west palm beach mansion tour

• Nov 30, 2023

Discovering Palm Beach Elegance: A Walking Tour of Historic Mansions

Embark on a journey through the opulent history of Palm Beach with a captivating walking tour that unveils the grandeur of its iconic mansions. Home to renowned figures like the Kennedys, Trumps, and Rod Stewart, Palm Beach is a haven for architectural marvels that reflect the island's rich past. Join us as we explore the meticulously manicured streets and delve into the stories behind these magnificent residences.

The Legacy of Palm Beach:

Established in 1911, Palm Beach exudes an air of sophistication , maintained by the town government's commitment to preserving its unique charm. Despite occasional dramatics reminiscent of a Danielle Steel novel behind closed doors, the exterior remains a testament to careful planning. Stringent rules govern everything from landscaped property percentages to standardized "For Sale" signs, creating an orderly facade for the world to admire.

Preserving History:

In 1979, the Landmark Preservation Commission was established, signifying a commitment to protect the island's historic homes. Today, approximately 280 properties proudly display a small bronze plaque, a subtle nod to their historical significance. While some owners choose to keep this symbol hidden, curious tourists may stumble upon these landmarks, adding an unexpected layer to their exploration.

Architectural Maestros:

At the heart of Palm Beach's architectural evolution stand four influential figures: Addison Mizner, Maurice Fatio, Marion Sims Wyeth, and John Volk. While Mizner takes the spotlight as the architect extraordinaire of the 1920s, each contributed to the distinctive Mediterranean-revival style that defines Palm Beach mansions. Picture stucco walls, Spanish red-tile roofs, Italianate towers, Moorish-Gothic carvings, and the unique use of coquina, a grayish limestone with fossil-like imprints of shells.

Embark on a two-wheeled adventure or a leisurely drive to explore the preserved estates clustered along Worth Avenue, South County Road, and South Ocean Boulevard. Marvel at the intricate details of Casa de Leoni, Villa des Cygnes, 17 Golfview Road, El Solano, and other architectural gems that showcase the genius of Mizner, Fatio, Wyeth, and Volk.

Practical Tips:

For the adventurous, a bike ride provides an intimate experience, with many hotels offering bicycles for guest use. Alternatively, opt for the Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop. Driving is also a convenient option, but be mindful of the one-lane Ocean Boulevard, the island's primary route to neighboring cities.

Expert Insights:

Delve into the gossip and history with Leslie Diver's "Island Living Tours," a favorite among in-the-know concierges. Diver, an expert on Palm Beach architecture , provides a unique blend of past and present tales, adding a layer of intrigue to your exploration.

Top 10 Must-Visit Mansions:

Casa de Leoni: 450 Worth Avenue (Addison Mizner)

Villa des Cygnes: 456 Worth Avenue (Addison Mizner and Marion Sims Wyeth)

17 Golfview Road (Marion Sims Wyeth)

220 and 252 El Bravo Way (John Volk)

126 South Ocean Boulevard (Marion Sims Wyeth)

El Solano: 720 South Ocean Boulevard (Addison Mizner)

Casa Nana: 780 South Ocean Boulevard (Addison Mizner)

920 and 930 South Ocean Boulevard (Maurice Fatio)

Mar-a-Lago: 1100 South Ocean Boulevard (Joseph Urban)

Il Palmetto: 1500 South Ocean Boulevard (Maurice Fatio)

Conclusion:

Immerse yourself in the allure of Palm Beach's architectural treasures, where history, elegance, and timeless beauty converge. Whether on foot, bike, or behind the wheel, this walking tour promises an unforgettable exploration of the island's rich legacy, inviting you to witness the grandeur of its historic mansions. Don't forget to visit John & Yoko's mansion!

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Walking Tour of the Mansions of Palm Beach

By Dorothea Hunter Sönne

Whether or not you aspire to be a Kennedy, Trump, or Rod Stewart—all one-time or current Palm Beach residents—no trip to the island is complete without gawking at the mega-mansions lining its perfectly manicured streets.

The town government, established in 1911, has done its best to keep things civil and orderly when it comes down to appearances (even if scenes behind the walls have played out more like a Danielle Steel novel). Rules control everything from the percentage of a property that must be landscaped to the standardized shoebox-sized "For Sale" signs. Nowadays, there’s also a new aim: Protecting historic homes. In 1979, the Landmark Preservation Commission was formed, and over the years its list has grown to include about 280 local properties. A small, oval-shaped bronze plaque beside the house number is a telltale sign and a blessing for curious tourists. But don’t be fooled. Some owners choose not to hang theirs, so it’s easy to stumble upon a landmark without even knowing it.

No one is more associated with how the island took shape than Addison Mizner, architect extraordinaire and society darling of the 1920s. But what people may not know is that a Fab Four was really the force behind the residential streets as they appear today: Mizner, of course, plus Maurice Fatio, Marion Sims Wyeth, and John Volk.

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The four architects dabbled in different genres, some more so than others, but the unmissable style is Mediterranean-revival, a Palm Beach hallmark mix of stucco walls, Spanish red-tile roofs, Italianate towers, Moorish-Gothic carvings, and the uniquely Floridian use of coquina, a grayish porous limestone made of coral rock with fossil-like imprints of shells. As for Mizner himself, he had quite the repertoire of signature elements, including using differently sized and shaped windows on one façade, blue tilework inside and out, and tiered roof lines (instead of one straight-sloping panel across, having several sections overlap like scales on a shark).

The majority of preserved estates are clustered in three sections: along Worth Avenue; the few blocks of South County Road after crossing Worth and the streets shooting off it; and the 5-mile stretch of South Ocean Boulevard from Barton Avenue to near Phipps Ocean Park, where the condos begin cropping up.

If ten miles of riding on a bike while cars zip around you isn’t intimidating, the two-wheeled trip may be the best way to fully take in the beauty of the mansions and surrounding scenery. Many hotels have bicycles for guest use. Another option is the dependable Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop . Otherwise, driving is a good alternative. Just be mindful that Ocean Boulevard is a one-lane road and the only route on the island to cities like Lake Worth and Manalapan, so you can’t go too slowly, especially at peak travel times.

If gossip is more your speed, in-the-know concierges rely on Leslie Diver’s " Island Living Tours "; she’s one of the town’s leading experts on architecture and dish, both past and present.

And for the self-starters, here are ten walking (or biking, or driving) musts on the tour:

1. Casa de Leoni : 450 Worth Avenue (Addison Mizner)

2. Villa des Cygnes : 456 Worth Avenue (Addison Mizner and Marion Sims Wyeth)

3. 17 Golfview Road (Marion Sims Wyeth)

4. 220 and 252 El Bravo Way (John Volk)

5. 126 South Ocean Boulevard (Marion Sims Wyeth)

6. El Solano : 720 South Ocean Boulevard (Addison Mizner)

7. Casa Nana : 780 South Ocean Boulevard (Addison Mizner)

8. 920 and 930 South Ocean Boulevard (Maurice Fatio)

9. Mar-a-Lago : 1100 South Ocean Boulevard (Joseph Urban)

10. Il Palmetto : 1500 South Ocean Boulevard (Maurice Fatio)

Photo credits: Florida Palm Trees via Shutterstock; Worth Avenue via Flickr/wallyg ; Mar-a-Lago via Flickr/wallyg

• 3718 Eastview Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
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Legends of the Past Historic Home Tour

Step back in time to experience the enchantment of old West Palm Beach. Returning for the first time in fourteen years, Northwood Hills’ Home Tour will have a variety of architecture on display from castle homes to mid-century modern. Tour through ten, one-of-a-kind historic homes while sampling complimentary appetizers from some of the city’s finest local restaurants. Specialty wine and beer will also be served at each home. Finish the evening with a toast, dessert, and live entertainment at our garden soirée.

A rain or shine event.

Additional Details:

At parking/check-in, located at 4111 N. Terrace Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33407, you’ll receive a booklet that includes a map and information about each house on the tour. The tour is self guided and should take about 2 1/2 hours, depending on how much time you spend in each house. You’re welcome to come anytime between 3 – 8, however the tour ends at 8 so we suggest arriving no later than 5 pm.

At each house you’ll tour through the home then head into the backyard for a bite to eat, a drink, and then you’ll head to the next house. The ten homes are spread amongst just six blocks, so the route is very walkable. However, we will have golf carts circulating for those that may need a lift.

Currently, tickets may only be purchased at the check-in tent at 4111 N. Terrace Dr., West Palm Beach, FL 33407, for $60.

