How to Spend 24 Hours in Palm Beach

the breakers palm beach, the-alyst.com

As visions of palm trees, clear blue skies, and Lilly Pulitzer prints danced through my mind, I excitedly packed my bag for my first trip to Palm Beach. While I’ve been to Florida a dozen times, somehow my itinerary never took me to PBI. So, after spending a weekend on Hillsboro Beach at one of my best friend’s weddings, we decided to extend our Florida vacation, and check Palm Beach off our travel “bucket list.” With only a little over 24 hours to spend on the island, I knew that we needed to use our time wisely, while still allowing a few hours for some quality rest and relaxation. Suffice it to say, we did just that. And the result? Well, I’m officially in love with Palm Beach!

If you need a warm weekend getaway this winter, Palm Beach is an easy flight from Boston and it is beautiful! While I hope that you have more than just one day to enjoy in the sun, I’ve highlighted my must-see spots for a quick visit to Palm Beach.

the breakers palm beach, the-alyst.com
the breakers palm beach, the-alyst.com
worth avenue, palm beach, the-alyst.com
worth avenue, palm beach, the-alyst.com
worth avenue, palm beach, the-alyst.com
the breaker palm beach, the-alyst.com

The A-Lyst for a Quick Getaway to Palm Beach

the breaker palm beach, the-alyst.comVisit The Breakers

With its stately, old world glamour, this historic hotel is a must-see when traveling to Palm Beach. Originally built in the late 1890s by oil and railroad tycoon Henry Flagler, its exquisite design elements and elegant decor make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the Gilded Age. We spent our one night in Palm Beach at this hotel and I seriously can’t wait to go back. If you’re staying elsewhere and just want to visit The Breakers, I would recommend grabbing a martini at the HMF, which is located right off the main lobby and also boasts the same old world, glamorous decor. Another option is to enjoy the mouthwatering, over-the-top Sunday brunch that is served in The Circle dining room. While the beach and pool areas are exclusive to hotel guests, you can easily get a feel for the property by wandering through the lobby, shopping galleries, and various courtyards. Trust me, you’ll want to move in!

Explore the “Vias” off Worth Avenue

Worth Avenue is home to every designer boutique that you could possibly imagine, and while I adore shopping, my favorite part of our retail excursion was exploring the little “vias” off of Worth Avenue. Every block or so, we would find a new corridor aka “via” to venture down, and each one was more charming than the next. I found that many of the “vias” had an Italian influence; bright colors, stucco walls, gorgeous fountains, cascading fuchsia flowers down the walls – I kept forgetting that I was actually in Florida! My favorite “vias” were Via Parigi and Via Demario. Oh, and while you’re shopping on Worth Avenue, don’t miss the super cool live plant wall on the side of Saks Fifth Avenue.

Lunch and People Watching at Ta-boo 

Every person that I asked for recommendations about where to go in Palm Beach said that we had to eat at Ta-boo, so we knew we had to try it! Stopping by for a weekday lunch provided us with the perfect place to fuel up and do some serious people watching. From the palm print and monkey mural on the wall to the great selection of delicious lunch options, Ta-boo was an excellent dining choice during our quick trip to Palm Beach. We loved shamelessly watching the various people who came in to dine, while imagining the many notable guests it’s enterained since opening in 1945 (John F. Kennedy and Frank Sinatra, to name a few!). Ta-boo is quintessential Palm Beach and I loved its “old Florida” vibe.

Walk or Bike The Lake Trail

Set alongside Lake Worth, this five-mile, car-free paved trail offers visitors to Palm Beach the perfect place to break a sweat, while taking in the island’s gorgeous scenery. Along your walk or bike ride, you’ll be able to enjoy the views of gorgeous mansions and perfectly landscaped yards as well as the glistening waters of the Intracoastal Waterway. If you want to learn some history during your visit, along the trail you’ll pass the Flagler Museum, which gives visitors an informative overview of how Palm Beach came to be (all thanks to Henry Flagler and the railroad!) as well as a tour of the gorgeous 55-room mansion.

Touring Bethesda-by-the-Sea

Yes, this is a church, but if you have a sincere interest or appreciation for architecture and history, you’ll want to visit Bethesda-by-the-Sea. Originally created in 1889 as the first church in Palm Beach, Bethesda-by-the-Sea’s gothic revival style design paired with its wandering courtyards, koi pond, and tranquil gardens, make it a beautiful place to see while in Palm Beach. Fun fact: President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump got married at Bethesda-by-the-Sea in 2005.

Watch a Polo Match

While our October visit didn’t align with the polo schedule, if you are in Palm Beach during the polo season, this is a must! Sunday polo is quite the event and you can choose to attend the elite Sunday brunch or the more casual (and affordable) field-side lawn experience. This is on my list for a future visit, and don’t worry, I am already planning my outfit!

Outfit Details:

Top: Banana Republic Short Sleeve Silk Blouse (last season; similar here)

Shawl: Louis Vuitton Monogram Denim Shawl

Jeans: Paige “Verdugo” Ankle Skinny Jean

Sandals: CHANEL Gold & Rhinestone Thong Sandal (last season; similar here)

Sunglasses: J.Crew Factory Classic Sunglasses

Bracelets: Hermes Enamel “H” Bracelet  and J.Crew gold bangles (similar here)

Necklace: Ann Taylor Gold & Pearl Necklace (last season; similar here)

Photos by @TheLyleStevens