20 Cool Tourist Hotspots to Check Out On Your First West Palm Beach Vacation

Planning a vacation along Florida’s East Coast? Enjoy some fun in the sun by digging into all the fun things to do in West Palm Beach!

We first encountered this popular South Florida vacation destination a decade ago on a quick stopover during a road trip to Miami. It didn’t take us long to get charmed by Palm Beach County’s beautiful beaches, pristine weather, and cultural attractions.

From fun outdoor activities and water sports to cool museums and trendy restaurants, plan the ultimate South Florida coastal getaway with our complete West Palm Beach attractions guide!

Our tips for what to see & do in West Palm Beach

Peanut Island

When we’re craving outdoor adventure while visiting Palm Beach County, our first idea is to venture offshore to Peanut Island. Located in the Lake Worth Inlet of the Intracoastal Waterway, the artificial island is a wonderful spot, offering a variety of fun activities for the entire family.

Peanut Island comprises an 80-acre park with camping, fishing, beachfront restaurants, snorkeling, and swimming. During our visit, we noticed that the island is a hotspot for boating, sailing, kayaking, and jet skiing. On weekends, boaters fill the surrounding banks with yachts and sailboats while kayakers paddle across and jet skiers ride waves in the inlet.

(We’re still waiting to make our millions to get the yacht of our dreams. Until then, we’re perfectly happy to stick to our kayaks though!)

We discovered that history buffs aren’t left in the dark, either. The island features a bunker built by John F. Kennedy during the Cold War. Take a walking tour through the facility to get the full scoop on all its secrets.

Of course, the main reason to visit Peanut Island on your Florida itinerary is to laze on its scenic sandy beaches under the shade of palm trees. The island bursts with activity every weekend, transforming into a popular hangout and party spot.

For a more upscale experience, we recommend venturing northeast of Peanut Island to Singer Island. The glitzy island is home to some of our favorite West Palm Beach beaches, including Riviera Beach.

Even if you don’t splurge on one of Singer Island’s luxury resorts, Riviera Beach is yet another Palm Beach County hotspot for water sports like kitesurfing, windsurfing, and paddleboarding, as well as snorkeling and scuba diving.

To ratchet up the intensity, venture another 8 miles north via John D. MacArthur Beach State Park to Juno Beach. Thanks to its generous waves, Juno Beach is a local hub for adrenaline-pumping activities like parasailing, skimboarding, and, of course, surfing.

Clematis Street

The heart of Downtown West Palm Beach beats along Clematis Street. As our accommodations were only blocks away, we spent plenty of time roaming the downtown district’s main street. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy a stroll and experience some of the city’s top landmarks, exuberance, and energy.

Take a break from water sports and sunbathing with a walk down Clematis Street. Spend time browsing through intriguing shops and snacking on street food. One of the city’s premier neighborhoods, Clematis Street also boasts a massive selection of sidewalk cafes, bars, restaurants, and eateries. From delicious Mediterranean cuisine to trendy cocktails, we spotted plenty of options here to suit all tastes and dining budgets.

Some of our favorites along Clematis Street include:

• Kapow Noodle Bar (519 Clematis St): Chow down on Southeast Asian/South Florida fusion at this popular restaurant. Tuck into dim sum dishes like samurai crab rangoon and wagyu beef potstickers, or steamed bao buns. Holding true to its name, the chasu pork belly ramen here is a revelation.
• Hullabaloo (517 Clematis St): We love the down-to-earth feel of this hip gastropub that defies West Palm Beach’s ritzy rep. Snack on Italian classics like pasta carbonara, chicken parmesan, and cacio e pepe paired with a good selection of wines from Italy, Spain, and California. Grab a seat in the colorful courtyard to enjoy some fresh air with your meal.
• O’Sheas Irish Pub (531 Clematis St): The usual dark and broody Irish pub stereotype need not apply at this fun little bar! We absolutely love the sunny backyard patio here, adding to the cheerful atmosphere. Besides the extensive Irish and Scotch whisky list, the bar serves up over a dozen beers on tap, including local Florida craft beers and, like any respectable Irish pub, Guinness.