Welcome to the Flagler Museum

When it was completed in 1902, the  New York Herald  proclaimed that Whitehall, Henry Flagler's Gilded Age estate in Palm Beach, was "more wonderful than any palace in Europe, grander and more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world." Today, Whitehall is a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public as the Flagler Museum, offering self-guided tours, changing exhibitions, and special programs.

General Admission tickets are available for purchase in person or online.

Purchase Now   Visitor Information

Shop for Flagler Museum souvenirs, historical books, unique gifts, and more!

Enjoy Tea in the Railcar 91 Tea Room overlooking Lake Worth.

A National Historic Landmark

Click below to read the Flagler Museum's digital publications such as Annual Reports, Inside Whitehall  magazines, and the Season Program Guide.

Digital Publications

Mission The mission of the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum is to preserve and interpret Whitehall, Henry Flagler’s legacy, and America’s Gilded Age, in ways that inspire every generation to perpetuate and emulate the traditions and values that have made America the most prosperous and generous nation in history.

The Flagler Museum is funded in part by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1973

Reaccredited for an additional 10 years in October 2020

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Palm Beach Tour – See the Best of Palm Beach: The Breakers, Worth Ave & Mar-a-Lago

So, you want to take a  Palm Beach Tour ? Maybe catch a glimpse of the rich and famous lifestyle or gawk at the fabulous mansions?

Our self-guided Palm Beach Tour will show-off the best of Palm Beach. The tour begins in Downtown West Palm Beach and makes a loop. If you don’t stop, expect to spend about 30 minutes, but why rush? Get out and admire The Breakers, tour the Flagler Museum, enjoy a picnic in the Four Arts Sculpture Garden, do a little shopping (or maybe window-shopping) on Worth Avenue and dip your feet in our beautiful blue water.

Click here for a map showing each stop on the Palm Beach Tour

Palm Beach Tour

• Take Okeechobee east over the Royal Park Bridge – locals refer to this as the middle bridge or big bridge.
• After crossing the bridge, make your first left into Four Arts Plaza – it’s before the traffic light, and the street sign is difficult to see. Pull into their parking lot on the left.

The Society of the Four Arts Sculpture & Botanical Garden

We encourage you to get out and explore their sculpture and botanical gardens. Even better, pick-up sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies from  Buccan Sandwich Shop and enjoy a picnic! Admission is free and and the gardens are open 7 days a week, 10 am – 5 pm.

• When leaving The Society of the Four Arts parking lot, turn left and make an immediate right on Seaspray Avenue (there’s no street sign).
• At the stop sign, make a left onto Cocoanut Row.
• In just a few blocks, you’ll see The Breakers Golf Course on your right, and the Royal Poinciana Chapel on your left. Just past the chapel, make a left into the Flagler Museum.

The Flagler Museum

The Flagler Museum, also known as Whitehall, was Henry Flagler’s winter home, and today it is open to the public everyday except Monday. The 1-hour docent led tour will make your head spin with history!

• Before leaving the Flagler Museum, head south along the path to admire the Sea Gull Cottage, a Royal Kapok Tree and a beautiful view of downtown West Palm Beach!
• Make a left onto Cocoanut Row as you exit the Flagler Museum.
• At the first traffic light, make a right onto Royal Poinciana Way.
• Royal Poinciana Way will dead end into S. County Road, make a right onto S. County Road.
• At the next traffic light, make a left onto Breaker’s Row.
• Upon entering The Breakers, let the guard at the gate know that you are there to eat or shop and tell them you would like to self-park. Otherwise, you’ll be directed to the $30 valet parking.  Of course, if you do intend to enjoy a cocktail or do a little shopping…they will validate your parking.

The Breakers

This is Henry Flagler’s iconic 5-star resort that he built for northerners to escape the cold.  The first two versions of The Breakers were destroyed by fire, and the current building is a historic building that was completed in 1925. Go beyond the lobby and explore! The Seafood Bar is a favorite cocktail stop with beautiful ocean views and a bar that is an aquarium. If you want to splurge, make reservations for Sunday Brunch.

• When leaving The Breakers, turn left onto S. County Road.
• Left onto Royal Palm Way (3rd traffic light).
• Royal Palm Way will dead-end into S. Ocean Boulevard, turn right onto S. Ocean Boulevard.

If you want to walk along the beach or dip your toes in our beautiful blue water, find a parking meter along S. Ocean Boulevard and enjoy! This is the only public beach access on Palm Beach with lifeguards.

• Continue on S. County Road for about 5 blocks and turn right on Worth Avenue. The clock tower is your marker and the entryway to Worth Avenue.

Worth Avenue

Often referred to as the Rodeo Drive of the East Coast, Worth Avenue and is one of the reasons our area is consistently ranked among the best shopping destinations in the United States.  This is a great place to take a shopping break or do a little people-watching.  If you love fancy cars, there’s no shortage of them on Worth Avenue. Don’t miss the Via’s which are tiny walkways that lead to more shopping, more restaurants and bougainvillea draped courtyards.

• When you come to the end of the Worth Avenue shops, turn right on Cocoanut Row.
• At the first stop sign, turn right on Peruvian.
• In a few blocks, you will dead end at S. Ocean Boulevard, turn right.
• Follow S. Ocean Boulevard along the ocean for about 2 miles. When the road starts veering away from the ocean, look to your right… the large estate you see is Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago. No stopping, so have your camera ready!

The name Mar a Lago means sea to lake because this property spans the width of the island! Originally owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post. When she died, Mar a Lago was donated to the federal government, and she had visions of it being the next Camp David. This property requires a huge amount of upkeep, so he government said thanks, but no thanks. Finally, in 1985, Mar a Lago was sold to Donald Trump for 5-million dollars, and today it is worth 300-million! And, in a crazy round about way, Marjorie got her dying wish.

• The road will make a sharp right just after Mar-a-Lago, and continue over the Southern Bridge to return to West Palm Beach.
• Once you’re back on the West Palm Beach side, at the base of the bridge, you have 3 options:
• Option #1: continue straight on Southern Boulevard. and you’ll hit I-95 in about 1.5 miles.
• Option #2: turn right onto Flagler Drive and follow Flagler/Washington along the water to return to Downtown West Palm Beach. This is a neighborhood filled with beautiful historic homes.
• Option #3: if you’d like to explore Antique Row, boutique  shops and delicious restaurants along South Dixie , DO NOT turn on Flagler Drive.  Instead, after crossing the bridge, continue straight on Southern Boulevard, and turn right on S. Dixie Highway (4th traffic light). When you’re finished shopping, S. Dixie Highway will take you back to Downtown West Palm Beach.

Fun Facts About Palm Beach

• Palm Beach is home to 32 billionaires.
• Years ago, the Kennedy’s had an estate on Palm Beach known as the Winter White House.
• Today, Palm Beach is home to Donald Trump, Howard Stern, Dr. Oz, Rod Stewart, James Paterson, Billy Joel and Vera Wang…just to name a few!
• The Lake Trail is a wonderful walking/biking path that runs 4 miles north along the intercostal waterway beginning at the base of the Royal Park Bridge.
• Things to Do
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• Info Walking
• Clock 11:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
• User All ages

Downtown West Palm Beach Food Tour

Experience the ultimate culinary adventure in West Palm Beach on our award-winning Downtown Food Tour.  Savor South Florida flavors, learn about tropical fruits, hear entertaining stories about our past, admire colorful street art and taste the best Key Lime Pie in town.

• Info Luxury Van
• Clock 3:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
• User Ages 8+

Historic West Palm Beach Neighborhood Food Tour

Explore our delicious and beautiful Historic Neighborhoods just south of downtown West Palm Beach…think Food Network meets HGTV!

This Deco-Era Estate Honors Its Old-School Palm Beach Roots in the Most Romantic Way

The only fluorescent color you'll find is in the lush bougainvillea climbing the courtyard arches.

Like a parent refusing to name a favorite child, some artists refuse to choose a favorite work. Architect Maurice Fatio was not so squeamish. He called his Casa della Porta del Paradiso “the greatest house I have ever done.”

In the annals of America’s 1920s society architects, Fatio was a star whose clients included Huttons, Rockefellers, Schiffs, and Vanderbilts. While fellow architect Addison Mizner focused on Spanish villa styles, Swiss-born Fatio hearkened his European roots and Mediterranean influences, often with the pronounced Tuscan flavor and monasterial elements so artfully expressed in Casa della Porta.

