The Flagler Museum

A must in Palm Beach

Henry Morrison Flagler (January 2, 1830 – May 20, 1913) was an American industrialist and a founder of Standard Oil together with John D. Rockefeller. He was also a key figure in the development of the Atlantic coast of Florida and founder of what became the Florida East Coast Railway. He is known as the father of Miami, Florida, and founded the city of Palm Beach.

The Overseas Railroad (a.k.a. Florida Overseas Railroad and the Overseas Extension) was an extension of the Florida East Coast Railway to Key West, located 128 miles (206 kilometers) beyond the end of the Florida peninsula. Work on the line started in 1905 and was completed in 1912; the line was in daily passenger and freight service until its destruction by a hurricane in 1935.

When Whitehall, Henry Flagler's Gilded Age estate in Palm Beach, was completed in 1902, the New York Herald proclaimed that it was "more wonderful than any palace in Europe, grander and more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world." Today, Whitehall is a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public as the Flagler Museum, featuring guided tours, changing exhibits, and special programs. Visiting areas are First Floor, Second Floor and Pavilion.

Practical Tips:

Distance from Roseaire: 22 miles, approximately 30 minutes. Map. Be aware that the bridge will remain closed to traffic for several months in 2014 for an undergoing repair.

Hours and admittance: 10am-5pm. Closed on Mondays. Admittance fee ($18 in 2016) includes the self-guided audio-tour. There is also an app that you can download for free for iOS or Android devices.

Virtual Tour video Here

Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands

A Nature Trail right in the backyard

Allmost all South Florida is as flat as the palm of your hand so that if your prefer climbing to the top of the mountain, you can climb a tree or go somewhere else.

However, nothing is more characteristic of the Florida mainland than the so called "wetlands", where there is more water than dry land and where the wild life thrives.

There are many nature parks at a Roseaire short-ride distance. Some of them have convenient walkways. One of the best is Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands, just five miles NW of Roseaire, barely 10 minutes driving!

Green Cay offers 1.5 miles of elevated boardwalk that takes you through 100 acres of constructed wetland. The trails are wheelchair and stroller accessible, and there are benches on the boardwalk and around the outside of the Nature Center for those that would like to sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. Visitors do not have to pay admission to Green Cay Nature Center to enjoy this boardwalk.

If possible go early because that is when the animals are more active.

Practical Tips:

Distance from Roseaire: 5.2mi, 10-15 min drive. Map

Schedule: Boardwalk open daily: 7 am - sunset

Elapsed time: 1-3 hours

Check the Visitors Center schedule. They offer an orientation to the wildlife and the landscape you’ll encounter here.  

Admission: Free

Photo Album Here

Start your walk at the nature center by heading right to walk counterclockwise around the outer loop. The boardwalks pass over waterways of various depths, and this particular section is deep. You might see an alligator drifting along the surface. At the first boardwalk junction, keep right—the boardwalk to the left creates a short loop back to the nature center.

The Beach at the Doorstep ...or almost!

There are, of course, other options for the Sports or daily Free-time, but being in Florida and not going at least once to the beach should be punishable.

As the name suggests, Delray Beach is by the ocean and has a long, sandy beach that is very calm when there are no adverse weather conditions.

The best relatively secluded place to go is the beach located south of Delray's  Seagate Beach Club. From this point on, there are only residential homes, no hotels nor other crowded facilities.

You'll have to drive 15 minutes to Anchor Park where there is a public parking lot. Be attentive to the signs that say "To the A1A" road. This route will avoid the busy part of Atlantic Ave in the downtown area.

Park the car there and go to the beach walking south. Soon you'll leave behind the beach chairs of the Seagate Club and you'll have a beautiful Florida beach for yourself.


Practical Tips

Distance: 5 mi, about 15 minutes.

Avoid Atlantic Ave in downtown.

If you are coming from the North and have a pale skin, be sure you bring plenty of sun protection lotion. Here in Florida the sun really beats down hard.

Be aware that during the rainy season storms are more probable in the afternoon.

Check the weather  especially the rip currents forecast. Rip currents kill more people in Florida during an average year than hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning combined. See here how to react.