Palm Beach Florida~And It's Best Kept Secret~Little Singer Island
Written: Oct 27 '07 (Updated Oct 28 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: So much to do, so little time
Cons: Palm Beach is very costly.
The Bottom Line: Palm Beach is posh and expensive, but Singer Island is much easier on the budget with beautiful beaches and plenty to do
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| ifif1938's Full Review: Palm Beach |
Palm Beach, what do you think of when you hear Palm Beach? Most of us think of the very rich and famous who have extravagant homes and palatial estates where they stay during the cold winter months up north as well as the glitz and glamour that is associated with names of those who live or have lived there. The Astors, the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilt's, William Randolph Hearst, the Kennedy's and of course Donald Trump with his famous Mar-A-Lago estate, now a very ritzy private club, just to name a few...Henry Flagler had one of these opulent playgrounds he called home which is now a famous museum. Viewing these very posh elegant winter homes has become an attraction in itself and one of the most popular drives on the coast road, AIA, for tourists visiting the Gold Coast of Southern Florida…but be forewarned, many are hard to see due to the lush and thick shrubbery grown to keep most of our eyes off their property, though there is still enough to be seen to make to make an impression on anyone, if you like that sort of thing…to tell you the truth, in all the years I've lived in South Florida, I've only taken that ride one time…but yes, it certainly is impressive…even if a bit over the top!
A little History
In 1878 a Spanish barge was wrecked off the shore of what is now Palm Beach…This lost vessel carried a cargo of coconuts…when they were washed on shore they took root and began to grow….It took some time but eventually that barren sand key was transformed into a beautiful tropical island. In 1893 Henry Flagler saw the island and its possibilities. It was during this period that he was expanding his railroad down the coast of Florida and looking for new sites to develop for future luxury hotels. He designed the plans for the Palm Beach township, built the Royal Poinciana Hotel, then established Palm Beach as a winter retreat for the very very wealthy…the rest is history
But, you don't have to have tons of money to have some fun on Florida's Gold Coast and you don't have to be dripping in gold either….Located just on the northern tip of Palm Beach is a little beach paradise I have grown to love. Singer Island….named for another famous and wealthy person who lived in Palm Beach and fell in love with this tiny island, Paris Singer, heir to the Singer sewing machine fortune…..now, a haven for local residents of the nearby mainland West Palm Beach, along with retirees, fisherman and vacationers who are lured here to enjoy island living without having to leave the country or spend a fortune to do so.
Times are changing though and the small town feel is moving over to make room for posh luxury condos and hotels which are being built at a steady pace along the oceanfront but, there is still a sense of calm along the wide open beach upon which I love to take long leisurely walks...I also really appreciate the respect they show for the environment during the months of the year when the turtles nest and small signs appear above the little mounds of sand warning you not to walk or disturb those precious little hatchlings.
The hotel we have stayed at each visit, The Hilton Singer Island, is small for a Hilton and not exorbitant price wise, as long as don't go during high season, there are a few places like that left but I worry it won't be like that for long…so far so good…. Each time we have been to Singer Island we come away thinking we want to go back. That's a good thing!
Though the island is small there are other activities to do beside sit on the white sands looking out at the views of the Atlantic ocean lapping at the shoreline…or, lying poolside with a cold refreshing drink in your hand...You can take a ride on the Singer Island trolley which will take you from one end of the island to the other, or you can see the scenic sights from the water on the invigorating water taxi…Want a bigger boating experience? Hop on the 50 passenger Corinthian Catamaran to see the posh estates I mentioned earlier for a better view from the water when you take the new "Then and Now Cruise"…Want a little more excitement? Then maybe the gambling cruise might be more to your liking…these boats leave often from the two Marinas located on the Island. We did one of the water taxi's and had a ball…The sights are outstanding from the water and next year, if we go back to that food show we go to every year, I hope to do the "Then and Now" Cruise.
If you decide to leave Singer Island to enjoy some of the pleasantries on Palm Beach, it's really just a short drive….many interesting and varied activities await. One of my favorites is the Museum once lived in by Flagler himself…Called Whitehall, it is also known as the Taj Mahal of North America…There are 55 rooms including a Louis XIV music room, art gallery and ballroom… The furnishings are all original antiques from Europe, all housed in this mansion he gave his third wife as a wedding gift…The architecture has a strong Spanish look with all the rooms built around a large central courtyard…one special attraction you will see and totally fitting for the man that brought those train tracks through Florida, is his private railroad car …Quite opulent in and of itself.
Another special place is the Norton Art Gallery with permanent prestige collections including my favorite French Impressionists, 20th century American art and a really superb Chinese exhibit with outstanding pieces of Jade on display….In addition, there are temporary exhibits through the year. This is an easy museum to see and not a whole day affair.
For those who have money to burn or just want to window shop, like me, Worth Avenue is like no other shopping street in Florida, reminds me of Beverly Hills, only nicer. All along Worth Avenue are designer clothing stores, posh boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, most are expensive but there are a few cafes that might offer you a meal without emptying your wallet.
For a little adventure the kiddies will love take a trip to Lion Country Safari in West Palm Beach, voted "best local attraction" year after year….This is where you drive your car through the "preserve" where hundreds of animals roam free and look into your car while you look out…This will thrill and delight children of all ages as will the amusement park featuring animal encounters and demonstrations...There are rides, shopping and places to find a bite to eat …Just don't go mid-afternoon when the lions and other animals are taking their Siestas…
There really is so much offered in Palm Beach and is the spot ideal for the sportsman, with boating, golfing, fishing and many water sporting activities at your disposal, even Polo, where some of the most prestigious Polo Clubs are located in the U.S as well as the annual Winter Equestrian Festival which draws thousands of visitors each year, as does the National horse show.
As for dining, some of the best and most prestigious restaurants are located in Palm Beach, fine dining at its best and quite costly, but, as far as my experience, I really can't write much since we usually have our meals on Singer Island, and really enjoy Coconuts on the Beach located at the Hilton… we have gone to a few other seafood places nearby and never had a bad experience…we did have lunch near Worth Ave once but I've forgotten the name…But I would think it probably is hard to find a bad meal in Palm Beach
As you can see, Palm Beach has something for everyone, young and old alike…But for me, I just enjoy lazing out on that little Island, called Singer….It's just a perfect little paradise and best of all, it's less than 2 hour drive away from the reality of life…
Where we stayed:
Hilton Hotel,Singer Island
The Restaurant
Coconuts On The Beach
Happy and Safe Travels
Recommended:
Yes
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