Discover Gay Florida: The Palm Beaches

The Palm Beaches was well-established as a sun and fun destination for well-heeled Northerners by the early 20th century. The area continued to grow as it beckoned the international set. Travelers flocked to the area because it was quieter and more affordable than the cities to its south, while still close enough to enjoy all that those other cities had to offer. Many of those travelers loved the area so much that they decided to call it home, both Northerners and expats alike.

West Palm Beach is where a lot of the nightlife and action is, and Palm Beach is where the ritziest hotels and most glamorous shopping opportunities are. For the LGBT traveler, the Palm Beaches offers the best of everything. Let me tell you what you should see when you visit.

WHERE TO STAY

The Colony Hotel Palm Beach is a sophisticated accommodation choice for the equally sophisticated traveler. The rooms are designed by the same firm that recently decorated The White House. With slow-glow mood lighting in the bathroom, walk-in closets and TVs that allow for streaming net-based TV, you may not even want to leave your room! (155 Hammon Ave., Palm Beach, 561-655-5431)

The Chesterfield Palm Beach is beautiful and luxurious, and is located two blocks from all the high-end shopping on Worth Avenue. all 53 of the rooms and suites are decorated in soft colors that bring out the essence of life in Palm Beach. If you have a chance, book the Founder's Suite; the Beige, gold and off-white color scheme makes you feel at home, surrounded by opulance. (363 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, 561-659-5800)

Grandview Gardens allows the traveler to choose their own luxury accommodations. Would you like a bed and breakfast experience or would you like to rent a vacation home? Grandview Gardens can help you with either choice. This property, built in the Mediterranean style and dating from 1925, is impeccably designed and feels fancy, yet intimate and inviting. (1608 Lake Ave., West Palm Beach, 561-833-9023)

The Residence Inn West Palm Beach Downtown/CityPlace is centrally located right in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, within walking distance of nightclubs and CityPlace. Enjoy free WiFi in all rooms, as well as a complimentary breakfast served daily. With 95% of tourists pledging that they will stay at this hotel again, you can't beat the value that this downtown hotel offers. (455 Hibiscus St., West Palm Beach, 561-653-8100)

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham West Palm Beach was recently rated by TripAdvisor as the top hotel in all of West Palm Beach in terms of excellence and value. There are one and two-bedroom suites, each with its own kitchenette. Other room amenities include free WiFi, flat-panel TVs, and plush bed linens. Stop by for social hour and enjoy a complimentary glass of beer or wine. Did I mention that it's less than a mile from the Palm Beach Outlets? (301 Lamberton Dr., West Palm Beach, 800-337-0200)

WHERE TO PLAY

The LGBT nightlife scene in the Palm Beaches is smaller than in Broward or Miami-Dade Counties. With that said, there are a few options to choose from in this area. Fort Dix (6205 Georgia Ave., West Palm Beach) touts itself as host to the Palm Beaches' best drag shows. The Palm Beach Leathermen also meet here each month. H.G. Roosters (823 Belvedere Rd., West Palm Beach), established for over 30 years in the local community, hosts drag shows, karaoke, and Latin nights, to name a few.

Other LGBT-owned or LGBT-friendly bars and nightclubs along the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast include Tattle Tails in Port Saint Lucie; Penny's at the Duke in Lantana; and The Mad Hatter in Lake Worth.

Palm Beach County's LGBT service organization, Compass, is located in Lake Worth. To find out more, visit compassglcc.com. Compass has held a number of past events in the Palm Beaches, including at venues such as Club Colette in Palm Beach and the Harriet Himmel Theater in West Palm Beach.

PrideFest of the Palm Beaches, the area's annual pride celebration which is organized by Compass, happens every March. This past year's event took place over two days, and all of the Palm Beach County gay bars came together to support the event. The establishments sold tickets to the festivities, and the proceeds directly benefited Compass. The parade was held in downtown Lake Worth, along Lucerne and Lake Avenues. PrideFest will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2017. For more information, visit compassglcc.com/events/pridefest-of-the-palm-beaches.

WHERE TO GO

The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach is the largest museum in Florida, with a collection that encompasses over 7,000 works of American, European and Asian art. The Flagler Museum, originally bought by Standard Oil's Henry Flagler for his wife Mary Lily, is now a historical landmark and is host to many galas and parties on the Palm Beach social calendar.

If it's shopping that you're looking to do, Worth Avenue in Palm Beach offers Tiffany, Gucci, Chanel, Cartier, and many more up and down the palm tree-lined drive. In West Palm Beach, Clematis Street plays host to a number of shops and historic buildings; this is the city's historic commercial district, and it is thriving today under the watchful eye of preservationists. CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach is built in the style of a European village, and features over 50 department stores and dining options, including a two-story stand-alone Macy's.

Then, of course, there are the Palm Beach Outlets, open since February 2014, where you can snag the cutest fashions for less. A number of well-known brands operate factory stores at the Palm Beach Outlets, including Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Reebok, Samsonite, and White House Black Market. In addition, the Outlets have combined non-traditional stores such as a Whole Foods Market and a PetSmart. Hungry? The Palm Beach Outlets have many food options, ranging from Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon to H�agen-Dazs, Starbucks, Red Robin and First Watch. To find out more about sales and special events at the Outlets, visit palmbeachoutlets.com.

If you're taking in a show, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts welcomes nationally and internationally-known names in arts and entertainment, and offers a popular multiple-show Broadway touring season. The Kravis Center will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2017; for more information on their upcoming expanded season, visit kravis.org. Many well-known singers and entertainment acts perform outdoors at the 19,000-seat Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre at the South Florida Fairgrounds. If you want to do something more athletic, the PGA National Resort and Spa is located in West Palm Beach and offers five of the state's best golf courses.

Read more about the Palm Beaches at the Discover the Palm Beaches website, located at palmbeachfl.com