Thanks to generations of conscientious stewards and preservationists, the house was landmarked in 1990, and Fatio’s star continues to glow, as does the aesthetic and historic legacy it illuminates. Completed in 1929 for William McAneeny, president of the erstwhile Hudson Motor Car Company, Casa della Porta included such gaspingly modern features as push-button retractable plate glass windows and a system of funnels through which music from the living room’s pipe organ could be channeled.

Fatio brought in Italian master artisans to carve the extraordinary front doorway’s receding archivolts and other adornments throughout the house. Its asymmetrical design and intricate roofline assemble around a central courtyard that creates a sense of refuge. Thus sheltered from outside distractions, General George C. Marshall, an occasional houseguest, is said to have conceived a large portion of his eponymous plan here.

Matters of state notwithstanding, plans conceived at Casa della Porta more likely involved amusing diversions and dinner parties, as the monumental public rooms attest. Medieval-era oak doors, ornate coffered ceilings, and pickled oak and pecky cypress paneling are contained amid barrows of quarried keystone, terra-cotta, and marble.

Such gorgeous surfaces, by turns organic, nuanced, and variable, form the quiet but richly textured backdrop against which McDonald decorated. Having called her in part because of her experience with important historic properties, Casa della Porta’s new owners were low-key, no glitz, and avoidant of “typical Palm Beach” bright colors and splashy prints.

Nothing against that—it just wasn’t them. They respected the house’s venerable heritage and acknowledged its otherwise unmistakable “Palm Beach-ness,” but their decor preferences were purely contemporary and in a neutral palette.

Step Inside This Palm Beach Estate Designed by Mary McDonald

The trick for McDonald was to marry them all harmoniously. The tension of juxtaposition both challenged and excited her. Formerly one of TV’s Million Dollar Decorators, she also saw it as a chance to play against type. Admitting she is typically a “more-is-more kind of girl,” she argues that closer inspection of her work makes the case that she embraces “all kinds of interiors.” Besides, she adds, “it’s fun to do something people think isn’t you.”

McDonald retained original fixtures and features where possible. Where replacements were warranted, Kahan not only designed a new dining room mantel and a new plaster ceiling in the primary bedroom but also served as a key sounding board as McDonald designed lighting and other features. “Does it look like something that would have been there in the 1920s?” she wanted to know.

Pivotal decisions involved the kitchen and primary bedroom and bath, where previous but now-dated renovations called for a fresh start. “My goal,” McDonald says, “was to make it look as if it would have been brand-new in the 1920s.”

She succeeded nowhere more impressively than in the bath, with its extravagant marble tiling and all-glass shower surround that expands the space visually.

In furnishings McDonald sought sculptural pieces to sustain visual interest in the absence of color and print, grounding them with boldly scaled patterned floors in carpets or the existing graphics of stone, marble, and terra-cotta.

With muted tones and streamlined silhouettes, the furniture echoes its Art Deco counterpart, a look as fresh today as it was nearly a century ago. Comfortable too, which is a rare luxury within such commanding architecture.

As Fatio did, would McDonald say it’s the greatest house she’s ever done? “It is one of them for sure!” she says. “And every time I would visit, I wished I lived there.”

VERANDA Magazine

Featured in our January/February 2024 issue. Interior Design and Styling by Mary McDonald; Architecture by Daniel Kahan; P hotography by Carmel Brantley; Written by Frances Schultz.

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Worth Avenue Walking Tours

The Worth Avenue Association has chosen the   Historical Society of Palm Beach County   as “Charity of Choice” for the season. 

Worth Avenue Association Historic Walking Tours

Every Wednesday the Worth Avenue Association conducts a 75 minute historical walking tour led by Mr. Rick Rose, our historical docent.  Through colorful anecdotes and commentary, the exciting and informative tours explores the origins and character of Worth Avenue, its unique architecture, the historical significance of may of its legendary landmarks and some of its famous residents.

The tour begins at 10:30 am in Via Amore at 256 Worth Avenue across from Tiffany & Co. and Chanel.  There is free two hour parking on the street or at the Apollo parking lot for a fee.  The cost of the tour is $25 per person and a portion of which benefits the Historical Society of Palm Beach County as our “charity of choice”.  Registration is required by purchasing a ticket HERE .

Please be prompt for the tour so that we may check you in and issue your participating wrist band for identification.

You can also pick up a copy of Rick Rose’s book, Palm Beach: The Essential Guide to America’s Legendary Resort Town and take a self-guided tour of iconic Worth Avenue and the surrounding Palm Beach area.  This comprehensive illustrated guide to the “American’s First Resort Destination” is a rich and beautifully curated collection of the town, filled with the top must-sees, restaurants, one-of-a-kind shopping and attractions.  Copies of the Second Edition (2022) are available at the Museum Store.

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2 Responses

I would like to know what months the Worth Avenue walking tour takes place? My next visit to Palm Beach will specifically be to join the walk. Thank you.

Hello, this is no longer an event we host. Worth avenue tours are done at the Worth Avenue Association, which you can find on their website 🙂

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Phone: 561.832.4164

Mail: P.O. Box 4364 West Palm Beach, FL 33402

Visit: 300 N. Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, FL 33401

MUSEUM HOURS

Monday  10 am – 4 pm Tuesday 10 am – 4 pm Wednesday 10 am – 4 pm Thursday 10 am – 4 pm Thursday 10 am – 4 pm Friday 10 am – 4 pm Saturday 10 am – 4 pm Sunday Closed

©2021 Historical Society of Palm Beach County, All Rights Reserved. | Site By Immersive Spaces, LLC​

10 ways to enjoy Palm Beach island history, beauty & recreation

By: Author Bonnie Gross

Posted on Last updated: January 24, 2024

Palm Beach island is the exclusive winter home of billionaires and their poorer colleagues, the multi-millionaires. It is, of course, home to what former President Trump called the Winter White House, Mar-a-Lago.

A dozen presidents ago, John F. Kennedy also had a Palm Beach island home.

All this history means Palm Beach island is an interesting place to visit; all that money means it is also quite beautiful.

There are plenty of things to do in Palm Beach island: While you gawk at mansions and ficus hedges sculpted into works of art, you can also do a little snorkeling, biking and visiting museums.

The opulence of the island of Palm Beach is easy to spot: The pets are so pampered that there are four dog-watering fountains built around the town including one on Worth Avenue that is a picturesque basin made from Italian ceramic tile.

Of course, you see the flashy new Bentleys and Rolls Royces around town, but year ‘round residents tend to favor a nicely kept older Jaguar as their “beach” car.

You have to look hard for the Publix; in Palm Beach island, the only sign is its name subtly carved into the entrance.

If you book a luxury lodging deal in Palm Beach, you may want to spend much of your time taking advantage of the amenities at your hotel.

But when you’re ready to explore, here are 10 things to see, do and enjoy in Palm Beach:

1. Biking the Lake Trail in Palm Beach island

Palm Beach island has one of the best bike trails in Florida, the Lake Trail, which has views of Lake Worth and mansions. You can rent bikes at Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop, 223 Sunrise Ave.  You might use bikes to visit other spots listed below. Here’s a Florida Rambler guide to biking the Lake Trail.

2. Tour the Flagler Mansion

If you haven’t visited it, the Flagler Museum is the top attraction. Whitehall, as it is called, is a 75-room mansion built by railroad mogul Henry Flagler, who founded Palm Beach island and built The Breakers.

Knowing about Flagler (1830-1913) is essential to understanding not just Palm Beach, but all of Florida. In addition to his importance to history, his personal story is more dramatic than a season of Downton Abbey and his Gilded Age mansion is just as opulent as Downton. Admission is $18 adults; $10 ages 13 to 17; $3 ages 6-12.

When visiting the Flagler Museum, call ahead and find out when docent-led tours are available. We missed the 2 p.m. tour and instead took a very good self-guided audio tour. But on previous visits, the docent tour was memorable. Details .

3. Window shop on Worth Avenue

Worth Avenue, home to luxury stores such as Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Chanel and Gucci, is a pleasure to stroll, even for those not into shopping. The charm comes from the nine “vias” or pedestrian walkways that lead off the avenue into courtyards filled with fountains, bougainvillea, Old World tile-work and more shops.

The vias are where you will see how architect Addison Mizner captured a bit of Venice here. Via Mizner, by the way, leads to a lovely courtyard with an excellent and affordable Italian restaurant, Pizza Al Fresco .  Look carefully in the courtyard and you’ll also spot the grave of Mizner’s pet monkey Johnnie Brown .

