From Presidents Nixon and Kennedy, to Presidents Obama and Trump, The Palm Beaches has always been a tropical respite among U.S. presidents. Its iconic tenure spans far beyond politics to delight fans of celebrities of all fields, including legendary resort-wear designer Lilly Pulitzer, fashion icon Iris Apfel, and famous athletes Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Kelly Slater and Jack Nicklaus. Today, visitors can enjoy many of those celebrities’ same experiences, while enjoying traditional American staple favorites. From hot dog joints and breweries to baseball and classic cars, vacationers will find many all- American things to try this Spring.  

BASEBALL – AMERICA’S PASTIME

 

Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium – Jupiter, Fla. As the only stadium in the USA to host four minor league teams, this stadium is the Spring Training home of two major league baseball teams: Miami Marlins and the St. Louise Cardinals. The site also hosts the Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival’s Field of Beers each year, which features hyper-local brewers and chefs that team up for 15+ classic beer and food pairings every January.  

 Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches – West Palm Beach, Fla.

Opened in March of 2017, this new ballpark is the Spring Training home for the Washington Nationals and this year’s World Series Champions, The Houston Astros. Fans can enjoy everything from the most inexpensive views in the Banana Boat Lawn, to intimate suites complete with open balcony seating and hospitality service, or a field box with complimentary in-seat service.

CONCERTS AND EVENTS

 The Honda Classic: February 19-25, 2018 The PGA Tour stops by for its annual visit to one of professional golf’s most notable locations – PGA National Resort & Spa. A tour highlight for players and fans alike, the Champion Course – home of the famous Bear Trap and toughest golf course in Florida, according to the PGA Tour – hosts the prestigious Honda Classic.

Coral Sky Amphitheatre at the South Florida Fairgrounds – West Palm Beach, Fla.

WIRK Rib Round Up Country Music Festival – March 3, 2018  Foo Fighters: Concrete And Gold Tour ’18 – April 26, 2018 Lynyrd Skynyrd: Last of the Street Survivors Tour – May 4, 2018 Alan Jackson: Honky Tonk Highway Tour 2018 – May 12, 2018 Steely Dan With The Doobie Brothers: The Summer Of Living Dangerously – May 17, 2018 Top Dawg Entertainment: The Championship Tour – May 23, 2018 Kenny Chesney: Trip Around the Sun Tour – May 24, 2018 Wellington Bacon and Bourbon Fest: March 23-25, 2018 This event offers a wide-ranging menu developed by local chefs. Guests can explore the boundaries of bacon and pork-related dishes – from the traditionally-inspired to the unusual, such as bacon ice cream. Bourbon, Irish whiskey, rye, ice cold beer and a sampling for wine will be available as well.  

PrideFest of Lake Worth and The Palm Beaches: March 24-25, 2018

PrideFest of The Palm Beaches has grown from a small gathering to one of the largest festivals in South Florida, attracting more than 20,000 attendees annually. As Palm Beach County’s largest LGBT event, it features a parade, live performances and entertainment for all ages.  

Savor The Avenue: March 26, 2018

Enjoy Downtown Delray Beach’s diverse collection of restaurants, as you dine at one of the nation’s longest dining tables during one of the most highly-anticipated events in the city. Seating 1,100 diners and stretching for five blocks, this event highlights Delray Beach’s diverse collection of restaurants. Sixteen of Downtown Delray Beach’s finest restaurants typically participate, preparing four-course menus and ambiance to dinners who purchase tickets for the event, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

2018 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction: April 12-15, 2018

The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions® returns to the South Florida Fairgrounds as Barrett-Jackson presents its 16th Annual Palm Beach Auction. The world-class automotive lifestyle event features hundreds of the world’s most sought-after, unique and valuable automobiles crossing the block in front of a global audience. The auction, whether seen in person or on live national and international television, also features extraordinary offerings from several prominent collections, including more than 140 vehicles from the John Staluppi Collection.  

SunFest: May 3-6, 2018

SunFest is Florida’s largest music, art, and waterfront festival. Held along the scenic Downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront, it is one of the most well-recognized events in the southeast. SunFest presents a range of music from legends to up‐and‐comers, along with artwork and vendors. SunFest features 50 bands on three stages for three days.

Delray Beach Craft Beer Fest: May 11, 2018 At this popular event at Old School Square, attendees get unlimited sampling of more than 100 craft brews and ciders, as well as wines. Attendance is limited. VIP ticket holders get exclusive tasting of all beers and wines from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Ticket includes a commemorative tasting glass, and featured tap releases. Only 500 VIP tickets are available, so early purchase is encouraged. General admission opens at 7:30 p.m.

Fourth of July Festivities – From Jupiter to Boca Raton, visitors can enjoy Independence Day celebrations, fireworks and more in various of Palm Beach County’s cities. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly festivities or adult-focused fun, here are some of the notable celebrations to add to your calendar:  City of Boca Raton’s Fabulous Fourth – July 4, 2018 Delray Beach’s July 4th Celebration – July 4, 2018 4th of July Block Party – July 4, 2018 July 4th Mega Bash at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium – July 4, 2018  City of West Palm Beach’s Fourth on Flagler – July 4, 2018

CRAFT BEER

With a rich variety of flavors from tropical Hefeweizens to bold IPAs, The Palm Beaches now offers more than 17 breweries that provide visitors with all very different experiences. Highlights include Matthews Brewing Company in Lake Worth, the newest addition to the list, which offers a laid-back sculpture garden feel; Accomplice Brewery & Ciderworks a warehouse space establishment that specializes in ciders; Saltwater Brewery, which is most notable for its creation of a biodegradable six-pack beer holder; and Due South Brewing Co., which produces thousands of barrels of beer and serves as a supplier to various bars and restaurants from Orlando to Tampa and Key West to Daytona Beach. For a complete listing of each of these and more, click here.

