The Palm Beaches  – Fact Sheet

 Location

• The Palm Beaches consist of the 38 cities and towns that make up Palm Beach County.
• Located in Southeast Florida, the 2,000-square-mile region is the largest county southeast of the Mississippi River and is larger than two U.S. states- Rhode Island and Delaware.
• The center of the county is approximately 60 miles north of Miami and 150 miles southeast of Orlando.   
• The Atlantic Ocean hems the eastern half of the county with coastal and beach areas ranging for 47 miles from north to south. 
• The northwest part of the county includes Lake Okeechobee, the second largest freshwater lake in the United States. 

Climate

• Visitors to The Palm Beaches enjoy an average annual temperature of 78º and approximately 234 days of sunshine year-round. 

Emerging Districts

• The Palm Beaches has grouped its 38 distinctive cities and towns into 15 distinct districts, making it quick and easy for visitors to choose which one-of-a-kind experiences and activities to enjoy first. Districts includePalm Beach and Worth Avenue, Clematis Street, CityPlace, Convention & Entertainment District, Antique Row, Northwood Village, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter/Juno Beach, Lake Worth, Delray Beach, Downtown Boca Raton, Wellington, Glades Road - East and West, Lake Okeechobee and Boynton Beach.

America's First Resort Destination®

• Established in 1894, The Palm Beaches has perfected the art of hospitality.  Visitors enjoy everything from gracious service and luxurious accommodations to celebrity chef restaurants and world-class cultural attractions. 
• Experience total relaxation in one of our time-honored resorts, explore our history at the Flagler Museum, learn about our past on a walking tour of Worth Avenue, and appreciate the splendid architecture named after one of the area's first developers along Mizner Park in Downtown Boca Raton.

Accommodations

• From legendary upscale resorts and charming bed and breakfast inns, to comfortable hotels at value rates, The Palm Beaches offers accommodations and price points for every visitor.

• With more than 16,000 rooms throughout the destination, visitors are able to choose properties located directly along the Atlantic Ocean, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, within walking distance of historic districts and quaint communities, and much more.
• The Palm Beaches contain more 1,00,000 square feet of meeting space in more than 200 hotels – 18 with more than 5,000 square feet of space each.

Distinctive Dining & Nightlife  

• The vast array of independent, provincial restaurants, five-star resort dining and eclectic, avant-garde eateries gives The Palm Beaches its global reputation as a true melting pot for culinary exploration.  
• Internationally-Acclaimed Chefs Masaharu Morimoto, Daniel Boulud, Clay Conley, Lindsay Autry and other world-renowned chefs have added The Palm Beaches to the list of select destinations to carry one of their signature restaurants or to take on a position here as Executive Chef. 
• Numerous local chefs have earned prestigious accolades, including the James Beard Foundation's “Best Chefs of the South” list. 
• The destination is also home to some of the most anticipated annual food events in Florida including the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival each December and Flavor Palm Beach in September. 
• Dining and nightlife is an international experience in the trendy Clematis District. From exciting new restaurants and bars to music and entertainment, Clematis is the place to be scene.
• Voted America's Most Fun Small Town by Rand McNally, Delray Beach's culinary landscape boasts more than 100 restaurants offering everything from ocean views to rooftop hot spots.
• In 2013, five restaurants in The Palm Beaches were featured in Emeril Lagasse's newest television show, “Emeril's Florida”, which airs nationally on the Cooking Channel.

Shopping

• Internationally known as a hot spot for avant-garde designers, The Palm Beaches has become a busy runway of today's top fashions, but is also home to a collection of funky boutiques, antique districts, open-air shopping plazas, and top-brand mega-malls.

