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Guidebook Palm Beach County |
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Location/Region: Palm
Beach County is the epicenter of a tropical paradise located on
the east coast of Florida boasting 47 miles of sun-drenched
beaches. As part of Florida’s Gold Coast, Palm Beach County is
close to several major Florida cities. We’re just 50 miles north
of Fort Lauderdale, 70 miles north of Miami and 150 miles south
of Orlando.
Geographical Information:
Larger than Rhode Island and Delaware, Palm Beach County is
2,578 square miles and includes 27 municipalities and
incorporated areas. The Atlantic Ocean touches the eastern half
of the county and both the coastal and beach areas range for 47
miles from north to south. At its widest point, the county
stretches 53 miles from east to west. The northwest part of the
county includes Lake Okeechobee, the second largest fresh water
lake in the United States. The terrain is sub-tropical,
featuring lush palm trees, tall pines, and a multitude of vivid
tropical flowers that bloom year-round.
Climate: Palm Beach County enjoys year-round
sub-tropical weather with an enviable average annual temperature of 78°
F. |
Wind Surfing
photo: Palm Beach County CVB |
Population: 1.2 million.
Transportation: Air travel to Palm Beach County
has never been easier. We have 200 flights arriving and departing daily
at Palm Beach International Airport. Access to Florida’s interstate
highways is convenient and rail service on Amtrak travels up and down
our coast. Private jet aviation facilities make charter flights a
convenient choice.
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Lodging and Dining: Whether your travel plans
bring you to Palm Beach County for business or pleasure, or a
combination of the two, finding the ideal lodging to suit your fancy is
well within reach. From luxurious five-star oceanfront resorts to
moderate family venues, historic and unique boutique hotels and romantic
bed and breakfast locales, Palm Beach County has an incredible selection
from expensive chic to surprisingly affordable accommodations from which
to choose. There are more than 16,000 guest rooms at more than 200
hotels. Elegant and casual dining is found at the more than 2,300 unique
restaurants. We have some of Florida’s most celebrated chefs preparing
fresh seafood from local waters in endless combinations. |
Let your taste buds experience an
array of romantic bistros, tratorias, sushi, sidewalk
cafés, pubs, New American cuisine, Mexican, Asian fusion, or fine 5-star
dining at our luxury resorts. Search out our unique eateries that
capture oceanfront views or waterway docks with reflections that shimmer
in glittering lights. Outdoor dining under the stars is year-round with
resort casual dress.
Conventions and Meetings: The new Palm Beach
County Convention Center sets a new standard for convention meetings.
Equipped with the most comprehensive state-of-the-art technology
available, this extraordinary Convention Center is conveniently located
three miles from Palm Beach International Airport and situated in the
heart of the City of West Palm Beach. This impressive two-level facility
is 350,000 square feet with a 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall and a
25,000-square-foot ballroom. A commanding view of the spectacular
CityPlace shopping, dining and entertainment district as well as the
masterful Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, displays the
sophisticated amenities of an international destination all within
walking distance. Palm Beach County offers more than 40 hotel and resort
properties with an array of top meeting rooms and convention facilities,
some just steps from the beach or the golf course. Whatever your space,
convention and conference requirements, choice of amenities and guest
room needs, the highest standards of service and hospitality are the
trademark and mission of our resorts and hotels. Palm Beach County
offers many unique off-site venues, a team of experts and a variety of
services to create a memorable and successful meeting or event. From
corporate properties to national hotel chains, five start legendary
resorts and intimate seaside cottages; our accommodations and meeting
venues are within a short drive to PBIA, the Florida Turnpike and
interstate highways.
Peak Season: Mid-December through mid-April.
Value Season: From mid-April to mid-December,
the county promotes Value Season. Many hotels reduce rates and area
attractions offer promotions. Shopping discounts go into effect at
various outlets, and free outdoor performances and festivals take place
throughout the county. Also available is "$1,000 Worth of The Palm
Beaches Free Savings Certificates" loaded with discounts.
Arts and Culture: More than 40 cultural venues
are located across the county. From the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the
Performing Arts and Norton Museum of Art, to Ballet Florida and Boca
Raton Museum of Art, all reflect a diversity of excellent entertainment
and unequaled exhibits.
Attractions: Outdoor settings such as Palm
Beach Zoo at Dreher Park and Lion Country Safari provide close
encounters with lions, giraffes, monkeys and even a native reptile or
two. Other attractions include the Moroso Motorsports Park racing
facility, Hoffman’s Chocolate Shoppe & Gardens and Loxahatchee
Everglades Tours.
Shopping: From the funky and forward shops of
the Clematis Street District and the famous and elegant boutiques of
Worth Avenue to five superior shopping malls and the European-style town
centers of CityPlace and Mizner Park, Palm Beach County boasts
world-renowned shopping.
Sports and Activities: Excellent weather makes
Palm Beach County a superb place to experience the outdoors and enjoy
recreational activities. As Florida’s Golf CapitalSM, Palm Beach County
has more than 160 public and private golf courses. There are also 1,100
public and private tennis courts. Baseball is also a local pastime. Both
the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins have their spring training
in Jupiter at Roger Dean Stadium, where the Jupiter Hammerheads are the
local Florida State League team.
Water Activities: Palm Beach County, surrounded
by water – the Atlantic Ocean, the Everglades, Lack Okeechobee,
Loxahatchee River and countless canals – affords deep sea ocean and
fresh water experiences ideal for beach goers, anglers, ecotourists,
yachters, canoeists, divers and pleasure boaters. A variety of companies
offer sport-fishing opportunities such as deep-sea fishing for marlin
and swordfish. Popular fresh water options include excellent Bass
fishing opportunities.
Beachfront Parks: Thirteen of the 70 parks in
Palm Beach County are beachfront. State, county and local parks offer
boating to horseback riding and beach-goers can enjoy the sun on a
47-mile stretch of shoreline.
Diving: Some of the best diving along the East
Coast is offered in Palm Beach County. All experience levels enjoy the
waters’ brilliantly colored hard and soft corals, five species of large
sea turtles, moray eels and nurse sharks. The Western Hemisphere’s
widest variety of tropical and sport fish exists here. Miles of reef
line, crevices and ledges feature numerous wrecks positioned by the
state’s Artificial Reef Program, including the popular Princess Anne, a
400-foot-long car ferry sunk in the 1980s.
Ecotourism: From the Everglades to the Atlantic
Ocean, natural resources provide experiences such as hiking, canoeing,
kayaking, diving, cycling and camping.
Palm Beach County presents "The Best of Everything" -
from distinctive attractions and an assortment of cultural venues to
top-notch festivals and edge-of-your-seat sporting activities. All who
visit this sub-tropical paradise will find cities that are rich in
diversity and home to warm, friendly people. Welcome, enjoy your stay
and please return often to The Best of Everything!
Information and photos submitted
by:
Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors
Bureau
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, Suite 800
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
(561) 233-3000
www.palmbeachfl.com offers current information about
specials, accommodations, culture, current events, flight schedules,
festivals, sports activities and shopping. For meeting planners, the
Web site presents services, as well as details on the Convention
Center.
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