Damn Good Beer Bus – county-wide

Opened in April 2017, this unique mode of transportation brings visitors thirsty for local brews to both public and private brewery tours at several of the destination’s most popular local breweries, including Barrel of Monks, Saltwater Brewery, NOBO Brewing Company, and many more.

HISTORY

Dubois Pioneer Home – Jupiter, Fla.

As one of the last remaining historic homesteads of its type, the house was built by Harry Dubois in 1898 atop a Native American shell rock midden. The midden is one of the last coastal shell mounds in southeast Florida, while the home is an example of a self-sufficient South Florida Pioneer home. The park that surrounds the home was once a thriving village, where ancient Floridians once lived. Today, visitors can experience free docent guided tours on Tuesdays and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum – Jupiter, Fla.

As the oldest structure in Palm Beach County, dating to the 1860s, the Jupiter Lighthouse is a treasured gem. From Native American history to military occupation, the landmark lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The on-site waterfront Museum, which is located inside a restored WWII building, exhibits Five Thousand Years on the Loxahatchee River. Outdoor exhibits include the Oil House & Keepers Workshop, Tindall Pioneer Homestead, Seminole Chickee and Early Native American kiosks.

Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park – Jupiter, Fla.

As a gateway to the Loxahatchee River, as well as prehistoric and historic habitation dating as far back as the Archaic Period over 5,000 years ago, the park aims to preserve, protect and educate. The park is home to two of the battles of the Loxahatchee, including Powell Battle and Jesup’s Battle. The first battle of the Loxahatchee River took place on January 15,1939, when the United States Navy Waterborne Everglades Expeditionary Unit was defeated by the Seminoles. The second battle of the Loxahatchee occurred just nine days later on January 24, 1838, when Major General Thomas S. Jesup led 1500 troops, and met 300 Seminole Indians on the banks of the Loxahatchee river. This was the last standing battle of the Second Seminole War. The historic site also sits adjacent to Riverbend Park, which offers access to nearly 10 miles of nature trails, nearly seven miles of equestrian trails and access to Florida’s one of two Wild and Scenic classified rivers: the Loxahatchee River.

The Flagler Museum – Palm Beach, Fla.

Henry Morrison Flagler played a large part in American history, particularly in Florida. As an oil tycoon and founder of Florida East Coast Railway and The Breakers Palm Beach, Flagler helped transform the destination to what it is today. When he connected the northeast train system to Florida in the late 1800s, he brought with him an influx of affluent visitors. Today, visitors can marvel at his Gilded Age 75-room mansion, which today is the Flagler Museum, which offers guided tours, changing exhibits and special programs.

Paramount Theatre – Palm Beach, Fla.

This Mediterranean Revival-style theatre opened in January 9,1927. It served as a center of live entertainment and films in the 1930s and 1940s, welcoming many of Hollywood’s stars including Al Jolson, Judy Garland, Bob Hope and Barbara Streisand. Though the last showing was 53 years ago on May 31, 1980, the Theatre now houses photographs of its glamorous past and the actors and actresses who graced its stage. Today, the theatre is home to more than 20 businesses and the Paramount Church.

HOTDOGS, POPCORN AND GRILLED CHEESE

   Big Daddy’s Hotdogs & More – North Palm Beach, Fla.

As a New England mom-and-pop offering specialty hot dogs, clam chowder, and lobster rolls, this cozy restaurant also offers an “Old School Menu” on Thursday that features a fried bologna sandwich as well as a spam sandwich.

Dune Dog – Jupiter, Fla.

A casual, laid-back petite establishment that offers hotdogs, fried fish sandwiches and much more. The open-air café has been a local favorite since 1994 for their quick and friendly service, and hot, quality fast food.

Grilled Cheese Gallery – Northwood Village, Fla.

The small, colorful eatery offers over a dozen grilled cheese options. Not only do they serve grilled cheese, but also poutine, soups, salads and desserts. Art mounted throughout the eatery is also available for viewing and for purchase.

New York Grilled Cheese Co. – Boca Raton, Fla.

Dating back to the 1920s, the Home of The Waffled Grilled Cheese, serves savory hot-press grilled cheese sandwiches. Signature sandwiches include a Parisian-inspired melt called the SOHO Sweet Cheeses, a mouth- watering slow-cooked premium beef brisket grilled cheese called The Meat Packing District (M.P.D)., and the wing- stuffed Blue Buffalo grilled cheese.

 McCrays’ Backyard BBQ – West Palm Beach, Fla.

Started during the years of segregation, the McCray family’s love of barbeque and tender ribs comes through in their flavorful sauces and grilled specialties. This humble establishment has gained national recognition, and even has been invited to attend the Super Bowl for many years, catering the Player Networking Event.

Original Popcorn House – Delray Beach, Fla.

Handcrafted to popcorn-perfection, this family-owned and operated gourmet popcorn shop offers a variety of signature flavors, including beer with lime, pancakes and bacon, and grilled cheese & tomato soup. In addition to their popcorn variety, they also sell 17 flavors of saltwater taffy.

Relish Burger – Northwood Village & Boca Raton, Fla.

Open for lunch and dinner, this eatery offers all sorts of burger options, ranging from Wild Boar and Salmon burgers to wild mushroom and shrimp. Gluten-free bun options, salads and sweets such as Instagram-worthy shakes and hot mini donuts are also available.