I’ve lived in Florida all of my life, but this was my first trip to Jupiter. It’s almost embarrassing how much of Florida we still have to explore, but it makes these weekend getaways that much sweeter. Jupiter is arguably one of the prettiest little cities on the east coast of Florida. Famous for being a home base for celebrities like Tiger Woods, Olivia Newton-John, and even Celine Dion for years, it’s no wonder that it’s a popular destination for those seeking sunshine and sandy beaches. When we got the opportunity to spend a few days in Jupiter in the middle of January, we couldn’t pack our swimsuits and sunhats fast enough. After all, we love our home state of Florida. Exploring all the different beach towns and hidden gems is my favorite kind of weekend.
If you’re heading to Jupiter for a few days, you’ll want a good mix of relaxation and play. And that’s exactly why you’ll want to book a room at Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa. As the only beachfront hotel in Jupiter, you’ll be waking up to the sun bursting over the horizon of the ocean every morning. The resort has 177 rooms, tastefully decorated with traditional, warm colors. When we walked into our room on the 6th floor, we were greeted by the bright blue colors of the ocean. It almost felt more like the Caribbean more than Florida.
We live just a few hours north of Jupiter so I didn’t expect such a big difference in the color of the Atlantic Ocean, but we were told the Caribbean blues tend to make their way up the coast to Jupiter. Our room was so comfortable, had a mini fridge, and – my favorite – Opal Collection robes. Our balcony was smaller, but the views were big. The lower humidity and cooler temperatures (if you consider 70 degrees cooler) had us leaving the door to the balcony open every time we were in the room. There’s nothing better than listening to the sound of the waves crashing onto the beach.
Once you arrive at Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa, you’ll want to head down to the pool and bar. With comfortable daybeds, lounge chairs, and umbrellas, we settled on a couple of drinks and whipped out our books for the afternoon. They also have lounge chairs on a sandy area overlooking the ocean. There wasn’t a more perfect spot for happy hour. I love falling into “vacay mode” when I arrive at a resort. Day one is all about enjoying the amenities. If you really want to start the weekend getaway off right, book a spa treatment.
Because you’re already relaxing at the resort, freshen up in your room and head down to Sinclair’s for dinner. The ambiance of Sinclair’s is everything you look for in a beachside resort. Elegant blues, big comfy chairs, and huge windows to overlook the pool.
Jupiter is rich with character, history, and beauty. I love seeing and doing a little bit of everything and I’d say these are definitely some of the top things to do in the area.
Rise and shine your first morning in Jupiter and catch the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean. When your alarm goes off, take a peek out the window to make sure it’s not cloudy on the horizon. Head down to the beach about 15-20 minutes before the sun rises and catch the gorgeous glow of pink, orange, and yellow rays piercing the sky. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love a good sunset, but sunrises have always had my heart. Maybe it’s because most of the world is still sleeping and you get those quiet moments of catching the beauty of a new day.
After sipping on the resort’s complimentary coffee during sunrise, head to Sinclair’s for breakfast. We ate here every morning of our trip and it was delicious. I highly suggest the Wheatgrass Goddess smoothie and a blueberry pancake!
Paddleboarding with Blueline Surf & Paddle Co.
See Jupiter from the water and book a private paddleboarding eco-tour with Blueline Surf & Paddle Co. Located about a mile from the resort, it’s perfect for all experience levels. Our guide, Jay, was an enthusiastic and warm addition to the tour. He made us feel super comfortable and was filled with stories. Retiring in his 50’s, he’s seen and done more than almost anyone I’ve ever met. From sailing to Tahiti to living in Mexico for nine years, I couldn’t get enough of his life stories. I joked with him that he should start a podcast because I could listen to him all day. It just amazed me.
On top of that, it was awesome to paddle through the intercoastal. We didn’t get to see any manatees, but we saw ospreys, blue herons, little blue herons, egrets, and even a stingray. Not only is the wildlife fun to see, but the gorgeous mansions that line the river are quite the sight. For over two hours we paddled through the waters and got to work up an appetite.
Pro Tip: Try to book your eco-tour during low tide. You’ll have a better chance of seeing manatees and you’ll get a couple of breaks along the beaches that pop up next to the mangroves during low tide.
Right across the street from Blueline is the popular restaurant, Guanabanas. With outdoor seating, tiki lights, and seating by the water, it captures everything that Jupiter is all about. It’s a laid back atmosphere with fun character and Floridian charm. The tacos were delicious and we got to sip on one of our favorite beers from Islamorada. It’s been reported that Justin Bieber has eaten here with Rickie Fowler, who also has a home in the area. So boujee.
Florida has 29 lighthouses and I’ve made it a personal goal to see them all. Living close to the tallest lighthouse in Florida, Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, I was afraid the one in Jupiter would be underwhelming. But it’s the history that can be so captivating to me. From walking through an old World War II Naval house to reading about the Lighthouse Keepers in the 1800’s, it didn’t disappoint. The climb to the top of the Lighthouse is only 105 steps and should be fairly easy if you’re in decent health. I loved that they limited the number of people that were at the top at one time. We didn’t have to worry about crowds at the top or navigating other tourists on the steps. They also offer daily tours that will dive into all of the history even more.
Depending on what you’re craving that evening for dinner, I suggest Tiger Woods’s restaurant, The Woods, or U-Tiki Restaurant for dinner with a view. Both are located close to the resort and one will offer an upscale dining experience while the other will offer a casual setting by the river.
Have brunch outside at Sinclair’s and soak in the morning sunshine. You can lounge by the pool all day or if you want to head out for some action, you could explore more of Jupiter.
After a laidback morning at the resort, head to Harbourside Place, just a few minutes away. Here, you’ll find some great shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and a Wyndham Hotel. We loved leisurely strolling through the stores, window shopping, and checking out the yachts docked by the water.
Harbourside Place has plenty of options for lunch, but the fun decor and outdoor seating options at Calavera’s Cantina got us to stop there. With tableside guac, huge margaritas, and friendly servers, it’s the perfect spot for lunch outside. Did I mention the decor is oh-so-Instagrammable?!
We didn’t get the chance to make it to Loggerhead Marinelife Center, but it’s one thing I would love to do the next time we’re in the area! It’s a great place for kids, but I’m simply in love with all marine life. Committed to the research, rehabilitation, education, and conservation of sea turtles, they offer guided tours, “Turtle Talks”, fish feedings and more.
Wrap up your trip with another great meal. Take your pick between an impressive wine list and cozy seating at The Parisian Restaurant or a family-friendly restaurant with views of the Lighthouse.
Worth Avenue: Located about 20 miles away, Worth Avenue is the Rodeo Drive of Palm Beach.
Pontiki Cruise: Whether you’re looking to party or you want a private sunset cruise, the Pontiki looks like a good time. We saw it on the water while we were at the Lighthouse and noted it for our next trip.
Coral Cove Park: This is another place I wanted to get to, but we didn’t make it on this trip. Photos of this waterfront park are gorgeous and probably the perfect little place to explore the coast.
Fishing: TripAdvisor has some great, 5-star rated, charters available in Jupiter. I can’t handle deep-sea fishing, but if this is your thing, Jupiter is a great place to do it!
Maltz Jupiter Theater: Right around the corner from Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa is a professional theater. While we were in town, Mamma Mia was playing. If we had an extra night, we definitely would’ve bought some tickets!
FUN FACT: Zeke’s Golf Cart Taxi will take you just about anywhere in Jupiter for free! Just tip the driver. Give them a call and get to and from dinner without the worry of driving.
Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa sponsored our stay, but this post was not part of the contract. As always, all opinions are my own!