President Donald
Trump is back in the White House . However, he’ll likely still maintain a Florida presence at his
other famous residence —
his private club Mar-a-Lago . Though he actually has several properties, including Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York, it’s 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C., and
Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida , that are most associated as being Donald Trump’s home. When Trump was president from 2017 to 2021, Mar-a-Lago became known as the “Southern White House” or the "Winter White House" because of his frequent trips there. Now that Donald Trump was re-elected in the 2024 presidential election, there’s intense interest in the Trump family — from
former first lady Melania Trump to their
only child Barron Trump — and especially their iconic home in Palm Beach. For those wondering, Mar-a-Lago
is his
official residence . For those who may want to see President Trump when he's in Palm Beach County — either on his way to Mar-a-Lago, or en route to Palm Beach International Airport — it is a thing to do. Sort of like watching a
rocket launch lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center or Cape
Canaveral Space Force Station in Brevard County, Florida, people from Palm Beach County and beyond typically line up along Southern Boulevard and await Trump's motorcade. Some bring flags or posters, dressing up in red, white and blue to salute the commander in chief. Below is what you need to know if you want to see Trump's motorcade to and from Palm Beach International Airport and to and from Mar-a-Lago.
Donald and Melania Trump live at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, Florida. Can you visit Mar-a-Lago?
The main entrance to Mar-a-Lago is on South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach. To see Mar-a-Lago, you have to do a drive-by. People can park and walk by, though you'll be in the roadway. It's not uncommon for people to pull over their cars to catch a view. It is, however, very dangerous because there is no sidewalk, and there's no shoulder on the side of the road. Mar-a-Lago is a private club. It's not a resort, and people can't just show up and visit.
Is Mar-a-Lago open to the public? How big is Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private club in Palm Beach, Florida?
It's a private club so generally Mar-a-Lago is not open to the public. Mar-a-Lago closes on Mother's Day after the traditional final brunch of the social season and reopens on Halloween. Mar-a-Lago is 17 acres. It sounds like a lot for an estate, but there's a lot going on there. The private club has 500 members. Amenities include tennis, the Beach Club, croquet court and a spa. We don't know the exact size of the living quarters of Mar-a-Lago — but it is speculated to be somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet.
Where is Mar-a-Lago located in Florida? Where do Trump supporters line up to watch his motorcade? How many cars are in the Trump motorcade?
The luxury estate, Mar-a-Lago, which spans 17 acres of prime waterfront real estate, is located in Palm Beach, Florida. When Trump was president before, his motorcade usually took Southern Boulevard for his trips between the Palm Beach International Airport and Mar-a-Lago. Trump supporters typically line up anywhere from Southern Boulevard going east toward Mar-a-Lago to an area known as "Bingham Island" in Palm Beach. They bring flags and posters. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Trump supporters would line up on Southern Boulevard to watch the Trump motorcade, which typically has 15 to 20 cars.
Can Trump supporters go to Palm Beach International Airport in Florida and see Air Force One land?
Just like watching President Trump's motorcade traveling over the Southern Bridge to and from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, people have watched Air Force One take off and land at Palm Beach International Airport, 1000 James L. Turnage Blvd., West Palm Beach, Florida. When he arrives at the airport, typically there is an "invited" list of people who can be on the tarmac, and the president would wave and possibly sign autographs. There also are places close to PBIA to watch Air Force One land or take off. Nighttime takeoffs or landings are not as well-attended, visual or popular, according to Palm Beach Post archive coverage. Watching the Trump motorcade, however, does draw a lot of people.
Can you take selfies with Air Force One in Florida? Where to see Trump Force One plane, take #TrumpForceOne photos, video and selfies
When President Trump is in Palm Beach, Florida, his planes take off and land at Palm Beach International Airport. The Trump jet or Air Force One are then typically parked at Atlantic Aviation on Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach. People will take pictures of Air Force One − or Trump Force One, which was coined by Trump's hometown newspaper, the Palm Beach Post − and post them on social media. There's a grassy lot in front of the Atlantic Aviation building, and people would park there and get photos and video of #TrumpForceOne − as of Jan. 27, 2025, there are more than 5,000 Instagram using this hashtag.
Does Trump acknowledge his supporters on Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach, Florida? Does he wave to Trump fans?
Trump does wave and acknowledge his supporters gathered along Southern Boulevard in Palm Beach, Florida. His motorcade will not stop, and Palm Beach law enforcement, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and K-9 units will check out cars parked on Bingham Island that gather to watch the motorcade pass by.
When does President Trump visit Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida? What parties does he host at Mar-a-Lago?
Trump typically didn't visit his private club from Easter to Thanksgiving during his first term in office, but that may change this time around for his second term in office.
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida . Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang . Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper .
