10 things to do in West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a popular tourist destination. Known for luxury experiences in everything from shopping to dining, numerous warm weather seeking tourists flock to the city each year. In fact, Palm Beach County welcomed a record-breaking 9 million tourists in 2022 alone, many of whom chose to make West Palm Beach their home away from home.

The reason for its ever-growing popularity is clear: The city is the perfect destination for those looking to enjoy a little luxury while on a tropical vacation.

If you're seeking exciting and rewarding things to do in West Palm Beach, you've come to the right place! In this article, we'll share with you some of the top activities you can enjoy during your visit.

Why should I visit West Palm Beach?

There are many reasons why you should consider visiting West Palm Beach. There's no shortage of opulent experiences to indulge in during your trip. Whether you're looking to challenge your friends to a round of golf or treat your tastebuds to a Michelin-star-worthy meal, there's something for everyone to enjoy within this city.

In addition, the Floridian city enjoys sunny skies and warm weather almost year-round. During the summer months, visitors can expect clear skies and an average temperature of 89°F.

1. Stroll Down Clematis Street

Known as West Palm Beach's historic district, a stroll through Clematis Street is a must during your travels. Here, you can enjoy a quick bite to eat at one of the many bars and restaurants or carry out some retail therapy at luxury stores and boutiques.

During your trip, keep an eye out for the registered buildings, such as the St. James Rooming House, Jennings Building, and Suther's Market!

As you walk towards the waterfront from Clematis Street, be sure to stop by the West Palm Beach Green Market. You should also take a stroll along the waterfront walkway on Flagler Drive. You'll enjoy the view of the marina, where rows of luxury yachts are docked at the harbor.

2. Explore the Norton Museum of Art

Art lovers could spend hours browsing the iconic Norton Museum of Art, which features artwork from a range of different cultures and historical periods. In addition to its permanent art and photography collections, the Norton Museum also hosts a wide range of live music and other events, giving visitors an even deeper insight into the local culture.

3. Splash out on a boat tour.

If you're feeling adventurous, you should take a luxury boat tour during your vacation. Here, you can experience the true beauty of West Palm Beach by exploring the Intracoastal Waterway and surrounding waters. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine or two during your trip as you take in the natural beauty that surrounds you.

During your trip, you'll likely encounter a wide range of wildlife, including dolphins and manatees. If you're looking for a more high-end or private experience, consider chartering a yacht as opposed to hopping on a cruise. This gives you much greater freedom over the places you visit while ensuring you're waited on hand and foot by attentive staff.

If you're feeling particularly adventurous (and aren't afraid to break a sweat), you could swap out a boat for a glass-bottom kayak, providing you with an unobstructed ocean view as you paddle through the water.

4. Take a swing at a local golf course.

If you're determined to burn some calories during your vacation, you should aim to visit one of the main West Palm Beach Golf courses. Here, you can indulge in some friendly competition with fellow travelers or locals while putting your golfing skills to the test. Golf carts are optional, so feel free to walk around the green lawns for a great workout.

Pay attention while narrowing down the golf course to visit as some are members-only facilities. Many local hotels in and around West Palm Beach offer golf course access, so staying in one of these may be the best option to guarantee access to golf.

5. Watch a show at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is West Palm Beach's cultural hotspot. It is home to a wide range of musical and theatrical performances throughout the year. For example, their 2024 program includes the touring production of Hamilton the Musical (fresh off the Broadway stages) alongside Jagged Little Pill and various orchestral productions.

If you're looking to tap into your creativity when traveling, you may also opt to participate in one of their many writing classes and seminars, often led by literary greats.

6. Step into history at the Flagler Museum.

If you're the kind of traveler who likes to learn more about the city they're exploring, then no trip to West Palm Beach is complete without visiting the Flagler Museum. While this is not within West Palm Beach itself, it's just a short 5-10 minute drive from the waterfront in West Palm Beach via either the Royal Park Bridge or the Flagler Memorial Bridge.

Hidden on the Palm Beach side of the Intracoastal Waterway behind the Ocean Golf Course at The Breakers, guests are given the unique opportunity to learn more about Henry Flagler while exploring his former residence.

Other popular museums in the area include the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, Palm Beach Photographic Centre, and Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum. History buffs will no doubt find exploring these museums to be the best of the things to do in West Palm Beach.

7. Explore the greenery at Mounts Botanical Garden

The 20-acre Mounts Botanical Garden is a living-plant museum within West Palm Beach. Divided into 25 different gardens, it's home to over 7,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants. While these include many plants native to Florida, the garden also has plants from six continents. Popular gardens include Butterfly Garden, Rainbow Garden, and Edible Garden.

8. Explore 'CityPlace' (formally known as 'The Square')

At the intersection of South Rosemary Avenue and Hibiscus Street, you'll find 'CityPlace', a neighborhood with an outdoor shopping mall, rows of palm trees, fountains, and buildings with mission-revival architecture. In addition to the presence of big-name retailers like H&M and Lululemon, you'll also find plenty of dining options here, so it's a great place to take a break while touring the downtown area. It's also about five blocks from Clematis Street, so you can either walk or catch a ride on one of the RideWPB vehicles.