While on Worth Avenue, be sure to admire the Living Wall at the corner of Worth Avenue and South County Road. The verdant vertical garden, added a few years ago, cost a quarter-million dollars and contains 10,000 plants.

Also nearby: Pan’s Garden. This Palm Beach Island garden is an insider’s secret. It’s the only botanic garden in Florida devoted only to native plants and it is full of delights. It’s free and makes an excellent addition to a day in Palm Beach. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on Pan’s Garden .

Historic tours of Worth Avenue

These are only offered in the winter, so if you’re in Palm Beach December to April, you can take a 75-minute walking tour of Worth Avenue with Rick Rose at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Tickets are $25 per person. Details.

4. Find a moment of peace at historic Palm Beach island church

Stop by the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea , 141 S. County Road, and peak inside the Gothic Revival church. The parish hall has a Tiffany window and behind the buildings are beautiful gardens with a koi pond. Bethesda-by-the-Sea, which some call the most beautiful church in America, was the site of the wedding of President Donald Trump and Melania. (Bill and Hillary attended. And boy does everybody look young. )

5. Lunch at Green’s Pharmacy

If you’re interested in the Kennedy clan, which famously had a winter home at the beach here, you’ll want to have breakfast or lunch at Green’s Pharmacy and Luncheonette , 151 N. County Road, Palm Beach.

It’s an old-fashioned drug store with a soda fountain and lunch counter that hasn’t changed much over the decades. As a youth, JFK and his brothers would stop here and there are many stories of him sneaking away when president for a bite at Green’s.

The soda fountain is famous for its chocolate milk shakes, but all the food gets good reviews and it’s probably the most affordable lunch option in the area. (The Kennedy compound, altered in the ensuing years, is at 1095 N. Ocean Blvd ., and sold for $70 million in 2020.)

6. Visit the Kennedy’s church

Across the street from Green’s is Edward Catholic Church , 144 N. County Road. The 1926 Spanish Renaissance church is ornately beautiful with an intricate hand-painted ceiling worth admiring. But a big reason visitors stop is because this is where the Kennedy family worshipped.

When I visited on a Sunday between masses, a gentleman asked if it was my first visit. Hearing it was, he said “Follow me” and directed me to sit in a specific pew. I had not expected this and found it quite moving: In front of me was a small brass plaque that read: “President John F. Kennedy knelt here at Mass.” If you want to sit in that pew, it’s easier to find with a guide, but start looking about three-quarters of the way back on the left side of the right aisle.

7. Boat over to an island with a president’s bomb shelter

If you’re interested in JFK, you’ll want to visit Peanut Island , where a secret Cold War-era bomb shelter was built for President Kennedy to use if the end of world threatened while he was in Palm Beach. While Kennedy would have reached the bunker via boat from his Palm Beach estate, you’ll have to leave the island and get a water taxi either at Riviera Beach or Palm Beach Shores. You can easily spend a day on Peanut Island, which has excellent snorkeling and a picturesque walkway and picnic area, but the bunker is no longer available for tours . Details in this Florida Rambler story.

8. Snorkeling and swimming on Palm Beach island

The beaches of Palm Beach are as pretty and well-kept as the rest of the island. There is metered parking nearby. Bring your snorkeling mask because the small rocky breakwaters behind the Breakers Hotel attract schools of fish. (There are public access points to the beaches on either side of the Breakers.)

Another town park, Phipps Ocean Park , 2201 South Ocean Blvd., is a gem because there are outcroppings of limestone in the beach and near the shore, which attract fish and result in good snorkeling. There are restrooms, picnic tables and grills. Because parking is $5 an hour, it’s easy to get a space.

Nearby is the s norkeling trail along a manmade reef at Phil Foster Park.

9. Golf at an oceanside course

Just south of Phipps Ocean Park is one of the most scenic public golf courses in Florida – the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course at 2345 S. Ocean Blvd. (Golf Digest included it in its top-50 “most fun” courses in America.) The 18-hole course occupies some of the most valuable land in Florida – it extends from a fabulous ocean beach on one side to the Intracoastal. Nearly every hole on the breezy course has a view . Its summer rates are a bargain.  

Even if you don’t golf, the two-story clubhouse at the course is a great destination. Pizza Al Fresco operates an Italian restaurant there with ocean views and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  If you want an outdoor table overlooking the ocean — the view and the breeze are divine — be sure to call ahead. (561-273-4130.)

10. Kayaking or sailing on Palm Beach island

One way to stay cool is to get out on the water. West Palm Beach, just across the wide Intracoastal Waterway/Lake Worth, is a good place to book an activity by boat. The Seaside Activity Station is on the waterfront at North Clematis Street and Flagler Drive 561-881-9757. There you can book a catamaran and snorkel trip, rent jet skis or kayaks or book a kayak tour to Peanut Island. Details .

Drive by Mar-A-Lago

Of course, former President Trump’s private club Mar-A-Lago is not open to the public, but you can drive by: 1100 S Ocean Blvd. It’s not in the walkable part of the island near Worth Avenue; it’s located along the oceanfront in what long ago was nicknamed Billionaire’s Row.

Here it is on Google street view:

Where to stay in Palm Beach island

No surprise: There are no budget lodgings on Palm Beach Island. However, every year, Palm Beach luxury hotels traditionally offer deals in the summer . Check the Palm Beach County tourism site .

Some of the posh hotels offering summer deals are the Brazilian Court , 301 Australian Ave. and  the centrally located Chesterfield, 363 Cocoanut Row, a smaller historic boutique hotel. Two hotels south of the town center but on the beach are the the Four Seasons Resort , 2800 South Ocean Blvd. and the  Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, 100 South Ocean Blvd., Manalapan.

All articles on FloridaRambler.com are original, produced exclusively for our readers and protected by U.S. Copyright law. Any use or re-publication without written permission is against the law.

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The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida.

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THE 10 BEST West Palm Beach Tours & Excursions

West palm beach tours.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Walking Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
• Shopping Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Historical Sightseeing Catamaran Cruise in Palm Beach

2. Scenic Sunset Cruise in West Palm Beach

3. Flamingle Happy Hour Cruise

4. Palm Beach Sightseeing Tour

5. Downtown West Palm Beach Food Tour

6. Bulk Candy Store Tour

7. 3hr Sightseeing Tour and Peanut Island Sandbar Tour

8. Parasailing Palm Beach

9. Airboat Rides in West Palm Beach Captain Wayne

10. New! Private Half -Day Yacht Charter with Crew from Palm Beach

11. West Palm Beach High speed Train Tour with Boat Tour in Miami

12. New! Private Half -Day Yacht Charter with Crew from Jupiter

13. Food Tour of Historic West Palm Beach Neighborhoods

14. 3 Hour Cruise & Swimming Excursion off Peanut Island Park

15. Lake Okeechobee Fishing Trips Near Fort Pierce Florida

16. Mornings in the Market Food Tour

17. Prohibition Dinner & Drinks Tour

18. Scavenger Hunt Adventure in West Palm Beach by Zombie Scavengers

19. West Palm Beach Blitz Scavenger Hunt

20. Party Bike Tour on Clematis Street, Downtown West Palm Beach

21. Sound Bath Meditation and Yoga Experience: Retail Therapy Gift for Women

22. Sunset Cruise/Narrated Tour - Private 2 hour

23. Peanut Island Boat & Snorkel Tour

24. Full-Day Private Experience Wellness Program in Palm Beach

25. Sunset Cruise/Narrated Tour - Private 4 hour

26. All Day Lake Okeechobee Fishing Trip near Fort Pierce

27. Ride/To Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

28. Palm Beach Inshore Fishing Charters

29. Palm Beach Airport (PBI) to Palm Beach City - Round-Trip Private Transfer

30. Scavenger Hunt Adventure in West Palm Beach by Wacky Walks

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Subscriber only, take a tour through this west palm beach designer show house with its ‘white lotus’ hallway | photos.

Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel

The family room, designed by Scott Sanders, LLC, is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

The living room, designed by Lindroth Design, is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

The Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood, is shown on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

Designer Stephen Mooney of Palm Beach transformed this upstairs bedroom into a den, which he calls "Birdy's Studio," named after a client.

The primary bedroom, designed by Katie Ridder, Inc., is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

An upstairs bedroom, designed by Mabley Handler Interior Design, is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

When you walk upstairs, you encounter this funky sitting room designed by Delia Kenza Interiors at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House.

