Guidebook Palm Beach County, Florida
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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. |
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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.
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.