1. Hampton Inn & Suites Wellington
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (561) 472-9696 or (800) HILTON
Address: 2155 Wellington Green Dr.
Description: The town of Wellington is considered the sweet spot of the western communities, with nice neighborhoods, good schools, beautiful equestrian and polo-grounds (and competitions in both disciplines), and an incredible array of shopping and entertainment options at The Mall at Wellington Green. The 134 rooms offer either one king or two queen beds. The rooms have coffeemakers and iron/ironing boards, and the hotel also offers an airport shuttle and discounts at various area attractions and golf courses. Rooms have a somewhat-English air, with plush beds and bedding, impressive headboards, comfortable chairs, and soft colors on the walls. A hot breakfast is complimentary. There’s a pool and fitness center, of course, along with a business center and quality meeting space. The surrounding area has a lot of nice family restaurants, particularly Italian, American, and barbecue.Out here in the “West,” you’re close to such attractions as Lion Country Safari (where you drive through and the animals roam freely around your car) and the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Reserve. And you’re just minutes from the shops of Wellington Green, where you can roam among 1.3 million square feet and some 170 specialty shops and restaurants, plus four anchor department stores: Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, and Nordstrom.
2. Fit Winter Equestrian Festival
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (561) 793-5867
Address: 3401 Equestrian Club Rd.
Description: The format for this event is “the Hunters.” Picture a fox hunt in England, where, in order to catch the fox, you (and your horse) have to ford rivers, jump fences, gallop hills and meadows, and sometimes jump fences into water. That’s what this event is all about. This is show-jumping, where artistry counts as much as fences cleared successfully. Horse and rider are judged not only on the proficiency with which they take the obstacle-fences, but also on the style with which they do it. It’s a family-friendly atmosphere, with competitions ranging from small children to adult amateurs to Olympic champions.Held every Wed through Sun, 8 a.m. to late afternoon, from mid Jan to early Apr. General admission is free for most events. There are shops, coffee and wine bars, good food, and recreation areas for the junior set. This is a pleasant way to spend a beautiful South Florida winter day, and to be exposed to something you may not have considered before.
3. Binks Forest Golf Club
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (561) 333-5731
Address: 400 Binks Forest Dr.
Description: Eighteen-hole, daily-fee course was originally designed by Johnny Miller and Gene Bates in 1989 and redesigned by Gene Bates in 2007. Tee times available seven days in advance. Soft spikes only. Driving range, lessons, and memberships available. Host course for the Gateway Tour and of the Golf Channel Tour.
4. Wellington Golf & Country Club
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (561) 795-3510
Address: 1900 Aero Club Dr.
Description: A 36-hole semiprivate course designed by Ted McAnlis and Johnny Miller. Tee times can be reserved up to four days in advance. Players can walk the Lakes Course any time. Soft spikes only. Driving range, lessons, and memberships available.
5. Stonewood Grill & Tavern
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (561) 784-9796
Address: 10120 Forest Hill Blvd. Suite 110
6. Anthony’S Gourmet Pizza & Italian Restaurant
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (561) 795-1686
Address: 13889 Wellington Trace
Description: The western communities have a much greater diversity and quality of restaurants than they did even a few years ago. And folks now make the drive from communities to the east, just to have dinner here. A good example is Anthony’s Gourmet Pizza & Italian Restaurant. People come from miles around for the calzone, which is excellent, as well as the pizza. The pies are done to perfection. The tastes are sharp and distinct. The dough and crust are perfect. The toppings are great. The food comes out quickly and it comes out hot. But the locals will tell you one more thing about Anthony’s, as well. The staff is superb, and they take a true personal interest in their customers. After your first visit here, they’ll remember your face. After your second, they’ll remember your name. And after your third, they’ll remember your favorite dish. It’s a charming place where you’ll feel very much at home.
7. Brookstone
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (561) 793-6205
Address: 10300 West Forest Hill Blvd.
Description: If you’ve ever been inside a Brookstone, you know what to expect—the unexpected. And the most modern and functional designs in appliances, clothing, furniture, housewares, and recreation. The coolest electronic video games and music players; the funkiest design in chairs and lounges; ergonomic beds, sofas, and chairs; and easy chairs with massagers for your neck, back, and even legs. There are back supports that help you stand straighter, and pillows that help you relax easier. State-of-the-art elliptical machines, stair-steppers, and exercise bikes. And surprising new things coming in almost daily.
8. Edible Arrangements
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (561) 422-3232
Address: 13873 Wellington Trace
Description: Colorful fruit, sweet chocolate, and an occasional teddy bear thrown in. A combination like that can brighten the most miserable day. Edible Arrangements has arrangements of fruit, candy, and small gift items.
9. Godiva Boutique
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (561) 792-5899
Address: 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
Description: You only have to say the word—Godiva—and you’ll get a picture in your mind, of smooth, hand-dipped chocolate, of a quality that rivals any in the world, arrayed along a counter and filled with different types of cream, nuts, or just more smooth chocolate.
10. Cynthia’S Country Store Bears
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (561) 793-0554
Address: 12794 West Forest Hill Blvd. Suite 8A
Description: This shop stocks bears by Steiff, as well as bears and other crafts by well-known artists R. John Wright and Deb Canham. There are bears everywhere you look here, of all different sizes, all different colors, and all different materials. Two of the more popular animals are Alexandra, the Butterfly Bear; and Gloria, the Springtime Bunny. And pink pigs in five different sizes, each one more cuddly than the last. You may also see The Happy Couple, two newlywed bears by Lladro, and, of course, porcelain bears by that famous company. Whatever your bear or other animal is made out of, though, you can be sure it’s the highest quality workmanship.
11. Bonanza Sports & Collectibles
City: Wellington, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (561) 743-1003
Address: 5500 Military Trail
Description: Jim and Laura Sage opened Bonanza Sports and Collectibles in January 2007, and they haven’t had a dull day since. The reason is that sports collectors keep making their way here, to enjoy one of the top collections in Palm Beach County. Bonanza offers a great selection of autographs from sports heroes of the past, present, and future; but autographs are just the start. There’s also a good selection of gifts and collectibles, from trading cards to key-chains to mugs and glassware. You might come upon an 8x10 photo signed by former heavyweight champ Joe Frazier, a football signed by both Dan Marino and Peyton Manning, or an autographed photo of one of the most famous moments in American sports history . . . soccer hero Brandi Chastain celebrating (minus her shirt) her winning goal against China in the Women’s World Cup championship of 1999.