Flagler Museum and Mansion, Palm Beach

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Palm Beach, FL
Flagler Museum and Mansion, Palm Beach
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Flagler Museum is in one of the most beautiful waterfront settings in Florida. Wow, it's a joy to take in the tropical paradise here at Palm Beach! As you drive over the two bridges to get here, you see so much blue around you! Once at the mansion, regal palms lead in two rows to the handsome ironwork gate. Inside there is the grand hall and grand staircase that leads to bedrooms of every color and theme. An exhibit gallery has interesting exhibits relevant to the history of the house and area.

Downstairs there is a gorgeous music room with sculptures, paintings, and musical instruments. The organ's pipes you see are actually decorative- there are over 1200 pipes hidden behind it. The grand ballroom is impressive. A courtyard with sculptures and a bold design lies in the center of it all.
Outside one can walk on lawns that lead to the coconut-tree-lined shore. The water on the intercoastal waterway is clear as it laps the shore. Marvelous views of West Palm Beach and its waterfront stretch before you. Around the corner from the house are benches and palm trees on the water, a huge Kapok tree, Seagull Cottage (the oldest house on Palm Beach), and a long paved walking path called the South Lake Trail. Walk this path and also check out the side streets on this beautiful part of the island. At the south end of the South Lake Trail, check out Society of the Four Arts Gardens, a free garden that is very beautiful. 
The most impressive part of the mansion is the railcar pavilion, in 19th century Beaux Arts style! Here, glass everywhere reveals blue water on all three sides. There is an expensive cafe inside the railcar pavilion (open Dec-May) where you can eat a high tea at lunchtime with views. You enjoy little tastes of fancy sandwiches and desserts, and it's very romantic! You can also buy a picnic lunch to go in a little white box, and sit on the chairs and tables outside in the coconut grove to enjoy it.
Inside the actual railcar it's fun to see what luxury Flagler enjoyed! I love the blue ceiling in the railcar. It's also interesting to see the wicker "rolling chairs" in the pavilion- these were used in Palm Beach until 1915, two years after Flagler's death, because he did not allow horses or cars as means of transportation in the town. 
If you can take the free guided tour, do, because it's fascinating to learn about Flagler's life and the times back then.
After your visit, drive across the bridge a few minutes to West Palm Beach and enjoy a meal outdoors in a great tropical setting at ER Bradley's Saloon. Check out the historical pictures on the walls near the bathrooms. 
Check out Midtown Beach for a wonderful swim.

Continue to directions...

Walking through the gates to the mansion...

Columns and front steps.

The lobby.

One of many themed guest rooms.

Ceiling detail.

This bathroom is so big you might not find the loo in the dark!

Closet full of gowns.

Grand staircase.

A room for flower lovers.

Ironwork and archways.

Silver tea servers.

Versailles plates.

Exquisite ceiling and painting in the dining room.

Courtyard.

Organ in the music room.

Cherub sculpture in the music room.

Ceiling detail in the hall.

Grand ballroom.

Photo of a ball in the grand ballroom.

Painting above doorway.

Entrance to the railcar pavilion.

Door detail in the railcar pavilion.

Wicker "rolling chairs"- Flagler did not allow cars or horses as transportation in Palm Beach.

There is a lovely cafe with views of the water inside the railcar pavilion.

The railcar pavilion is glorious!

View of the intracoastal waterway through the window.

Flagler's personal railcar.

I love the blue ceiling in Flagler's personal railcar.

Views across to West Palm Beach.

Bougainvillea and the lovely buildings of West Palm Beach.

I love these buildings and the row of palms along the West Palm Beach waterfront.

What a backyard!

Clear water in the intracoastal waterway.

The intracoastal waterway and West Palm Beach across the water.

Side view of the mansion and trellis overflowing with bougainvillea.

The huge Kapok tree just outside the mansion's gates.

Tree in the front lawn.

The mansion from the front lawn.

Palms around the corner from the Flagler Mansion.

Flagler Mansion as seen from the Lake Trail.

A walk in front of the railcar pavilion, along the intracoastal waterway.

Flagler's railcar in the pavilion that was built especially for it in 2005.

Kapok tree at the Lake Trail beside the mansion. Kids can't climb on it because it is fenced off.

Looking up at the Kapok tree.

Blissful bench with a view at the Lake Trail beside the mansion.

The railcar pavilion, on the water.

The railcar pavilion, and Monet-style water.

Yellow flowering tree in March.

The side of the Flagler mansion, and a yellow flowering tree.

Side gate.

View of the Royal Park Bridge, from the South Lake Trail, at the mansion.

Sea Gull Cottage, across from the mansion.

Kapok tree outside the mansion.

The mansion gates decorated at Christmastime.

The mansion looking beautiful.

The south lake trail runs beside the mansion.

Looking up at the kapok tree.

Roots of the kapok tree, outside the mansion.

Directions

Flagler Museum is located at 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach 33480, call (561) 655-2833.
Exit Highway 95 at Okeechobee Blvd and head toward the ocean. Turn left on Quadrille Blvd and follow it across the bridge. Turn right on Cocoanut Row. The museum is on your right.
Open Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5.
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November), Dec 25, and Jan 1.
Admission is $18 for adults 18 and over, $10 for teens, $3 for children 6-12 yrs old, and kids under 6 are free.
High tea at lunchtime in the railcar pavilion costs $22 per person and reservations are not required (open Dec-Mar, closed Mondays).

map

Click on map for interactive view

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Gem

Tue, 11 Sep 2012

It's so beauitful

Last Updated: Tue, 08 Mar 2022 15:36:13 GMT

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