Travel Guide: Palm Beach, FL – Southern Curls & Pearls
Almost every year for the past eight years, we have visited Palm Beach in the spring. Early spring, by the way, is the *perfect* time to head to Palm Beach – it might still be cold in the northern states, but Palm Beach is 80 degrees, sunny, and BEAUTIFUL – a perfect escape! My husband and I took the kids to Palm Beach a few weeks ago around mid-May, so I thought I would update you guys on all of our favorites: where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and of course… what to wear!
I’m rounding up a few outfits from our trip, but read on for my recommendations.
On me: Bow Trim Textured Blazer // Textured Skort // Satin Headband // Similar Ballet Flat // On Kennedy: Tweed Jacket // Tweed Shorts // Tweed Headband // Raffia Sandals
On me: Bustier Top // Flared Pants // White Slingbacks // Seashell Pendent Necklace // On Chris: Sweater Polo // Black Slacks // On the girls: White Polo Dress // Navy Cardigan // Raffia Sandals
On me: Polka Dot Soho Skort Romper // Pearl Necklace // Similar Hat here and here // On the girls: 2-Piece Top and Shorts Set
Ric Rac One Piece Swimsuit // Similar Hat here and here // Chloé Basket Tote // Oval Sunglasses
On me: Black Bubble Top // Black Maxi Skirt // Gold Swirl Earrings // Celine Teen Couffin Wicker & Leather Tote // On Kennedy: Stripe Shirt // Stripe Pants
On me: Stripe Sweatshirt // Stripe Shorts // White Sneakers // Suitcase // On the girls: Stripe Shirt // Stripe Pants // Jelly Sandals
Where to Stay:
We have stayed in several different hotels on our travels to Palm Beach. You really can’t go wrong! But here are a few of my recommendations:
White Elephant Palm Beach: The White Elephant Hotel is a beautiful Palm Beach hotel that is surprisingly kid-friendly! This is where we stayed most recently… we brought our 2- and 4-year-old with us and the entire staff catered to them the entire trip! We booked a “King Suite” which had plenty of space for the four of us – there was even a pack-and-play and kids tent already set up in the room for us when we arrived! If you’re craving a beach day, the White Elephant staff will drive you to the beach in one of their signature golf carts, and set up chairs and an umbrella on the beach (along with towels, water and sand toys). One of the best things about this hotel, though? The FOOD! The restaurant Lola 41 is located downstairs and serves delicious room service all day long. It’s so nice to wake up with kids and have room service delivered to your room right away!
The Colony: The Colony is a *classic* Palm Beach hotel with a very fun vibe! You may recognize this hotel from social media because the entire outside is a beautiful shade of PINK! The rooms are impeccably decorated in calming colors and patterns and the pool is adorned with pink and green umbrellas. This is definitely the most stylish hotel in Palm Beach! I have stayed here many times and love the proximity to Worth Avenue as well as lounging by their pool for hours on end.
The Brazilian Court Hotel: This is a gorgeous and intimate little boutique hotel situated right smack dab in the middle of Palm Beach, just a few blocks from the ocean and a few blocks from the iconic Worth Avenue. Surrounded by luscious greenery, flowers and palm trees, this hotel has somewhat of an “older,” more classic vibe. In the courtyard of the hotel you’ll find the restaurant, Cafe Boulud, as well as plenty of comfortable seating to lounge and enjoy a glass of rosé. The pool is also BEAUTIFUL and incredibly relaxing… but not as kid-friendly!
Where to Eat:
Buccan: Buccan is widely known as the best restaurant in Palm Beach, and for good reason! It’s a high-end bistro that serves a changing array of small plates. Anytime I’ve been, we order a ton of different plates and everyone shares! Everything I’ve ever had has been PHENOMENAL, and don’t miss out on the cocktails, either.
Sant Ambroeus: This restaurant originated in Milan in 1936 and has had a devoted following ever since. Their menu showcases homemade pastas, exquisite desserts and pastries, all prepared with the freshest ingredients. It is a *very nice* restaurant, but we still brought our kids along and they were very accommodating! Our kids LOVED the gelato for dessert, too.
Lola 41: This is the restaurant located right at White Elephant Palm Beach. It’s a bistro and sushi bar with a very diverse menu, including everything from fresh, expertly crafted sushi to international dishes. I had an extraordinary burger with truffle fries, while my husband ordered several rolls of sushi!
BiCE Restaurant: Located on Worth Avenue, you absolutely have to dine on the patio here for a wonderful flower-filled view. BiCE is another authentic Italian restaurant that originated in Milan. The pasta, as well as their homemade bread, is incredible!
Pizza Al Fresco: This was the perfect casual lunch spot for enjoying pizza al fresco, located on Worth Avenue. The margarita pizza does not disappoint! We saw lots of families and children enjoying lunch here so it’s great if you have kids!
Main Street by the Breakers: If you’re looking for a super casual spot for breakfast or lunch that is perfect for children, this is it! We grabbed donuts, coffee and fruit from here one morning and it was the perfect grab-and-go spot. The door out back leads to a courtyard with beautiful views and lots of seating, and the kids could run around while eating their breakfast. This might be a great stop before heading to the beach!
What to Do:
Shop: Palm Beach is arguably home to the best shopping in the United States (even rivaling Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles). If you have expensive taste, there’s Gucci, Chanel, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany’s, Valentino, and some of the cutest little boutiques you’ve ever seen. You MUST visit Worth Avenue, even just to window shop – it’s beautiful. There’s also a large mall nearby with some more affordable stores like H&M and Nordstrom!
Go to the Beach or Pool: You’re in Florida, after all! There’s a beautiful beach in Palm Beach that is perfect for kids, with soft sand and crystal blue water. All of the pools are lovely as well!
Take Pictures!: Without a doubt, Palm Beach is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been. It honestly doesn’t feel like you’re in the United States! Orchids sprout from the walls and tree trunks, flowering bougainvillea covers gorgeous doorways, and pink and blue potted hydrangeas adorn every walkway. Definitely visit Worth Avenue and its nearby neighborhoods for the prettiest picture-taking spots!
Henry Morrison Flagler Museum: A landmark 75-room mansion built in the Gilded Age, oil-man Henry Flagler’s winter home is one of Florida’s oldest and most historic museums. You can tour the three-flour mansion and see a rotating exhibit of intricate displays.
Visit The Breakers: One of the most fabulous hotels in the world, The Breakers is on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as a AAA Five Diamond Property. Anyone is welcome to walk around, look at the beautiful ballrooms, shop, or grab a coffee from the coffee shop in the courtyard. You could also look into making a dinner reservation here, too!
To conclude, Palm Beach is absolutely worth visiting and 100% worth visiting with children! I felt like Chris and I still got to enjoy a *glamorous* vacation, while the kids got to do everything they love too (like play in the ocean and the pool, get room service, and watch movies with us in the room at night!). I highly recommend bringing your kids to Palm Beach with you!