OK, you’ve made the decision to go see the Nationals this spring. And if you read yesterday’s article, you know everything you need to know about the complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., and what you can see on any particular day. But you also need to know how to get to West Palm Beach. And where to stay once you’re there. And what to eat and what to do while you’re in town and not watching baseball.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. We’ve accrued plenty of travel advice over the last eight years, and we’re happy to share it with you right now.
Flights from the D.C. area seem to be more plentiful now than they used to be. Both American Airlines and JetBlue fly several nonstops every day from Reagan National to West Palm Beach. United now has two daily nonstops from Dulles. And Southwest has five daily nonstops from BWI. If somehow none of those options work for you, you can also look at flying into Fort Lauderdale, which is only about 45 minutes away to the south.
If you’re not in that much of a hurry and would like to have your own car with you, there’s always Amtrak’s AutoTrain, which leaves from Lorton, Va., in the evening and arrives in Samford, Fla., (near Orlando) the following morning. And if you really want an adventure, you can just make the 980-mile drive straight down Interstate-95. (Good luck with that.)
Where should you stay in the area? There are several hotels located in a cluster about 1 1/2 miles east of CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches off 45th Street, but beware some very elevated prices in late February and throughout March. They know this is the one time of year there’s going to be big-time demand. For slightly lower prices, you can look to the south near the airport, or a few places farther inland. And if you’d rather go the luxury route, there are some very fine hotels and resorts in actual Palm Beach and 15 minutes up the road in Jupiter.
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff: Food and drink. Good options abound, and there are still tons of establishments we haven’t made it to over the years. So any recommendations from those who have made the trip before are always welcome.
Downtown West Palm Beach can get pretty hopping, especially on weekend nights. Clematis Street is the main drag, and that’s where you can find Rocco’s Tacos (don’t go on Taco Tuesday, you’ll be stuck waiting hours for a table). Grease Burger Bar has exactly what you think it does. E.R. Bradley’s Saloon is one of the larger establishments in that area. For a bit finer dining, try Avocado Grill, Elisabetta’s Ristorante or Hullabaloo.
West of downtown on Okeechobee Blvd., you can find a bunch of chain restaurants, plus the famed Okeechobee Steak House and Zuccarelli’s (the favored Italian restaurant of many Nationals employees, including the longtime general manager).
If you head a little bit north on I-95 and exit at Palm Beach Gardens, you’ll find some more upscale restaurants and bars. There’s another Rocco’s Tacos there (actually, with more seating than the downtown location). Spoto’s has excellent seafood. If you like chains, there’s Bonefish Grill and Texas de Brazil. Farther down PGA Boulevard (toward the ocean) is Carmine’s La Trattoria, a very nice Italian restaurant.
Head north to Jupiter for plenty more options, including Little Moir’s Leftovers. Don’t let the name fool you. It’s all fresh, and it’s all really good, especially the homemade desserts.
And no trip to Florida would be complete without at least one dockside meal. For that, head south to Lantana and the Old Key Lime House. Be prepared to wait a bit for your table, but it’s worth it. Especially the famed key lime pie.
If you’re looking for other activities to keep you busy when you’re not at the ballpark, there are no shortage of options as well. My family and I have enjoyed going to the Palm Beach Zoo (which was bigger than I expected) and the Loggerhead Marine Life Center (where they rescue injured sea turtles and nurse them back to health before releasing them back into the ocean).
If you’re a golfer, there are tons of courses in the area (some much pricier than others). If you’re more adventurous, head inland for an airboat tour of the Everglades. The Flagler Museum is a gilded-age mansion on the water in Palm Beach for those interested in experiencing some high class. And of course, there’s always the simple pleasure of going to the beach and working on your tan.