Night owls can enjoy a night of dancing, drinking, performances, and live music in one of the many nightclubs and entertainment venues along Clematis Street. The street frequently hosts outdoor concerts, performances, special events, and the popular weekly nightlife festival Clematis by Night.

Cox Science Center and Aquarium

Visiting Palm Beach County with kids? We recommend popping in for a visit to the Cox Science Center and Aquarium (formerly the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium). With loads of interesting sea creatures and critters, this popular science museum is one of the coolest places to go in West Palm Beach for families.

Located south of Downtown, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium houses a whopping 10,000-gallon saltwater and freshwater aquarium. The aquariums feature both exotic and native South Florida marine life, including stingrays, seahorses, sharks, and eels.

Elsewhere in the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, kids will love browsing the variety of interactive educational exhibits. Explore the mysteries of the ocean at Explorers’ Cove or learn about science in the Florida sun on the Fisher Family Science Trail.

We also suggest carving out time to visit the center’s Marvin Dekelboum Planetarium. Pop in to enjoy screenings of educational and feature-length films.

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

Finished up at the science museum? Slide out the door to explore the rest of the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society. Located just off Summit Blvd, the Palm Beach Zoo is famed for its extensive animal habitats and conservation efforts.

Built on an impressive 23-acre campus, the zoo is home to nearly 700 species of animals. A wide variety of local and exotic animal species thrive in its lush tropical gardens. The most popular exhibits at the Palm Beach Zoo include a lizard house, koala & wallaby habitat, tiger habitat, and its tropics exhibit.

Got a soft spot for animals? You should also consider driving 30 minutes northwest of the city to McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary. Visitable only by appointment, the heartfelt Southern Florida wildlife sanctuary treats hundreds of injured and endangered animals every year. Book tickets in advance to enjoy one of its tours and kids’ programs. (More information is available here.)

Or, if you’ve got a little more time on your hands, take a journey 40 minutes west of town to check out the Lion Country Safari. This popular drive-in safari destination winds through 600 acres of land teeming with exotic animals like lions, tapirs, alpacas, and impalas.

After your safari, get some family-friendly thrills at the neighboring Adventure Park. Part of Lion Country Safari, this small amusement park features a handful of kid-friendly rides, a splash playground, water slides, and animal encounters.

Rapids Water Park

Need to cool off in the hot Florida sun? Splash around at Rapids Water Park. Located close to Riviera Beach, the water park is a top West Palm Beach tourist attraction for families with younger kids.

Beat the heat at Rapids Water Park by cooling down in its popular wave pool, featuring waves as high as six feet. Or, for a more relaxing ride, float along the quarter-mile-long lazy river in a tube.

The water activities and rides are split into three categories, ranging from relaxing to exhilarating. Rapids Water Park boasts thirty-five distinct water slides. It even features a separate area for children and toddlers.

Mounts Botanical Garden

Want to escape the buzz of the city? We recommend adding Mounts Botanical Garden to your itinerary. Located 15 minutes from downtown, the 14-acre public garden is the city’s largest and oldest garden and is a must-see for nature lovers.

Mounts Botanical Garden is home to nearly two thousand species of plants, with exhibitions spanning six continents. The botanic garden splits into several distinct areas.

When we visit Mounts Botanical Garden, we love walking along the trails of this beautiful oasis, spotting exotic trees, tropical fruits, herbs, palms, and citrus plants. In its range of ecosystems and natural habitats, we saw everything from butterflies to scarce and unique plants.

Norton Museum of Art

Looking for a dash of arts & culture on your getaway? Journey over to the Norton Museum of Art, one of Florida’s top cultural attractions. Located south of the downtown area, the art museum features over 8,200 paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from around the world. It’s now the largest art museum in Florida, sweeping the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota out of the top spot in 2003.

