Travel Guides

Things to Do in Palm Beach: A Weekend Itinerary

Looking to escape the cold this winter? We have all the intel you need for a luxurious Palm Beach weekend.

By 

Todd Plummer

 |  January 6, 2025

With Gilded Age roots, a mid-century modern heyday, and unspoiled beaches that are as classic as they’ve ever been, Palm Beach has a lot to offer. After all, it’s been a popular South Florida escape for well over a century. Located a short distance north from the thumping nightclubs and touristy crowds of Miami Beach, this haven feels worlds away — the beaches are pristine and the company is elegant. Of course, you can still enjoy nightlife in Downtown West Palm Beach, where there are plenty of elevated cocktail lounges and wine bars with live music. It’s no wonder that style icon Lilly Pulitzer started her brand here, inspired by the relaxed yet refined atmosphere. 

Palm Beach is home to timeless architecture, fantastic shopping, and a never-ending list of things to see and do. The best part? This iconic American resort town offers a taste of tropical weather with no passport required. If you want to spend a weekend there, here’s how we suggest doing it.

In This Article

• Is Palm Beach Worth Visiting?
• How to Get to Palm Beach
• Is Palm Beach Safe?
• When Is Palm Beach’s “Season”?
• Where to Stay in Palm Beach
• What to Do in Palm Beach

The Best Things to Do in Palm Beach: A Weekend Itinerary

Is Palm Beach Worth Visiting?

Absolutely yes. Palm Beach is one of those iconic American destinations that offers both a sense of history and modernity. You can explore its past, and there is always something new to experience, too. It begins with the landscape of pristine, palm-fringed beaches, offering sunny respite and warm weather year-round. Dip into its museums and historic mansions. And then opt for some world-class shopping on Worth Avenue or a reservation at one of its excellent restaurants. There is a vibrant social scene here (especially in “the season,” when northerners decamp here in search of sunshine during the winter months), but if you know where to look, there are also serene moments of peace that recall the Florida of a time gone by. 

How to Get to Palm Beach

Palm Beach sits about seventy miles due north of Miami and has a variety of transportation options that make it a breeze to get to. Most visitors arrive via Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), located just three miles inland from Palm Beach, so you can get from the terminal to the beach in minutes. PBI has numerous direct flights to major cities, from Texas to New York City and New England. And it also accommodates private jet charters. (Discover the best private jet companies to take you there.)

If you’re coming from somewhere else in Florida, such as Orlando or Miami, don’t discount arriving by train — Palm Beachers have been singing the praises of the cleanliness and comfort of Florida’s relatively new Brightline service. The train is a reliable way to arrive in Palm Beach and avoid South Florida’s notorious traffic. 

Is Palm Beach Safe?

Yes. Statistically, Palm Beach has very low crime rates, especially relative to other parts of South Florida. Here, trouble is about as rare as a badly mixed mai tai. And with a certain president of the United States spending a good chunk of time at Mar-a-Lago along the southern part of Palm Beach Island, you’ll find there’s never been more of a police presence securing the area. You will feel (and be) very safe here. 

When Is Palm Beach’s “Season”?

Historically, the Northeast’s elites and society types would migrate south to Palm Beach for the winter months, from the weekend after Thanksgiving through Easter or mid-April. That “season” is when you’ll find the most activity happening. But there really is no bad time of year to visit Palm Beach. Since the pandemic, more and more people have made Palm Beach their year-round home. If you’re visiting outside of the season, just beware of hurricane season, which technically runs June through November, with the most hurricanes occurring mid-August through mid-October. 

Where to Stay in Palm Beach

The Breakers

If there is a single hotel that shaped the history of Palm Beach, it’s The Breakers. Founded by Henry Flagler in 1896, this is still the standard-setter of five-star luxury in Palm Beach. It boasts sprawling gardens, four pools, several bars and restaurants, on-site shopping, a spa, and every activity you could possibly imagine. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop or resort-style hotel, check this one out. 

