Palm Beach County Florida Entertainment

1. Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
Begin with the premise that the story of modern-day Palm Beach County begins with Henry Morrison Flagler, the oilman and tourism entrepreneur who realized that ours was a paradise waiting to be found. And so, he helped the world discover it, building railroads and hotels that put Palm Beach on the tourist map. The best way to understand and appreciate the Flagler legacy is to visit this 55-room Gilded Age mansion, completed in 1902, that served as his winter residence. Not only is the house itself a work of art, but it also plays host to a variety of art and historical exhibits, first-rate chamber music and lecture series, even an annual bluegrass concert. Holiday events include a tree-lighting ceremony and visit by Santa. And if you’re in the mood for a spot of a tea, the museum’s café offer a Gilded Age-inspired lunch/afternoon tea from late November to early April. Plus, if it’s been years since your last visit to the museum, here’s another reason to visit: the new pavilion that houses Flagler’s private railcar.

2. Worth Avenue
The name says it all: Palm Beach’s signature street is for those of significant worth – or those who simply want to fanaticize about how the other half lives. Walk the street and you can take your pick of just about every designer name there is: Gucci, Chanel, Tiffany, Hermes, Cartier, et al. But Worth Avenue, which is slated to undergo a $14 million beautification project in the coming year, also welcomes the student of history: Monthly walking tours are led by local legend James Ponce, the man once dubbed a “two-legged historical landmark” by the Palm Beach Town Council. And don’t forget that the street is something of a dining destination, too: If you want to experience the essence of the Palm Beach social scene, stop in Ta-boo for a light lunch (the warm grilled chicken and pears salad is a must). Parking is never much of a problem, whether on the street or in lots and garages. And don’t feel shy about getting a parking validation stamp, if you’ve made a purchase from one of the merchants along the street: You’ve earned the privilege.

3. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum
Want to take a real trip through history? Climb the 105 steps leading to the top of this 1860 lighthouse. You might feel a little winded, but the view will serve as a potent reminder of the area’s inherent seaside beauty. But a visit to the lighthouse, which is run by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, is about far more than taking in a pretty picture. It’s also a lesson in Palm Beach County’s growth and development: A museum connected to the lighthouse, situated in a newly restored World War II building, offers exhibits about Florida history, lectures and summer camp programs. And the historical society also oversees two other important properties in the area, the DuBois Pioneer Home and the George Washington Tindall House. Plus, look for events leading up to the 150th anniversary celebration of the lighthouse on July 10, 2010.

4. The Breakers
Sure, The Breakers is historic – in fact, the 540-room resort is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And it’s plenty opulent as well: Originally built by Henry Morrison Flagler in 1896, the oceanfront retreat has always been synonymous with the Palm Beach lifestyle. Just step inside the Italian Renaissance-inspired main building, whose lobby inspires visions of a gilded palazzo. Or visit for Sunday brunch at The Circle room, where the seemingly endless buffet is almost as breathtaking as the 30-foot frescoed ceilings. But what’s just as noteworthy is the fact that The Breakers is a work in progress: In the last two decades, the resort has undergone a $250 million transformation and its long list of amenities includes a golf course, a 20,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor spa, even a high-end shopping concourse. Now, you can also enjoy The Breakers’ experience on the other side of the Intracoastal: In the past year, the resort unveiled a new restaurant, Top of the Point (at the top of one of the Phillips Point buildings), offering some of the best views of downtown West Palm Beach.

5. Boca Raton Resort
Architect Addison Mizner (1872-1933) may be known for his work throughout Palm Beach. But his real crowning achievement is arguably the Boca Resort, built in 1926. Reflecting Spanish-Mediterranean, Moorish and Gothic influences, the hotel is a place both showy and secretive, featuring everything from detailed mosaics and tucked-away gardens. But like The Breakers, the Boca Resort is also an ongoing project: Today, 1,043-room resort encompasses several buildings beyond Mizner’s original “Cloister,” including a newly renovated Boca Beach Club with three pools, an oceanfront bar and private cabanas. To top it off are several select dining options, including a restaurant by famed Iron Chef Masahuru Morimoto (simply called Morimoto) and another by rising culinary star (and Gordon Ramsay protégé) Angela Hartnett (Cielo). And if you feel like working off those extra calories, keep in mind the resort’s numerous activities and amenities, including golf (two courses), tennis and a half-mile private beach.

6. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Arguably the most important figure in local history after Flagler, John D. MacArthur made sure to preserve what was most precious about Palm Beach County – namely, the beach. The insurance magnate who developed Palm Beach Gardens and so much else in the northern portion of the county bequeathed the land for this 325-acre park, which is now named in his honor. Call it the real Florida — a subtropical paradise of beaches and estuaries and all the creatures who call such habitats home. But the truly great thing about the park is that it makes it so easy to explore this untouched realm, whether by kayaking or taking a nighttime turtle walk or simply hopping aboard the tram that connects the parking lot to the beach. Children can visit an informative nature center — or even attend one of several camp programs. And with an admission price of $5 per carload, the park may be the best recreational deal in Palm Beach County.

7. Lake Okeechobee
In the Native American Hitchiti tribe’s tongue, “Okeechobee” means “big water.” And that’s certainly what Lake Okeechobee is – a 730 square-mile body of water that’s played almost as significant role in Palm Beach County’s growth and development as that other “coast” (meaning the Atlantic). The lake has served as a source of sustenance (it still yields some of the tastiest freshwater fish to be found in the country) and a tourist Mecca. In the past few years, the lake has also seen some noteworthy development, including the new Loggerhead Club & Marina in Pahokee (190 North Lake Way, 561-924-7832, loggerheadlakeokeechobee.com), which offers a fishing pier, boat launch, cabins, camping sites and such amenities as a pool and upscale lounge. Of course, there’s a dark side to the lake’s history, too – especially the 1928 hurricane that swept through the area, claiming thousands of lives. But that resulted in the construction of the dike that now protects lake communities from flooding, ensuring this treasure will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.

8. Norton Museum of Art
Palm Beach County’s most distinguished museum offers art as history, with a collection of 5,000-plus works that span all ages and regions, from ancient Chinese to contemporary American. Founded by industrialist Ralph Norton almost seven decades ago, the Norton Museum has undergone significant expansion in recent years: In 2003, the new 14-gallery Nessel Wing opened, bringing the museum’s total exhibit space to an impressive 122,500 square feet. At the same time, the Norton retains an emphasis on quality programming: This season alone will see exhibitions of works by the fashion photographer Richard Avedon (Feb. 9-May 9, 2010) and of artists who emerged after 1960, including Andy Warhol (starting Feb. 13, 2010). But a visit to the Norton isn’t just about seeing art: The museums offers a variety of educational, family and outreach programs, plus a once-a-month evening social event called Art After Dark.

9. Cafe L' Europe
From the moment you step inside Café L’Europe, you know you’ve truly arrived in Palm Beach. Perhaps it’s the pianist playing a tune or two from the good ol’ days that sends the message. Or maybe it’s the book-size wine list, full of treasures from Europe and California alike. Then, there’s the food: Chef Norbert Goldner’s menu balances Continental classics (Wiener schnitzel, spaghetti Bolognese) with contemporary offerings (a quartet of chilled soups, a salad with grilled nectarines). The result is that for a 29-year-old restaurant, Café L’Europe feels surprisingly young. And though it can be a pricey place to dine, lunch offerings can be had for under $20 and a glass of wine for under $10. As for the ambience, that’s priceless. But thankfully, it comes at no extra charge.

10. Kravis Center
What did we do to entertain ourselves before the Kravis Center came along? Even though the West Palm Beach performing arts center is less than two decades old, it’s become a community fixture, known for its eclectic array of offerings, from Bach to ballet to Broadway. Named after oilman and Palm Beach philanthropist Raymond F. Kravis, the $100 million center consists of three performance spaces (the 2,200-seat main hall, the 300-capacity Rinker Playhouse and 1,400-capacity Gosman Amphitheater) and an extensive catering and education facility (the Cohen Pavilion). It’s also home to many of the major cultural groups in our area, including the Palm Beach Opera, Miami City Ballet and the Palm Beach Pops. If you’re looking to see the stars, this season alone the center will present Bob Newhart, Bill Cosby, Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis and Tommy Tune, plus the touring Broadway production of “Jersey Boys.” And, yes, you can pay triple-digits for a prime seat in the orchestra, but balcony tix often go for as low as $15.