Abundant arts districts, ecological experiences, museums, galleries, theaters and art festivals attract cultural tourists to The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. When travelers arrive to this culture-rich paradise, they discover a lesser-known artistic frontier – parks and gardens graced with works of art. Art lovers who travel here are delighted to find beautiful gardens and relaxing seating areas that feature sculptures, murals and lush vistas to explore at their leisure.
Visitors who seek to explore the artistic gardens of The Palm Beaches will find —
The Four Arts Botanical Gardens and Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden– Palm Beach
Open every day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach is home to a beautiful botanical garden tucked away just off Royal Palm Way in Palm Beach. Strolling through the lush greenery, visitors will find demonstration gardens originally designed in 1938 to display the diversity of tropical plants suitable for landscaping in the South Florida climate. The adjacent Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden is an elegant park where you will find in-the-know locals enjoying the lovely gazebos as they take a moment to escape into a world of art.
The Norton Museum Central Courtyard – West Palm Beach
Open Tuesday-Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Norton Museum of Art Central Courtyard is a hidden gem and a welcoming place to relax among sculptures and lush plantings. In early 2019, the museum’s much-anticipated expansion will reveal additional outdoor vistas. A “museum within a garden” setting with verdant spaces for art and programming and works by Keith Haring, George Rickey and Mark di Suervo, will be the first public garden designed by architect Lord Norman Foster,
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens – Delray Beach
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is a place to explore the ancient art of Japanese garden design, music and art. Visitors enjoy breathtaking views with places to sit, contemplate and become one with nature while taking in Roji-en, the six distinct gardens called Roji-en. An open-air Japanese eatery that overlooks the tranquil gardens, an authentic teahouse for learning the art of tea, art and music exhibitions, and a shop offering beautiful Japanese objects, complete the experience.
Restoration Hardware Gallery at CityPlace – Downtown West Palm Beach
Open every day 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Downtown trekkers exploring the West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District can relax in style at the unexpected and unique outdoor public seating area at Restoration Hardware Gallery building. The outdoor space features a 14-foot-high wall of water and a tropical garden with pergolas and chandeliers where guests are welcome to relax among the store’s outdoor furniture collections and take in the 70-by-140-foot ancient-text-based installation by renowned contemporary muralist RETNA that covers the building.
Flagler Drive Waterfront– Downtown West Palm Beach
Walk along Flagler Drive to experience spectacular views of the Intracoastal Waterway and its lovely bridges to Palm Beach. It is a tradition to take selfies at the outdoor murals and interactive art installations that dot the waterfront, including “Stages of Love,” an iconic six-paneled mural by WRD SMTH at the Kid’s Art Park.
Pan’s Garden – Palm Beach
Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This treasure is located at the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach. Pan’s Garden is a whimsical delight, from the bronze statue of Pan of Rohallion created by Frederick MacMonnies in 1890 to the 1920s-era Casa Apava tile wall. This half-acre garden contains more than 300 species of native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers.
Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County – West Palm Beach
Open every day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mounts Botanical Garden is a 14-acre living plant museum with 23 spectacular gardens including a water garden, butterfly garden, a rain garden and a fragrance garden. 2,000 species of native Florida plants, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms and bromeliads await visitors. The Washed Ashore – Art to Save the Sea exhibition through June 3 presents stunning giant sea life sculptures made from marine debris collected from the world’s beaches.
Project Space at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County – Lake Worth
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In the heart of artsy Downtown Lake Worth, visitors to the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County art galleries will find Project Space – a grassy arts venue just around the corner from main street Lake Avenue. The site is home to an original “Love Wall” installation by global street artist WRD SMTH and a two-ton 25-foot replica of a paper airplane by Los Angeles-based welder Griffin Lupe. The space offers a bird’s-eye view of a giant, spectacular Martin Luther King, Jr. mural by Brazilian street artist KOBRA that covers the rear wall of the Cultural Council building.
For a complete calendar and information on visiting Palm Beach County cultural venues, please visit events.palmbeachculture.com.
About Florida’s Cultural Capital®
The Palm Beaches is a collection of 39 cities and towns stretching from Boca Raton to Jupiter and Tequesta, with 47 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches and sophisticated art and culture. The destination has more than 200 cultural organizations that produce 42,000 events, exhibitions and performances annually.
The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. Headquartered in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building in Downtown Lake Worth, the Council presents exhibitions and performances featuring artists who live or work in Palm Beach County. The building also serves as a VISIT FLORIDA-designated Florida Certified Tourism Information Center, a helpful resource for visitors. The Council’s complimentary Cultural Concierge program provides visitors with expert recommendations, custom itineraries and enhanced access to local events, talent and venues.
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