Locals and tourists alike flock to the Norton Museum of Art to get a glimpse of its eclectic art collection, including European, American, and Chinese art and artifacts. On our visit, we were dazzled by the wide array of artwork by famous international artists like Matisse, Monet, and Picasso.

Although we didn’t make it ourselves, we’d recommend visiting the museum on Thursday evening when it hosts “Norton After Dark.” Delight in art exhibits in the courtyard under the night sky with soft music in the background. There’s also a restaurant where guests can fuel up before or after dazzling at the collections. Be sure to also pop into the gift shop to grab a couple of unique souvenirs for the folks back home.

The Norton Museum of Art is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with the exception of Fridays when it’s open until 10 pm. Admission to the museum is $18 for adults and free for children under 12.

CityPlace

Craving a dynamic shopping experience on your South Florida trip? Set your sights on CityPlace, formerly known as Rosemary Square and The Square—and before that, CityPlace. (Yes, you read that right. Confusing, we know.)

Located in the heart of the city, the neighborhood bursts with elegant buildings that hide shops, restaurants, and plenty of entertainment options. No matter what time of day we visited, CityPlace was buzzing with excitement.

CityPlace opened in 2000. In only a few years, it became one of the liveliest areas in Downtown West Palm Beach. The entertainment district attracts the city’s brightest local artists, fitness enthusiasts, chefs, and entrepreneurs.

Enjoy a dinner at one of its trendy restaurants, grab a drink at one of its hip bars, or catch a show at one of its entertainment venues. Some of our favorite stops in CityPlace include:

• Il Bellagio Italian Restaurant (700 S Rosemary Ave #124): Open for almost a quarter century, this trattoria delivers an authentic Italian experience with all the culinary classics you’d expect. Start with appetizers like mozzarella caprese and arancini, before moving on to main dishes like margherita pizza and chicken sorrentino. Their extensive Italian wine list offers plenty of opportunities for delectable pairings.
• El Camino (700 S Rosemary Ave #232): For authentic Mexican food, look no further than this CityPlace gem. This stands out from the usual Mexican fare in South Florida by creating all their staples in-house with ethically sourced ingredients. Dig into favorites like carne asada tacos and chorizo quesadillas washed down with margaritas. If you’re in the partying mood, their tequila and mezcal list is enormous.
• City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill (700 S Rosemary Ave #218): This spot dishes out Mediterranean classics with a Southern twist. Start with delicious appetizers like blue crab mac & cheese or a meat & cheese plate with unique selections like 26-month aged gouda and wagyu beef salami. Pair main pasta dishes like gnocchi al forno or lobster bucatini with a selection from their massive floor-to-ceiling wine cellar.

Antique Row Art & Design District

Got a keen eye for antiques? Take your skills to the Antique Row Art & Design District. Located off South Dixie Highway, the neighborhood features nearly 50 shops filled with antiques and fine art.

In the antique shops along Antique Row, we can find everything from Art Deco and Deco-period pieces to contemporary and vintage furnishings. The area also teems with art galleries and coffee shops like Belle & Maxwell’s, serving up freshly roasted craft coffee and snacks.

Roam around the charming district, browsing from one shop to the next. Antique Row is one of the premier antique shopping districts in the United States; you’re bound to find the perfect showpieces to bring home along the route!

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

One thing that surprised us on our first visit is that the West Palm Beach region is rich in history. See its cornerstone at the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum. Located across the lagoon in Palm Beach, the history museum occupies a stunning historic Edwardian mansion, known in its heyday as Whitehall.

The picturesque National Historic Landmark has been in the Flagler family for decades. Henry Flagler lived in the home, built as a gift to his third wife, until his death in 1913.

The spectacular Flagler Museum comprises 75 rooms and stretches out over 100,000 square feet. It’s so impressive that this must-see attraction has been compared to several European palaces.

