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credit: WTL photos

A trip to Palm Beach, Florida is a trip into relaxation. You will spend a lot of time on the beach, enjoying the surf and sand that permeates the lifestyle of the location. You will have lazy afternoon lunches where you linger over your food at an outdoor café. You will read books for hours by the side of your hotel’s pool. And you will probably indulge in the favorite of all leisurely American pastimes: shopping.

There are many different kinds of shopping to do in Palm Beach. There is the souvenir shopping where you’ll get sunglasses for the beach and trinkets to take back home with you. There is the fashion shopping where you’ll pick up an expensive to-die-for outfit to wear to one of the clubs that you’ll head to at night. There is the antique shopping available in these types of resort towns. And there’s the general shopping that you can do in any area, shopping which is brightened up by the sunshine of Palm Beach.

Here are some of the best places to go shopping during your Palm Beach vacation:

credit: Paul Keleher

• Antique Row. Even if you don’t normally enjoy antique shopping, it’s something that can really add to the experience of a relaxing vacation. Spending the day browsing through someone else’s old junk just might turn up a new treasure that you’ll be thrilled to take home with you. There is a row of antique stores where you can do this kind of shopping all conveniently situated in one location in West Palm Beach. If you’re looking on a map then you’ll want to find South Dixie Highway but if you’re asking someone in the area where to go, just ask for directions to “Antique Row”.
• B&A Flea Market. There are going to be plenty of opportunities to do upscale shopping in Palm Beach but consider starting out with a trip to where the local artisans are selling their stuff. The B&A Flea Market is more than just a shopping spot; it’s a historic attraction in Palm Beach and it shouldn’t be missed as part of the entire experience of the resort town. It’s open only on weekends all throughout the year and is probably going to take you all day to look through since there are over 600 different vendors selling their products here on any given day. Literally anything that you want to buy might be found at this flea market so it’s a great place to begin your shopping expedition.
• CityPlace. The stores that you are going to find in this West Palm Beach downtown shopping district are of the really average kind of variety. It’s where you’ll go to use your gift cards to places like Pottery Barn and Barnes and Noble. So why would you want to bother going here when the stores are the same ones you’d find anywhere else in the country? Because the shopping experience is entirely different. This shopping district is designed to look and feel like a small town in rustic Italy. The stores may be familiar but the shopping will be a vacation all its own.
• Clematis Street. Just a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from CityPlace is this shopping area where you can find some more unique stores than what you’re going to find at CityPlace itself. If you want to enjoy the distinct ambiance of downtown West Palm Beach but want to shop in stores that are unique to the area then this is the street that you are trying to find. Specialty stores that you’ll find here include florists, art galleries, a gun shop, luggage stores, a wine shop, jewelers and furniture shops.
• Hollywould. This isn’t a shopping area; it’s just one boutique. However it’s worth a mention for any woman who is in Palm Beach and looking for a dress that is going to make her feel like a star. The designer of the clothes here has Hollywood at heart but she also has a passion for fashion and it shows in her work. If you were a fan of Sex and the City because of Carrie’s style (and her shoes) then you’ll want to put this store on your list of places to see in Palm Beach.
• Royal Ponciana Plaza. This is a shopping and dining area that is just starting to be developed but it’s a place that you’re going to want to keep your eye on over time if you’re interested in the latest to be found in Palm Beach shopping.
• Souvenir shops. You’ll be able to find Palm Beach souvenirs all throughout the area from the little stores to the hotel gift shop. However, there are some specific stores that you’ll want to check out for your Palm Beach souvenir shopping. For example, you can go to the Tropical Fruit Shop for unique Florida-only gift baskets to send home. Sea Shore Gifts and Surfside Sundries are the two stores to put on your list if you’re on the search for those cheesy trinkets that everyone hates to admit that they love to buy.

credit: The Gardens Mall

• The Gardens Mall. This Palm Beach shopping mall is similar to CityPlace in that it offers the same stores that you’d find in any mall but with a twist on the mall experience. The twist here is that the mall is designed to show off a series of indoor gardens that remind you that you might be shopping at places you could find back home but you’re still very clearly on a vacation.

credit: Paul Keleher

• Vero Beach outlet stores. Palm Beach is an upscale area where you are not going to easily find outlet or discount shopping. However, if you’re really intent on getting some clothing at a bargain, you don’t have to drive too terribly far to find it. About an hour and a half away is a city called Vero Beach which is home to an outlet mall that will provide you with discounted name brand items. The town itself is quaint and cute so it’s a decent day trip from Palm Beach if you’re looking to spend some money but get your dollar’s worth.
• Worth Avenue. What an appropriately named shopping district considering that this place is all about the money. Palm Beach is a resort area known for being upscale and the stores that will show you this are primarily located in this area. If you’re seeking Tiffany diamonds or a Gucci outfit to go out on the town with then you’re probably going to want to make your way over to Worth Avenue. There is a specific section of Worth Avenue called The Esplanade where a bulk of your shopping can be done. Think Vuitton, Pucci and Saks for the big names but also look for the small upscale boutiques here. Get your credit cards ready because there is nothing cheap about shopping on Worth.

For the most part shopping in Palm Beach is going to be pricey. It’s a resort town after all and you’re going to have the opportunity to explore some really expensive stores while you’re in the area, especially if you’re doing your meandering through the Worth Avenue area. However, there are many average-priced stores in Palm Beach as well. Because they’re situated in such a unique setting, such as in a mall filled with gardens, these stores seem particularly enjoyable to shop in. Make sure to buy magazines for poolside reading and get a hot new swimsuit to really spice up your trip!

Tags: florida | North America | palm beach | shopping | United States