The open balcony, with a view of the Intercoastal Waterway, designed by Honey Collins Interiors, is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

An upstairs bathroom, designed by Stephen Mooney Interiors, is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

The morning bar, designed by Katherine Shenaman Interiors, is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

An upstairs bathroom, designed by Megan Grehl, is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

The backyard area at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in West Palm Beach was designed by Billy Ceglia Designs.

An upstairs bedroom, designed by Megan Grehl, is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

Here's the kitchen, designed by Christopher Peacock, at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524-square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood.

An upstairs bathroom, designed by Mabley Handler Interior Design, is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

The backyard area, designed by Billy Ceglia Designs, LLC, is shown at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a 7,524 square-foot waterfront villa in West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores neighborhood on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022.

Deep maroons. Slate blues. Stark whites, aquas, apricots and purples.

If you love to fantasize about redecorating your home, the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach will treat your eyes to artful uses of color and shade, not to mention textures, fabrics and furniture, from some of the best designers in the country. And some are in the room with you, eager to answer questions.

Enter the “White Lotus” hallway and transport yourself to Sicily, the locale for the second season of the popular HBO series, with its white limestone walls, blue crinkle-cut entry rug, paintings of Italia and stunning Venetian glass chandelier.

You need a big budget for a hallway like this: Designer Philip Thomas Vanderford of Dallas said the decor would have cost “six figures” if all the materials hadn’t been donated.

There are 20 more rooms in the West Palm Beach mansion that are similarly over the top in furnishings, wall coverings, lighting and accoutrements. The designer of each room was given the freedom to accessorize, garnish and bejewel. All offered their services at no cost, and suppliers donated wallpaper, furniture, paint, appliances and labor.

The public can tour the designers’ work through March 19. All proceeds from the $40 entry fee go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in New York. The New York club started raising money through show houses in Manhattan in 1973 and expanded to Palm Beach six years ago, decorating a new house each year.

Some items found inside the 7,524-square-foot waterfront villa in the Northwood Shores neighborhood are stunning to look at but not especially practical. An upstairs sitting room is taken up by two giant perpendicular pipes covered in light blue fabric. Another upstairs entry room has a “morning bar” for coffee and breakfast items, with a whole drawer dedicated to teas. A coffee maker in the kitchen is permanently built into a cabinet (who has space for these things?).

Other rooms allow us to imagine the life of the rich. Palm Beach designer Stephen Mooney transformed an upstairs bedroom into “Birdy’s Studio,” named after a client, who he said “likes layers and textures and is well-traveled and moneyed.”

The suite is decorated with palm tree-filled wallpaper on a coral sunset background. There are also plush, cushioned chairs and a cozy white couch with lots of pillows of different gold, green, orange and brown patterns.

Although it’s a lot of work in a condensed period of time (less than four months), designers rarely say no to a Kips Bay invitation, which allows them to brainstorm with other designers, beef up their resumes and contribute to charity.

“Kips Bay is the ultimate accolade for a designer,” said Christopher Peacock of Norwalk, Conn., who renovated the kitchen. “It has the ability to change your career.”

WHAT: Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach

WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, through March 19

WHERE: 3240 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach

INFORMATION: To buy a ticket, go to kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org.

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Tour a Famous Socialite’s Former Palm Beach Estate That’s Truly Palatial

By Nicole Anderson

Photography by James McDonald

Styled by Carlos Mota and Mieke ten Have

The sun-kissed barrier island of Palm Beach, known for its glitz and glamour, is dotted with some of the East Coast’s most stately homes. Few, however, capture the imagination quite like one grand Mediterranean Revival–style estate, commissioned in the early 1920s by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Rarely do such storied landmarks come to market. For one preservationist-minded client, it was a project that, without a doubt, was worth pursuing. “She couldn’t stop dreaming about it,” says designer Mary McGee , who is based in Boston and Palm Beach. “My client has an incredible eye for historic properties and has a real passion for saving and restoring them.”

The sprawling estate—replete with lush gardens, fountains, and a three-story Spanish bell tower—was designed by famed Palm Beach society architect  Marion Sims Wyeth , whose work includes such opulent manses as Post’s second home, Mar-a-Lago, and utilities magnate Clarence H. Geist’s Spanish villa, Claridad. Post, ever the socialite, conceived the house for entertaining, with floor-to-ceiling French doors in every room and spilling out into the courtyards and gardens. Together with her second husband Edward F. Hutton, Post became famous for hosting lavish parties with Hollywood starlets often in attendance. “The back of the house is shaped like a U, which Marion Sims Wyeth [supposedly] did on purpose because Marjorie Merriweather Post entertained so much that she wanted to be able to open up all her doors on the first floor to this really big, beautiful outdoor terrace so people could flow from the inside out,” McGee explains.

By the time the clients purchased the home, however, it needed an update to better suit their needs. The project called for a two-fold approach that focused on restoring the home’s architectural features while adding modern-day comforts. The challenge, McGee says, was striking the right balance, making sure that the changes were at once “respectful of [the house’s] history” and “kid-friendly.”

The first phase, which is now complete, began with an extensive renovation, returning the home to its former glory through both small and large interventions. ( Architect Jacqueline Albarran and Sloane Construction worked on the residence as well.) The original hardwood floors in the dining room were restored, as was the tiled flooring in the kitchen. The paneling in the Trellis Room, which Post had commissioned, has since been preserved and repainted. The most substantial change was made to the house’s original kitchen. The client wanted an informal place where her four kids could relax and watch TV, and so she decided to transform the kitchen—which was quite large, in part due to Post’s penchant for entertaining—into a bright, citrus-hued family room with a breakfast table at one end. “Normally in homes, there are these big kitchens with sitting rooms, but none of us thought that was important in Palm Beach because you [so often] go out to dinner or [are] always on the go,” McGee says.

Equally important to the renovation were the design flourishes that the designer delicately deployed to complement the estate’s historic grandeur. When the clients, for example, wanted to preserve the original murals in the dining room, McGee created a cream backdrop to make them “the star” features. For the home’s interior, McGee landed on a more neutral color palette that would elevate rather than compete with the property’s verdant grounds. “We used lots of creams and whites, so that the beauty of the nature surrounding the home was not really distracted by, let’s say, too much pattern, too many colors,” McGee says. “But I strewed these kinds of fabrics that might have blooms on them, like a little floral pattern, just to mix in a little bit of classicism with modern touches of art.”

The project’s initial construction took place during the pandemic, which presented some challenges but also some unexpected opportunities. Regardless of supply chain issues, a renovation of this scale, explains McGee, takes time and special attention. For the designer, the process is meant to be more organic, more layered, in which you “find things that you really love and then bring them into the mix.” And the clients, who have now happily settled into their winter vacation home, couldn’t agree more. “We have a great time working together,” McGee says.

Heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her husband Edward F. Hutton commissioned popular Palm Beach architect Marion Sims Wyeth in 1921 to design their palatial abode. The newly restored three-story bell tower welcomes visitors to the property.

“I love the formality of the paneling and that old fireplace, which is original,” says McGee, who also recognized the need for a healthy mix of styles. “Every room has something that’s kind of pretty, so it’s not a 100% classic.” She struck this balance by adding whimsical touches, such as “a peacock for playfulness” and a pair of ottomans in  Clarence House silk leopard velvet.

The client was keen on preserving the dining room’s original murals commissioned by Merriweather Post. To “counterbalance” the mural’s dark tones, McGee says she kept the room “light and airy” with a  Patterson Flynn rug and a custom dining table and chairs all in a white color palette.  Vladimir Kanevsky’s porcelain bouquets are a nod to Post’s own “true love of flowers,” McGee says.

The kitchen—formerly the breakfast room—has the original tiles from the Merriweather Post estate. McGee updated the space with new marble counters, an Italian Statuario Backsplash, and custom hardware by  P.E. Guerin .

By Katie Schultz

By Lindsey Mather

By Kathryn O'Shea-Evans

The home’s original kitchen was turned into a family room with a light-filled breakfast nook. The  Quadrille Fabrics curtains play off the leafy flora peeking through the windows.

“Sunshine is sprinkled throughout in shades of citron and chartreuse in the family room,” says McGee, who furnished the space with a custom  Manuel Canovas green velvet sofa and drapes in  Quadrille Fabrics .

The trellis room—featuring 10 or so floor-to-ceiling doors that open to the outside— is the perfect example of “living inside out,” says McGee, who notes its prime views of the gardens. Anchoring the room is a round table with a tangerine-hued, skirted  Fortuny fabric. An antique chandelier accentuates the room’s architectural grandeur.

