I recently stopped by The Gardens Mall while visiting one of the gelato shops, and it reminded me…read morewhat a pleasant place it is to spend an afternoon. The mall is clean, bright, and beautifully maintained, making it a comfortable destination--especially on a hot Florida day. The air-conditioned indoor setting is a welcome escape, and there's a great mix of stores, whether you're shopping for fashion, gifts, or just browsing. Another plus is the ample parking. It's easy to get in and out without the hassle of circling for a spot. You can park in the shade or not! Whether you're planning a shopping trip, grabbing a bite to eat, or simply making a stop at one of the specialty shops, The Gardens Mall is a relaxing and enjoyable place to visit.

The Gardens Mall first opened its doors on October 5, 1988, as The Gardens of the Palm Beaches…read more Developed by The Forbes Company on 400 acres along PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens, the two story, 1.4 million-square-foot shopping destination had Macy's, Sears, and Burdines as its original anchor stores. Over the next few years, it continued to grow into one of South Florida's premier luxury malls, with Bloomingdale's opening in 1990 and Saks Fifth Avenue following in 1991. Burdines closed in 2004 as part of Federated Department Stores' corporate consolidation and was replaced by a two-story Nordstrom in 2006. Sears, one of the mall's original anchors, permanently closed on February 29, 2024. This was my first visit to The Gardens Mall, and everything about it exuded luxury. Parking is plentiful and free. Inside the elegant fountains and water features, lush faux floral arrangements, and sculptures scattered throughout the mall lent themselves to creating an upscale atmosphere. The shopping lineup is equally high end with designer boutiques like Talbot's, Coach, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany, Lilly Pulitzer, Chanel, Gucci, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, and many more. When it's time for a break, the elegant Gardens Café food court offers quick service favorites like Chick-fil-A, Shake Shack, and Charley's Philly Steaks. I especially loved the mural that wraps around the food court called A Story of Florida. It depicts Florida's earliest history of indigenous people and the arrival of the Spanish and ends with a space shuttle taking flight. Full-service restaurants include California Pizza Kitchen, Cooper's Hawk Winery, P.F. Chang's, and Brio Italian Grille which all have sit down dining options. I liked walking around the mall and while I don't generally shop luxury brands I did check out the Hallmark and Yeti store. I would come back for a bite to eat and to take in the beautiful surroundings. Even if designer labels aren't in your budget, it's worth stopping by to window shop and enjoy the tranquil vibe while taking advantage of very appreciated air conditioning, which is so vital this time of year.

I was driving back to Fort Lauderdale and decided to check this place out since it was on the way…read more It's right next to the water and there are some trails that you can walk by the water. There are a variety of restaurants and shops including Tommy Bahamas,Salt life and Calaveros Cantina. There is an outdoor Amphitheater for concerts and performances. The Wyndham Hotel is there as well, I walked into the lobby and it's gorgeous. There is some street parking and a parking garage that was free on Sunday.

Harbourside Place is a 5 acre mix of shops, offices, restaurants, an amphitheater, and a 5 story…read moreWyndham Grand hotel on the corner of U.S. 1 and Indiantown Road on the Intracoastal. Before Harbourside was built the land was occupied by a bank building, the Perry Institute for Marine Science and the Burt Reynolds Museum. In early 2000 Jupiter purchased the land and Harbourside opened in December of 2014. In the summer of 2021, Harbourside rebranded by reducing its retail space by 70 percent in favor of outdoor dining and small gatherings. They prefer to generate income from offices. Under the new plan live music concerts which had been a source of complaints and lawsuits would be reduced to 10 a year. With less stores Harbourside is hoping to be more known for its special events. There is a classic car show once a month on Saturdays and on Sunday mornings there is an outdoor yoga class. There is also a waterfront market I attended with small businesses and food vendors. Jupiter's 2.5 mile Riverwalk pathway runs from Oceanside at the beach and crosses over the Intracoastal to Harbourside. The path allows people biking and traveling by foot to follow the Intracoastal north to the Jupiter inlet. It is nice to walk along the path within Harbourside. Harbourside has free parking in the garage if you stay under 2 hours. The Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum was a hard loss to the community. He was Jupiter's favorite son. There isn't anywhere I'd shop in Harbourside but I like the Tommy Bahamas (to eat), BurgerFi, Subculture Coffee, and Calaveras Cantina. It seems like Jupiter is a little lost on how to best use this prime real estate. There isn't very much to make you want to stick around although the water view is beautiful. Hopefully they will get it figured out and make Harbourside a not to be missed destination experience.

