West Palm Beach, FL Guide

About

West Palm Beach, the largest city in The Palm Beaches, is a thriving cultural destination with a meaningful history. First incorporated in 1894, two years before Miami, West Palm Beach was the site of Florida’s first junior college—Palm Beach Junior College, which opened in 1933—and hosted thousands of American soldiers who traveled through its airport during World War II. Today, this sunny destination is a South Florida dream come true, complete with stunning homes, beautifully-manicured lawns, surreal waterfront views, rave-worthy restaurants, outdoor pursuits, designer shopping, and more.

As of writing this guide, West Palm Beach has a population of 117,000+ residents. Like all of South Florida, the destination is a melting pot, with a demographic of around 25% Latino or Hispanic, 37% White, 34% Black or African American, and 2% Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

Overall, West Palm Beach boasts sunny skies and warm weather, with temperatures averaging at a low of 67 °F in January and a high of 83 °F in August. Hurricane season runs from June through the end of November, with September being the most active. When it’s nice out, you can find the locals on their boats, tanning on the beach, or hanging by a pool. Florida weather tends to be unpredictable in general, especially when it comes to thunderstorms, so plan to always have an umbrella with you.

In the heart of Palm Beach County, which is often regarded as “Florida’s billionaire hub,” West Palm Beach offers both affordable and upscale living options. Rental homes and apartments in West Palm Beach range from older, single-family homes in suburbs to trendy downtown high-rises with every amenity residents could crave. Downtown West Palm Beach is home to a sea of office buildings, popular restaurants and bars, can’t-miss art murals, and great shopping. In another popular neighborhood, Northwood Village, you’ll find a hip, artsy community with interesting galleries and monthly wine strolls. No matter where you live in West Palm Beach, the Atlantic Ocean is always just minutes away—and life here is all about seaside living.

Getting Around

When you live in West Palm Beach, expect to drive. Most residents here need their own car, and if they don’t have one, they’re constantly using rideshare services. (The exception to that is if you live in a walkable area, like Downtown West Palm Beach, where your core grocery stores, shopping, and restaurants are all just steps away.) Luckily, West Palm Beach caters to the driving lifestyle, as parking and valet services are abundant. Outside of Downtown, West Palm Beach is predominantly residential and suburban, so most destinations are far enough away from one another that they require a car. Bike lanes run through all of the city’s main areas and even connect to other destinations in greater Palm Beach County, so if the weather is nice, you can get a little exercise with your commute and ride your bike.

For those who can’t or don’t want to drive or cycle, West Palm Beach does have some very reliable, clean, and safe public transportation options. The Downtown Trolley is free for all passengers. It offers three routes—yellow, green, and blue—to take you to the city’s most popular areas, like the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Clematis and Rosemary Square Districts, down Okeechobee Boulevard, or Northwood Village. Running every 10 to 15 minutes, it’s a great way for locals, commuters, and visitors to get to restaurants, shopping, attractions, and other key stops.

There are also public transportation options for those who want to travel in and out of West Palm Beach from regional South Florida. Virgin Trains USA, a favorite form of transportation among South Floridians, is an express passenger rail service with stations in Downtown Miami, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Downtown West Palm Beach, and, eventually, Orlando. These clean, modern trains offer air conditioning, WiFi, and all-inclusive food and drinks from a pushcart service, making your trip fun, easy, and convenient. The rail stations are just as modern and stylish, with popular dining outlets, comfortable lounge areas, and shopping to keep travelers entertained while they wait. Another rail service is Tri-Rail, which can take passengers from Downtown West Palm Beach all the way to Miami International Airport and back. Finally, Palm Tran is a local bus service with routes throughout Palm Beach County, including designated stops in Downtown West Palm Beach.

The closest airport is Palm Beach International Airport, which is accessible by shuttle from the West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station. Walking and biking are other popular methods of transportation in West Palm Beach, and boating remains a fun way to get to nearby islands and coastal areas.

Food & Drink

When it comes to dining, West Palm Beach has a little something for everyone. Its global food scene is made up of everything from popular chains and healthy grab-and-go options to waterfront joints, award-winning restaurants, and farm- or sea-to-table cuisine. In line with its coastal location, seafood here is key, and everything from locally-caught yellowfin tuna and peacock bass to oysters, mahi-mahi, tilapia, stone crab, clams, and more can be found on restaurant menus all over town. The overarching vibe is cool and relaxed, with friendly dining experiences that cater to Palm Beach County’s trendy and sophisticated residents.

