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West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County on Florida's southeast coast, set along the Lake Worth Lagoon across the water from the island town of Palm Beach. It was founded in 1894 by railroad tycoon Henry Flagler as a place for the workers and businesses serving his luxury resorts on Palm Beach, and it quickly grew into the region's commercial center. The 1920s land boom left the city a legacy of Mediterranean Revival buildings, and its historic neighborhoods are filled with bungalows and grand homes from that era.
Today West Palm Beach is a city of around 120,000 people with a lively, walkable downtown on the waterfront. Clematis Street, the historic main street, runs down to the lagoon with restaurants, bars and shops, while The Square, a modern open-air district, adds dining, entertainment and fountains around a central plaza. A free trolley links the two, and water taxis cruise the Intracoastal Waterway past palm-lined shores and mega-yachts.
Visitors find a strong arts and culture scene here. The Norton Museum of Art holds one of the finest collections in Florida, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens set large works among tropical plants, and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts hosts Broadway shows and concerts. Families head to the Palm Beach Zoo, baseball fans catch spring training at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches, and just across the bridges, Palm Beach offers Worth Avenue, beaches and Flagler's Whitehall mansion, now the Flagler Museum.
Clematis Street is the historic main street of downtown West Palm Beach, running to the waterfront, with restaurants, bars, cafes and shops in Mediterranean Revival buildings. It hosts a Saturday green market nearby in season and street events. Evenings are lively, and city garages make parking easy.
The Square, formerly CityPlace, is an outdoor shopping and dining district in downtown West Palm Beach, with stores, restaurants, a cinema, a fountain plaza and a historic former church used as an event hall. Free trolleys connect it to Clematis Street. Parking garages are on site, and evenings are lively.
Antique Row is a stretch of South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach with dozens of antique, vintage furniture, art and home decor shops. Dealers sell everything from Florida modern pieces to European antiques. It is fun for browsing even without buying, and many shops close on Sundays, so plan for other days.
The Norton Museum of Art is the largest art museum in Florida's Palm Beach area, with European, American, Chinese and contemporary art and photography. Its expansion by architect Norman Foster added a sculpture garden and a restaurant. Allow two to three hours, and check for free admission days.
The Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum is in the restored 1916 county courthouse downtown. Exhibits cover the county's past from Native peoples and pioneers to land booms and the growth of Palm Beach. Admission is free, and the restored courtroom is a highlight of the visit.
The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens show the large brick and stone sculptures of artist Ann Weaver Norton set in tropical gardens with rare palms, beside her former home and studio near the Intracoastal Waterway. It is a peaceful, shady stop. Allow about an hour, and bring insect repellent.
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a major arts venue in downtown West Palm Beach, hosting Broadway shows, orchestras, opera, ballet, comedy and concerts from fall to spring. Its main hall seats about 2,000. Book early for popular shows, and arrive in time for dinner at nearby restaurants.
The Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society in Dreher Park displays animals from Florida and the tropics, including tigers, jaguars, Florida panthers and birds, in lush tropical gardens. It is compact and easy to see in a half day. Arrive at opening when animals are most active and shade is easier to find.
Mounts Botanical Garden is the oldest and largest public garden in Palm Beach County, covering about 14 acres with tropical fruit trees, palms, butterfly gardens and the Windows on the Floating World water walkway. It is run with the county extension service. Allow one to two hours, and wear sunscreen.
The West Palm Beach Waterfront runs along the Lake Worth Lagoon at the end of Clematis Street, with a promenade, docks, fountains, a playground, and views across to Palm Beach island. It hosts concerts, markets and festivals. Walk it at sunset, and check for free outdoor events on weekends.
Okeeheelee Park is a large county park in suburban West Palm Beach with lakes, a nature center, paved trails, a water ski area, a golf course, BMX track and playgrounds. It suits a full day of outdoor activities. Visit the Okeeheelee Nature Center for its wildlife exhibits and short forest trails.
Grassy Waters Preserve is a large freshwater wetland west of the city that supplies West Palm Beach's drinking water. A boardwalk and nature center let you see alligators, wading birds and sawgrass marsh, much like the Everglades. Guided canoe trips run in some seasons, and mornings are best for birds.
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