02 Apr Stay and Play in the Sun
Although I was born and raised in South Florida, this will be my second year traveling to West Palm Beach for my favorite festival. My art and music paradise use to be just a short drive up I-95, but now it’s a full-blown vacation.
Whether you are planning a vacation or a staycation, I have the scoop on where to rest, recharge, and play during this five-day festival.
After a blissful day of bands, barges, and ice cold cocktails, it’s heaven to collapse on a bed only footsteps away from the gates. The Hyatt Place in Downtown West Palm Beach is the closest hotel to SunFest. The beautiful hotel is a proud sponsor and has an exclusive package for festival goers.
Enjoy accommodations for two with these bundle deals, which includes two one- or two-day general admission tickets, a deluxe breakfast, and shuttle service to and from the gates! (You could honestly walk, the festival is so close, but after dancing in the sun it is nice to have the option.)
Rooms are already filling up fast! For more information, please check out SunFest’s lodging options.
SunFest is also an exceptional festival because it is five days long! Wednesday through Friday, the gates open at 5 p.m., giving you the perfect place to happy hour. But before the first band takes the stage, take advantage of South Florida’s unique gems.
It seems that only a few locals, and even fewer visitors, know that West Palm Beach’s Downtown Development Authority runs a free (FREE) trolley service. The Green Line can take you from the Tri-Rail Station to the festival, and the Orange Line has multiple A&E stops. Wake up, throw on your favorite shirt, and check out some of beautiful culture that calls South Florida home.
Hop the Orange Line to see local art galleries, including the Flagler Museum, the Norton Museum of Art, and the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. The Orange Line runs to and from multiple downtown hotels, including the Hyatt.
The Flagler Museum, courtesy of FlaglerMuseum.us
The Flagler Museum, for whom SunFest’s Flagler Drive is named, was Florida’s first museum, and sits on the Intracoastal. The 75-room mansion highlights Flagler’s life, the Gilded Age period of American history, and Florida’s railway system. Looking for more contemporary art? Take the trolley to the Norton, where you can wander amongst 7,000 works of art, including an exhibit showcasing the Florida Everglades (All the beauty of our marshlands, none of the sweat!).
You can also explore the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens at her historic studio. While I have had the privilege of seeing the previously mentioned museums, I’ve never been to the studio and gardens. I like to think I’ve become more invested in art since my move out west. This SunFest I’ll be sure to check out the bronze, stone, and wood sculptures.
If you are staying a bit south of SunFest, another brain massage is the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. I’ve been to the Morikami for work functions, double dates, and to just get away from traffic. Stroll 16 acres of paths, koi-filled lakes, and darling bonsai plants.
CityPlace, courtesy of the CityPlace Facebook page
If you’re interested in a little retail therapy during the festival, you’ve come to the right place. CityPlace and Clematis Avenue are in walking distance of SunFest’s gates and offer a wide variety of big-name and boutique shops. CityPlace alone contains more than 80 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
The Palm Beach Outlets just opened last year in West Palm Beach, and feature more than 100 outlet stores. I have not yet had the pleasure of shopping this exciting addition, but when I’m not inside the gates, you can find me here. My friends and family in South Florida won’t stop gushing over the new stores and deals close to home.
Worth Avenue is on the other side of the Intracoastal and offers a high-end shopping experience. Officially named in 1913, shoppers frequent Worth Avenue for its intimate, accessible, and relaxing experience. Historic walking tours are offered seasonally in the area, but you’ll be able to soak in the sounds and history any day you go.
And of course, there is the beach. South Florida’s spectacular shores draw people from around the world, year-round. Feel free to grab a towel, a bottle of sunscreen, and a book to hit the sand. But there are also other fantastic options to soak in the sun.
Courtesy of Blueline Surf & Paddle Co.
There are multiple companies that offer stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, surfboard rentals, and guided tours. On Friday, May 1, wake up on the water with Blueline Surf & Paddle Co.’s yoga class. This all levels class encourages you to stretch and refocus your attention while balancing on the salty waters of the Intracoastal waterway. (I lack balance and attention for anything other than music, so please let me know how it goes!)
Jupiter Outdoor Center, just a little north of SunFest’s grounds, offers daily manatee tours, in addition to snorkeling tours and surf lessons. They claim the “only thing separating you from the manatees is your kayak or paddleboard.” It’s been too long since I’ve seen a manatee up close (We don’t have them in Central Texas), so I hope to see you here one morning!
Of course, there are also opportunities to deep sea fish and sail in the area. Palm Beach Eco Tours also has a handful of water activities and offers handicapped-accessible charters.
Did you know Florida is the golf capital of the world? The Golf Channel’s “Big Break: The Palm Beaches FL” just finished filming! While your beautiful backdrop of blue and green may not have a camera crew, you can still feel like a pro. West Palm Beach is home to an overwhelming amount of golf courses that are close by the festival.
Take time this festival season to explore West Palm Beach and the surrounding areas! For those of you living in paradise, check out these homegrown experiences. If you’re visiting, wrap yourself in as much sunshine, color, and culture as you can. And of course, I’ll see you by the SunFest stages!
For more information about visiting the Palm Beaches, visit www.palmbeachfl.com.