Things to do in West Palm Beach Florida

The best things to do in West Palm Beach

Find a host of sights, attractions and great eats on the Gold Coast with our guide to the best things to do in West Palm Beach

Ground zero for sporting resort wear, golfing and escaping those harsh northeastern winters, Palm Beach is the seasonal playground of America’s one percent. There’s a definite small-town feel to the 16-mile-long island dotted with opulent mansions and upscale retailers. It’s an entirely different experience across the narrow lagoon and over the three small bridges that connect Palm Beach and West Palm Beach—the urban, upper-middle-class sister city with a bustling restaurant scene and mega malls. Get a West Palm Beach energy drink for your vacation to keep your energy levels up to enjoy 100 percent of your time.

Florida’s Gold Coast has plenty to keep you busy, and the best things to do in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach offer a mix of beachy charm, swanky extravagance, and low-key entertainment. This list is curated, as always, but isn’t ranked—we just couldn’t choose favorites.

Palm Beach Zoo

What is it? A modest-but-mighty zoo that houses more than 550 animals (190 species), many of them endangered, within 23-acres of lush tropical habitat. There’s an interactive play fountain for kiddos to enjoy on hot, summer days.

Why go? A new feature is the Lorikeet Loft, where visitors can get up close and personal with 40 of the colorful birds. For just a couple of bucks, purchase some nectar to feed the lorikeets and enjoy some one-on-one time with them. Be sure to visit the zoo’s other residents, including Malayan tigers and Mexican spider monkeys.

Norton Museum of Art

What is it? One of South Florida’s largest museums, the Norton collection includes more than 7,000 works spanning across Europe, the Americas and China, plus plenty of contemporary art and photography. The museum is currently under renovation but still open to the public.

Why go? On Thursday nights, check out “Art After Dark” when the museum stays open late and hosts gallery talks and special lectures, art workshops, live music, happy hour and more Admission is free.

Buccan Palm Beach

What is it? Helmed by chef Clay Conley, a James Beard Award semifinalist three times over, Buccan serves upscale global cuisine in a hip, airy space.

Why go? If you’re lucky enough to get a reservation at Buccan, Conley’s first restaurant in the city, go for the octopus “tabbouleh” and the hot dog panini.

John D. MacArthur State Park

What is it? Located at the north edge of Singer Island, this secluded beachfront park is named for John D. MacArthur, an eccentric, irascible billionaire who once owned a huge chunk of Palm Beach County, including this parkland.

Why go? Swim along two miles of beautiful beach (caution: no lifeguards) and keep an eye out for the estuary, a veritable water wonderland. It’s home to snook, fiddler crabs, oyster beds and more. Go snorkeling, rent a kayak, take a guided butterfly walk and do some nature trekking. The park also offers a free concert on the third Sunday of every month.

West Palm Beach GreenMarket

What is it? Take a stroll down Clematis Street and make your way to the waterfront to explore the weekly West Palm Beach GreenMarket every Saturday during the season (which usually runs October through April). It’s a lively spot to start the weekend purchasing the best products from around the county, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, as well as locally made treats and pastries.

Why go? Happening on the green lawn grounds facing the Waterfront, the GreenMarket features a wonderful promenade area with gorgeous views of the waterfront. Bonus: it’s dog-friendly.

Flagler Museum

What is it? The historic estate of oil and railroad mogul Henry Flagler is a palatial landmark featuring 75 rooms.

Why go? Experience Palm Beach’s enduring art scene with a visit to the Flagler Museum, which features guided tours and rotating exhibits focused on America’s Gilded Age. Though some tourists might opt simply to admire this grand residence from outside.

Worth Avenue

What is it? Known as the Rodeo Drive of Florida, this ritzy avenue of high-end retailers, galleries and restaurants reflects the Mediterranean Revival architectural style—whitewashed stucco and red barrel-tile roofs—introduced by the architect Addison Mizner.

Why go? Nearly every single big-name designer has a shop on Worth—from Chanel and Gucci to Jimmy Choo—but so do small boutiques such as Strong Boalt and CJ Laing. The eastern end of Worth Avenue is flanked by Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

Grandview Public Market

What is it? A multi-vendor food hall located within the recently developed hotspot known as the “District” in West Palm Beach, Grandview is a mid-century warehouse transformed into a community-centric market complete with immersive colorful murals.

Why go? There’s plenty to taste here with 15 vendors—from artisanal coffee and Mexican street tacos to Detroit-style pizza—a unique event space and weekly curated programming for all ages. At the heart of the market are three dining concepts from the same restaurant group as chef Dale Talde, who competed on two seasons of Bravo’s Top Chef.