- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit West Palm Beach
Founded by Henry Flagler, West Palm Beach served the Gilded Age elite of Palm Beach. Its architectural character is defined by the Mediterranean Revival style, evident in historic districts like El Cid. After the devastating 1928 hurricane, building codes were overhauled, creating the resilient, elegant structures that now characterize the city's downtown core.
The city's landscape extends beyond beaches to the Intracoastal Waterway and Grassy Waters Preserve. This 23-square-mile Everglades remnant offers kayaking and boardwalk trails for viewing alligators and wading birds. An insider tip: visit during the winter dry season for concentrated wildlife viewing near water sources, an experience many tourists overlook.
Beyond beaches, what is West Palm Beach famous for? Its cuisine, fusing fresh Atlantic catches like yellowtail snapper with Caribbean flavors. The Saturday GreenMarket is the city's culinary heart. An insider tip: find vendors selling fresh 'guarapo' (sugarcane juice), a direct taste of South Florida's agricultural history that many visitors miss.
- West Palm BeachUnited States
- West Palm BeachUnited States
- West Palm BeachUnited States
- West Palm BeachUnited States
Quick Travel Essentials
- Dec-Aprmild, popular tourist season
- May-Junwarm, moderate crowds
- Jul-Aughot & busy
- Sep-Novwarm, fewer tourists
- #BeachTowel
- #LightClothing
- #Sunscreen
- #ComfortableShoes
- #PowerAdapterTypeA
- 3-4 days for highlights
- 5-6 days with beaches & day trips
- USD ($)
- English
- English is an official language here
- #NortonMuseumOfArt
- #PalmBeachZoo
- #ClematisStreet
- #FlaglerMuseum
- #LakeWorthBeach
- #SouthFloridaScienceCenter
- Relax on the beach
- Explore the Palm Beach shops
- Visit the Kravis Center for performing arts
- Take a boat tour
- Try local seafood
Recommended Hotels in West Palm Beach by Experience
Things to do in West Palm Beach
Discover
Exploring West Palm Beach reveals stunning sights from the Norton Museum of Art to the scenic Palm Beach Lake Trail. Discover Gilded Age history at the Flagler Museum and enjoy panoramic views from waterfront parks along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Experience
Enjoy waterfront concerts at SunFest, shop for local produce at the Saturday GreenMarket, or catch a Broadway show at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Go bird watching at Grassy Waters Preserve or take a trolley tour of the city.
Norton Museum of Art
Museum with American, European, and Chinese art collections.
Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
Gilded Age estate offering a glimpse into Florida history.
Palm Beach Lake Trail
Scenic waterfront path for biking, walking, and skating.
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Venue for Broadway shows, concerts, ballet, and opera.
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
Historic home with monumental sculptures in a lush garden.
Grassy Waters Preserve
A 23-square-mile wetlands ecosystem for hiking & tours.
West Palm Beach GreenMarket
Saturday market with fresh produce, plants, and local goods.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
Fly into Palm Beach International (PBI), a 10-min drive to downtown. Getting from the West Palm Beach airport to city center is easy via taxi or shuttle. For a scenic option, the Brightline train to West Palm Beach connects from Miami or Orlando.
Getting Around
Navigate downtown with the free trolley service. For wider exploration, use the Palm Tran bus system, the main public transport in West Palm Beach. A car rental in West Palm Beach is best for beach trips. Circuit bike-sharing is also available.
Local Essentials
Driving in West Palm Beach means watching for drawbridge openings on the Intracoastal, which can cause delays. Pay for street parking with the ParkMobile app. Sun protection is a must year-round-a key West Palm Beach travel tip for first-timers.
Where to Stay in West Palm Beach
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore West Palm Beach's culinary scene. Taste local specialties like fresh grouper and tangy key lime pie. The culture embraces a vibrant happy hour, a perfect prelude to dinner. It's the best way to eat authentic food West Palm Beach offers.
Enjoy
Taste the classics at Okeechobee Steak House's formal setting; reserve ahead. Grease Burger Bar offers a loud rock vibe; arrive early. Paris Bakery & Cafe is a quiet, cozy spot for a morning treat; order pastries.
Okeechobee Steak House
Legendary local steakhouse since 1947. Classic fare.
Buccan
Upscale American fare in a chic, bustling bistro.
Havana Restaurant
Authentic Cuban cuisine in a vibrant, casual setting.
Pistache French Bistro
Classic Parisian bistro with waterfront park views.
Seafood Bar
Oceanfront views and fresh seafood at The Breakers.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore West Palm Beach's heritage through events like the multifaceted Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrating the city's robust Hispanic community. Must-see holiday traditions include Sandi, the 35-foot holiday sand tree, with nightly light shows.
Enjoy
Discover contemporary West Palm Beach cultural activities. Enjoy SunFest, Florida's largest waterfront music festival, with diverse genres like indie rock and hip-hop. Or, explore the ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival's live art and juried shows.
SunFest
Florida's largest waterfront music and art fest in May.
Palm Beach Int'l Boat Show
March event with superyachts and marine accessories.
Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
December culinary event with world-renowned chefs.
ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival
February juried fine arts show with live entertainment.
Shakespeare by the Sea
Free outdoor Shakespeare performances in July in Jupiter.
Oktoberfest of The Palm Beaches
Two October weekends of German beer, food, and music.
LagoonFest
Free November event celebrating Lake Worth Lagoon.
A Really Pleasant and Classy Place
West Palm Beach is a beautiful city with a really clean and polished feel. It's got a relaxed pace but there's plenty to do, especially along the waterfront. Clematis Street was great for walking around and finding a spot for dinner.
Perfect for a beach getaway
Just the escape we needed. The beaches are fantastic-so clean with soft sand and clear water. We spent most of our time at Palm Beach Municipal Beach. It's a great spot to just lay back and forget about everything for a while.
Great shopping and art
West Palm Beach offers some seriously impressive shopping, especially if you wander down Worth Avenue. The whole area is just gorgeous. Also enjoyed the Norton Museum of Art, which had a fantastic collection. It's a very cultured place.
Lots of outdoor stuff to do
It's more than just sitting on the sand. We rented bikes and rode the Lake Trail, which had amazing views of the mansions and the water. It's a great way to see the area and be active. The weather was perfect for it.
Great food and evenings out
The dining scene is excellent. We had some amazing fresh seafood, including some delicious stone crabs. The downtown area has a nice energy in the evenings, with plenty of places to get a good meal or a drink outdoors.
Good for families
We found it to be a wonderful spot for a family trip. The Palm Beach Zoo was a big hit with the kids, and it wasn't too crowded. The city felt safe and was very easy to get around with our children. A successful family holiday.