The Brazilian Court

If The Breakers’ grandiosity (and family-friendly environment) isn’t your speed, check out the much more intimate Brazilian Court. Its Mediterranean architecture features a central courtyard and is home to an intimate private pool (seldom overrun with kiddos). There’s also Café Boulud that has an excellent brunch and late-night drinks scene. Hair or nails in need of a touch-up during your stay? There’s a great spa on-site, too. The best perk of all? Complimentary rides on the BC One, the 44-foot Solaris Power house yacht designed by Brunello Acampora.

Palm House

New for this season comes Palm House, part of the Iconic Luxury Hotels collection by L+R Hotels, the UK-based company behind 11 Cadogan Gardens in London. The gorgeous interiors are a throwback to Palm Beach’s mid-century heyday. Book the Presidential Suite — it commands 1,982 square feet over two stories, with two terraces, a truly enormous Alaskan king bed, and private butler service. 

The Vineta

Prestigious hotel brand Oetker Collection makes its stateside debut this season with the gut renovation of The Vineta, a historic building near Worth Avenue. If you’re a fan of its other properties, including Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, The Lanesborough London, and Eden Rock — St Barths, The Vineta is sure to deliver the same level of formal European-style service. 

The Colony Hotel

You can tell from its pastel pink exterior that The Colony Hotel has personality in spades. It’s one block from Worth Avenue shopping and one block from the beach. While its common spaces are charming, and poolside lunch is a must-do while you’re in town, the guest rooms here feel relatively basic compared to some of this four-star hotel’s five-star neighbors. But for a boutique atmosphere with an unbeatable location, there’s nowhere better. 

What to Do in Palm Beach?

Thursday

Settle In

Make the most of your weekend and try to arrive on Thursday if you can. After traveling, the easiest thing to do will be to head straight for your hotel, check-in, then find a spot by the pool to relax — pretty much every hotel in the area has one. 

Once you’ve dropped your bags and settled in, it’s time for dinner. There’s always a buzzy atmosphere at Cucina, where the dining room gives way to a cocktails-and-dancing vibe that goes until late (2 am most nights). It’s a scene, for sure, but a fun one at that — and a great way to make a new friend or two on your first night in town. 

Friday

Sightseeing

There is a lot of sightseeing to do in Palm Beach, so consider this your choose-your-own-adventure day. Check out what’s happening at the Society of the Four Arts during your stay if you’re interested in classical arts, live speakers, film screenings, and so forth. It has an excellent show on Native American art through January 18, 2025. Followed by an exhibit from seminal botanical artist Rory McEwen in February and March. History lovers should head to the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, housed in Mr. Flagler’s impressive Gilded Age mansion.

For something a little more current, head across the bridge to the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, the epicenter of Palm Beach’s contemporary art scene. And while you’re over in West Palm, stop by the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, an indoor-outdoor museum with stunning permanent displays, as well as a brand-new exhibit of archival Slim Aarons photographs of Palm Beach, including some never-before-seen shots of Lilly Pulitzer in her element. 

Shopping

In the afternoon, it’s time to experience some Palm Beach shopping. You can begin at The Royal Poinciana Plaza, an outdoor shopping center that also has some good lunch spots. Sit down at Sant Ambroeus for a European-style luncheon or grab a deli sandwich from TooJay’s, a Florida chain that originated in Palm Beach in 1981. The shops here skew a little more contemporary and cool (think Loewe, Orlebar Brown, LoveShackFancy, and Hermès).

Head down to Worth Avenue if you’re in search of the mega European brands like Bottega Veneta and Chanel, as well as the Lilly Pulitzer flagship. For a refueling on Worth Avenue, the lunch spot of choice is undoubtedly Bice Ristorante, which serves elevated Italian fare. If you’re looking for exquisite fine jewelry, make an appointment at Mish. Designer Mish Tworkowski spent decades in New York City before moving his studio to Palm Beach. He has beautiful jewelry perfect for Palm Beach and home. 

