Then again, sharks and snow don’t do all that much for me. Maybe while the family plays with ice and fossil teeth, I’ll get my thrills the old fashioned way: world class shopping. From the stylish shopping malls to Worth Avenue to CityPlace to Clematis Street to Atlantic Avenue and more, the one of a kind shops and boutiques of Palm Beach always give me real excitement and some really fine values. Oh, and I just found out: there are guided Shopping Excursions where you get maps, shopping magazines, and “Staff Support Personnel.” Can you believe it!? I’ll be getting some friends together for that faster than you can say, “take these bags to the car!”

Of course, if we make a long weekend of it, we’ll do so very affordably, thanks to off-season lodging specials. With so many resorts, boutique inns, bed and breakfasts, and classic hotels, we’ll find a place to make us feel right at home with plenty of style, good food, and luxurious comfort.

I have to admit, a quick trip Palm Beach County sure makes for a great family getaway. Between the sun, sand, and water, fine dining, outstanding places to stay, and all sorts of wonderful things to do, there’s something for everyone. But this year, I know what to pack for Winter in July. You’d better believe we’re bringing our mittens!

My husband complains about the weather this time of year. Coming from the north, he sometimes under-appreciates summertime in Florida, so I make sure he gets a healthy dose of cool things to do in Palm Beach County.

For the second year in a row, we’ll slide into Winter in July on July 12 & 13 at the Palm Beach Zoo. It’s a sure winner for my family; the kids all love animals, and while enjoying the critters, live music, interactive games, juggling lessons, and a visit from the Snow Queen, they’ll also learn about Sun Safety.

We found a discount coupon online, and did I mention the Zoo will have 40 tons of snow to play in? I’ve had to live in the white stuff before; give me this kind of Winter Wonderland any day!

Long as we’re nearby, we’ll drop in for Shark Saturday on the 12^th at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. My youngest is fascinated by sharks; bet he’ll be thrilled to touch genuine shark jaws and fossil shark teeth from all over the world.

One thing’s for sure, Palm Beach County is not making it easy to finalize our 4th of July weekend plans; there’s just SO much going on there for Independence Day!

Found a listing on the PBC website for the “4th on Flagler” in West Palm, “the region’s biggest 4th of July celebration,” with what looks like lots of fun things to do: live entertainment, a kids’ area, the firefighters’ Splash and Dash, tons of terrific food, and, of course, a magnificent fireworks display.

My husband mentions fireworks at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter the nights of July 3 and 4. I’m sure the kids would enjoy seeing some minor league baseball, but I know he’s also eyeing the very fine Florida Resident Getaway deal at the nearby Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Beach Gardens. We could even get gasoline for the trip! Of course, for special offers on lodging, like so many other things in PBC, there are a slew of first-rate choices.

Then there’s the Fabulous 4th Celebration in Boca Raton, with family activities, a stage show, and a Florida Wind Symphony concert before the fireworks (and maybe a quick round of world class golf the next morning?) Or we could head to beautiful Lake Worth’s Tropic Fest/ July 4th Celebration for more food, music, and kids’ games before the sky lights up to their fireworks spectacle. And my eldest is lobbying for the Fireworks Cruise out of Riviera Beach, a three-hour excursion promising “an unparalleled view of the 4th on Flagler fireworks.”

But I’m leaning toward the all-day July 4 party at Delray Beach. We can watch the sand sculpting competition in the morning and see the Patriotic Bike and Scooter Parade in the afternoon. Plus, there’ll be free concerts and other entertainment, a 100-foot inflatable obstacle course, and more food and drink than even my ravenous brood can devour. Oh, and the evening ends with another fantastic fireworks extravaganza, courtesy of the legendary Grucci family.

As long as we’re gazing at the sky shouting oooh and ahhh, we’ll have a wonderful time no matter where we end up. And since they offer so many 4th of July celebrations, we’ll just have to keep up our Independence Day / Palm Beach County tradition for years to come!

When I was little, our family’s 4th of July tradition was a lazy afternoon of BBQ and games while we waited for dark, when we’d head for the fireworks show on the outskirts of town. These days, we have our own 4th of July family tradition: a day of treating ourselves well and a night of fabulous fireworks in Palm Beach County.

The question is, exactly how will we spend our 4th? There are so many choices in PBC (a good problem to have). Guess it all depends on where we stay, and there’s plenty of selection there, too. One thing I know, we’ll get in on some remarkable specials!

I’m thinking we’ll rent a boat or take a day cruise. The kids never tire of getting out on the water. Or maybe I’ll leave the husband and offspring on the beach (check out the view) while I sample some of the finer retail opportunities. Been too long since I gazed at the value-packed vistas of Town Center, Mizner Park, or Boynton Beach Mall (not counting the girls’ weekend at CityPlace, of course – less said about that the better).

After that, I’ll rendezvous with the family for something good to eat. From elegant to casual, there are more than 2000 places to dine round these parts

We’re sure to find someplace exceptionally appetizing, and even my finicky eaters will find something they like.

But where will we go to light up the night with booms, bangs, oooh’s and ahhh’s? One good possibility: the July 4th Salute to Independence at Intracoastal Park. You can’t go wrong with a fireworks display by the legendary Grucci family, plus there’ll be live music.

Or we could hit the July 4th Celebration at Sunset Cove Amphitheater, just west of Boca. They’ll have a spectacular display, too, the Private Stock Band will play, and the food and beverage vendors can pacify the kids while we wait for the show.

