Best Places in Palm Beach, Florida

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon.

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at smcmahon@smartertravel.com.

See recent posts by Shannon McMahon

Situated between bustling Miami and theme park-saturated Orlando, the seaside arts community of Palm Beach, Florida, is more suited for relaxation. Whether you want waterfront views, inventive food, or outdoor art, there’s something for everyone to savor in Palm Beach County.

Consider these raved-about hotels, restaurants, museums, and more.

Stay:

The Brazilian Court Hotel for amenities like stocked beach bags, and a high-end restaurant.
The Breakers for history and beachfront pools.
Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa for bike rentals and cabanas.
Downtown’s Hyatt Place West Palm Beach for nearby street art and food.

Eat:

Buccan for romantic small plates.
Rocco’s Tacos for tequila-bar fun on Clematis Street.
Avocado Grill for light bites.
Meat Market for steakhouse indulgence.

See:

Public beaches on Palm Beach Island.
Outdoor CANVAS street art in West Palm Beach.
Outdoor leisure like Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, Four Arts Botanical Gardens.
Rescued sea turtles in Boca Raton’s Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.

Etc.

Explore historic museums like the Norton Museum of Art and the Flagler Museum.
Take a public SkyBike along Lake Trail.
Ask the Cultural Concierge at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County for inside help.
Golf at the PGA National Golf Club.

More from SmarterTravel:

Associate Editor Shannon McMahon visited Palm Beach County as a guest of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and learn more about the Cultural Council here.

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