First stop along the original Florida Railroad, Palm Beach developed as a result of extraordinarily wealthy northerners escaping winter. Stunning mansions, stately hotels, manicured grounds, and upscale boutiques still attract the wealthy and famous, including many in the Washington political elite. This narrow strip of land has many beautiful private homes, making this a generally low key area. Nightlife is mostly restricted to hotels and private cocktail parties around town, although a few establishments provide some lively action. West Palm Beach is located on the west side of Lake Worth, and is a large modern city of over 750,000, with all the usual trappings. As a stark contrast to Palm Beach on the ocean, West Palm beach has some dangerous and impoverished areas, including Riviera Beach.

We recommend Palm Beach in a historic hotel, such as the Breakers, for those who want to capture the elegance and excess of a ritzy Florida holiday.