Step into the Grand Hall and try to spot priceless artifacts like the stunning rosewood and bronze Louis XV-style clock built by François Linke. Wander into the Library, decorated in a distinct Italian Renaissance style and featuring a collection of Flagler family portraits. Pop into the French Renaissance-style Dining Room to imagine yourself attending a high-falutin dinner party in the Gilded Age.

The Flagler Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm. Admission to the museum is $28 for adults and $14 for children from 6 to 12.

Manatee Lagoon

Located on the Lake Worth Lagoon, Manatee Lagoon is one of the most popular tourist attractions in West Palm Beach for aquatic life lovers of all ages. At the 16,000-square-foot facility, your entire travel group will learn all about these gentle marine animals and other ocean wonders through its hands-on exhibits.

Bring the kids to Beneath the Surface to watch an animated film detailing the day in the life of one of these gentle giants. Visit the Seagrass Exhibit to learn all about the importance of seagrass for manatees and for the whole ecosystem of the Lake Worth Lagoon.

On your visit to Manatee Lagoon, we also recommend popping over to the observation deck. Time your visit right, and you’ll catch herds of manatees gliding by while you soak up breathtaking views of Palm Beach and Lake Worth.

Ragtops Automobile Museum

Few places will make vintage automobile lovers put the brakes on like Ragtops Automobile Museum. Car lovers can quickly lose an afternoon surrounded by unique automobiles at this popular Palm Beach attraction.

Blast to the past as you check out the museum’s sleek vintage models. Covering nearly 10,000 square feet, the Ragtops Automobile Museum hosts various interpretive and interactive exhibits. We think it’s bound to rev up any car enthusiast’s heart rate!

Okeeheelee Park

Offering a vast selection of activities, Okeeheelee Park is a West Palm Beach treasure. Open from sunrise to sunset, the park is perfect for both early risers and those who like to snooze longer into the morning.

For animal lovers, Okeeheelee Nature Center is the most popular section of the park. Its exhibit hall, which features educational hands-on wildlife displays, is a magnet for families.

After getting all the information you need at the nature center, slide onto the Okeeheelee Nature Trail. On our visit to the park, we loved walking along this short 2.5-mile trail, winding through 90 acres of pines, oaks, and palms. Keep your eyes peeled to spot native birds and other wildlife.

Okeekeelee Park is also home to a gorgeous butterfly garden. Grab your camera and delight as colorful butterflies flutter above your head!

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

After a visit to the Norton Museum of Art, art lovers should take a jaunt southeast to the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. The gardens sit on the grounds of a lovely historic home, a block from the Lake Worth Lagoon. The house once belonged to artist Ann Weaver Norton, widow of famed art collector Ralph Hubbard Norton.

Set among over 250 rare palm species and cycads, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens display more than 100 jaw-dropping sculptures created between 1905 and 1982. Visitors will enjoy marveling at the stunning pieces inside the home, in the gardens, and in Ann’s former studio. Carved from unique materials, each sculpture feels like poetry in motion.

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens are open from November through June, Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission to the gardens is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $17 for children and students.

Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

Want to spin a little culture into your trip itinerary? Try to fit in a performance at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring three separate entertainment venues, it’s one of the top performing arts centers in Southern Florida and the Southeast USA.

The 285-seat Rinker Playhouse features local & international musicals, comedy shows, and concerts. Check out Dreyfoos Hall to catch everything from jazz quartets to symphonies to rock bands. Or plop down in the Cabernet-style seating at the 70-seat Persson Hall for a more intimate performance while visiting the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

West Palm Beach GreenMarket

Craving locally grown produce? The West Palm Beach GreenMarket won’t disappoint. Located on S Clematis Street, the market is a fantastic outing for anyone interested in absorbing local culture.

West Palm Beach GreenMarket hosts more than 90 vendors. Goods include fruits and vegetables, freshly cut flowers and plants, homemade meats and cheeses, baked goodies, drinks, and other delicacies.

Unlike many farmers markets we’ve encountered on our trips, the West Palm Beach Green Market is open daily from 9 am until 1 pm.

