By Janet K. Keeler
The Port of Palm Beach is Florida’s little cruise port that could. Flanked by much bigger and busier cruise ports, Port Canaveral to the north and Port Everglades to the south, the Port of Palm Beach has found its niche. And close to three-quarters of a million cruisers a year like that niche.
A single cruise line sails from the Port of Palm Beach’s single terminal—Margaritaville at Sea, formerly the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. The cruise line with the Jimmy Buffett vibes offers two- and three-night cruises to Freeport. (A new Margaritaville ship, the Sea Islander, will soon be sailing from Port Tampa Bay on four- and five-night trips to Key West and Western Mexico.)
The cruise port is a roughly 20-minute drive from Palm Beach International Airport but it’s a good bet that many Margaritaville cruisers are driving to the port. A Bahamas cruise is a perfect quick getaway for locals but also for winter visitors or others who are spending an extended time in the Sunshine State. It’s also an activity to entertain visiting relatives and friends.
Because the cruises are short, it makes perfect sense for out-of-towners to extend the trip on one end or the other and explore the Palm Beach County area. This is the playground for the rich and famous (and sometimes notorious) so why not enjoy the things they do.
Here are five things to do near the Port of Palm Beach.
A Round of Golf
Palm Beach County calls itself Florida’s Golf Capital and with 170 courses within its nearly 2,000 square miles, who is anyone to quibble? The golfing (and weather!) is so good in Palm Beach County that renowned pros such as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have homes there. You may not be ready to take on the courses at the PGA National Resort, which can be played by guests staying there, but there are plenty of other links to choose from. The county maintains five public courses and there are other public courses including Par 3 which offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean along the way. Don’t have clubs? Check with the pro shop before you book a tee time because many of them rent them.
Second-hand Treasures
It’s no secret that Palm Beach is loaded with mega-rich residents like Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, and Stephen Ross, the owner of the Miami Dolphins. The barrier island has a swanky shopping district where designer duds from Jimmy Choo, Carolina Herrera, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, among others, can be found in shops on Worth Avenue. But there are second-hand shops, some of them curated consignment boutiques, in Palm Beach and also across the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach. Shoppers can find last season’s cast-offs for a fraction of full retail. The Church Mouse in Palm Beach is one of the fanciest church thrift stores you’re likely to step into. It’s open every day except Sunday (of course) but only during the “season” and that means October to June. There you can find clothes and accessories by the likes of Gucci and Kate Spade, among other well-known names. Off the island, drive West Palm Beach’s Antique Row, also known as South Dixie Highway, stopping at whatever stores suit your tastes. There will be clothing consignment and thrift shops along the way.
The Romance of the Lighthouse
About 30 miles north of the Port of Palm Beach is Jupiter Inlet where an 1860 lighthouse stands guard, a beauty made of brick painted red. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is an operating aid to navigation and still has its first-order Fresnel lens, though it converted to electricity in 1928. It is one of 30 lighthouses in the state. Visitors can make the trek up the 105 steps to the top and get an amazing 360-degree view of the Atlantic Ocean to the interior land of the county. The entry fee is $6 to $18 and the lighthouse grounds are open Tuesday through Sunday, except for some holidays. Once on the grounds, visitors can check out the museum and tour the grounds with an app-based guide. There are also guided tours. The pioneer homestead and keeper’s workshop are on the tour. Close to the lighthouse is a cafe called, not surprisingly, the Lighthouse Diner. It serves typical diner food but the “hard” milkshakes made with rum, kahlua, bourbon or vodka are worth checking out.
The Luxury of the Breakers
The opulent and historic Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean can be experienced in a day by renting one of 25 poolside bungalows. Use the bungalow to get out of the sun and enjoy a cold drink from the stocked fridge. Don’t have all day? Dine at one of several restaurants, including dress-up places (HMF, Henry’s Palm Beach or Flagler Steakhouse) or more casual spots (The Beach Club Restaurant, Ocean House or The Surf Break). If you happen to be around on Sunday morning, the brunch at The Circle is a favorite for locals especially on holidays. Make a reservation. You might just think you’re in Italy surrounded as you will be by frescoed ceilings and eight murals of Renaissance scenes. It may look Italian but the hotel, built in 1896, celebrities a truly Florida migration story. It’s the legacy of oil baron Henry Morrison Flagler of Standard Oil fame, whose name can be found all over the state, including a coastal county a little farther north.
A Lesson in Art
You’ve been hanging out in the sun (or will be) a lot on your Bahamian cruise so it might be a good idea to duck inside for a few hours to save your skin. A visit to the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach can provide that respite and a glimpse into a private collection of art that was the seed for this noteworthy Florida museum. The Norton has a permanent collection of 8,200 works that span European, American, Chinese, contemporary and photography departments. Among the collection are Stuart Davis’ New York Mural and Jackson Pollock’s Night Mist. You might recognize others as you wander the galleries—yes, that’s a Georgia O’Keeffe painting and an Alexander Calder mobile. Check out the museum’s schedule of events, which often includes activities for children, and special exhibits for the time you will be there. The onsite restaurant is open for brunch, lunch and dinner. The caramelized Brussels sprouts Caesar salad at lunch is on trend, as are the Florida craft beers.
