A Walk Along the Famous Worth Avenue in Palm Beach

At the right time of year, Palm Beach is one of those places that feels almost unreal.

It may not have the drama of Sydney Harbour or the romance of Paris, but for sheer wealth, polish and spectacle, it takes some beating. During the winter season, from December through to Easter, Palm Beach becomes a playground for some of America’s richest and most famous residents, like Donald Trump, Michael Jackson, Malcolm Glazer, Rod Stewart and Vera Wang.

The weather is warm, the beaches are immaculate, the mansions are enormous and the yachts look more like floating apartment blocks.

At the centre of it all is Worth Avenue.

Stretching for around a mile across the island, this palm-lined shopping street is packed with luxury boutiques, galleries, restaurants and hidden courtyards. Add in a steady procession of Bentleys, Aston Martins and other exotic machinery, and it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary high street.

We started at the eastern end, near the clock tower and the Atlantic, and took a walk west.

The Stroll

From the moment you leave the beachfront, Worth Avenue feels special.

The buildings are elegant, the pavements are spotless and the shopfronts are designed to make even casual browsing feel expensive.

A few hundred yards in, you reach names like Gucci and Saks Fifth Avenue. Saks occupies one of the largest spaces on the avenue and, although much of the store is focused on womenswear, it also has one of the better menswear selections on the strip.

A checked sports jacket and pair of leather brogues caught my attention almost immediately. The combined price was around $2,000, which was slightly beyond the budget of a visiting writer from the UK, but a man can dream.

Further along, H.M. offered a very different take on Palm Beach style, with bright colours, deck shoes and plenty of resort wear. Some of it felt aimed at an older customer, but there were still a few decent pieces worth a look.

Then came Giorgio’s, which was less a shop and more a collection of things you never knew you needed until you saw them.

Inside was what may have been the perfect desk: old English oak, trimmed with alligator skin and paired with a matching chair. It would have looked excellent in an office, although getting it home might have caused a few problems at baggage control.

Even that was modest compared with the fully functioning concert grand piano, also finished in alligator skin, carrying a price tag of $875,000. It was apparently the only one of its kind.

Alongside the furniture, Giorgio’s stocked handmade suits, tailored shirts, silk ties, luggage and some very fine knitwear. It was one of the most memorable stops on the avenue.

More Than the Main Street

The best part of Worth Avenue is not always what you can see from the road.

Every few hundred yards, an archway or narrow passage leads into one of the hidden courtyards behind the main street. These small spaces are filled with independent boutiques, cafés, restaurants, flowers and striking Mediterranean-style architecture.

Each one has its own character, and they are well worth exploring.

The galleries are another highlight, covering everything from modern abstract work to rare photography. One exhibition featured original Beatles images and was worth the visit alone.

There are, of course, plenty of places to spend money on gifts too, including Tiffany, Chanel and numerous independent jewellers and fashion boutiques.

Food and Drink

Worth Avenue has plenty of places to stop for lunch or a drink.

Ta-boo, towards the eastern end, is one of the better-known options, but many of the smaller restaurants tucked away in the courtyards are just as appealing.

A short walk away, the Chesterfield Hotel offers lunch in its courtyard or inside the Leopard Lounge. Considering its location and reputation, prices are surprisingly reasonable.

There is also afternoon tea in the hotel library, while The Breakers remains one of Palm Beach’s most famous places to eat, drink or simply have a look around — assuming you can get in.

Where to Stay

The Chesterfield and The Breakers are the two obvious hotel choices on the island.

For a longer stay, a short-term apartment or holiday rental may offer better value and more space, particularly if you are planning to stay for a week or more.

Worth the Walk

Palm Beach is an extraordinary place to spend a few days.

There are beaches, restaurants, galleries, impressive architecture and more luxury shops than most people could reasonably visit in one trip.

Worth Avenue is the heart of it all, but the hidden courtyards and smaller side streets are what really make it interesting.

And if you want something a little younger and livelier, West Palm Beach is only a short journey across the bridge, with plenty of bars, restaurants and shops of its own.

Worth Avenue may be designed for people with considerably more money than most of us, but it is still a fascinating place to walk, browse and dream.