You can get a taste of what this town is all about when you squeeze into a parking place on Worth Avenue, among the Mercedes and Bentleys, and head to its boutiques to rub Versace-covered shoulders with shoppers whose credit-card limits likely exceed the gross national product of Liechtenstein. Away from downtown, along County Road and Ocean Boulevard (the shore road, also designated as Route A1A), are Palm Beach's other defining landmarks: mansions.

Across the waterway, in the heart of revived West Palm Beach, is a small but attractive downtown area, which has been spurred on by an active historic preservation movement. Along beautifully landscaped Clematis Street you'll find boutiques and restaurants in charmingly restored buildings and exuberant nightlife. There's a free downtown shuttle by day and free on-street parking at night and on weekends. South of Palm Beach, along Route A1A, are Delray Beach and Boca Raton, which offer more shopping, dining, and lodging options.