Dinner

Head back to your hotel for another poolside nap and quick refresh, and then it’s time for dinner. Seven-time James Beard Award nominee Chef Clay Conley’s Buccan has been a Palm Beach mainstay for over a decade and still has all of its cool factor.  You’ll definitely want to make a reservation in advance. The seasonal small plates range from internationally inspired crudos to inventive dishes like the surprisingly good hot dog panini (much more elevated than it sounds). If you’re up for it, a nightcap at nearby Café Boulud at the Brazilian Court Hotel is a great way to indulge in some local people watching.

Saturday

Go Biking

After you’ve seen the glitzy side of Palm Beach, it’s time for a glimpse at how the locals live (and by “locals” we mean the old-money families who have been here for generations and the nouveau riche who have decamped there in recent years). 

First thing in the morning before the sun gets too hot, grab a bike (most hotels have them) and head to the Lake Trail, a path that runs along the island’s western side from the town’s docks to the island’s northern tip. It’s about five miles long, and with the exception of two interruptions where riders need to navigate car intersections (there’s no rest or picnic area), it offers a smooth and uninterrupted view of Palm Beach life. It passes several notable mansions and landmarks, including the Flagler Museum and the Old Bethesda-by-the-Sea church building. Take your time here — there’s lots to see, and it’s a pleasant respite from the island’s busier hotspots.

Enjoy a Lovely Brunch

After your ride, you will have worked up an appetite for brunch. Even if you aren’t staying at The Breakers, their restaurant Henry’s offers a wonderful brunch. And gives an opportunity to explore some of the hotel’s historic common spaces. Make sure to get the Crab Cake Benedict.

Relax at the Beach

After a day and a half of sightseeing and shopping, you’ve earned a well-deserved trip to the beach. Make sure to check in with your hotel — many offer beach concierge services that will set up chairs and umbrellas in the sand for you, so you don’t need to lift a finger. You might notice sea turtles if you’re visiting Palm Beach between March and October. But they usually come out only at night.  If you’re in search of provisions to bring to the beach, grab a sandwich and a ginger lemonade from Buccan Sandwich Shop, next door to the main Buccan space and a local favorite for lunches to go.

Dinner

For dinner, make reservations at the Florida outpost of New York City favorite La Goulue. Feel free to go on the later side. There is a fun atmosphere here that goes well into the night. 

Sunday

Spend Your Morning at the Zoo

You’ve had a great introduction to Palm Beach proper, so it’s time to explore some areas beyond the city limits. After checking out of your hotel, head inland where there are several interesting areas within just a few minutes’ drive. There are two zoos nearby that are great for both adults and kids alike. The first, Lion Country Safari, is a self-drive experience through 300 acres populated with Brazilian tapirs, rhinoceroses, zebras, chimpanzees, giraffes, and lions. If you don’t have a car with you, the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society offers an equally engaging zoo experience that can be seen on foot. 

Watch a Polo Game or Go Golfing

After a morning at the zoo, make your way to the National Polo Center in time for one of their matches, which are open to the public on Sundays at 2 pm during the high season. There are regular grandstand tickets as well as pavilion “brunch tickets,” which offer access to a straightforward but good, club-style brunch buffet and bar.

If golfing is more your speed, play a round. The best courses are private, so hopefully, you have a friend with a membership. If not, there are several public golf courses you can check out. 

Head Home

From there, it’s a quick drive over to PBI where you can catch one of the evening flights home. If you’re coming from Wellington area, it is technically more miles away from the airport than Palm Beach Island. But when you’ll be spared the potential traffic jam of having to cross one of the bridges — which, these days, when the president is in town and horrific traffic jams ensue, can be worth its weight in gold. 

Looking for a similar escape but on the West Coast? We recommend staying in Malibu, another exclusive coastal town with stunning beaches, chic restaurants, and a fabulous shopping scene. Check out our Malibu travel guide and roundup of the best luxury hotels in Malibu to plan your visit. 

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