• Worth Avenue - Dubbed the “Rodeo Drive of the East Coast,” Worth Avenue in Palm Beach recently completed a more than $10 million renovation to its land- and street-scapes and offers an unforgettable shopping experience amid Old World décor and prestigious retailers. 
• Delray Beach's Atlantic Avenue - Shoppers stroll the quaint shops and trendy boutiques of the popular Atlantic Avenue and Pineapple Grove.
• Downtown Boca Raton - Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place offer upscale shopping venues with Mediterranean-style courtyards.
• CityPlace - Ideally located in downtown West Palm Beach, CityPlace is an open-air shopping and entertainment district reminiscent of an Italian town center.  Just a few blocks away is the newly revitalized Downtown Waterfront District, with ample space for ongoing events and programs. 
• Antique Row in West Palm Beach - If antiquing is your passion, the six blocks of shops along Antique Row offer a treasure trove of collectibles, timeless furnishings, and special home and garden accessories.
• Shopping Malls - The Gardens Mall, Town Center at Boca Raton, and The Mall at Wellington Green will impress any shopper with their wide range of specialty stores and favorite retail outlets.
• Palm Beach Outlets- Slated to open in early 2014, this exciting new retail district will feature approximately 500,000 square feet of outlet shopping including the best names in designer and high-end fashion.

Florida's Golf Capital® and Spa Haven

• The Palm Beaches are home to more than 170 public and private golf courses – from executive to championship level – designed by the best names in the industry, and with something for golfers of every skill level. 
• A wealth of luxurious spas recognized internationally for their rejuvenating treatments abound in The Palm Beaches. 

• Resort Courses - Among the destination's numerous luxury resorts are four of South Florida's top golf resorts, each with their own pristine courses: The Breakers, The Boca Raton Resort & Club, The Seagate Hotel & Spa and PGA National Resort & Spa. 
• Public Courses - More than 40 public golf courses provide an opportunity for golf enthusiasts on any budget to enjoy a round while visiting The Palm Beaches as well. 
• It is only fitting that The Palm Beaches and Boca Raton is also home to the biggest golf organization in the world – the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) – whose highly-anticipated annual tournaments also make The Palm Beaches a prime destination for spectators and more passive golf enthusiasts. 
• The annual Allianz Championship and Honda Classic are held in February and March respectively, and are both sanctioned by the PGA Tour. 
• The Palm Beaches also has dozens of schools and academies available for anyone who wants to learn or perfect their game. 

• Resort Spas - Some of the most renowned include The Spa at the Four Seasons Resort, The Spa at PGA National Resort & Spa, The Spa at The Breakers, Spa Palazzo at the Boca Raton Resort & Club and Eau Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach.
• Day Spas - Offering superior service from rejuvenating facials and massages to hair care and cosmetics, a few include Anushka Spa, Salon & Cosmetic Centre, Kaffee's Garden Spa, The Maui Spa & Wellness Center and Wellington Day Spa.

Florida's Cultural Capital®

• One look through the 2013 exhibition and events calendars of more than 200 theaters, museums, arts centers, indoor and outdoor performance stages, and other cultural venues reveals why The Palm Beaches is considered among the world's most celebrated cultural destinations. 
• Among the destination's diverse offerings, visitors will find:

• An impressive, educational speaker series at the Society of the Four Arts.
• Rich local history documented within the breathtaking interiors of the historic Flagler Museum.
• The 16-acre Japanese Gardens and park of the Morikami Museum.
• Original performances of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.
• National touring performances at the Kravis Center for Performing Arts.
• The Norton Museums' weekly Art After Dark series.
• Annual events such as SunFest, South Florida's largest music festival, and Boca Bacchanal, the area's renowned food and wine celebration, are a few popular ways to experience the artistic offerings of this dynamic destination. 
• The area plays host to an enviable array of art and antique shows that attract visitors worldwide, including the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, Delray Affair, and Art Palm Beach to name just a few.
• The Boca Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of permanent art, an exciting exhibition calendar and a sculpture garden.
• Several new arts districts are emerging throughout The Palm Beaches, including LuLa in downtown Lake Worth, The District in Boynton Beach, and Artist Alley in Delray Beach's Pineapple Grove district.