“Throughout the home, beautiful blooms are scattered subtly, from floral appliqués on pillows to porcelain flowers by Vladimir Kanevsky, contrasted by touches of modern art,” says McGee, who even extended that approach to the home’s dramatic stairwell.

The tropical Floridian landscape feels ever present in the guest room, which features a shell mirror above the fireplace mantel, hand-painted  Gracie panels, and an antique rattan fan chair. The tufted sofa in a light pink fabric from  Rogers & Goffigon along with  Fortuny bed pillows provide bright pops of color.

In this guest room, rattan takes center stage with a wicker bed from  FS Henemader Antiques , two vintage chairs from  Andre Hayat , and a fanciful side table in the shape of a creature.

“My client wanted [the house] to be pretty…but she also wanted it to be a happy project for her kids,” McGee says. The airy, cheerful bathroom, painted in  Benjamin Moore’s Peach ​​Nectar , accomplishes just that with its large soaking tub and  D. Porthault towels.

Tucked away in the garden is a table flanked by two chairs from  Creel and Gow where family members can sit and enjoy the verdant landscape.

McGee maximized the outdoors by creating a number of comfortable, shaded areas on the estate’s grounds. On the patio, a  Mario Lopez Torres chandelier hangs above a few pieces of outdoor furniture upholstered in  Perennials Fabric , which call to mind the native plants and greenery.

A new pool by landscape architects Keith Williams and Nievera Williams abuts a courtyard where Merriweather Post hosted her many parties. Wyeth supposedly designed the back of the house to be U-shaped so that every single room on the first floor, from the kitchen to the trellis room, had floor-to-ceiling French doors that allowed for seamless movement from the inside to the grounds.

The pool cabana—the only new structure built on the property—offers a shaded reprieve where the clients and their children can relax day or night, lounging on one of the Italian wicker chairs or taking in the poolside view from the vintage sofa.

By Rachel Fletcher

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By Stefanie Waldek

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The Best Palm Beach Tours in Florida

It’s easy to get stuck in your day-to-day routine when you live and work in a place like Palm Beach County. Every once in a while, it’s nice to get out and act like a tourist and really see the beautiful scenery while experiencing the cities and towns in Palm Beach County.

I head to the island each week to host the news for the Palm Beach Civic Association, but again, I’m working. So, I wanted to hang out and have some fun around the island.

The Best Palm Beach Tours

Not too long ago my husband and I took some time on a Friday to join Leslie with Island Living Tours in Palm Beach. Private tours are the best because it’s just you and tour guides. It’s the best way to see the amazing palm beach island views.

Why a Palm Beach Tour?

The island has one zip code, 33480. According to the United States Postal Service, it’s the richest zip code in the country. The average net worth of the people on the island is $23 million. One resident pays more than $3 million in property taxes alone!

The town of Palm Beach is only three blocks wide and 13 miles long with one section known as “Billionaires Row.” Town residents include entertainers Rod Stewart and Howard Stern, conservative radio talk show host, Rush Limbaugh, and self-appointed master of the universe, Donald Trump. Let’s not forget my favorite author, James Patterson, and the richest woman on the island, the granddaughter of Estee Lauder.

During the summer, the population in Palm Beach shrinks to less than 9,000 from its “in-season” high of 40,000.

There is so much to see and do here – from walking or biking the Palm Beach Lake Trail , eating in picnic areas, stopping by local gift shops, and seeing it all from the intercoastal on many of the West Palm Beach boat tours. I suggest hopping aboard the Hakuna Matata.

Palm Beach Island Living Tours

Throughout the year, Leslie is at work as the owner and operator of Island Living Tours, providing architectural and historical tours of Palm Beach.

We saw the world-class architecture that Palm Beach is known for and was introduced to both the history and the people that make Palm Beach one of the most desirable places in the world to live and play.

The Best of Palm Beach Tour is about 90 minutes and starts at the Henry Flagler Museum, heads south to see the biggest, most glamorous homes in Palm Beach, and includes a historic walk near Worth Avenue, also known as the Rodeo Drive of the East Coast.

Leslie also offers other tours that include biking! I suggest doing this in the winter months when the weather conditions are ideal in the Palm Beach area.

Flagler Museum in Palm Beach

Let me tell you, Leslie makes this tour fun. I won’t give it away, but the story she told about Mr. Henry Flagler and his THREE wives, then the future husband of wife number three, then murder… well, it’s enough to make an amazing Lifetime movie.

Flagler Museum

Palm Beach Mansion Tour

These homes are just… insane. Then, you have the landscaping around the homes that are just as spectacular.

Leslie knows a lot about who lives where, how they came to earn their money to live there, what their routines are on the island, and much more. We drove by Mar-A-Lago, where President Trump spends many of his weekends. Donald Trump bought “the second White House” at an auction for just $5 million in 1985.

She also had to point out James Patterson’s home because I’m such a fan.

I actually ran into him once in Palm Beach minutes after I bought one of his children’s books for my kids at Classic’s, a local bookshop on the island. (I might have chased him into the street to chat with him.) His wife was so sweet to write a little message to my kids in the book and take our picture.

James Patterson outside Classic Bookshop

Worth Avenue in Palm Beach

Worth Avenue is a place I’ve been to a few times before. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s fun to walk around and check out the unique architecture, eat at the restaurants, and talk to the cigar man. Yes, there is always a man smoking a cigar getting and chatting with people on Worth Avenue.

Worth Avenue

Fun Fact: All guests are treated to a bag of Palm Beach Chocolates created by Leslie with fun, Palm Beach themed packaging.

Schedule a Palm Beach Island Living Tour

All tours are private and by appointment only. For tour requests, visit [email protected] or call 561-309-5790. For any tour, I suggest working with tour guides so you get the full experience full of education of the history of the island.

Some other things you can do in Palm Beach County while you tour the area include airboat tours in Everglades National Park, travel down to Fort Lauderdale and hop on the water taxi, visit the Breakers hotel , take a boat to Peanut Island , try out some of the famous golf courses in South Florida, jump on a Diva Duck Amphibious Tour , go through Lion Country Safari , and visit the Port of Palm Beach Singer Island.

Some other great areas in Palm Beach County nearby to check out are downtown Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, North Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach, and Grandview Public Market near downtown.

For more on what to do in the Palm Beaches, click here.

I’m required to disclose a relationship between my blog and Island Living Tours. This could include me being provided with content, product, access, service, or other forms of payment.

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Conservative Pundit Lou Dobbs Lists His Sprawling South Florida Mansion for $3.1M

Longtime news commentator and TV host Lou Dobbs recently put his West Palm Beach, FL , dwelling on the market for $3.1 million.

The four-bedroom, 4.5-bath estate sits on about two-thirds of an acre and comprises more than 5,100 square feet. It was last traded in 2005 for $2 million.

(Realtor.com)

Baronial in size and scale, the home has large rooms with big windows, plus arched cutouts and columns in the entryway, living space, billiards room, and home bar.

The kitchen is traditionally designed with wood-tone cabinets, an island, and a breakfast bar with several seats.

A sizable media room has space for an enormous couch, and it overlooks the screened patio and lush yard.

The primary bedroom comes with an area for two lounge chairs, plus an alcove for an exercise bike. Meanwhile, the adjacent bath has a vanity area and a large, sunken tub with jets.

Outside, a kitchen for grilling awaits, along with a pool and lots of seating on the screened deck.

Dobbs was one of the early hires made by Ted Turner at the founding of CNN. The business reporter, who won a Peabody Award for his coverage of the 1987 stock market crash, later moved to Fox. He hosted the right-wing program “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on the Fox Business Network. The show was canceled in 2021.

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New Banyan Cay golf owner rebrands course to become the luxury Dutchman's Pipe club

The once-troubled Banyan Cay Resort & Golf in West Palm Beach is being recast into an exclusive golf club for wealthy Palm Beach and West Palm Beach residents who want to hit the greens near their pricey coastal homes —and are willing to pay big money to do it.

Banyan Cay golf is now known as Dutchman's Pipe Golf Club. The name is derived from a flowering vine that is favored by swallowtail butterflies.

"If you live in Palm Beach island or West Palm Beach, minutes from your home you have a brand-new golf experience," said Alex Witkoff, co-chief executive of the Witkoff Group of New York, one of the property's new owners.

The golf course is just east of Interstate 95, off Congress Avenue and north of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, near the Tanger Outlets shopping mall.

Witkoff touts Dutchman's Pipe as the only new golf course east of I-95 in West Palm Beach in 25 years, a location just minutes from well-heeled residents in Palm Beach or West Palm Beach.