West Palm Beach has no shortage of award-winning restaurants. Head to The Regional, in Downtown West Palm Beach, for Southern-inspired cuisine by a two-time James Beard “Best Chef: South” nominee. For farm-fresh cuisine, get lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch at Avocado Grill, where small plates, seasonal fare, a raw bar, and even specialty cocktails are made with locally-sourced ingredients. Do Saturday or Sunday brunch at RH Rooftop, a skylit rooftop restaurant with charming fountains and idyllic West Palm Beach views, and pair your bellinis with an artisanal prosciutto and cheese board or a shaved ribeye sandwich on charred garlic bread. One of the most awarded restaurants in West Palm Beach is Buccan, a modern American restaurant led by a four-time James Beard “Best Chef in America” semifinalist that has been voted one of Forbes’ “Best Restaurants in Palm Beach.” Make a reservation—it’s one of the hardest restaurants in Palm Beach County to get into—and order exquisite plates like Florida shrimp-stuffed squash blossoms with a papaya slaw, grilled wild mushroom ragu with shaved Perigord truffles, and confit Rohan duck leg with a wild spring onion pancake.

When it comes time to grab a drink, pedestrian-friendly Clematis Street and surrounding Downtown West Palm Beach are packed with bars. If you love craft beer, the Ale Trail of The Palm Beaches connects 19 breweries from Boca Raton to Jupiter. Of course, you can always live the South Florida dream when you order a cold beer, a glass of rosé, or a frozen drink by the ocean.

Shopping

West Palm Beach is synonymous with good shopping, whether you’re perusing the 40+ vintage shops and antique home stores on Antique Row or popping in and out of the world-renowned collection of luxury brands and boutiques on nearby Worth Avenue. If it’s a mall you’re looking for, head to The Gardens Mall for big retailers like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales, as well as 100+ of today’s top brands. In Downtown West Palm Beach, The Square is an open-air, Mediterranean-style plaza with both local shops and national retailers. Wander down Clematis Street and browse through a slew of stylish home décor shops or, on Saturday mornings, experience West Palm Beach GreenMarket, a local farmer’s market with 100 vendors. Shop your favorite designer brands for a steal at Palm Beach Outlets, an eco-friendly outdoor mall with everything from a DSW and J.Crew Factory to Nordstrom Rack and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th. While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out The Palm Beaches thrift store scene—they’re known for being packed with designer goodies.

Things to Do

West Palm Beach is a hub of arts and culture. Go see local theater at Palm Beach Dramaworks, watch a performance of the Palm Beach Opera, enjoy your favorite comedian or Broadway performance at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, or explore one of the largest collections of art in Florida at the Norton Museum of Art. The tropical Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is a true artistic treasure, with nine sculptures dotting a jungle-like backdrop of Florida palms and exotic plants. Other interesting museums include the Surfing Florida Museum, the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, and the The Armory Art Center, the latter of which offers nearly 300 workshops and classes in ceramics, digital arts, drawing, painting, jewelry-making, sculpture, and more. For more culture, spot the colorful murals along Clematis Street, catch a live concert at The Square, or wander in and out of the art galleries in Northwood Village.

If it’s nature you love, you’re in the right place. All around West Palm Beach, beachgoers can catch some rays on the city’s 30 beach parks and 47 miles of sparkling Atlantic coast. Experience life on the water by kayaking, jet skiing, boating, or fishing, go on a diving excursion through the world’s third-largest barrier reef system, or snorkel with sea turtles along the Phil Foster Park Snorkel Trail. When you do, keep an eye out for a vintage Rolls-Royce, which is hidden in The Eidsvag Triangle dive site! Avid golfers can hit balls at one of 160+ golf courses—The Palm Beaches slogan is “We’re Florida’s Golf Capital®,” after all. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike and bike at Okeeheelee Park, play croquet at the National Croquet Center (the largest croquet facility in the world), or hit tennis balls on one of 18 hydro-grid clay courts at the nearby Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center. Take your kids to the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society or the South Florida Science Center & Aquarium, where they can get up close with exotic animals.

Colleges & Universities

With its year-round warm weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back lifestyle, South Florida is an attractive place for students to spend their college years. West Palm Beach and its surrounding areas are home to Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College, Lynn University, South University, and a number of smaller schools.