Originally named 'CityPlace', previous name changes (including 'The Square') didn't quite resonate with the locals, so the name was reverted to the original in May 2024. There's also some rebuilding activity here (where some old buildings have been knocked down to make way for modern buildings), so it will likely look different when you visit.

9. Visit Antique Row.

Antique lovers may already be familiar with Antique Row Art & Design District, which is widely considered to be a hotspot for Antique shopping in Florida. Home to over 40 shops specializing in antiques and artwork from the 17th to 20th centuries, Antique Row has been featured in magazines such as Architectural Digest and the New York Times.

Take your time when exploring the stores, as who knows what vintage products and goods are hidden among the shelves! You might just find a few treasures to take home.

10. Take to the skies on a helicopter tour

If you're looking for an exciting experience during your trip, why not take to the skies by hopping into a private helicopter? Here, you'll be able to see everything Palm Beach Country has to offer with a unique bird's eye view.

During your helicopter ride, you'll get a panoramic view of the beauty of the city and the stunning neighboring coastline and ocean. You may also catch great views of other areas within Palm Beach County, such as Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Westlake, Wellington, and Palm Beach Gardens.

Dining

Experience fine dining at Table 26°.

If you're looking to indulge in some fine dining during your visit, then you must make reservations at Table 26° Palm Beach. Here, you can enjoy home-comfort-style food with a twist, paired with delicious cocktails in a vibrant atmosphere.

Led by head-chef Martha Encarnacion, the menu mainly focuses on contemporary American cuisines, such as Lobster Rolls, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and Turkey Meatloaf. Dessert lovers will be pleased to hear that Table 26 also has an in-house pastry chef (Rocio Barrera).

Enjoy a meal at Okeechobee Steak House.

After a busy day of exploring, why not treat yourself to a delicious meal at the Okeechobee Steakhouse? One of the highest-rated restaurants in the area, Okeechobee Steakhouse, as the name suggests, is known for its prime, dry-aged steaks. However, there are plenty of delicious meals on their expansive menu, alongside some delicious high-end wine pairings!

The steakhouse has been a popular local institution for 75 years, so walk-in visits should be avoided. Guests should make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment.

Relaxation

Kick back and relax with a day at the spa.

Nothing says relaxation quite like a day at a local spa - whether you're in the hot tub or enjoying a Swedish massage. As such, visitors should be sure to book themselves in for an hour (or two) at a spa during their visit. While there are many to choose from, the most popular spa within the area is the Anushka Spa & Salon. This spa has been in operation for close to 50 years - and for a good reason: customers are given a luxurious, pampering experience from the moment they walk in.

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Fun facts about West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County

West Palm Beach is known for being a tropical place of luxury- whether you're enjoying a weekend away or several weeks of vacation. From fine dining to high-end shopping, waterfront walkways, and a marina with exquisite yachts, luxury is around every corner. As a result, it's an ever-popular tourist destination.

While it's often considered to be a holiday destination, the city is also home to many wealthy people due to the stunning properties available within the city and the surrounding areas.

Palm Beach is often considered to be synonymous with wealth and opulence, given that it is one of Florida's wealthiest cities. However, a recent study also ranked West Palm Beach as one of the wealthiest places to live in Palm Beach County.

The same study revealed that Manalapan is the richest area in Palm Beach County, with a median household income of $207,000 and an average home value of $22.8 million. So, while Palm Beach gets a lot of press for its opulence, it's not the top dog.

West Palm Beach and Palm Beach are adjacent cities connected by three bridges across the Intracoastal Waterway.

Answering this question is slightly complicated. West Palm Beach has a downtown area along with an exotic marina filled with luxury yachts of various sizes. It's also home to luxury auto dealers for the McLaren and Aston Martin brands.

Palm Beach, on the other hand is mostly residential and has world-famous luxury hotels like The Breakers and The Colony. Despite what the name may suggest, West Palm Beach isn't by the ocean, while Palm Beach has a long stretch of beaches, oceanfront multi-million dollar homes, and world-class shopping at Worth Avenue. The avenue, which faces the ocean on its east end, is home to seemingly countless designer stores and high-end jewelers.

All these considered, Palm Beach has the edge when it comes to exclusivity.

So, with all those waterfront mansions, it's fair to wonder how many billionaires reside in Palm Beach. According to an analysis of the Forbes list of the world's wealthiest individuals, at least 57 billionaires have strong residential ties to Palm Beach.

As discussed above, Clematis Street is the most famous street in the city, likely because it has been a shopping hotspot for well over 100 years. In fact, it has been home to numerous local businesses as early as 1890. In more recent years, Clematis Street has become known as a cultural and entertainment hotspot, further cementing its legacy among visitors and locals alike.