6 Things to See & Do in The Palm Beaches

With fall fast approaching and cooler temperatures breezing in, it might be time to start planning a warm-weather vacation — perhaps to the Sunshine State?

Located two hours south of Orlando and one hour north of Miami, The Palm Beaches (also referred to as Palm Beach County), is a 2,000-square-mile region encompassing 38 unique cities and towns.

In addition to 47 stunning miles of Atlantic coastline for beach and swimming enthusiasts, Palm Beach County boasts worldclass shopping, a diverse array of dining options, over 200 cultural attractions, a wealth of luxurious spas, 160 public and private golf courses, and numerous activities. And sun-seekers will appreciate that this East Coast destination has an average annual temperature of 78ËšF / 25ËšC and approximately 234 days of sunshine year-round.

With so many places to visit and oodles of sights to see, you could get a bit overwhelmed when planning your vacation itinerary. To help you out, check out our list of six must-see and -do things in Florida’s The Palm Beaches. You’re welcome.

Playing

Travelling to Florida and not visiting the Everglades is a definite no-no. The two-million-acre wetland ecosystem that stretches from central Florida, near Orlando, all the way south to Florida Bay, is a one-of-its-kind sight that should not to be missed!

Zip through the “river of grass” on an exhilarating 30-minute airboat tour searching for alligators and other native wildlife care of Sawgrass Recreation Park. During the tour, your captain will share some of its history and the importance of the “Glades,” and post tour, you’ll get to check out the exhibit areas featuring rescued animals.

Stand-up paddleboarding is the world’s fastest growing water sport, and is super-fun! It’s a paddler’s paradise on the warm waters of the mangrove-lined Loxahatchee River in Jupiter, and at the Jupiter Outdoor Center you can learn to paddleboard, explore on your own, or join in on one of their guided tours.

Shopping

Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue is renowned for its high-end designer boutiques and stunning historic architecture. Gals looking for the latest runway fashions need to spend an afternoon strolling down this luxury row.

Another popular shopping destination can be found nestled along Jupiter‘s Intracoastal Waterway. Harbourside Place offers visitors a fabulous array of boutiques, restaurants and café©s. If you’re pup crazy like us, you’ll want to check out the luxury pet boutique, Pucci & Catana.

Eating

Winner of Southern Florida’s best farm-to-table restaurant for 2014, the Farmer’s Table in Boca Raton, cooks up dishes that are as taste bud tantalizing as they are healthy. Offering “feel good food,” this local hotspot is committed to sourcing clean and sustainable ingredients and preparing dishes without excess fat, sodium or preservatives. Dishes to try: the quinoa meatballs with house-made tomato sauce and handmade mozzarella; grass-fed flat iron steak with caramelized fennel and potato hash, grilled asparagus and a charred tomato vinaigrette; and their house-made dairy-free ice-cream.

Opened in 2011 by South Florida’s restaurateur Dennis Max, Max’s Harvest, a cozy farm-to-fork eatery in the heart of Delray Beach’s hip Pineapple Grove district, serves up beautifully-prepared dishes with sophisticated flavours. Local. Seasonal. Sustainable. These are the hallmarks of their globally-inspired and stunningly-crafted cuisine.

Order a selection of shareable plates, such as the heritage pork belly with ancho chile glaze, corn pudding, and jicama slaw; Vito’s burrata with caramelized fig, walnut vinaigrette, arugula, preserved lemon, and pickled fennel; Florida gator milanese with Florida peaches, sunflower seeds, warm spinach, capers and ‘nduja vinaigrette. And save room for the to-die-for donuts with vanilla custard and berry preserve – they’re incredible!

Sleeping

Overlooking the peaceful waters of Lake Boca at the Atlantic Ocean inlet, the Waterstone Resort & Marina is a design gem in Boca Raton.

With sumptuous, custom-made furnishings and fabrics, glittering artwork and a one-of-a-kind marriage of water and stone (from which the new property derives its name), this DoubleTree by Hilton property blends grand, opulent Boca Raton style with breezy, sophisticated coastal design to create an artistic water escape, and we love it!

All of the resort’s 139 guest rooms, which include 10 Executive Suites and one Presidential Suite, offer é¼ber-modern interiors and private balconies with enviable panoramic waterfront views of the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway or Lake Boca.

Other on-site amenities include two excellent restaurants (Boca Landing and Waterstone Bar & Grill); a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center; a waterfront swimming pool; and a complimentary, three-minute, private shuttle ride that whisks guests to explore Boca Raton’s beaches. You’ll have a beautiful stay at this South Florida hotel.

Nestled along the largest stretch of secluded beachfront in Palm Beach County, the four-diamond Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa is the perfect spot for a family vacation or romantic escape. Here, every guest is greeted with the gracious hospitality and exceptional resort amenities that has distinguished them as one of the top-ranked resorts in the Florida area.

With 168 island-inspired guest rooms and suites, each thoughtfully appointed with a refreshing blend of casual elegance and tropical allure and complemented by private balconies; a heated oceanfront swimming pool and waterfall hot tub; a poolside bar; several top-notch dining spots; a 7,500-square-foot spa; and more, this luxury property has pretty much everything you need to make your stay outstanding.

For more information on The Palm Beaches, visit www.palmbeachfl.com