Travel and Explore Palm Beach, FL!

Palm Beach/West Palm Beach, FL The palm tree lined city of West Palm Beach/Palm Beach is located in the southern portion of the Florida peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean, bordered in part by Lake Okeechobee. The name originated from the natural abundance of palm trees all over the area. A luxious vacationing winter resort awaits those visitors from the north in the winter months or all year round. Many fabulous houses and first class shops and Boutiques wait to capture and captivate. Founded by railroad tycoon in 1894 named Henry Flager, it has become known around the United States and around the world as one of the rich and lavish vacation areas to visit. Famous people such as the Trump and Kennedy familiy maintain residences here. Henry Flager made it a commercial and industry rich haven for the lavious and wealthy northern tourists as a first in Florida. Polo matches are held at the world famous, first class Palm Beach Polo and Country Clubs. Boutique and specialty shops that cater to the rich and famous are found on the famous Worth Avenue that is twelve miles long, This area is widely known for its ritzy mansions and elegant shopping. Famous shops such as Sak's Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Macys, and Burdines are just a few, among this rich and glitzy area. Major crop in the area is sugar and is very important to the growing economy. Other types of crops include winter vegetables and truck crops. Major types of manufacturing are chemicals, lumber and wood, rubber and plastics, metal products, machinery products, telecommunicatons and electronics, and food products. The area has the largest employers specializing in electronics and research and development industries. High profile companies such as RCA, IBM, United Technologies and Motorola are just to name a few. Tourism remains the #1 industry. Scuba diving is a main attraction in this tropical climate. The climate here is ideal for those who like it warm all year. It is one of the largest counties in Florida in population and size. Some attractions, aside from the shopping districts, include Henry Flagler's Mansion, which is now "Flagler Musuem." The Norton Gallery, located in West Palm Beach, has one of the finest collections of French Impressionist. The Dreher Park Zoo is a zoological garden containing over 130 species that includes endagered species as well as reptiles and primates. Up close animal views can been seen here. The Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park will take you back in history to Indian times with Indian villages as well as reptile exhibits and the "Bird's of Prey" exhibits. Undersea life can be seen at the South Florida Science Musuem and for the motor sport fan, we have the Metro-Dade Motorsports Complex featuring some of the world's finest racing, Major events here include the PPG Indy Car World series, the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami presented by Toyota, the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series, the Jiffy Lube Miami 300, and the Florida Dodge Dealers 400 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. One of the most fascinating attractions is the "Lion Country Safari" where you can drive with your car windows closed and view hundreds of safari animals that roam free. For the Spanish history lovers, you can view Spanish- style architecture from the 1920's in the lavious "Boca Raton." The Royal Palm Polo Sports Club includes the International Gold Cup and it is where players can compete for pize money and awards. For the Art lover, the Cauldwell Theatre Company perfroms comedies, musicals and dramas. Little Palm Theatre performs children's shows. The Boca Raton Musuem of Art has arts and crafts, exhibits, and arts and craft classes and trips. Florida Atlantic University's Ritter Art Gallory has fine-art exhibits, community programs and competitions. The Philharmonic Orchestra of Forida has the Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale symphonies. In the Palm Beach area we have the Society of the Four Arts which has Art exhibits, musical events, lectures, films and programs for the youtth as well as the Society of the Four Arts Gardens which has different sciences and planetarium programs; The Royal Poinciana Playhouse has national tours of Broadway and off-Broadway hits. The Hibel Musuem of Art has lithographs, drawings, sculptures and tributes to the artist Edna Hibel. Annual Events held in the area include the South Florida Fair at the Palm Beach Fairgrounds; the Delray Dunes Pro-Am, a charity golf tournament with some PGA professional golf players; The "Great American Love Affair," the Boyton G.A.L.A., is an arts and entertainment fair at the Boynton Beach Civic Center. The Sunfest is a four-day festival celebrating the history of Palm/West Palm Beach; spring events include the Delray Affair with arts, crafts, food and entertainment on the first weekend after Easter. On Easter Weekend, the Easter Parade and Easter on the Avenue includes Easter Parades and festivals in Lake Worth. Fouth of July and the "Boca Festival Days is a one month celebration of recreational, cultural and educational events. The "Roots Festival," is a black heritage festival with food, music and art Indian name meaning grassy water. With all the glitz and glamour, West palm and Palm Beach are a great place to live, work and/or visit.  Bethesda-By-The-Sea  S. County Rd. and Barton Ave.  Palm Beach  Florida  (561) 655-4554  This Episcopal church is modified of 15th-century Gothic design.  Dreher Park Zoo  1301 Summit Blvd.  West Palm Beach  Florida  (561)533-0887 or 547-9453  The zoo displays over 500 animal within the premises and has many exciting exhibits including the Australian Outback exhibit.  Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, The  Cocoanut Row.  Palm Beach  Florida  (561) 655-2833  This opulent Gilded Age mansion offer original period furnishings and Flagler family memorabilia.  Hibel Museum of Art  150 Royal Poinciana Plaza  Palm Beach  Florida  (561) 833-6870  The museum has the work of artist Edna Hibel and concerts.  Lion Country Safari  US 98/441 and SR 80 (Southern Blvd.)  West Palm Beach  Florida  (561) 793-1084  This 500-acre Safari World allows people to drive in their cars through this jungle habitat.  Norton Gallery of Art  1451 S. Olive Ave.  West Palm Beach  Florida  (561) 832-5194  The museum displays varieties of impressive permanent collections of art.  Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau  1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.  West Palm Beach  Florida  (561) 471-3995    Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau  1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.  Palm Beach  Florida  (561) 471-3995    Society of the Four Arts  Four Arts Plaza, off Royal Palm Way  Palm Beach  Florida  (561)655-7226 or 655-2766  The center has a library, art museum, and more.  South Florida Science Museum, Planetarium and Aquarium  4801 Dreher Tr. N., Dreher Park  West Palm Beach  Florida  (561)832-1988 or 832-2007  The center displays permanent and changing exhibits, the Light and Sight Hall, the aquarium, and one of the largest telescopes in the state is featured in the Gibson Observatory.