The heart of Palm Beach County beats strongest in West Palm Beach, a vibrant and ever-evolving city where culture, commerce and community meet. Known for its waterfront views, artistic flair and year-round events, West Palm Beach offers a dynamic blend of old Florida charm and big-city energy. From the bustling shops and restaurants along Clematis Street to the world-class performances at the Kravis Center, the city continues to reinvent itself while honoring its historic roots.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the city. Here’s a bucket list of some of the best things to do and discover in West Palm Beach.
See manatees in person at Manatee Lagoon
Visit Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach and see the manatees as they congregate, especially after a cold front, around the nearby power plant’s warm water discharges. Learn about these endangered, gentle giants and how to help save them.
Get wet and wild at Rapids Water Park
In the summer months, get wet and wild at the Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach and experience the park’s nearly three dozen slides and attractions.
Take a nature walk at Grassy Waters Preserve
Head to Grassy Waters Preserve in West Palm Beach and explore the nearly 23 square miles of this expansive wetlands ecosystem on foot or via canoe or kayak.
Bike ride by the water
Take a bicycle ride down the Lake Trail in Palm Beach from the Palm Beach Marina to Annie’s Dock.
Dine at the restaurant where the Kennedys stopped in for breakfast and lunch in Palm
Have a meal at Green’s Pharmacy, opened in 1938, in Palm Beach where the Kennedys used to stop in for breakfast and lunch.
Visit Flagler Museum
Venture to the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. Whitehall, a 75-room, 100,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion, was built by Henry Flagler as a wedding gift for his wife, Mary Lily Kenan Flagler.
Take a walk down Worth Ave
Take a walk down world-famous Worth Avenue in Palm Beach from the clock tower down to the Everglades Club (do not miss the alcoves, or “vias,” along the way).
Get a view of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
When the president is not in town, drive ridiculously slow by Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach while holding your cell phone out of either the window or sunroof — and infuriate all the local motorists behind you.
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Watch the sunrise on Palm Beach island
Begin the day at sunrise on Palm Beach with photos at the clock tower and finish with it watching the sunset over Lake Okeechobee.
Explore CityPlace in West Palm Beach
Dine at one of the dozen or more restaurants at CityPlace, including El Camino, Maman, Adrienne’s Pizzabar and more, in downtown West Palm Beach, then see a traveling Broadway show at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
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Shop at West Palm Beach’s GreenMarket
From October through April, stop by the award-winning West Palm Beach GreenMarket featuring over 130 vendors and held along the city’s beautiful waterfront.
See the Sandi tree during the holidays
During the winter holidays, visit Sandi Tree, the 35-foot tall, 800-ton holiday sand sculpture, along the West Palm Beach waterfront. At night, the tree is bathed in a light show accompanied by music.
Catch live music on Clematis Street
Catch some live music at Respectable Street on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. The club helped spark the downtown area’s resurrection and has been going strong for over 35 years.
Enjoy the views at Roxy Pub rooftop bar, restaurant
Stop in at Roxy’s Pub on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. Established in 1933, the pub features 64 beers on draft, an extensive menu and a rooftop bar and even a now-open rooftop pool.
Take a sunset cruise on Hakuna Matata
Take a sunset cruise from the West Palm Beach docks aboard the Hakuna Matata. Take in the beautiful architecture located on both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway during the two-hour trip.
Visit the Norton Museum
Walk below and snag Insta-worthy pics of the amazing 600-piece Chihuly glass ceiling at the Norton Museum of Art found along the Dixie Corridor in West Palm Beach. The colorful pieces combine to make an artwork that looks like light pouring through a coral reef and is called the “Persian Sea Life” ceiling.
Have breakfast at the iconic Howley’s Diner
Have breakfast at the iconic, 75-year-old Howley’s Diner where “cooked in sight, must be right” is proven true. Also, for lunch try their Gino’s Meatloaf or the beautiful behemoth, the Big Mouth Burger.
Visit Phipps Skate Park off Dixie Highway
Work your wheels — skateboard, in-line or BMX bike — at West Palm Beach’s recently renovated Phipps Skate Park off Dixie Highway.
Play mini golf at Pop Stroke
Enjoy the mini golf oasis Pop Stroke with two amazing 18-hole putting courses. Co-owned by Tiger Woods, their slogan is Eat, Put, Drink.
Get up close to animals at the Palm Beach Zoo
See cougars, capybaras, jaguars, tigers, tapirs, bears, otters, koalas, kookaburas and more at the Palm Beach Zoo. Bring swimsuits for the zoo’s fountain and splash pad. Bring your appetite for the Tropics Café. And during the holidays, enjoy Palm Beach Zoo Lights, where each evening from 5:30 – 9 p.m., the entire park becomes a wonderland with eco-friendly lights and a 24-foot animated tree.
Test your knowledge at the Cox Science Museum
See rotating exhibits, learn about science, enjoy food truck events and even travel back to the 1970s with in a laser light concert at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium.
Hit the links at The Park
Play golf at West Palm Beach’s meticulously-maintained golf course The Park. While there dine at the restaurant The House or grab a quick bite at The Cabana.
Play croquet at the National Croquet center
Enjoy a very “Palm Beach-style” afternoon and play croquet at the 10-acre National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach.
Play 18 holes at Palm Beach Par 3
Play 18 holes of golf on the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course where the front nine is along the Atlantic Ocean and the back nine is along the Intracoastal Waterway.
See the famous Riddle House
Head to Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds to see the Riddle House, which was featured on the show “Ghost Adventures.”
Learn the history of candy
Visit the family-run Bulk Candy Store where you can experience the History of Candy tour and sink your teeth in their incredibly vast selection including Smarties, Dad’s Root Beer Barrels, Bit O Honey, Laffy Taffy, Necco, Pop Rocks and much more.
Water ski or wake board in Shark Wake Park
Learn to ski, wakeboard or kneeboard at the Shark Wake Park located in the vast Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach.
Watch a polo match in Wellington
See a polo match at the National Polo Center in Wellington during the winter season.
Drive through a zoo
Visit one of the nation’s top “safari parks” — Lion Country Safari, a 600-acre, drive-through open zoo in Loxahatchee. It features more than 1,000 wild animals from six continents, including lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras and chimpanzees.
Battle it out in paintball
Grab some friends and battle it out in a round of paintball at Piquet Entertainment & Race Track in Loxahatchee Groves. The property also has a kart track and mini golf.
Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today
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