From manatees to Mizner, JFK’s hidden bunker to 47 miles of beach, discover 25 fascinating fun facts about The Palm Beaches

Hotels & Historic Stays

1. Breakers Palm beach

The Breakers Palm Beach opened in 1896, making it the oldest hotel in Palm Beach County—and one of Florida’s most legendary resorts.

2. Addison Mizner, The Boca Raton

Designed by visionary architect Addison Mizner, The Boca Raton (formerly the Boca Raton Resort & Club) helped define Palm Beach’s signature Mediterranean style.

3. PGA National Resort

PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens hosts the Cognizant Classic golf tournament and features multiple championship courses.

4. “America’s First Resort Destination®

Palm Beach’s reputation as “America’s First Resort Destination®” began with railroad magnate Henry Flagler, who built The Breakers and put Florida’s east coast on the map.

Parks & Outdoor Escapes

5. Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is the largest park in Palm Beach County, spanning over 10,000 acres of pristine natural beauty.

6. Okeeheelee Park

Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach is an equestrian and adventure lover’s paradise, with miles of hiking, biking, and riding trails.

7. DuBois Park

At DuBois Park in Jupiter, you can explore a historic home built atop ancient Native American shell mounds.

8. Phil Foster Park

Phil Foster Park, on Singer Island, is one of Florida’s best snorkeling spots—its underwater trail teems with tropical fish just offshore.

9. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum Park

The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum Park offers panoramic views, rich maritime history, and a climb worth every step.

Wildlife & Nature Wonders

10. Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge preserves the northern Everglades—home to alligators, herons, and endless natural beauty.

11. Manatees

The Palm Beaches’ gentle manatees, also called “sea cows”, are often spotted in warm Intracoastal waters.

12. Loggerhead Marinelife Center

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach rescues and rehabilitates sea turtles before releasing them back into the Atlantic.

13. American alligator

The American alligator still reigns in the Everglades region—though usually from a safe (and photogenic) distance.

Nightlife & Local Vibes

14.West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is nightlife central, with Clematis Street leading the party—lined with bars, live music, and rooftop lounges.

15. The Rooftop at The Ben

The Rooftop at The Ben offers panoramic city and waterfront views—an unbeatable spot for sunset cocktails.

16. Atlantic Avenue

In Delray Beach, Atlantic Avenue comes alive at night with restaurants, bars, and art galleries buzzing until late.

History & Heritage

17. Palm Beach

Palm Beach got its name from a shipwrecked cargo of coconuts that washed ashore in the 1800s—sparking a tropical namesake.

18. Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

The grand Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, once Flagler’s private estate, now celebrates his vision and railroad legacy.

19. Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County was officially founded in 1909, carved from what was once part of Dade County.

20. Old School Square

The Old School Square in Delray Beach began as a historic train depot—today, it’s a thriving cultural arts hub.

Beaches, Beauty & Beyond

21. 47 miles of Atlantic coastline

With 47 miles of Atlantic coastline, The Palm Beaches offer endless ways to soak up the sun.

22. Gulf Stream

The Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current just offshore, keeps local waters crystal clear and snorkeling-perfect year-round.

23. Peanut Island

Peanut Island hides a fascinating secret: a Cold War bunker built for President John F. Kennedy, tucked beneath the island’s surface.

24. Eco Excellence: Blue Flag Beaches

Delray Beach and Spanish River Park have earned the prestigious Blue Flag designation—an international symbol for clean, safe, and sustainably managed beaches.

25. Regenerative Tourism in Action

The Palm Beaches are leading the way in regenerative tourism—where travelers give back to the destination through eco-tours, local farms, and reef-restoration programs.

With so much to do here (these 25 are just the beginning), it’s easy to see why The Palm Beaches is a must-explore destination on your visit. While you're here, don’t forget to share your memories by tagging us @PalmBeachesFL and using  #ThePalmBeaches.