Labor Day weekend, 2022! I can’t believe it’s already over but my husband and I finally took a break and enjoyed some much needed and overdue R&R with friends who live in the Palm Beach area in Florida.
We took a quick, direct flight from Nashville via Southwest into Fort Lauderdale (much cheaper than flying into Palm Beach airport, which also had no direct flights) so we were able to enjoy the entire day since we landed at 9:30am! Winning!! And, may I just say how much I highly recommend staying HERE (insert ALLLLL the heart eyes)! Oh my goodness it was the most beautiful hotel, with beautiful art on the wall in the lobby and the most charming rooftop bar called the Treehouse. I had the most delicious cocktail (Pics included below) called Passion and Spice and took the most beautiful sunset pics! The hotel is walkable to Rosemary Square which has beautiful décor, cute shops and yummy restaurants that will please even the pickiest of shoppers and eaters alike.
There was so much to see that we hit the ground running and barely came up for air during the three days we were there…We started with brunch at JB’s on the water, where I had the Blackened Mahi sandwich with broccoli and it was exactly what I needed (along with a delicious cocktail), and then we walked on the pier that was right outside, just steps from where we sat and ate. The Lobster Scramble is what my husband ordered and it deserves an honorable mention at the VERY least. I stole a bite or two and it was marvelous.
From there we drove along A1A all the way up to Palm Beach, stopping to get pictures at Mar-a-Lago (love or hate President Trump it is a beautiful place to stop and take pictures!) and then grabbing Chips and Guac from Rocco’s Tacos while we watched college football. I am sort of a guacamole snob and this was some of the best guac I have EVER had in my life! We chose to get it spicy and it had great flavor without being too hot. We walked around Rosemary Square and perused the quaint shops and gazed at the architecture. Not one picture I took does that area justice!
The next day we rented paddleboards and paddled around Peanut Island which is the cutest little island on the intercoastal waterway. It was the greatest way to get a workout while enjoying the sun and the people watching! After showering we had dinner at E.R. Bradley’s where I devoured the most delicious Lobster Roll I think I’ve ever had (Maybe I was just hungry? I don’t know but it was divineeeeeee!) and played shuffleboard. There were other arcade games, a huge indoor and outdoor bar area, hammock’s and cute tiki bars to hang out at. It was SO FUN! My friend, Tara knew of my obsession with all things Kennedy Family related to we walked around the corner from Bradley’s to a Kennedy inspired bar called Camelot where we took pictures inside a faux boat surrounded by photos of John F Kennedy, Jackie and their children. It made my little Kennedy obsessed heart so happy!
Our last day was spent driving around the cute beach town of Delray Beach, which is about twenty minutes south of Palm Beach. We had lunch at the most beautiful hotel restaurant called Drift and I have decided that next time we may have to stay at the Opal Grand Hotel in Delray Beach because it is just beautiful. Stunning driftwood is what decorates much of the hotel and all of the restaurant, and there are stunning personal touches around every corner. Plus, the flatbreads are big enough that four of us could share one! After our delicious and beautiful lunch we walked around the shops on the same street, grabbed one more cocktail from the Sandbar Beach bar then continued driving further into Delray Beach. Our last stop of the day before heading back to the airport was Silverball Retro Arcade , the most amazing, throwback pinball arcade with the best happy hour on the beach, and games that will excite every member of your family (They also have GIGANTIC pretzels that an entire family can easily share!!). You pay a small “entrance” fee and then every game in the two story arcade is free play. There are more pinball machines than I can count, skeeball, basketball, air hockey and so much more! It was so much fun! We also walked around the Marketplace (an inside food hall that has something for everyone!) and the shops outside. My two favorites were Sea Shell and Haystacks – a store I first discovered years ago while spending summers with a family I used to nanny for in upper Michigan.
After that, sadly it was back to the airport for us to catch our 8pm flight home to Nashville. A part of my heart remains in almost every beach town I visit but this one may just be one of my top five favorites of all time. Next time you’re looking for a family getaway OR a lovers retreat consider visiting Palm Beach/Delray Beach area. It was simply magical and I cannot wait to return!