Convenience and luxury have their price. Initiation fees for Dutchman's Pipe will range from $300,000 to $350,000, Witkoff said.

To attract these upscale club members, Dutchman's Pipe's existing Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, built only seven years ago, is being redone to make it more attractive and better to play.

There are also plans to transform Dutchman's Pipe into a "holistic retreat" in the heart of the city, with a globally-recognized chef helming three restaurants. Fitness and wellness amenities will be built at the club and resort, which also will be completed by the site's new owners.

As for former members of the Banyan Cay club, they are out of luck. Their memberships and fees were wiped away in the bankruptcy filing.

Former club member Rick Cerone said some members have joined Eastpointe Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens or play at The Park, West Palm Beach's new public course.

Palm Beach West, the new playground for the rich

Witkoff's plans for the former Banyan Cay reflect the continued transformation of West Palm Beach into an extension of Palm Beach, a trend that first earned the city the nickname "Palm Beach West" during the COVID pandemic.

Since the Banyan Cay resort hotel and club first was announced in 2015 , the demand for upscale hotels has dramatically increased, especially with the wealth migration to Palm Beach County during the pandemic.

But plans by Witkoff and its partners elevate the hotel and adjoining golf course to a different, rarified level of luxury, akin to the exclusive Breakers Palm Beach resort and club, where club initiation fees reportedly also cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Palm Beach West: How West Palm is becoming an extension of the island

Dutchman's Pipe's owners are experienced operators of luxury hotels, residences and clubs.

Dutchman's Pipe is owned by Witkoff Group, Access Industries of New York and London; and PPG Development of Hallandale Beach.

Witkoff and PPG are behind South Florida's newest luxury golf club, the Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach, formerly the Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa. Access Industries is a global investment firm led by Len Blavatnik, who has previously invested in major projects in Miami Beach.

Witkoff said West Palm Beach is entering a new level of affluence.

During the past three years, parts of the downtown have become crowded with upscale restaurants, many of them from New York; luxurious new condominiums built or planned; and steel-and-glass office towers stuffed with perks typically seen in boutique hotels.

These developments, in turn, have attracted hospitality operators to West Palm Beach who have opened or plan to open private membership social clubs typically built in major cities such as New York, London and Miami. One new club already is open in West Palm Beach, and two more clubs are planned for downtown.

In addition, old West Palm Beach neighborhoods wedged between Flagler Drive and Dixie Highway are sought after by homebuyers who want an in-town location. The demand has supercharged home sales to seven and even eight-figure sales.

Witkoff also pointed to the surge of super-wealthy residents who have snapped up homes in Palm Beach.

The trend continues. During the first quarter of 2024, the median sales price of a single-family home in Palm Beach was $12.5 million, up 54 percentage points from the same period last year, according to Corcoran, a real estate brokerage.

The allure of the private club: Why exclusive cliques are coming to West Palm Beach

Plans for Dutchman's Pipe and the unfinished resort

Witkoff said the new ownership group will complete the 150-room resort hotel, which will open in the fall.

The hotel remains only partly built, even though by now it was supposed to be a lushly landscaped Destination by Hyatt property, featuring a fitness center, pool, cabanas, tennis center, tiki hut and spa, plus meeting space.

The unfinished hotel has been a years-long eyesore for residents in the nearby Lands of the President community, many of whom own condominium units that overlook the hotel or the golf course.

The 250-acreBanyan Cay property used to be the site of the President Country Club, which fell into financial trouble and was sold to an investor group for $11 million in 2011. That investor group then flipped the property to Banyan CayDev LLC, led by Domenic Gatto Jr., for $26 million in 2015.

Gatto opened the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course in 2017, but work on the resort hotel stopped, started and then stopped again.

A pause or a problem? Work stops at $100M Banyan Cay resort

In 2022, lender Calmwater Capital sued to foreclose on the property and sought repayment of $85 million in loans. The parent company behind the construction of  Banyan Cay Resort & Club then filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, where it tried to sell the property to another owner. The deal fell apart at the last minute, however, and the lender took control .

Witkoff and partners acquired the property in January for an undisclosed amount, scoring a $75 million loan from Calmwater Capital.

A better, more lushly landscaped golf course

With financial troubles dogging the property in the past couple of years, the once-pristine golf course was neglected.

Witkoff closed the course on Jan. 15 and started a redo. Now the greens are being refurbished in anticipation of a reopening in the fall.

In addition to fresh grass for the golf course, the new owners also are adding a new practice facility, new berms and a new bunker. Astroturf also is being added to buffer edges to maintain a strong course shape. And some holes are being reshaped to increase "quality of play," Witkoff said.

Even the driving range is being redone so that golfers will be able to hit a ball more than 300 yards.

More: Why the COVID lockdown was the greatest thing for Palm Beach County-owned golf courses

Golf memberships are being offered by invitation only at first. Social memberships will be made available in the future, Witkoff said.

There will be plenty of perks for club members.

Not only will the resort feature tennis courts but it also will have courts for pickleball and padel, a mix between tennis and squash.

Three dining venues — including a members-only grill and poolside al fresco dining led by Chef Julian Jouhannaud, formerly of Anabel’s London and Le Bilboquet — will offer "world-class" fare. Meanwhile, health and wellness amenities will include personal training, a day spa, and event space.

Alexandra Clough is a business writer and columnist at  The Palm Beach Post . You can reach her at  [email protected] . Twitter:  @acloughpbp .  Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

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Bicycle along the waterfront of Palm Beach Island

Join us on a journey into the then and now of the iconic Palm Beach Island with a guided 2-hour bicycle tour along the intracoastal waterway which is lined with the mega mansions of the rich and famous.

Enjoy the defining architecture and shaded areas of the flora and fauna that make Palm Beach island so charming. Your ride, which will begin and end at the Royal Poinciana Plaza in Palm Beach, will be filled with stories from a friendly local insider.

Begin at the Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop where you’ll be fitted for your bikes and have a quick safety briefing. Then head South on the Lake trail to the Society of the Four Arts Garden spending a few mins taking in the beauty and discussing the history of West Palm Beach before heading North on the Lake Trail. Your local guide will give a history of the Seagull cottage, Kapok Tree, Henry Flagler and the Flagler Museum. We continue biking along Lake Trail to view the famous Breakers Hotel and the site of the Royal Poinciana hotel, as well as the Biltmore and breathtaking Bethesda by the Sea church. Your guide will discuss the history of the Lake Worth Lagoon, early settlers, and some current residents. Moving on to the Palm Beach Country Club, you will hear about and see the Rybovich Marina, mega yachts, Peanut Island, Singer Island, and Manatee Lagoon before riding through the Coral Cut “Witches Wall”, to the east side of island passing a few of the island’s largest estates and Banyan trees before heading back to the Lake trail!

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Palm Beach firms, residential designs win big at annual Mizner Awards ceremony

Firms and projects with Palm Beach connections won the majority of the architecture, landscape and design honors during this month’s 2023 Addison Mizner Awards dinner in the Coral Ballroom of The Colony Hotel. 

The 12th annual juried competition was sponsored by the Florida Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. 

Fairfax, Sammons & Partners and its affiliated office in New York City took three awards for projects designed by principal architect Richard Sammons, who is vice chairman of the Palm Beach Architectural Commission. Sammons runs his architectural firm with his wife, architect Anne Fairfax, a member of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The firm earned two of its awards for the design of new homes. An “Anglo Caribbean”-style house on Clarke Avenue in Midtown Palm Beach was honored in the category for homes measuring between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet. And a house designed by Sammons on the east end of Southampton in New York was named the best new residential project under 5,000 square feet. 

Sammons’ firm also took the prize for best project in the renovations-and-additions category for a house on Onondaga Avenue on the North End of Palm Beach. That project added a second-floor addition and a fifth bedroom to a 1950s-era house while also overhauling its architectural style. 

Awards were presented by Mitchell Owens, editor of The World of Interiors. Owens served on the judges’ jury with Palm Beach resident and interior designer Victoria Hagan of Victoria Hagen Interiors; and New York City-based architect Mark Ferguson , principal of Ferguson Shamamian Architects. 

“We’re here to honor so many beautiful houses and interiors,” Owens said during his opening remarks at the April 20 ceremony, adding that the judges had reviewed “a formidable array of entries.” 

The goal, Owens added, was to honor projects that “exemplify the classical spirit in all its timelessness as well as its opportunities for experimentation and surprise.” 