Lakes, Beaches, Waterways

• Surrounded by liquid assets, The Palm Beaches is sure to fulfill any aquatic desire.

• 47 miles of pristine beaches along the county's coastline.
• 125 waterways perfectly suited for kayaking, boating, paddleboarding and every other imaginable water sport.
• Direct access to The Florida Everglades and its unique exploration via airboat tours.
• The country's best bass fishing in the 730 square miles of Lake Okeechobee.
• Proximity to the Gulf Stream maintains comfortable ocean temperatures for divers and snorkelers to explore more than 20 reefs and an abundance of deep-water wrecks, which are divers considered to be some of the best in the country for exploration.
• The exceptional diving makes The Palm Beaches the perfect location for the “Ultimate Diver Challenge”, a reality show with a competitive take on underwater exploration.

Attractions

• There are more than 27 family attractions throughout The Palm Beaches, including the Palm Beach Zoo and Lion Country Safari, whose interactive outdoor settings provide opportunity for close encounters with lions, giraffes, monkeys and even a native reptile or two. 
• Other attractions include the Moroso Motorsports Park racing facility, South Florida Science Museum, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Sandoway House Nature Center, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, and Loxahatchee Everglades Tours. 

Sporting Events

• In addition to claiming the title of Florida's Golf Capital®, the area is also the Spring Training Home to the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins.
• The Palm Beaches have approximately 1,100 private and public tennis courts for all levels of play.  There is also the Delray Beach Tennis Center, an 8,200-seat stadium, which accommodates the annual International Tennis Championships in January and February, and the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, designed for all ages and all levels.
• As the Winter Equestrian Capital of the World, world-renowned polo fields and stadiums are sprinkled throughout the area.  The Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington takes place every January through April, while the International Polo Club Palm Beach features high-goal competitions through the January-April season.
• The prestigious National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach is the largest of its kind in the world, boasting a 19,000-square-foot clubhouse and accommodates tournaments, basic instruction, and private parties.
• Fitness enthusiasts will find the Motivation Man Triathalons and the Palm Beaches Marathon & Run Fest offer scenic views and endurance competition.

Polo and Equestrian

• Considered the Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.
• The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center hosts Florida Quarter Horse Association and Gold Coast Dressing Association shows, as well as drill team competitions, barrel racing, team penning, clinics, and breed shows.  The 111-acre site houses a covered arena, five lighted show rings, stalls, trails, and an open riding area.
• From January through April, guests enjoy Sunday Brunch while enjoying a polo match at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, and Saturday nights are dedicated to the Winter Equestrian Festival, followed by a nightclub right within the equestrian stadium, all of which take place in Wellington.
• During the winter, world-class equestrian facilities feature polo, steeplechase, and dressage
• There are more than 300 miles of area riding trails throughout The Palm Beaches.

EcoTourism

• There are more than 63 parks and eco attractions throughout The Palm Beaches.
• Visitors can find three sites connected to Florida's Indian Heritage, which winds Florida's Atlantic Coast within The Palm Beaches.
• With an average of 14,500 nests, we have the second highest sea turtle nesting location in Florida for Loggerhead, Leatherback, and Green turtles. We also have the largest nesting area in South Florida – more than 40 miles.
• Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail / Florida Trail - One of only 14 official Florida Trail Gateway Communities, we feature the only part of the Trail that runs from the Lake to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Foodies can enjoy monthly, ticketed luncheons, each benefiting a local charity at Swank Specialty Produce with an emphasis on fresh, high quality, local ingredients.