Tanger Outlets Palm Beach

Tired of splashing in the waves and soaking up the sun by the sea? Tanger Outlets Palm Beach makes for a relaxing afternoon of retail therapy. Whether you are looking for something specific or just browsing, the outlets offer plenty that’ll catch your eye.

Palm Beach Outlets comprises more than 100 shops, offering incredible deals daily. With thousands of products and name brands at outlet prices, it’s no surprise that guests keep returning to this retail hotspot. Some popular brands we spotted here include Coach, J.Crew, Under Armour, and Columbia.

The Tanger Outlets Palm Beach marketplace also offers restaurants, a coffee bar, and take-out joints to tackle your post-shopping hunger. At night, the central courtyard transforms into a beautifully lit plaza, making it even more appealing for shoppers.

Delray Beach

Need to soak up some more rays? On our road trip, we loved the laid-back, artsy, and bohemian vibe in Delray Beach. Located between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, this South Florida beach town seeps creativity and oozes charm. If you’ve got an extra day or two, it’s one of our favorite day trips from West Palm Beach.

Delray Beach offers countless ways to keep you busy. Hit the streets for some shopping and eating, and to browse its eclectic art galleries and boutique shops.

By day, you can explore nature preserves like Wakodahatchee Wetlands or Atlantic Dunes Park; by night, attend open-air concerts. (And, of course, you can always slink over to the oceanfront to swim and enjoy the rays with beautiful ocean views.)

For more seaside pleasures, slip up north to Boynton Beach to laze around OceanFront Park, one of our favorite beaches on Florida’s East Coast. Or head south of Delray Beach to add a dash of luxury to your trip in glitzy Boca Raton.

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Located west of Boynton Beach, the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge stretches across 226 square miles of the northern Florida Everglades. With more than 250 species of birds, the park is one of Palm Beach County’s top birding locations year-round.

The refuge is also a favorite spot for wildlife lovers, who come to scope out endangered and threatened species like the American alligator, along with dozens of reptile, amphibian, and mammal species.

At Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore the wetlands. From the Visitor Center, saunter along the boardwalk, winding through the cypress swamp.

The preserve also holds regular educational sessions and guided walks to help you learn more about its precious ecosystem.

Worth Avenue

Want to see Palm Beach at its ritziest? We recommend meandering over to Worth Avenue. Located steps from the Atlantic Ocean, the famed Palm Beach County shopping district is a popular spot for luxury travelers. When we walked along Worth Avenue, we found plenty of top-end boutiques, antique shops, and trendy restaurants. 

As we learned during our trip, Worth Avenue is most famous for its wide selection of international clothing boutiques, covering the entire gamut of luxury fashion brands. Whether you’re looking to fill your suitcase with a new Gucci purse or a Giorgio Armani suit, there’s no shortage of places to unload your dollars among the hundreds of shops along Worth Avenue.

After a day of splurging, fuel up at one of the avenue’s fine-dining restaurants, which were some of the finest we tried in the city.

For upscale French in the sun, settle down on the outdoor terrace of the Café Boulud (301 Australian Ave) at the Brazilian Court Hotel, three blocks north of Worth Avenue. Or indulge in classic Italian dishes like penne all’arrabbiata and butternut squash & ricotta ravioli in an elegant courtyard at BiCE Restaurant (313 1/2 Worth Ave). We also enjoyed the wood-fired pizzas at the more casual Pizza Al Fresco (14 Via Mizner).

While you’re in the area, don’t miss the chance to catch an epic sunset at Municipal Beach, the island’s main public stretch of sand. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty with a walk along the shoreline.

If you show up earlier in the day, Municipal Beach is also a great spot for in-water experiences like swimming and bodyboarding.

Recommended places to stay for sightseeing

For travelers, most of our favorite places to stay in West Palm Beach fall within Downtown and on Palm Beach Island. In our experience, prices for hotels in the city center, however, tend to be steeper than elsewhere. If you’re looking for more budget-friendly options, we would suggest widening your search to Palm Beach Lakes or even Singer Island.

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