Looking for affordable beach vacations with over the top fun and a not so over the top price tag? You're in the right place!
Everyone needs a break now and then, but not everyone can afford to their preferred vacation style. With this guide, you can do West Palm Beach on a budget and still afford your life back home when you return!
Crane’s Beach House Boutique Hotel and Luxury Villas is located about a 30-45 minute drive away from West Palm Beach, which is probably why it’s a great value starting at $130/night. There are 28 rooms all equipped with WiFi and and flat-screen TVs with cable. The rooms are bright and airy, and the beds fluffy and comfortable. Your room’s private bathroom comes with free toiletries-- so you can save packing those-- and there are two pools to keep everyone cool. The microwave, coffee maker, and refrigerator are all standard-- which means that you can save money on breakfast and possibly even dinner by making it in the hotel room.
“We cannot say enough about or stay at Cranes. Accommodations,staff, and tranquil setting were just absolutely fabulous. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway within walking distance to everything, this is a must stay place!”-- TripAdvisor
1 South Country Rd. | Palm Beach | thebreakers.com
The Breakers is a legendary resort destination all on its own. With over 500 rooms and re-known for its service, whirlpool spas, private beach, watersports, fitness room, and so much more to offer-- it’s a wonder you’ll ever leave to go explore the rest of the area! There’s even shopping at the resort’s boutiques and a family entertainment center. This hotel resort deserves every last one of its five-star rating!
“It feels like home. The staff is a big part of what makes this hotel perfect. From the General Manager to reservations to the staff at the beach -everyone is top notch. Other hotels should use The Breakers as a model of how to train management and staff. The rooms are exquisite…” -- TripAdvisor
2060 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd | Concourse Plaza | yourgreekcousin.com
This family restaurant features Greek-Cypriot dishes based on the food the owners’ mothers and aunts used to make for them. Authentic Greek food with fast service and casual dining, Your Greek Cousin has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The prices range from $5 to about $15, making it budget-friendly.
Check out their monthly specials and online menu to plan ahead of time. But if you really can’t make up your mind what you want to eat, Your Greek Cousin offers free samples of menu items! Now THAT’S service! Stop by for happy hour drinks and appetizers too.
“Everything I ordered was amazingly fresh & tasty! The Dolmakadias (stuffed grape leaves) were obviously homemade & a must have! They make their own Tzatziki sauce & it was so good that I had to get extra. Their twist on Baklava is another must have, I had to take some home. I'm sure you will need to, too… If you like Greek Food & you're in West Palm Beach Florida you've got to stop at this restaurant!”-- TripAdvisor
509 Clematis St. | Downtown | www.subculturecoffee.com
Located on hip Clematis Street, Subculture Coffee is a little bit of NYC in West Palm Beach. Started in 2014 by Rodney and Dean, Subculture Coffee aims to be not just another cool cafe-- it’s also a place to “[foster] a community of diversity and expression, one that brings soul to to our city,” according to the About Us section of the website. They choose their vendors and coffee carefully, to make sure everyone is on the same page about their mission. Check out their Events page to see what’s happening!
Subculture Coffee is also vegan- and vegetarian- friendly. Word on the street is that their avocado toast is a must-try! Everything on their food menu is under $13, and let’s face it-- that’s a really good price for a smoked salmon sandwich made with a unique cranberry-walnut bread and other organic ingredients.
“I love the music, the decor and the people! If you are looking for something to eat (fast) and enjoy a little people watching, then this is the place for you. Their food rocks! The grilled cheese is unique and tasty, the avocado toast is always perfectly fresh! The staff there is always helpful and pleasant!” --TripAdvisor
378 South Country Rd | Downtown | bbts.org/about-us/church-mouse/
This thrift store is run by the Episcapalian Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, and is located just north of the full-priced luxury shopping on Worth Avenue. But why should Worth Avenue have all the fun? The Church Mouse is a popular spot for the rich ladies of Palm Beach to drop off their closet purges-- which means excellent luxury-goods bargain shopping for you! The inventory in this 4,500 square foot store is constantly rotating and staff are by and large volunteers from the church.
The parking lot is in the rear of the building, and they accept travelor’s checks, cash, and all major credit cards. If you see in this store, and you like, you’d better buy it!
“A haven for bargain hunters, the Church Mouse has everything from furnishings to clothes. Both reflect taste, quality of its previous owners, so it's a treasure trove for the bargain hunters who value quality. Books and porcelain restate that seldom used word, quality.”--TripAdvisor
118 North Country Rd | Downtown | classiccollectionsofpalmbeach.com
This consignment shop for designer resale is so good, Martha Stewart is known to shop here! With the wealth of Florida living right around it, this little business caters to bargain hunters with taste and style in a way most second-hand shops can’t hope to match. If you visit during “season”-- somewhere between October through June-- you can catch their trunks shows and featured items. They even have a Louis Vuitton-a-thon in the spring!
If you’re on a budget, this high-end consignment shop is your dream come true. They do cater primarily to women, so maybe send restless husbands and uninterested kiddos off to do their own thing you while browse the luxury fashions! Find that perfect fur coat or couture gown for that special event or upcoming wedding season. Or maybe find that special gift for your mom, sister, or bestie! And have money left over for a little self-indulgence, too.
“What a wonderful store. This is like the Ali BaBa's cave of consignment treasures. I ... found the likes of Chanel (of which there are boatloads), St. John, Donna Karan, Emilio Pucci … and Bottega purses. All the salesladies are very kind and helpful, without being oversolicitous…” -- Yelp Review
2345 South Ocean Blvd | Palm Beach | golfontheocean.com
Golf Digest Magazine says this is “The best par-3 course in the US!” All skill levels are welcome-- they offer classes for beginners and youth-- and the course includes water hazards (not a joke in Florida-- watch out for gaters!), greens, and sand bunkers with a gorgeous backdrop. Completely redesigned by famous golfer Raymond Floyd, the tee time here is relatively affordable.
This is a full-service golf course, with 18 holes, a full-length driving range and a practice bunker, too. Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course sits right on the ocean and the Intracoastal, and the restaurant offers three meals a day on weekdays and a scrumptious brunch on weekends. You do need to book at least 9 days in advance, so make sure you plan for this outing!
“My husband and I played golf here twice while visiting Palm Beach this past February! The course was in prime condition and loads of fun....even though we lost a few balls! Austin the starter, was professional, helpful and fun! Great place to practice your short game with beautiful views. The restaurant Al Fresco is a must too! Don't miss either on your trip to West Palm Beach or Palm Beach!” -- TripAdvisor
2600 Turnage Blvd | West Palm Beach| thrifty.com
To get the most out of your vacation, you shouldn’t be restricted to the chaos of navigating unfamiliar public transportation systems or walking distance because you can’t afford a cab, Uber, or Lyft. Instead, rent a car from us! We’ll pair you up with the type of vehicle that’s perfect for your needs. You get to go wherever you want, whenever you want!
Renting a car can be expensive, but with Thrifty it isn’t! You get a safe, secure car that will never smell like cigarettes (all of our vehicles are strictly non-smoking) or yesterday’s fast food. Clean, reliable transportation to give you peace of mind while enjoying your vacation you way and on your watch-- not a cab driver’s or bus schedule’s-- Trip Advisor
Be sure to check out the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County’s concierge service, which can hook you up with a variety of budget-friendly events and happenings. There’s also a subscription service called Palm Beach on the Cheap that will notify you of free events. Free is always a good addition to the vacation budget!
If you know of any hidden gems in West Palm Beach, or have any tips and tricks for vacationing there on a budget-- let us know! Drop a comment and share the wealth!