History

• Jupiter Lighthouse
  • Located in the destination's northern region, the Jupiter Lighthouse is the first and only nationally designated Outstanding Natural Area east of the Mississippi River.
• Henry  Flagler's Legacy
  • In 1893, Henry M. Flagler declared the 16-mile-long barrier island of Palm Beach as a “veritable paradise.” 
  • Instead of enjoying life as a wealthy retiree (Standard Oil Company), Flagler dedicated his resources and creativity into building Florida. 
  • From the expansion of the East Coast Railroad, and the legendary Breakers hotel, to his private estate, Henry Flagler's mark can be seen throughout this south Florida destination. 
• Addison Mizner's Influence
  • Known for bringing in a distinct Mediterranean-style architecture to the area, Addison Mizner left behind the upscale Boca Raton Resort & Club
  • He was also the influence behind the downtown shopping, dining and entertainment district in downtown Boca Raton known as Mizner Park. 

Everglades

• Over 30 natural areas with more than 30,000 acres of natural wonder.
• Approximately 140,000 of the 165,000 acres of Northeastern Everglades Natural Area (NENA) are in Palm Beach County.  This includes:
  • 14 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, Loxahatchee Wild & Scenic River, two State Parks, a national Wildlife Refuge, links to the 110-mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail & Big Water Heritage Trail, 25 Natural Areas, Preserves & Parks, more than 300 miles of hiking & horse trails, and three Wildlife Management Areas
• The nationally designated Wild and Scenic Loxahatchee River contains the largest and most pristine remaining part of northern Florida Everglades, the Marshall Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge. The 400-acre Cypress Swamp is the largest remaining section of a swamp strand that runs from Lake Okeechobee to Fort Lauderdale.
• Grassy Waters Preserve / Apoxee Park is a 20-square-mile plus area in West Palm Beach and is the largest city park in South Florida that features the Everglades. 

Palm Beach County Convention Center

• Located in the heart of the destination's Entertainment District, the two-level, 350,000-square-foot Convention Center is just three miles from the Palm Beach International Airport.

• With its soaring windows and rich modern accents, the Convention Center is truly a premier convention and meetings facility offering a full-service staff, exceptional culinary talent, and the most comprehensive technology available. 
• Meeting space includes a 100,000-squre-foot exhibit hall, a 25,000-square-foot ballroom, 23,000 square feet of flexible breakout space divisible into 23 rooms, and elevated glass atriums for ample pre-function space. 
• Construction on a Convention Center Hotel will begin in 2014.  The long-anticipated project will connect a new, 400-room Hilton hotel to the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Weddings & Romance

• From historic sites, cultural venues and beachfront settings, to outdoor gardens, intimate hotels, and unique locations such as the top of the area's landmark lighthouse, the area has the perfect spot for weddings of any style and budget.  
• Virtually year-round sunshine makes it easy to plan a custom-created wedding almost any time of year.
• The Palm Beaches has launched a comprehensive wedding site, www.palmbeachfl.com/palm-beach-weddings, as a resource for brides.
• In addition to the naturally beautiful backdrops, brides and grooms can count on the genuine hospitality of the staff at hotels, resorts and various venues throughout The Palm Beaches that have hosted generations of marriages in America's First Resort Destination®.  

Palm Beach International Airport

• Ranked one of the most convenient, stress-free airports in the country, Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA) is located just 2.5 miles from top resorts, pristine beaches, the Convention Center, and West Palm Beaches' thriving downtown district. 
• Nearly fifteen domestic and international airlines currently serve the airport with 200 scheduled commercial flights arriving and departing daily.
• The boutique airport was voted the third best airport in the U.S. and sixth best in the world by Conde Nast Traveler readers. CheapFlights.com also recognized the airport on the 2011 list of “Top 101 Affordable U.S. Airports”.

Driving

• By car, travelers can follow either Interstate 95 or Florida's Turnpike, which run the length of the county and feature multiple exits at, or near, essential streets. 
• State Roads 441, U.S. Highway One, and Coastal Highway A1A also run through the county.

Visitor Information      

Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau

1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 233-3000/toll-free 800-554-7256
www.PalmBeachFl.com