Your Virtual Guide To Palm Beach

Palm Beach and its surrounding sunny towns conjure up images of rustling palms, rolling waves and a riot of vivid Lilly Pulitzer hues. While you can’t visit the glamorous Florida destination and its 47 miles of Atlantic coastline just yet, you can transport yourself there with a bevy of virtual offerings.

Whether you want to ride a bike along the ocean or shop Worth Avenue’s tony boutiques with a dedicated concierge, you can experience the Palm Beaches from home with Forbes Travel Guide’s virtual guide.

OGLE THE OCEAN

Wave Soundtrack

Listen to the lapping waves with this footage from The Breakers Palm Beach.

A Virtual Walk

Feel your feet sink into the sand as the ocean nips at your heels during this waterfront stroll.

Bike the Waterfront

Imagine yourself along the 5.5-mile Palm Beach Lake Trail on the island’s western side with this video. Be sure to yield for pedestrians.

GO SHOPPING

Worth Avenue

Not only can you peruse the one-of-a-kind boutiques along this famed shopping corridor online, but you can get personalized attention, too. As part of the White Glove Service, participating merchants each have a designated concierge available via email and FaceTime. Simply email the listed contact. Most stores also offer free home delivery, shipping and gift wrapping.

ABSORB ART

Norton Museum of Art

The recently renovated Norton Museum of Art houses a collection of more than 8,200 works, including pieces from Georgia O’Keeffe and Claes Oldenburg. Explore it through various virtual options, including expert-led videos and podcasts, art activities and audio tours.

Boca Raton Museum of Art

The Boca Raton Museum of Art curates an Instagram feed full of fine art, behind-the-scenes talks with artists and classical music performances.

Cornell Art Museum

The Cornell Art Museum guides you through its “Art Couture: The Intersection of Art and Fashion” exhibit, which melds contemporary art and fashion with works from Andy Warhol, Timo Weiland and Caroline Dechamby.

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

Tour the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum. The National Historic Landmark is a Gilded Age mansion that belonged to Flagler, an oil tycoon who made Florida a vacation destination (he also built the iconic hotel The Breakers).

First Friday Art Walk

Amble through downtown Delray Beach with a virtual edition of its First Friday Art Walk, which takes place the first Friday of each month (May 1 is the next event).

Lighthouse ArtCenter School of Art

To try making your own masterpieces, sign up for interactive Zoom classes with the Lighthouse ArtCenter School of Art.

TASTE THE FOOD

Flagler Steakhouse

Even if you can’t savor a prime cut at Flagler Steakhouse, the restaurant offers tips on how to make a proper steak at home.

The Italian Restaurant

Re-create an over-the-top s’mores milkshake with a chocolate-and-marshmallows-laden recipe from The Italian Restaurant at The Breakers.

The Socially Distanced Supper Club

If you’re a local, join The Socially Distanced Supper Club, a Delray Beach Facebook group that supports area restaurants with flash-mob-style orders on a given night. New chapters of the club have cropped up in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton.

FIND SPA SERENITY

Ease Eye Strain

Five-Star Eau Spa’s “spa fairy” shares advice on how you can relieve tension and strain from staring at a computer screen all day.

Love Your Locks

Treat your locks to Eau Spa’s nourishing avocado and honey hair mask:

Ingredients

1 egg

1/2 avocado

1 tablespoon of honey

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Water

(Double the ingredients for long or thick hair.)

Instructions

Smash the avocado in a bowl. Then add the egg, honey and lemon juice slowly. Add water until it has the consistency of conditioner. Apply to dry hair, starting from scalp, working toward the end of strands. Leave in for 15 minutes with a shower cap or plastic wrap. Follow with a warm, moist towel for 5 minutes. Wash out with a light shampoo.

GET BACK TO NATURE

Grow an Herb Garden

Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach’s florist and lead mixologist suggest herbs that you can grow at home along with drink recipes using those ingredients, like this basil mocktail.  

Grassy Waters Preserve

Be surrounded by nature on a leisurely jaunt on the boardwalk at the 24-square-mile Grassy Waters Preserve.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

The immaculate, verdant grounds at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens were designed to provide a restorative experience. Stroll along some waterfalls here.   

ADMIRE THE ANIMALS

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is an ocean conservation organization and sea turtle hospital. Watch recovering reptiles on its live turtle cam or learn about the different species.

Palm Beach Zoo

According to the Palm Beach Zoo, siamangs are covered in jet-black fur, have loud voices that carry a mile away and enjoy their own kind of burritos. Learn these sorts of fun facts on the nonprofit group’s Palm Beach Zoo TV.

SEEK OUT SCIENCE

South Florida Science Center and Aquarium

South Florida Science Center and Aquarium conducts live science experiments, story times, aquarium programs, laser shows and more here.

LAUGH OUT LOUD

Palm Beach Improv

Keep an eye on Palm Beach Improv for an announcement on its next “Comedians in Quarantine” episode on IG Live.