Eligible projects had to have been built within the last 10 years. The competition is open to members of the Florida chapter, regardless of where the project is located. Other members can submit projects for consideration if they were built in Florida or the Caribbean.

The design of a new Mediterranean-style house on South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach won architect Phillip James Dodd of Bespoke Residential Design LLC in Greenwich, Connecticut, the award for best new home over 10,000 square feet. In 2022, Dodd won the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach’s Schuler Award in recognition of same house, which has a stepped-back design for its long-but-narrow lot near former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club. 

FGS Design LLC of Palm Beach earned the award for excellence in historic preservation for its work on a project to restore Harbour Island Cottage, an 18th-century private residence reputed to be the oldest house on Harbour Island in the Bahamas. The firm also has offices in New York and Newport, Rhode Island. In accepting the award, FGS principal Francisco “Kiko” G. Sanchez recounted how the Bahamian cottage had collapsed during the construction work and had to be meticulously rebuilt. 

“The town was mad at us. It was a disaster,” Sanchez said, before adding that the owners have since forgiven him and his design team: “We still have a key, and the staff of FGS is allowed to stay there” on visits to the island.

FGS Design also won the award for best architectural “folly” for another project in the Bahamas — a small structure with a Moroccan-style arch by a swimming pool at an estate in New Providence. 

The garden surrounding FGS’s folly was designed by Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design of Palm Beach and Miami. The latter firm was honored with a separate award for best landscape architecture at an estate known as “Shangri-La” in Coral Gables. Wong, who also has offices in New Orleans, the Hamptons and London, is an alternate member of the Palm Beach Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The craftsmanship award went to Remains Lighting Company of New York's Brooklyn borough, for its handcrafted reproduction of two meal lanterns, originally manufactured around 1929 for a Palm Beach project.

At the end of the ceremony, West Palm Beach architect Kristin Kellogg of Smith Kellogg Architecture was recognized for her two years of service as president of the Florida Chapter. 

Architect Chris Baker of Moor, Baker & Associates Architects in Vero Beach described Kellogg’s “efficient, clear and kind approach” to the job and her success in attracting new members through “meaningful education programming and social events.” 

Other award winners included Moor, Baker & Associates Architects for best cottage; interior designer Frank Ponterio of Naples and Chicago for excellence in residential interior design; and Daniel J. Kiser, a student at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, honored as an “emerging classicist.”

The honorees also included Orlando’s planning division, which won the “patronage” award for commissioning, developing and maintaining the city’s Baldwin Park; Bruce Stephenson, a professor at Rollins College in Winter Park, honored for “pedagogy” in recognition of his dedication to teaching; and Steve Mouzon for exemplary architectural “research and documentation.” 

With 310 members, the state chapter is one of 16 affiliated with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, which was co-founded in 1991 in New York City by Sammons, Fairfax, Richard Cameron and Donald Ratner. 

The Florida Chapter’s stated mission is to promote and advance “the classical tradition in contemporary architecture, planning and their allied arts and building crafts throughout the state.” Its members conduct business in Florida and the Caribbean.

More details about the awards and photos of the winning projects are available at FLClassicist.org/awards .

Click on the photo gallery at the top of this page to see more photos of Palm Beach projects and projects designed by Palm Beach firms that were honored in the 12th annual Addison Mizner Awards.

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Darrell Hofheinz is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist who writes about Palm Beach real estate in his weekly “Beyond the Hedges” column. He welcomes tips about real estate news on the island. Email [email protected], call 561-820-3831 or tweet @PBDN_Hofheinz. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

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Lounge at the resort-style pool, treat your inner child with lawn games, ride a bike to Palm Beach, or break a sweat with a group fitness class.  There’s no shortage of things to do at Hilton West Palm Beach.

Step into our tropical oasis with a zero entry pool surrounded by lush palm trees.

Enjoy fun floats, lounge chair service, fruity cocktails, island music, and sunshine.

Create your own private retreat in a poolside cabana equipped with a flat screen TV and refrigerator. Book online or visit La Playa.

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Poolside Vibes

Turn up the volume and bring on the good vibes. Enjoy poolside refreshments, bites and live entertainment all weekend long. Fridays from 4-6PM Sunset Sessions featuring acoustic guitar music, Saturdays from 12-4PM Poolside Sessions with live DJ and Sundays from 1-5pm Lazy Sundays with live DJ.

Show off your skills with some friendly competition on the lawn. Try ping pong, Connect 4, chess, cornhole, and more. Visit La Playa for equipment rentals.

Fitness Classes

Join one of our weekly outdoor fitness classes. Complimentary for hotel guests, $10 for locals.

Bicycle Rentals

Explore West Palm Beach on two wheels. Your urban fee includes a daily 2-hour rental. See the front desk for your code and additional details.

Moke Rentals

Mokes are available for rent by the hour, day or week. These electric vehicles seat up to 4, must be 21 years old to drive with a valid US driver's license. Book your ride ahead of your stay or visit the front desk for more information.

Downtown West Palm Beach’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination is across the street from the hotel.

Spend a day exploring the neighborhood by foot, bike, or moke.

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What might be built on vacant land priced at $150 million in Palm Beach? Here's one idea

A new "concept" rendering offers an idea of what sort of mansion could be built on vacant ocean-to-lake land at 1980 s. ocean blvd. along sloan's curve..

Here’s a question for you, should you have millions of dollars to spend on real estate: What might you build on an ocean-to-lake vacant lot priced at a staggering $150 million on Palm Beach’s so-called Billionaire’s Row?

The question might be harder to answer than it looks. The property — measuring about 2 acres at 1980 S. Ocean Blvd. — is largely obscured from the view of drivers by tall trees as they negotiate Sloan’s Curve, which borders the lot on its south side. The property also hasn’t changed hands in more than 50 years. 

So no one would blame you if you need a little help imagining what sort of house would fit on the property, which comprises two separate lots. The eastern parcel faces 155 feet of  beachfront across South Ocean Boulevard, while the irregularly shaped lakeside lot has about 270 feet of waterfront. 

All of which helps explain why Corcoran Group agent Shelly Newman recently began marketing the property with a concept rendering for an Italian-style house with about 20,000 square feet of living space, inside and out. The property has been listed — at the same price — for two years.

Plans for the project have not been submitted to the town for approval but the design is said to meet all zoning- and building-code requirements. If a buyer chose to pursue the design — or tweak it to their own preferences — “it could save substantial time” during Town Hall’s often-lengthy approval process for sizable estates, Newman told the Palm Beach Daily News.

As designed, the oceanfront, seven-bedroom main house would have an expansive lakeside family wing with a square tower feature. There would also be room for three staff bedrooms, plus a separate two-bedroom guesthouse near the proposed dock. 

Award-winning architect Richard Sammons of Fairfax, Sammons and Partners was the designer. He knows a thing or two about town codes as vice chairman and former chairman of the town’s powerful Architectural Commission . The board is generally tasked with approving new architecture in town unless it falls under the auspices of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The conceptual plans show a two-story house with a lower level, thanks to the relatively high elevation of the lot. On the lake side — where there’s a swimming pool — a series of terraces cascade toward the lake. That’s a similar scenario to the North End house on Hi Mount Road that just won Sammons’ firm the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach’s 2024 Schuler Award for excellence in new architecture.

The floorplan for the South Ocean Boulevard mansion would feature a central entrance hall leading to a grand staircase and a 22-by-60-foot oceanfront great room with 14-foot ceilings, Sammons told the Palm Beach Daily News. 

“It’s an Italian-style house, specifically from the Veneto region,” Sammons said, adding that the architecture is a “17th-century expression” of classical Palladian design. 

In addition to the eight-car garage on the lowest level, the house would have an expansive motor court on its south side. The motor court would be accessed by the main driveway in the middle of Sloan’s Curve. Plans might also include a service entrance positioned nearer the lake, Sammons said.

Although the two lots are not being marketed for sale separately, a buyer could also conceivably build two houses on them, perhaps for members of the same family, Newman said.

Both parcels are owned by attorney and real estate investor Nathan Royce Silverstein, who has ties to Newark, New Jersey, property records show. The land hasn’t changed hands in more than 50 years. 

The property was once part of the estate of the late Alfred P. Sloan Jr., a former chairman of General Motors Corp. and the namesake of Sloan’s Curve.

Darrell Hofheinz is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist who writes about Palm Beach real estate in his weekly “Beyond the Hedges” column. He welcomes tips about real estate news on the island. Email [email protected], call 561-820-3831 or tweet @PBDN_Hofheinz. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.