SPRING TRAVEL: Palm Beach, Florida

MILES FROM CHARLOTTE: 668

TRAVEL TIME: 2 hours 

NONSTOP SERVICE ON: American Airlines

We made it. The cold, gloomy months of winter are behind us and the days are finally getting longer. It’s time to trade those puffer jackets and rainboots for T-shirts and flip-flops and soak up some Vitamin D. If you’re looking to get out of town for spring break and feel the sand beneath your toes, pack up your swimsuits, your Lilly Pulitzer dresses, and plenty of SPF and head to Palm Beach. It’s a quick, 2-hour flight (or a 9.5-hour drive) from Charlotte, making it an accessible, family-friendly destination for a long weekend—or the entire week—of fun in the sun.

The Forbes Five Star Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is situated directly on the beach.

STAY

Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is an oceanfront playground for families. The Jonathan Adler-designed rooms have metallic and bamboo wallpaper, sputnik light fixtures, retro artwork, and balconies with hanging chairs. For families needing a bit more space, the Ocean Front and Lanai Terrace Suites have a separate bedroom, a living room with a plush velvet pull-out couch, and two full bathrooms with glass showers, one of which has an oversized, stand-alone soaking tub. The resort also offers complimentary bike rentals, snorkel equipment, and access to all beach chairs and umbrellas. Kids under age five eat free, pets under 50 pounds are welcome, and you won’t pay any resort fees (!). This spring break, families can book the Fourth Night Free package on all room categories when you stay select nights through April 30.

Oceanfront rooms are designed by Jonathan Adler.

EAT

The resort has eight onsite dining options, ranging from grab-and-go to white tablecloth. Stop by Oceana for a coffee and pastry, or book a table at Polpo Palm Beach for French toast, pancakes, and eggs benedicts. Dine al fresco at Ocean Beach Kitchen for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, which has a children’s menu and live music from 1 to 4 p.m. Guests that stay on the fourth floor have access to the Club Lounge, where kids can grab breakfast, juice boxes, and snacks, while parents can enjoy a glass of champagne and some pre-dinner appetizers. If you venture off site, check out Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach, a funky food hall with vendors ranging from burgers to ramen. If you score a kid-free evening, book a table at Pizza Al Fresco and enjoy wine and wood-fired pizzas on the patio. For an after dinner treat, stop by Piccolo Gelato. 

Oceana Coffee at Eau is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PLAY

Parents can unwind at the hotel’s adults-only poolside bar while the kiddos play in the newly renovated Kids & Teens Club. It’s got a 4-foot interactive wall with 1,300 colored peg lights; a Sketch Aquarium where kids can “feed” the fish or color their own sea creature and watch it come to life; and a mini theater where they can watch movies or play charades. Have some fun on the water with stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and surfing lessons; perfect your backhand on the tennis courts; or rent a beach cruiser to explore the waterfront. When Mom and Dad need some pampering, book a service at Eau Spa, which features an outdoor spa garden with hanging chairs over a reflection pool, and separate male and female spaces with steam rooms, saunas, and hot plunges. For some retail therapy, peruse the luxury boutiques on Worth Avenue.

The resort offers complimentary boogie boards, snorkel equipment, and access to all beach chairs and umbrellas.

The newly renovated Kids & Teens Club has a Sketch Aquarium where kids can “feed” the fish or color their own sea creature and watch it come to life.

Eau Spa features an outdoor spa garden with hanging chairs over a reflection pool.

LIVING THE (GREEN) DREAM

If you love a good farmer’s market, you must visit The West Palm Beach GreenMarket, which is held every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., October through April. This is so much more than a few tables with some organic fruits and vegetables. Centennial Square brims with local vendors selling baked goods, smoothies, poke bowls, empanadas, coffee, spices & herbs, CBD oils, exotic plants, jewelry, clothing, and more. Wear comfortable shoes—and bring a few extra bags to cart your goodies home.

The West Palm Beach GreenMarket, which is held every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., October through April.