Palm Beach, Florida: History, Nature and High Society

If there's a destination in the United States with a more convergent personality than Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and Singer Island, Florida I can't imagine what, or where, it is.

One morning, during my recent visit there, I observed nattily dressed men and women playing the genteel game of croquet. That pastime traces its roots back to England in the 1860s, when it was promoted by the Earl of Essex and became a popular, socially accepted form of leisure.

In the afternoon, I watched a spirited polo match, a game which originated in ancient Persia more than 2,000 years ago and evolved over time to become known as "The Sport of Kings," popular in high society.

Main Content

When evening arrived, I ate dinner during my month-long stay at a number of what can only be described as "dive bars" which are dotted throughout the community. They compete for customers with white tablecloth fine dining establishments that offer excellent food at sometimes excessive prices.

This diversity is, to me, one of the Palm Beach area's numerous inviting, and intriguing, traits. Walking or driving in the region introduces visitors to a smorgasbord of things to do and see which range from upscale to underprivileged, from interesting man-made attractions to some of Mother Nature's magnificent handiwork.

Adding to the appeal is the fact that many popular sites are welcoming to people with a handicap. For example, curb cuts along Worth Avenue are smooth and easy for wheelchairs to transit. Among welcoming beaches are those at DuBois Park, which has accessible picnic tables, ramped access and amphibious beach wheelchairs, and Ocean Reef Park, with ramped access to the sand and complimentary beach wheelchairs.

Mounts Botanical Garden is fully wheelchair accessible, as there are smooth paths throughout. That's also true for The Square in West Palm Beach, which is lined by dozens of shops and restaurants. Many businesses have an even entrance to get inside, and elevators are available to access the shops and restaurants on upper levels.

Visitors taking the drive-through experience at Lion Country Safari may see hundreds of animals from the comforts of their vehicle.

Of course, Florida means inviting seashores, and this location has its share of them. Those seeking a serene setting and calm waters often head for Sandy Point Beach. Trails meandering inland from the Riviera Municipal Beach cross dunes and coastal hammocks, and this stretch of sand offers excellent shelling. Ocean Reef Park is often pounded by powerful waves which can challenge all but the most accomplished swimmers.

The oceanfront location attracted Native Americans at least 3,000 years ago. Evidence of their habitation includes Pre-Colombian archaeological complexes consisting of a burial mound and cemeteries.

Early white settlers built the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse around 1860. Twenty years later, Standard Oil tycoon Henry Fagler constructed three resort hotels which transformed the tropical landscape into a winter resort for the wealthy, then he extended the Florida East Coast Railway to the area.

In 1902, Flagler built a spectacular mansion as a gift for his bride, a beaux arts–styled modern manor adorned with pink aluminum-leaf wallpaper. The 4,750-square-foot Grand Hall, Library with its painted cast plaster ceiling and silk-and wood-lined Drawing Room give visitors a feel for the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy at that time. So vast is the castle-like structure that my first thought upon entering was if I had ever lived there, I'd have needed a map to find my way around.

Those who are there in mid-day may segue into a "Gilded Age Style" lunch in the Café des Beaux-Arts. It's housed in the Pavilion, a 19th-century, iron-and-glass railway palace which also displays Flagler's private railroad car.

Palm Beach continues to live up to its reputation as a retreat for the super-rich. Several years ago, Forbes magazine reported that the city was home to at least 30 billionaires – that's billion with a B. As I strolled along Worth Avenue, past high-end stores like Valentina, Versace and Ralph Lauren, I agreed with its description as one of the most beautiful shopping venues in the country. It combines classy European sophistication with elegant style and grace.

I also enjoyed the balance provided by stores, restaurants, bars and other establishments that cater largely to locals. Along with their touches of resident vibe, they offer opportunities to meet and mingle with folks who live in the area. Often, they can recommend below-the-radar places to see, and things to do, that visitors otherwise might miss.

In an area where Technicolor flowers and multi-hued foliage grow wild, gardens might seem redundant. However, formal plantings add an inviting painter's palette to the landscape.

Some, like the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, introduce human touches to Mother Nature's handiwork. Ann was a renowned sculpture whose works are displayed among some 250 species of rare tropical palms, cycads and native plants, as well as in her home.

Where there are sea, sand and soil there's likely to be wildlife, and it abounds at this destination. The John McArthur Beach State Park offers sightings of sea turtles, osprey and pelicans. Hikers in Phil Foster Park frequently encounter gopher, tortoise and herons. Droll-looking mammals referred to as sea cows congregate in large numbers in Manatee Lagoon, while in the visitor center there I enjoyed close-up views of animals of various sizes as they munched on a meal of lettuce and vegetables.

Getting close up and personal with those endearing creatures is one opportunity among many to meet and mingle with denizens of the Palm Beach area of Florida. Other experiences range from reliving the Gilded Age of high society to enjoying magnificent natural settings to checking out fun and funky places at which to sup and sip.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Author Credentials: Victor Block has been a travel journalist for many years, and has written for major newspapers, magazines and travel websites and served as an editor of Fodor's Travel Guides. He is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Travel Journalists Association. Victor is a regular contributor of reviews to the Disabled World travel section. Visit Victors's biography for further insights into his background and expertise.