Bliss Villas Guidebook

If you are like me, you want to know what locals like to do and where we like to eat. First, get your stay started with a breakfast at Vincent's Bistro. Great food with a beautiful patio only a few steps away. While eating, check out the rest of the message below of my top things to do in the Palm Beaches! 1. Perfect beach day! Walk/ride over to Lake Worth Beach. (It’s paid meter parking.) You can take the $2 bus ride with Palm Tran Bus #62 from the stop at Lake & L right to the beach which is 4 stops away. Another option is to download the "Ride Circuit" app. Your first 3 rides are free and $1 after that! The beach has full services like chair and umbrella rentals so it’s super convenient. You can pay to walk the long pier. Before you return, have dinner at Benny's on the Beach. They have great food and an unbeatable oceanfront view...one of my favorites. 2. Beach Picnic! Go to Publix and get their friend chicken box or their famous subs and beverages. Then head over to any beach in the area. You will have the best oceanfront picnic ever. We also have dog-friendly beaches like Juno Beach. Local tip - Every beach has its own personality so try a few. But some don’t have any services like Palm Beach Island. 3. Peanut Island! Wear your swimsuit and head down to Peanut Island. You can only get there by water taxi so park at the Riviera Beach Marina and get taxi will take you there. Rent snorkeling gear from them as the snorkeling is spectacular. Spend the day on the island beach, snorkel and explore. Afterwards, head over the Blue Heron bridge to Phil Foster Park. It’s free. Then look for the map of the man-made snorkeling trail and venture out to those spots. Local tip - time your arrival with high tide. That is when the water is crystal clear and amazing sea life can be seen. 4. Fishing Day! My husband and I love to fish so I am giving you 2 options that don't require separate license purchase or equipment. First, you can fish off Lake Worth Pier. It’s inexpensive and they will give you the rod and bait. If you want to venture further out in the ocean, go out with Bar Jack Fishing. Its inexpensive and the crew knows exactly where to take you to catch big fish. After you get off the boat, they will even clean your catch for you. I recommend a stop next door at the famous Old Key Lime House for dinner. 5. Nightlife in West Palm Beach! Head to Clematis St. where you will find the entire street lined with lively bars, restaurants, and night clubs. After 10pm, the clubs really start rockin! You can also head to the Square for family friendly events, shopping, and dining. Lots of vegan and vegetarian options there. My favorite ice cream spot there is Sloans! 6. It’s hard to come to the Palm Beaches and not go to Worth Ave. Experience the glitz and glamour of the most expensive shopping street in America. But don't miss this local tip - there will be many hidden "VIA"s. Palm Beachers call alley-ways "VIAs". Look for the VIA signs and turn into them. Each VIA will give you a different experience. The architecture will take you back to old world Europe and the dining and shops are exquisite. My favorite spot to grab a bite on Via Mizner is Pizza Al Fresco. When you drive there, take A1A and you will go by billionaire’s row and see spectacular ocean side mansions including Mar la go. 7. Most relaxing spa day! I am warning you....Eau Spa is pricey but worth every penny. It isn't just about the massage, it’s about the entire experience. Here is the local tip itinerary...make a spa treatment reservation for 2pm. Also, ask them to make reservations for your party at the Breeze Ocean Kitchen at noon. Then head over with your swimsuit to Eau around 10AM. You will use their amazing facilities (with free champaign...who doesn't like free right?) for 2 hours before heading to lunch in your ROBE!. Then after lunch you will head back to the spa for the most relaxing treatment. 8. If you want a change in scenery, head north to Jupiter, FL. It’s the home of Tiger Woods and legendary golf courses. My favorite itinerary in Jupiter is to spend a few hours at Jupiter Beach Park. You get the best of both worlds there by being on the ocean and also on the side canals and swimming holes. The scenery is breathtaking and wading in the knee-deep water is fun. After the park, head over to any of the waterfront eateries like u-Tiki. While you wait for your table, take the sightseeing boat around Jupiter where they will point out houses of the rich and famous. Close proximity to u-Tiki is a 4 complex restaurant that Joe Namath started. Love Shuck is my favorite. 9. Lake Worth Beach Farmer's Market! Get a sampling of what South Florida has to offer. Every Saturday, 9am - 1pm, Old Bridge Park, corner of A1A & Lake Worth Beach Bridge. It’s held Oct - Apr. Another special treat is a bonfire on the beach that is free to attend. Held every 1st and 3rd Fridays, Nov-Feb. 10. Kayak the Lake Worth Lagoon at our nearby Snook Island. Walk to Snook Islands Natural Area, with its boardwalk winding around mangroves and wading birds at the northwest end of the Lake Worth Bridge. 11. If you wanted to check out Miami or Ft. Lauderdale during your stay, there is no easier way then to get on the Brightline train. Its a luxury train with food and beverage service onboard and it will get you there fast without fighting the traffic on 95. 12. Arts and Culture Lovers - Walk to the free galleries at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County building on Lake Ave, which spotlights the work of local artists. I always find something inspiring on the walls of mtn space gallery on Lake Avenue and at the funky Flamingo Clay Studio artists’ coop on South J Street. An even more eclectic treat can be found just west of U.S. 1 at the Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts. The transformed historic FEC train depot houses working spaces for artists and offers workshops in glassblowing, welding and jewelry. Lastly, catch a show or a movie at the Lake Worth Playhouse, a historic community theatre. 13. Lastly, if you are looking for more kid friendly things to do, here are my favorites. The Palm Beach Zoo is my favorite. It’s a small zoo but that is what makes it great. You will love the pink flamingos. Manatee Lagoon- The warm water from the power plant attracts the manatees. It's hit or miss...sometimes you see lots but sometimes they are not there. Still a fun center to explore for free. The McCarthy Wildlife Sanctuary is pricy but even my grown kids still love going there. You will see the big cats! African Lion Safari is a little further away, but you can drive through in your car. The Cox Science Center and Planetarium is fun as well. I don't want to overwhelm you. If you want other suggestions, please feel free to message me. Here to help! Sitima P.S. Feel free to use the beach chairs and umbrella in the shed and return them with the sand washed off. First come first served. P.S.S. Lastly, I always get asked where to go for good PIZZA? Downtown Pizza right around the corner as well as Mamma Mia's on the beach are my top choices!