Opened in 2019, Alton Town Center is a mixed use 360,203-square-foot retail complex on Donald Ross…read moreRoad with close access to I-95. Located in Palm Beach Gardens, Alton Town Center is anchored by Publix, L.A. Fitness, Petsmart and Home Depot. It was designed to be pedestrian friendly and gives the residents at an adjacent housing development a variety of stores, restaurants and other amenities within walking or biking distance from home. I was looking for some refreshment while in the area and found everything I could need and more in the Alton Town Center. This modern shopping center offers a blend of shopping, dining, and entertainment that is sure to appeal to a wide variety of tastes. Food and drink choices range from fast and casual to sit down. These include Bolay, Chipotle, Crumbl Cookies. Lemonshark Poke, Longhorn Steakhouse, Lynora's, Miller's Ale House, Moon Thai and Japanese, Panada Express, Panera, Raw Juice, Starbucks, The Habit, and Waxin's Restaurant and Bar. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite or a more relaxed dining experience, the variety ensures that everyone can find something to meet their needs. There are medical, beauty, financial, and fitness services along with cable and cellular companies and shopping options for home improvement, pets, groceries, jewelry, and clothes. You can do your everyday errands or seek out unique finds. This shopping center is massive with multiple parking lots making it convenient to get in and out quickly. Wide walkways, beautiful landscaping, public art pieces, fountains, and plazas add beauty and interest to the outdoor space. You can check out the Alton Town Center for upcoming events which attract families, young professionals, and locals to the area. This month they gave out gift cards and upcoming programs include music, dance, and a New Year's Eve Celebration. Whether you're coming to shop, eat, or meet up with friends and family, Alton Town Center provides an upscale and welcoming experience.

From the owner: Alton Town Center, located in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens, is a vibrant destination offering an…read moreexceptional mix of shopping, dining, and wellness experiences. Explore national brands, locally loved eateries, and top-notch beauty and fitness services in a relaxed, outdoor oasis. From brunch and happy hour to boutique shopping and family-friendly events, Alton Town Center provides something for everyone. Discover the perfect place for your next outing in a community-centered atmosphere. Keywords: shopping, dining, Palm Beach Gardens, beauty, fitness, wellness, family-friendly.

I have frequented this shopping center several times since it is less than a 5 minute drive from me…read moreand it's my go to spot for grocery shopping because of the Whole Foods and movie experience at CMX Cinemas and for coffee at Pura Vida or Subculture Coffee. They are always adding new places and spots to check out over here which helps you never get bored of what's in the area. They also have several parking options available even with a free garbage which makes coming here super easy. There is a large variety of places to see in this center including a sauna studio and a salad place. They are always hosting low to free cost events as well for families and kids including a movie on the lawn every week!

Went for an art fair today and had a great time!! There was a ton of parking in the garage next to…read morethe Cheesecake Factory. There's a ton of restaurants and shops to explore while enjoying Florida's November weather. Very clean. The grass could use some love, but I love the seating and shade - great for kids to run around.

This shopping plaza is so pleasant to shop at. There are several stores to hit, many of which have…read morebeen in this plaza forever. The parking lot is clean and although not large, has comfortably wide spaces and walkways to cross onto the sidewalks. This plaza is right in the middle of town and easy to access. Two of my favorite stores anchor this Plaza; Ross and TJMaxx are almost next door to each other, and they are both clean, well-stocked versions of these stores. Shoe Carnival separates them; it can't hurt to walk in and peruse this store quickly when you're here. Just a short walk across the L provides some dependably good Jupiter eats: The Royal Cafe and Al Forno Pizza. In this strip is also the small Nutrition Wise, where I often stop in to grab an item I may need rather than wait to hit a big health food store elsewhere. The chocolate shop here (Tasty Image) holds the hidden secret of a cafe area and free wi-fi, plus a little fro-yo. There are other stores to hit here in the main L: Office Depot, an upscale consignment store (A Star's Closet), a nail place and a spa I've yet to try, 60 minutes. On the other corner of this plaza is a restaurant/bar, tire place and Dunkin Donuts, but I rarely use that side.

This was my first visit to PGA Commons although I have passed by many times. In 2000 property…read moreowners, business leaders, and developers got together to form the PGA Corridor Association which led to the development of PGA Commons, a mix of residences, shopping, services, galleries, art, and dining. My destination was The Cooper for brunch, which I highly recommend. After eating I wandered around a bit to check out the Commons. It was probably not the best day because most of the non restaurant businesses were shuttered for New Years Day. The stores don't really excite me. There is a bamboo clothing store and a smoke shop plus a couple of high end art galleries. There are also some service based shops like a Pediatrics Associates, Blowdry Bar, nail spa, and realtor offices. The real reason to come here for me would be the dining and saw some other restaurants I was interested in checking out. A lot of the restaurants have spacious outdoor dining which is great for the pandemic and the gorgeous weather of a Florida winter. As for the residential aspect it was kind of strange to see people hanging out on their balcony above The Cooper. I am not sure living above a busy restaurant is for me. I also saw a strip of houses behind the parking lot. After my first visit to PGA Commons I think the restaurants are very nice and the overall layout is user friendly. I also liked the art touches but I wouldn't come here for shopping.

Nice selection of businesses and restaurants. Parking was not bad when I went in the evening and…read moremidday.