VIBE

A glimpse into the Gilded Age and the history of Palm Beach. Whitehall, the final and most elaborate mansion of railroad magnate and Palm Beach founder Henry Flagler, now houses an engaging museum which documents Flagler’s colorful life and explores the history of the Gilded Age, its elite business class, and its impact on Florida. During The Season, the museum hosts a busy schedule of events and temporary exhibitions, as well as a daily “Gilded Age-style” lunch, with lavish spreads of delicacies served on bone china.

GO HERE WITH

History buffs; friends

WHY WE LIKE IT

It’s a great way to get a feel for Palm Beach’s history, especially its roots in the Gilded Age. A visit here makes a fun rainy day activity, although the grounds are most lovely when it’s nice out. The self-guided audio tour lets you set your own pace and gives interesting insights into Palm Beach’s history and the social norms of Flagler’s period. We also like the gift shop, where we browsed coffee table books on Palm Beach’s history and architecture.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

During the off-season, there are fewer exhibits open and fewer docent-led tours (because many of the volunteer docents are out of town).

GOOD TO KNOW

A juicy tidbit: Flagler built Whitehall in 1902 for his third wife who was (scandalously) forty years younger than him. Whitehall is now also a National Historic Landmark. Free docent-led tours leave from the porch daily; tour times are: Tuesday-Saturday: 11:00am, 12:30pm, and 2:00pm; Sunday: 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Free audio guides are available in English and Spanish. The museum is handicap accessible.

CLOSEST COMPS

Hollyhock House (Los Angeles); Sir John Soane’s Museum (London)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to Palm Beach