My husband and I are going to Palm Beach for the first time this December for a 2 week vacation. (The December part is very tentative!) Since we have never been there before, we are wondering, in your opinion, what are the best things to see and do, restaurants, museums, etc. We are not into clubs and bars, but more into history, sight seeing, good food, scenery, etc. Any advice would be great… please tell me all you know about Palm Beach and the best spots for a good time… again, we would like to stay away from the bars and clubs, but anything else goes…. theaters, restaurants, hotels, museums, historic sites, zoos, golf courses, tennis courts, parks and preserves, watersports activities, are there boat rides to different islands, shopping, etc. We have also heard of Clematis Street? What is that? We keep hearing about all the fun stuff there every weekend… please tell me all you know..THANK YOU!!!! And here’s to a good trip!! 
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Palm Beach is very nice in Decemember. Although sometimes the nights are a little cool, so prepare accordingly. Most of the better restaurants in Palm Beach require you to “dress” for dinner: Jacket and tie for the men and appropriate attire for women. Be sure to try Taboo on Worth Avenue (Palm Beach’s equivalent of Rodeo Drive). This is where the rich and famouis meet to eat. Thre are planty of other excellent restarants in Palm Beach. Just ask the concierge at your hotel.
Be sure to browse the Worth Avenue shops. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a trip to just people watch.
Reagrding historical sights in Palm Beach and environs: Definitely visit the Flagler Museum which was the winter mansion of Henry Flagler, the railroad tycoon who built Palm Beach. Guided tours are offered daily and it is well worth the visit. While there, go next door to the Episcopal church and check out the Kapok tree that grows in the back yard.
Several other historic buildings are also in Palm Beach, but are not open to the public.
There is a small but nice art museum – The Norton- on the mainland in West Palm Beach, an easy drive away.
Lion Country Safari is an animal park out in the country about 30 miles form downtown West Palm Beach. The animals roam free as you ride your car through the park.
There is the “Theater of the four Arts” in Palm Beach just off Royal Palm Way and the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach hosts broadway plays and other perfomances.
Try the water taxi tour that you can catch from Sail Fish Marina on Singer Island. You can take the water way tour of Palm Beach mansions, as well as visit Peanut Island that houses the reconstructed “bomb-proof” bunker that Kennedy used duing the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Take a walk on Lake Worth Trail in Palm Beach. It is about 2-3 miles long and borders the Intracoastal. You should be able to get a glimpse of the Yacht “Honey Fitz” which was Kennedy’s Presidential Yacht(now in private hand’s).
Clematis Street in West Palm Beach is primarily a night spot, but with some nice restaurants.
As to golf courses: Palm Beach County is home to the PGA, so there are probably more of those in Palm Beach County than anything else. Tiger Woods, Craig Norman, and Jack Nickolas all have homes just a lttile to the north of Palm Beach.
That’s just a little intro. There is plenty to do here and I’m sure you and your husband will have a great time. Enjoy!
Lived in S. Florida for over 40 years.
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Downtown West Palm Beach (City Place) is great.
In terms of malls, tourists love the Garden and the Town Center at Boca Raton.
Don’t forget about downtown Delray Beach.
Have fun!
Lived in S. Florida for over 40 years.
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Must sees for folks like you and your interests abound…
There’s the Flagler Museum ( built by Henry Flagler) which is basically a huge Mansion House with period rooms and objects on display. Similarly in Art there is the Hibel Museum of Art ( named after Edna Hibel.)
Shopping on Worth Avenue is awesome – bring loads of cash.
Out in the fresh air check out the Palm Beach Zoo which is impressive. You mentioned Food – Chuck and Harolds is the place to go to spot celebrities doing their Palm Beach thing! They serve a very impressive “Conch Chowder”
Have a great trip!
http://www.sunsoaked-florida-resorts.com
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