A cosmopolitan city in southern Florida, West Palm Beach is known for a bustling downtown with restaurants, bars, galleries, and shops. Located across Lake Worth Lagoon from glamorous Palm Beach, West Palm Beach is a destination for art and history lovers, thanks to landmarks such as the Norton Museum of Art and the Cox Science Center. However, there are also plenty of outdoorsy things to do in West Palm Beach, too, from snorkeling excursions, catamaran cruises, and eco tours to see manatees, to fishing charters and parasailing trips.
When winter rolls around, the locals get excited for the South Florida Fair—two weeks in January filled with deep-fried foods, midway games, and classic family fun. Winter also showcases the area’s renowned equestrian scene with the Winter Equestrian Festival and Palm Beach Polo Season starting, both of which take place from January to April.
Late spring is ideal, too. Landing just before hurricane season, outdoor events like May’s SunFest waterfront music and arts festival are enjoyed without sweltering heat and sudden storms. Pick up a copy of the Palm Beach Post to see what’s on while you’re in town. You never know. The Norton might be hosting a traveling contemporary art exhibition, or perhaps Okeeheelee Park on Forest Hill Boulevard is celebrating the holiday season with its annual drive-thru light show.
West Palm Beach, Florida has routes served by the Palm Tran buses. There’s also a free trolley service that connects to the TriRail, a commuter rail that travels to Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Downtown West Palm Beach is walkable after you park, but it’s in your best interest to rent a car. Beaches, golf courses, and other popular spots require a set of wheels, though ridesharing and cabs are plentiful.
If you fly into Palm Beach International Airport, you can reach downtown via Uber or Lyft. The airport also offers public transportation via TriRail, although the station is not at the airport. Fortunately, you can visit Tri-Rail.com to get a US$15 off voucher to use toward a rideshare service from the airport to the nearest station. The airport is also served by more than 10 car rental companies, and some hotels offer complimentary shuttles.
West Palm’s closest beach is on the island of Palm Beach, and you’ll find locals taking a quick trip north to Peanut Island for weekends full of boating and sunbathing. Multimillion-dollar mansions may set the reputation, but West Palm’s charm comes from its local communities. Venture south to Lake Worth for the hip arts and culture scene; or head inland to the Loxahatchee area, where wild animal experiences await at the drive-thru Lion Country Safari and humble McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary.
If you want to see wildlife in the wild, especially birds, hit the trails at Grassy Waters Preserve. Here, you may encounter bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and perhaps even the elusive Everglades Snail Kite. If the Flagler Museum is on your West Palm Beach, FL bucket list, keep in mind that the museum is closed on Mondays and has abbreviated hours on Sundays. Still, it’s worth a visit to learn about Henry Flagler, who helped Florida grow from one of the poorest states in the country to one of the most profitable.
