Ready to live out those “Palm Royale” dreams? The actual Apple TV show might have been shot in LA, but was inspired by Florida’s own Palm Beach. The hedge-covered expansive estates, the luxe threads, and of course, Slim Aarons-esque poolside dreams.
Yep, the eye candy is there for the taking after a straight-shot drive across the state. Don’t forget your best brightly colored dress and fab shades.
📍 Essential info
Drive time from Tampa: ~3 hours 30 minutes
Year city was incorporated: 1911
Est. population: 9,262
🎟️ Experience
Roam the picturesque,12,000-sqft museum packed with ~1,000 works of art dating from the 18th century to 1960 + a subtropical sculpture garden. Plus, make sure to check out the Women’s Walk recognizing and honoring great women artists throughout history.
Checking out the designers on this strip is worth the trip alone. Think Bottega, Chanel, David Yurman, and pretty much any luxe retailer of your dreams. There’s also art galleries, a needlepoint shop, and a French bakery to pop into between swiping the credit card.
Venture into West Palm for a show at this renowned venue. The 2024-2025 season is packed with a variety of performances from ballet to cello.
Settle in for a warm meal at La Goulue Palm Beach.
Photo via Lauren Maiale of @largars_grubs
🍔 Eat
What’s more old school than dinner at a French restaurant? Splurge in true Palm Beach-style with oysters, beef tartare, and champagne aplenty atop crisp white linens.
Dine at tables surrounding the Colony’s dreamy pool for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We recommend booking a dinner reservation for the Grilled Cheshire Farm Heritage Pork Chop or the people watching.
We don’t know what’s cuter — the green and white interiors and patio or the gobs of pastries and cakes in the bakery’s dessert case. Stop in for a grilled salmon salad, lobster roll, or all-day breakfast. And make sure to pick up a latte or refresher on your way out to roam the attached boutiques + next-door design store.
🏨 Stay
This Italian Renaissance-style resort calls itself the “original home of R&R.” A longtime favorite of celebs and all kinds of bougie folks, this impressive property boasts a private beachfront, massive indoor and outdoor spa, a beach club, and a golf course. Not too shabby.
You might’ve seen this highly Instagrammable property with its light pink facade, white and green umbrella-d patio, and dreamy pastel rooms on your feed. Located right on Worth Avenue, the Colony is close to all the shops, but you might never leave with the standout dining and live music.
Located a bit further down A1A, this modern hotel was given a five-star rating by Forbes for its incredible beach views, 42,000-sqft spa, and buffet of other amentites. Pro tip: Sometimes, they even host turtle releases on the beach outside the hotel.
Wait a minute, TBAY. Before you head out the door, find the cheapest places to fill up your gas tank and stock up on road trip snacks from Duckweed Urban Grocery. Also, bookmark this map so you have no trouble finding all of our recommendations while visiting Palm Beach.
🚗 Cruise
No matter where the highway takes you, our road trip must-haves will ease your journey as you make your way to your destination.
- With more than 23,000 location-based audio stories, Autio’s Unlimited Plan: Lifetime Subscription is your perfect companion offering mini podcasts about the history, culture, and geology of areas you drive through.
- You’ll stay fully charged up and connected with this 4-in-1 retractable car charger that has iPhone compatibility and secure plug-in capability.
- Rock a comfortable sweatshirt and pants set for the road featuring a cozy elastic waistband and side-seamed pockets to store your valuables.
- Keep your tailbone supported during lengthy drives with a thick memory foam cushion that is machine washable and gives complete postural support.
- Avoid getting stranded with a dead battery by packing this portable car jump starter that gives up to 50 jumps in a single charge — no flagging down a stranger needed.
- Easy to clean and leak-proof, this collapsible car trash can gives you 2 gallons of storage capacity to keep your vehicle free from clutter.
City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa
