The Perfect Ocean Getaway: How to Spend Four Days in Palm Beach, Florida
There’s just something rejuvenating about the feel of the warm sunshine, the sound of waves hitting the shore and the scent of the salty sea breeze that has a therapeutic way of stilling the soul. Life recently threw me and my husband a very painful, unexpected curveball that sent us into a state of deep and unexpected grief. Desperately needing a temporary escape and a mental reset, we started brainstorming options for a quick getaway.
With three days before the weekend, my husband thought we should take a trip to a destination that was somewhere: 1) we had never been before, 2) “relatively” close to Nashville by plane, 3) right on the ocean, and 4) where the weather was warm and sunny. After hasty research, we landed on the destination of Palm Beach, Florida, and while we weren’t entirely sure what the area had to offer, it was 80 degrees with sunny skies that February weekend, was right on the water and only a two-hour flight from Nashville. We got to work booking flights, a hotel and a rental car, and were ready for our next adventure, hoping we made the right move.
Luckily, we took the right gamble. After an extensive amount of ocean therapy, sunrise and sunset walks, new restaurants and beautiful sites, it was just what we needed for a little break from reality, and a place I would recommend to anyone to visit. Here are the key takeaways from our four-day trip to Palm Beach that might help you plan your own little quiet ocean escape!
Experience Vibrant Beauty at Every Turn
Landing in Fort Lauderdale, we rented a car to enjoy the views of the famous scenic A1A. After making a last minute – delicious – pit stop at Greek Islands Taverna for lunch, we were on our way. Windows down, we felt the sea breeze and soaked in the sights of palm tree-lined byway with vast ocean views and cloudless skies, feeling a sense of freedom from the weight we had been carrying during our hour drive to Palm Beach.
Arriving in Palm Beach, we were taken aback by its commanding, lively beauty. Our eyes were mesmerized by the vibrant colors of bright, blue sunny skies, turquoise waters, vibrant green hedges (my favorite being the “autograph plant”), palms gently waving in the breeze, and tropical flowers blooming at every turn. Adding even more color to the Palm Beach palette were the breathtaking pastel sunrises over the ocean and sunsets over the bay each evening. Coming from the stark contrast of Nashville in the dead of winter, it was revitalizing to say the least. Now, I have to admit that the ambience was elevated by the fact that everywhere we looked we were surrounded by extravagant wealth – beach mansions, Ferraris and Rolls Royces, perfectly manicured hedges, and pristine streets. But every aspect, both natural and man-made, was stunning in its own right, leaving us with a powerful lasting impression.
Book a Room at the Palm Beach Historic Inn
One hotel kept coming up repeatedly as we were researching where to stay during this last-minute trip. It had excellent reviews, was close to the beach, and was at a reasonable price point compared to every other beachfront hotel nearby. We took a chance and booked it, crossing our fingers that we made the right call. Looking back, it was exactly what we were looking for and exactly what we needed. The Palm Beach Historic Inn is such a charming gem in the heart of the quiet, safe, quaint, and affluent city of Palm Beach. Each room is uniquely decorated in a South Florida vibe, and the women who run the Inn were kind, welcoming and accommodating with every interaction. One block from the beach, this boutique hotel provided complimentary umbrellas, chairs, and towels to check out for relaxing at the beach, as well as unlimited snacks and the option to rent bikes.
We knew we wanted to get as much ocean time in as possible, and we definitely made the most of our time on the Atlantic shore by staying here. Every morning, we would walk to the beach before sunrise to watch the sun come up over the sea, praying and sitting in content silence, taking in God’s beauty from the shoreline. If this is the type of low-key, relaxed experience you are seeking, I can assure that you will have stayed at the right place!
Two blocks away from the Palm Beach Historic Inn lies the famous Worth Avenue, what I consider the Rodeo Drive of Palm Beach, lined with luxury boutiques and restaurants. Also within quick walking distance is the city’s main street on S Country Road, sprinkled with charming cafes (we loved the Surf Side Diner for breakfast and Blue Provence for incredible French pastries), high-end restaurants and unique shops. With its perfect location, great vibe, and kind staff, I highly recommend the Palm Beach Historic Inn to anyone looking for a relaxed stay by the ocean!
Explore the Paradise of Peanut Island
Wanting to take some time to explore outside the immediate area, we decided to spend our first afternoon at a nearby island oasis that I had stumbled across on Instagram. If you’re looking for a relaxing day surrounded by beautiful sights, plenty of water activities, and tropical wildlife, then you need to add Peanut Island to your itinerary! After a quick 20-minute drive from Palm Beach followed by a ferry ride, (unless you have access to your own boat, of course) you can find yourself on a low-key, unique, and semi-private island for a fun afternoon of snorkeling and soaking up the sun.
When visiting Peanut Island, you’ll have to bring your own towels, beach chairs, snorkels, and food, as there are no supplies for sale on the island itself, and alcohol is prohibited except in the designated camp sites. Kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling are the top activities here, where you’re bound to see a variety of bright tropical fish, starfish and coral. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot sea turtles and manatees! The 1.25-mile trail around the island’s perimeter is the perfect opportunity to get your steps in while iguanas might lazily cross your path. On the trail you’ll also catch a unique glimpse of history, as Peanut Island is also home to an unsuspecting bunker, built in 1961 for President John F. Kennedy. While we spent a couple hours on the island, it could definitely fill a day’s worth of fun. Be prepared for a visit you’ll never forget!
Note – If you don’t spot a manatee in the waters of Peanut Island, after you return to shore, take a quick drive to Manatee Lagoon, where you are almost guaranteed to see many sightings of these docile creatures!
Take in the Sights and Bites on Clematis Street
After some brief research of things to do around Palm Beach, I found that Clematis Street in West Palm Beach was noted as a hotspot for bars, restaurants and shopping. While relatively quiet during the day, it definitely came alive at night! We spent our first two nights under the outdoor palapa bar at E.R. Bradley’s, grabbed ice cream at Sloan’s, and stumbled upon live music on Thursday night at Centennial Square that drew a big crowd. We also had incredible Italian food at Lynora’s – but be prepared to wait if you go on a weekend night. It was absolutely packed, and for good reason!
For those who love a good variety of fresh food and local cuisine, you need to make sure you visit the West Palm Beach GreenMarket, held every Saturday from 9am-1pm on Clematis Street. With 130+ vendors selling everything from guacamole and fresh squeezed mango juice, to French pastries, local seafood, flowers, crafts, gifts, and other goods, this market is ranked as one of the top ten in the nation by USA Today, and is THE place to be on Saturday mornings. You’ll get the full local experience, and have some fresh, healthy breakfast and lunch options. It’s a win-win, so don’t miss out.
Grab a Meal at Benny’s on the Beach
Despite no restaurants or bars on the beach by our hotel, we did have an incredible lunch at Benny’s on the Beach, which was a gorgeous 20-minute drive down Ocean Avenue. Situated on a pier with the waves crashing below and the seagulls watching overhead, we ordered the Palm Beach shrimp tacos (with arugula – incredible!) and Mahi Mahi fish tacos, and ended the meal with their famous house-made Key Lime pie (also delicious!). Their live music in the bar area would also make for a great time, but unfortunately we had plans to watch the Presidential motorcade so we couldn’t stick around, but I encourage you to!
Soak in the Seaside Elegance of the Breakers Palm Beach
The epitome of seaside luxury, the Breakers Palm Beach is a hotel you need to peruse, even if you aren’t staying there. With luxurious rooms, extravagant floral arrangements, opulent interior design, breathtaking ocean views, perfectly manicured landscaping, a top-of-the-line golf course, five-star restaurants and every other lavish amenity you can imagine, a trip to Palm Beach warrants a visit to the Breakers. While I don’t think we can afford to stay there anytime soon, it was a spot I’m so glad we visited. For now though, on our next trip we will be sure to grab a coffee or lunch here and soak in the lavish vibes. Not to be missed!
Embark on a Sunset Cruise
There’s no better way to see the sunset than from the water. As a fun experience on our last night, we booked a sunset cruise on Motunui, a two-hour catamaran excursion that left from West Palm and cruised around the bay, past Peanut Island to the ocean and back. We sang along to tunes and enjoyed the sunset with a few drinks in hand while gawking at extravagant multi-million dollar Bayfront estates – each more grand than the next. It was definitely a fun way to end our trip, and a great way to see sights only visible on the water!
Embrace a Slower Pace with Sunrises, Leisurely Walks & Beach Time
As a native San Diegan, my initial idea of our beach time was grabbing a few beers at a beach bar and taking in the ocean views. That was NOT the experience offered on the island of Palm Beach. But after a day, I began to embrace this new, quieter, therapeutic reality of our vacation. There’s nothing quite like the soothing feeling of watching the sunrise, or walking alongside the vastness of the ocean, hearing the repetitive slow crashing of the waves and having time to work through things in your mind without distraction. Two days in a row, we checked out beach chairs, towels and an umbrella, and made our five-minute trek to the beach, setting up shop in the sand to relax, listen to the waves and feel the sun on our skin. I even napped on the beach, something I hadn’t done in years, giving myself permission to fully relax, be present, and just enjoy the moment. Bottom line, the beachside vibe wasn’t what I expected – it was so much better. If you allow yourself to embrace the different, slower pace of life in Palm Beach, it will be an enjoyable, therapeutic experience. And if you are craving a livelier pace, you can always head right over the bridge to West Palm for a fun time! The best of all worlds.
For a change of scenery, (as if you could ever get tired of the ocean views), take a long stroll through the beautiful neighborhoods. We thoroughly loved our walks on Ocean Blvd, with the ocean on one side, and incredible mansions on the other. Looking at each unique estate for miles made for entertaining mornings that went by way too fast!
On our last day in Palm Beach, I left my phone behind and took a long walk along the shore by myself, collecting shells, praying, and quietly working things out in my mind as I walked in the water and listened to the waves. I can pinpoint that final beach walk to a healing and therapeutic time for me that I will always remember.
Looking back, our getaway to Palm Beach was the best decision we could have ever made. Not only did it provide the opportunity for reflection and healing during serene sunrise and ocean walks, but it was an absolutely gorgeous vacation destination that I would highly recommend to anyone looking to book their own little quieter ocean getaway in South Florida. Enjoy your ocean therapy!
A Note on Grief
I’m sorry if this might be a little depressing after a light-hearted travel post, but while social media makes everything look grand, and it often times doesn’t ground us in reality. That can be very hard to see while going through pain and comparing the lives of others who are only sharing their highlight reel of life. We all experience highs and lows, and I decided that I wanted to share this aspect of our lives too, in the off-chance that it might encourage or help just one other person reading this. If you are going through a trying time, experiencing grief or emotional pain, or, in our case, infertility and miscarriage, you are absolutely not alone.
People cope through grief in very different ways, and some ways work better for others. Regardless, I think it’s important to allow ourselves to actively seek joy to find peace to persevere, and not feel guilty for doing so. God wants joy for all of us.
My husband and I find immense joy through traveling, exploring new places and trying new things. Brady encouraging us to take a trip the week after our painful, traumatic miscarriage was exactly the distraction we needed to reset our minds and help us begin to climb out of the deep depths of our grief. I know if we didn’t seek joy that week, we would still be perpetually caught in the first week of mourning, months later. It provided us with gift to reflect on the fact that God is in control, and while I wouldn’t wish our struggles on anyone, we will continue to lean into Him and trust that His perfect timing and His reasons will be revealed in time.
I would like to share our now five-year journey of infertility and IVF eventually, but I also know that all of us as human beings all have a cross to bear, which might come through in different ways. While our sadness from our loss will always be with us, in that moment we chose to seek joy through adventure, and looking back, it was what we needed for our souls to begin the healing process, and I truly hope you too can seek joy to help during times of great pain, whether it be through taking up a hobby that has always interested you, enjoying a road trip, sharing a heart-to-heart with a friend, or traveling to a new place to experience something new. You deserve joy, and you are so loved by the Lord.
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