Historical Walking Tours

Summon Henry Flagler, conjure up Addison Mizner and channel other colorful characters as you stroll through Old Palm Beach on one of the Worth Avenue Association's popular historical walking tours of wonderful Worth Avenue.  Conducted on select Wednesdays throughout the season, these popular strolls were formerly guided by James Ponce, proclaimed Palm Beach's "Two Legged Historical Landmark" by the Palm Beach Town Council in 1996, until 2010.  Complete with top hat, pocket watch and walking cane, Ponce assumed the persona of Flagler during the tours as he shared the history of Worth Avenue and environs.  Today, the tours are guided by Mr. Ponce's accomplished understudy, Rick Rose. 

Lasting about one hour and 15 minutes, the tours cover much of the history of Worth Avenue, including its architectural importance and development of the social scene that is only Palm Beach.

Tour Schedule 

Location:  Via Amore (formerly Gucci Courtyard - 256 Worth Avenue) across from Tiffany and Chanel.

Tours begin promptly at 11 a.m. Cost for the tour is $10 per person, payable at the beginning of the tour by cash or check only.  The proceeds benefit FOREVER FAMILY,  a local non-profit organization that helps to find permanent homes for children in foster care (www.foreverfamily.org).

No reservations are required.  Free two hour parking is available along Worth Avenue or paid parking is available at the Apollo Parking Lot behind Tiffany. Groups may arrange for a private, paid tour on other days (please use the "contact us" option in this website for inquiries - the cost is a flat fee of $300).

2012/2013 Schedule:

For the first time ever, the tours will be held EVERY Wednesday during the season, starting on November28th until April 25th.

About Rick Rose:

Rick Rose, a second generation South Floridian, co-owns and manages Grandview Gardens Bed and Breakfast and Vacation Homes since 2004, which is located in the Grandview Heights Historic District of West Palm Beach. His passion for all things historical led him to understudy with James Ponce, the Town of Palm Beach's declared "living landmark" for the past several years. Since Mr. Ponce's retirement in 2011 from hosting the Worth Avenue Historic Walking Tours, Rick has become the official tour guide for Worth Avenue. He considers this appointment an extension of an informal role that he has been delighted to fill for many years for friends, visitors and family coming to the area, even during his tenure with one of the world’s leading hotel groups overseas for 20 years prior to 2004.

Rick's grandfather immigrated to the USA from Germany in 1924.  Rick’s fascination with the area stems from family stories of how the Palm Beach developed from the roaring 1920s, through the Great Depression, World War II and the booms and busts thereafter.

"I am proud to be a native of South Florida - an area rich in history, architecture and natural beauty. The development of this area over the last century is intimately connected with the development of the rest of the state. Palm Beach is a special place that is known the world over and to be able to share its rich and deep cultural heritage with tourists from all over the world is a great privilege."  -Rick Rose