So many possibilities, but I’m sure of the outcome: a wonderful time sharing the 4th with my family in Palm Beach County.

Okay, awake, refreshed, and ready for shopping as it was meant to be ! The tasteful shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques of Worth Avenue never fail to inspire me, and CityPlace’s European town square feel puts me in the mood to relax between fabulous finds.

By now, the kids will be famished; not a problem, though, with more than 2000 eateries in the county, we’ll easily find something satisfy our family’s most particular members.

Now, who’s up for some nightlife? I could spend weeks checking out the different entertainment options, though the kids would probably prefer their own favorite activities.

Oh, my oldest shows me an article in the Palm Beach Post about going to a drum circle. I’m willing to try it if they are.

Then again, the evening could be an opportunity to let them chill back in their room while their father and I hit the dance floor

On the other hand, we MIGHT just find some other exciting way to spend our time…mmmm, that WOULD be perfect.

Cure for the Common: A day in Palm Beach County

Sometimes it’s not so easy to take everything the world dishes out. My job, the house, my family: too many demands on my time leave me running on empty. When that feeling starts to get to me, this prescription works every time: a perfect day in Palm Beach County.

Nothing is nicer than waking up somewhere magnificent, where the kids have their own room and someone else is picking up after them. For that matter, someone else is picking up after my husband and me, not to mention doing all the cooking!

Let’s see, the perfect Palm Beach County day should start off a terrific meal. No matter who is in the mood for what, we know we’ll find good food for everyone in the family. That’s right, waiter; we’d like our brunch served in sun splashed splendor, thanks very much.

What’s up next? A mellow midday at the water’s edge? Will it be sunning on the beach, getting in some snorkeling or jet skiing, maybe try a little fishing? How about a bit of all three?

Of course, a breathtakingly beautiful round in golfing paradise is always wonderful.

Then maybe an hour’s massage and a quick nap? Mmmm, the perks of a perfect day…☺

Then we’ll retreat to our hotel for the luxurious treatment he deserves;) !

On Saturday, PB County is Dad’s oyster. Will he want to charter a boat or rent a jet ski?

Grab a spectacular round of golf? Stake out some shade on the beach? We can do as much or as little as he wants. Maybe catch a movie; better yet, hit the theater for a show!

Afterward, will he want to see what’s on tap at the local pubs? Catch some live music? Or sample the area’s finest dining, maybe a Middle Eastern feast at Leila or the four-star elegance (and two-for-one wine special!) of The Leopard Lounge in The Chesterfield?

Who knows what we’ll do Sunday? He knows the kids love the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, and there’s a free deal for Dads at the Palm Beach Zoo.

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. This Father’s Day, we’ll not only feed him well, we’ll show him a grand time on the water, in the lounge, by the pool, or luxuriating in sumptuous style. No matter how much or how little he wants to do for his weekend, our Dad deserves the Palm Beach Best of Everything!

In anticipation of my upcoming antique and collectible safari, talked my husband into a “reconnaissance” trip to West Palm, where we scoped out a few shops and found a few treasures. But the biggest discovery of the weekend was how much I enjoy golfing Palm Beach County!

Took a break from shopping to hit the links one afternoon; the course was so breathtaking, I made up my mind we should stay a day or two! To our happy surprise, we had little-to-no trouble getting tee times. Then again, having 170 golf courses county-wide does give you options. And besides the absolutely stunning vistas some of these courses command, it’s kind of a thrill to play the same holes favored by the pros.

Spent an exhilarating afternoon on the Champion course at the PGA National Resort & Spa, where the Honda Classic is played every March. What a gorgeous setting! Our scores were far less impressive than this very challenging course, just one of the PGA National’s five appearing on Zagat’s America’s Top Golf Courses list.

Still, no matter where my ball ended up, the view was spectacular!

In exchange for a fishing weekend to be named in the future, my helpful husband has agreed to keep the home fires burning and the kids in line; looks like I’m teaming up with a friend for three days “on the prowl” at the West Palm antiques show. Even better, we’re getting a superb deal on a place to stay.

And with all the deals available at area hotels and resorts, it was hard to choose! In addition to some really fantastic nightly rates, some are offering complimentary breakfasts, internet access, local call, shuttle service, and discounts at local shops and eateries.

After bagging a few one-of-a-kind bargains, those might come in handy as we savor our shopping success over an exceptional meal. No matter what cuisine we’re in the mood for, this area definitely has plenty of places sure to hit the spot.

I’ll happily admit it: I like to shop. But the Antique & Collectibles Show’s stellar selection will make this a real treasure hunt. Ah, a good friend, some great shopping, and outstanding places to stay and to dine – now THAT is a weekend packed with value!

There’s no doubt the Clematis Street District and City Place are extraordinary shopping destinations. But to feel the “thrill of the hunt” for something rare and unique, I’m heading for the West Palm Beach Antique & Collectibles Show at the South Florida Fairgrounds this weekend (June 6-8).

This is one of Florida’s biggest and longest running shows; dealers from all over the southeast and beyond bring treasures they’ve found all over the world. When I’m stuck for the perfect gift or decorating idea, this is where I know I’ll find something extraordinary to excite my imagination.

Actually, this will be a great opportunity to take care of a few items on my list: Gifts for those upcoming weddings? Check. Something just right for Father’s Day? Check. The perfect accent piece for the entryway? Priceless!