Life in South Florida is expensive, and visiting any of South Florida’s attractions can leave you out of pocket, especially with a larger family. I am always on the hunt for places that don’t break the bank or are entirely free. By sheer luck one day looking at the map of West Palm Beach, I was intrigued by a nice looking garden marked as belonging to the “Society of the Four Arts”. So I checked it out.
What Is The Society Of The Four Arts?
I had never heard of it, but a little research reveals that The Society of the Four Arts has been here for a while, having been founded in 1936. Back then, just as now, its aim was to establish a cultural program in the developing and growing Palm Beach area. In case you wondered, the four arts are: art, drama, music and literature.
The Society of the Four Arts is a non-profit charity and all its programs are open to the public including concerts, films, educational programs and art exhibitions. But what really pulled me in, as an outdoorsy person, was their botanical and sculpture gardens.
The Botanical And Sculpture Gardens
Getting there is pretty painless with plenty of free parking at the society. When we arrived, a security guard told us that we could park in the adjacent car park for free as long as we visited the gardens or gallery.
There was ample space for parking and the gardens are certainly not oversubscribed. That’s a bonus in an increasingly overcrowded South Florida, in my opinion. No crowds here, just a steady stream of quiet and appreciative visitors.
Heading to the botanic garden it became clear that we were onto something special, a tranquil and enchanting space with lush and well-established tropical foliage, and all with a distinct Asian theme to it. There were pretty blooming orchids everywhere you looked.
Little ponds and water features, as well as many interesting plants, for example a huge Bonsai tree (well, huge for Bonsais), keep the small garden interesting and fun to explore.
A “huge” and old bonsai tree
Part of the Society of the Four Arts, next to the botanical gardens, is the Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden, where you are able to see some interesting and varied sculptures in this beautifully maintained outdoor setting. The garden is interspersed with some shade-giving pergolas and boasts a large, beautiful garden pavilion.
We spent quite some time in the sculpture garden just enjoying the landscaping, flowers (lots of Bougainvilleas adorning the pergolas), water features and sculptures. It was incredibly relaxing and the perfect antidote to a crazy week.
It would be unfair to conclude this little write-up about the garden of the Society of the Four Arts, without mentioning all the other things that they do. There is a beautifully restored library on site, which is also functioning as the city library. It’s a nice little place to look around in and get some cool air if you should need it after visiting the gardens.
The Society of the Four Arts is also home to the Esther B. O’Keeffe Gallery, which features a diverse schedule of traveling art exhibitions. There is a charge to visit the gallery. The gardens are open seven days a week, and there is no charge for admission.
A fascinating succulent plant/tree in the sculpture garden
Bethesda By The Sea – Another Garden (And Old Church) Well Worth Visiting
While milling around the Society of the Arts and Lake Trail in West Balm Beach, we met a nice couple and got chatting to them. They recommended we go and see Bethesda-by-the-Sea church, not far from the Society of the Four Arts. The couple particularly mentioned the quiet and peaceful nature of the church and gardens. We love recommendations, so on our way home decided to pay a visit to Bethesda-by-the-Sea.
We were not disappointed! It’s a beautiful church, reminiscent of similar size places of worship in Europe, with intricate stained-glass windows and a wonderful ancient feel to it. And it was heavenly cool – thanks to air conditioning!
Bethesda By The Sea in West Palm Beach
History Of Bethesda-By-The-Sea
Bethesda-by-the-Sea (which translates as “house of healing by the sea”) is the oldest church in Palm Beach and started as a schoolhouse in 1889. The original church was constructed of mostly driftwood, as there was not a lot of readily available building material at that time. It could seat about 100 worshippers.
A few years later, plans were made to build a larger church on a bigger lot for the growing community of Palm Beach. In late 1894, a larger building along the Intracoastal Waterway on the north end of the island was being constructed. This is the church you can visit now, and the one this post is referring to. The old (wooden) Bethesda-by-the-Sea is still around too and can be viewed along Lake Trail.
Back in the day, Bethesda was the “hub” for the area regarding charitable and cultural events. The church, as it stands now, held its first service on Christmas Day in 1926.
This was also the time when Henry M. Flagler had extended his railroad to the Palm Beach area, which helped to turn the area into a desirable resort destination for leading American families and European aristocrats. Bethesda-by-the-Sea played an important part in supporting the growing community and vice versa.
Why Visit Bethesda?
Well, there are several reasons as to why it is a wonderful place to visit. If you are an active worshipper, you will find this church particularly interesting and may want to partake in a service. Even if you are not practising religion, however, Bethesda holds many charms. The gardens are lovely and tranquil, and it’s easy to see yourself transported back in time, forgetting about the hustle, bustle and traffic outside.
There is a pond with koi carp, and many nooks and crannies to explore around the outside of the church. The churchyard is also lovely to explore. Or why not just sit and contemplate life for a while in this peaceful and spiritual setting? You will find the perfect surroundings for contemplation here.
Whatever you do though, don’t forget to take a peek into the church, or better, spend some time walking around and enjoying the inside. There is much to discover here, such as the wonderful stained-glass windows, the magnificent organ, and just the general grandeur of this large church. If you happen to be there at the right time of day, the sun plays with the stained-glass windows and creates a magical display of colors and light beams throughout the church.
One of many stained glass windows at Bethesda
The Details
The Society of the Four Arts can be found at 100 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach, FL 33480. The gardens are open 7 days a week from 10-5, and closed on major holidays. For any other events or visits, consult their website for more information here. There is ample free parking on-site.
Bethesda-By-The-Sea is located at 141 South County Road, Palm Beach, Florida 33480. The gardens are freely accessible during the day, 7 days a week, and there is some parking available. The church was also open and freely accessible when we were there, which was at a random time on a Sunday afternoon. If you are keen to see the church from the inside you may want to call ahead and make sure that it is open (561) 655-4554. There are also church lecture tours on selected Sundays throughout the month. Check out Bethesda’s website here for more details.