST DESTINATION: DELRAY BEACH
A true open-air art gallery, Delray Beach offers you the atmosphere of a small seaside village that you will enjoy exploring on foot. During the day, a stroll through the Pineapple Grove neighborhood will give you your fill of local art, while in the evening, you can choose from a host of dining experiences.
What to do?
A VISIT TO THE CORNELL ART MUSEUM
As soon as you pass the door of this former primary school transformed into a museum, the word “balance” by the artist of Cuban origin, Juan Abuela, kicks off this colorful visit. The small establishment presents three rotating exhibitions featuring the creations of artists from all walks of life, many of whom are based in South Florida.
The visit is free, as is access to several events organized on-site.
Cornell Art Museum, 51 N Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach
A MEETING WITH THE ARTS WAREHOUSE ARTISTS
In the heart of the Pineapple Grove arts district, this 15,000-square-foot creative hub presents temporary exhibitions and various events in addition to offering workshops open to the public of all ages. Take advantage of your visit to meet the 15 artists in residence who give free rein to their creativity in the small studios they occupy for a period of 1 to 4 years.
Different art workshops are offered every week, with registration fees varying between $40 and $200 US.
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Arts Warehouse, 313 NE 3rd Street, Delray Beach
Where do you put your suits?
THE RAY HOTEL
With its magnificent rooftop terrace with bar and swimming pool, its large lobby, its numerous activities on the agenda, its café, and its two gourmet restaurants, this hotel from the Curio by Hilton collection is the perfect home base for exploring the surroundings in complete freedom. It offers you a prime location in the heart of vibrant downtown Delray Beach and the Pineapple Grove Arts District.
The Ray Hotel, 233 NE 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach
Where to FEAT?
AKIRA BACK
It is no coincidence that Chef Akira Back’s cuisine is celebrated all over the world. Combining Japanese influences and Korean flavors, the dishes imagined by the Michelin-starred chef ensure freshness and creativity on the plate, as you will see when savoring a salmon tiradito with grilled peaches, a tuna pizza with aioli and truffle oil, or halibut with Japanese mushrooms and soy white butter.
Akira Back, 233 NE 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach
ELISABETTA’S
Are you more of an Italian feast type? From freshly baked bread to the selection of fresh pasta, pizza dough, sauces, and even gelato, everything is homemade in the kitchen of this family-friendly restaurant.
Elisabetta’s, 32 E Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach
DADA
A favorite restaurant among Delray Beach residents, Dada has made its creative and comforting dishes its signature. Housed in one of the oldest houses in the city, the establishment seduces from the first moment with its eclectic decor, friendly service and fusion cuisine.
Dada, 52 N Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach
SECOND DESTINATION: PALM BEACH & WEST PALM BEACH
To combine luxury, sun, and pleasure, there is nothing better than a stay to discover these two cities separated by a lagoon. With its designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants, luxury hotels, and beautiful beaches, Palm Beach is one of the region’s most popular destinations and is the ideal base for exploring the surroundings, starting with West Palm Beach with its lively nightlife.
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What should I do?
A RETURN TO THE PAST AT THE FLAGLER MUSEUM
Built-in 1902 by wealthy businessman Henry Morrison Flagler as a gift for his wife, Mary Lily Kenan, the Whitehall opened its doors to the public in 1960. It captures the avant-garde spirit of M. Flagler, to which we owe in particular the creation of the city of Palm Beach but also the growth of tourism in Florida thanks to the construction of the railway network. The residence, which has 75 rooms, is magnificently well-preserved and exhibits decoration from the School of Fine Arts that will astound you.
Entrance costs US$26 per person.
Flagler Museum, 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach
A GUIDED TOUR OF WORTH AVENUE
A little paradise for shoppers, the Worth Avenue district is much more than a luxurious shopping avenue. Rick Rose, a historian and author, will lead you on a tour of its fascinating past. On the program: significant events, fascinating historical facts, and Mediterranean architecture (the result of Addison Mizner’s vision).
The 75-minute tour takes place every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., from November to April, for US$25 per person.
The Worth Avenue Association, 256 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach
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A CULINARY TOUR OF DOWNTOWN WEST PALM BEACH
Take part in a colorful world tour for the taste buds by discovering the gourmet institutions of the city center. The technique for opening a coconut, the ingredients of the famous “key lime pie,” and the particularities of Colombian coffee are among the secrets that will be revealed to you during this guided tour. Little tip: put on your most comfortable shoes and arrive on an empty stomach!
The 2H45 tour is offered several times a week for US$79 per person.
West Palm Beach Food Tours
A CULTURAL BATH AT THE NORTON MUSEUM OF ART
The works of well-known artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Pierre Paul Rubens, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso are on display at this museum, which Ralph Hubbard Norton founded in 1941. In addition to displaying an impressive permanent collection, it presents temporary exhibitions, events, and a variety of educational activities for aspiring artists. Don’t forget to venture into the garden to enjoy a relaxing and inspiring break.
Entrance costs US$18 per person.
Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach
Where to put your suitcases?
THE WHITE ELEPHANT
There are many luxury hotels on Palm Beach Island, but this one definitely stands out from the crowd. With its 32 rooms and its magnificent terrace and swimming pool area, it offers an experience that is at once distinguished, intimate, and warm. Of course, staying there represents a certain cost, but considering its fabulous facilities and its many inclusions (coffee and pastries in the morning, wine and cheese at aperitif time, chairs and towels for the beach, board games and popcorn, bicycles to explore the surroundings, etc.), the establishment is ideal for celebrating a special occasion.
The White Elephant, 280 Sunset Avenue, Palm Beach
Where to Feat?
There is no need to introduce Daniel Boulud, a chef internationally recognized for his modern French cuisine and his refined establishments. Housed in the legendary Brazilian Court Hotel, the Palm Beach café, which has just celebrated its 20th anniversary, offers you an intimate setting to taste the classics on the menu, such as the famous fish en papillote with meurette sauce.
Café Boulud , 301 Australian Avenue, Palm Beach
HENRY’S PALM BEACH
The famous and distinguished hotel The Breakers, founded by Henry Morrison Flagler in 1896 (the current building dates from 1926), offers 10 restaurants, the majority of which are located within the walls of the hotel. But in recent years, two addresses have taken up residence outside the resort, including Henry’s Palm Beach which will charm you with its subdued lighting and its authentic cuisine.
Henry’s Palm Beach, 229 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach
LOLA 41
The signature restaurant at The White Elephant hotels (the other is located on Nantucket Island) has a strong following among Palm Beach residents, giving it a lively atmosphere in the evenings, especially on weekends. Its selection of cocktails is synonymous with freshness while its fusion cuisine promises to offer a sublime journey to your taste buds.
LoLa 41, 290 Sunset Avenue, Palm Beach
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Getting to Palm Beach County from Montreal: Air Canada offers non-stop flights a few times a week as well as flights with a stopover every day.
- Getting around Florida: The new Brightline high-speed rail line connects the cities of Orlando, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
- The Gilded Age: this is a reference that you will hear many times during your stay in Palm Beach. Following the end of the Civil War, this period was synonymous with significant economic growth and the advent of a modern American society.