5 Fun Things to Do in West Palm Beach

Are you visiting or moving to West Palm Beach? This city is one of the gems of Florida’s southern coast, offering great entertainment, events, and art without all the hustle and bustle of the big city. The location has numerous town centers and historic districts offering pedestrian-friendly commercial centers with one-of-a-kind retail and dining experiences. 

With countless events, opportunities, and neighboring cities to explore, you’ll be able to let loose or lie back in this tropical paradise. Here are our top five fun things to do in West Palm Beach: 

• Soak in the sun at the beach
• Expand your palate with southern coastal cuisine
• See the sports events—or play one yourself
• Emerge as an artisan within the local art scene
• Explore Florida’s natural wetlands and parks

Let’s get started!

1. Soak in the sun at the beach

West Palm Beach spans miles of the Intracoastal Waterway, just across from one of America’s richest neighborhoods on the island, Palm Beach. With so many nearby beaches and communities featuring some of Florida’s clearest coastal waters and buzzing beaches, you’re sure to find a sandy destination worth remembering. 

If you’re wondering where to have some family fun and dip your toes in the sand, the 47 miles of easy-to-access beaches allow you to choose from some of the best sandy shores in the country. So, if you want to know where to lay down your beach towel, check out this list of popular beach destinations below: 

• North Palm Beach: Otherwise known as John D. Macarthur Beach State Park, this beach is a treasure. Located just 10 miles north of downtown, North Palm Beach has nature trails and activities, including fishing, kayaking, and even scuba diving. From May to August, the beach is also the perfect place to spot nesting sea turtles.

• Delray Beach: If you’re imagining more of a tranquil paradise, this beach is hidden away from the main A1A. The park has free parking, picnic tables, and public BBQ grills, making it a serene place to host a cookout right on the water.

• Palm Beach: Just across the bridge over Palm Beach Island, this beach lets you enjoy the shoreline of America’s elite. You don’t have to worry about purchasing a multi-million-dollar home to enjoy these golden sands, although the beach can get crowded and parking costs by the hour. 

• Peanut Island: If you’d rather explore uninhabited island beaches, Peanut Island in Lake Worth Lagoon has shuttles that transport travelers from the downtown waterfront to the coasts of the island. Here, you’ll find pristine white beaches and more of the region’s local flora and fauna.

2. Expand your palate with southern coastal cuisine

With the water right off the shores of the city, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of cuisine styles blended with southern coastal charm and Cuban influence. Exploring the boulevards, you’ll find any number of tastes, from Asian fusion to French-, Italian-, and Latin-inspired eats.

If there are too many options for you to choose from, try out the city’s West Palm Beach Food Tour, which samples all the best food, drinks, and treats in the heart of the city’s foodie paradise. 

Otherwise, you can explore these recommendations from some of the city’s top chefs for delectable stops morning, noon, and night: 

Breakfast

As the sun rises over the water, you’ll want to dive into the best brunch in town. These places are the perfect breakfast eats to start your day:

• Aioli: This bakery features casual gourmet delicacies right on South Dixie. Their breakfast menu is simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less delicious.

• Pistache: Located on North Clematis Street, Pistache offers food for brunch, lunch, afternoon dining, and fancy dinners. Their brunch is ranked as some of the best in town, offering dishes like Quiche Lorraine, Avocado Tartine, and Croque Madame. 

Lunch

For a light midday dining experience, or something on-the-go, these restaurants are perfect to satisfy your cravings:

• Cholo Soy: The work of Food Network’s Cutthroat kitchen winner Clay Carnes, Cholo Soy is the favorite for modernized Latin street food, featuring tacos and traditional South American flavors for dine-in or to-go options near the Southland Park neighborhood.

• Los Altos Jalisco: Offering authentic Mexican food, Los Altos Jalisco includes dishes like tacos, fajitas, and a full juice bar. They host Taco Tuesdays, allowing you to stop in and grab a quick bite.

• Celis Produce: Celis Produce is a great option for healthy, organic bites. Their menu includes organic smoothies, acai bowls, fresh salads, and sandwiches. They even offer a home delivery service for fresh, organic produce.

Dinner

There’s no shortage of excellent dining options to choose from. If you’re wanting to travel across the way, Palm Beach offers some high-end dining options to splurge on for date nights. But if you’re looking to stay local, these options are worth the try:

• Avocado Grill: This farm-to-table locale serves southern cuisine with an artisanal twist. The restaurant is owned by award-winning chef, Julien Gremaud, who has cultivated a set of craft cocktails and unique dishes to taste.

• SushiJo: When local West Palm Beach chefs weighed in on their favorite dinner establishment, one place was consistent: SushiJo. This restaurant features great sushi and Thai cuisine, fresh from the coast.

• Grato: Featured on the Food Network, Grato is a great place to enjoy Italian fare, including brick oven pizza and homemade pasta. If you’re not feeling Italian, the restaurant offers a blend of other cultural tastes, sampling a portfolio from the restaurant’s sister sites.

3. See the sports events—or play one yourself

From the nearby stadiums to the waterfront, there’s no limit to the outdoor activities you can enjoy. The region hosts exciting events including the PGA Honda Classic, international Polo events, and spring training for several Major League Baseball teams.

With all the opportunities to watch professional sporting events, you’ll also have the chance to swing your club or take to the water, with golf courses, recreational facilities, and ocean activities to visit. 

Take a look at some of the ways you can spectate or sweat it out:

Baseball

If you’re interested in baseball, you’ll want to check out Florida’s spring training starting February each year. The Ballpark of Palm Beaches in the northwest of the city hosts the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals, while the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in nearby Jupiter is home to the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals training seasons.

You can purchase tickets each training season and watch professional teams for just $10 at The Ballpark, with craft beers on tap and plenty of lawn seating. The training is relaxed, so you’ll be able to get players’ autographs and chat with them during their breaks.

Golf 

Golf in the area is unrivaled. Because of the wonderful weather of the South Florida coast, courses offer year-round play, meaning you won’t have to worry about putting away your clubs for the winter. 

For the best courses, tee off on these famous golf courses designed by the masters: 

• The Champion: Designed by Jack Nicklaus and home of the Honda Classic

• The Breakers Ocean Course:  South Florida’s oldest 18-hole course

• Southwinds Golf Course:  A natural course and certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary

Water sports

When visiting West Palm Beach, FL, it’s impossible to not take advantage of the waterfront. To jump into the water—or glide across it—you’ll want to check out Get Wet Watersports. They feature a variety of activities, including: 

• Snorkeling tours
• Paddleboarding and kayaking
• Boat and jet ski rentals
• Tubing, wakeboarding, and water-skiing
• Daytime cruises
• Parasailing

4. Emerge as an artisan within the local art scene

Running along Clematis Street, West Palm Beach’s art scene has world-class performances and internationally acclaimed artists. If you’re wanting more high-brow experiences, the arts and entertainment district—the largest in the area—can offer the aesthetics you’re looking for. 

Check out this sampling of vibrant cultural centers that are sure to connect you with your inner art aficionado: 

• Norton Museum of Art: Founded in 1941, the Norton Museum of Art hosts exhibitions of modern Chinese and American art, including temporary shows for artists like Monet and Frida Kahlo. This museum presents monthly programs, events, and membership with perks to special events and information.

• Armory Art Center: Located in a historic art deco building, the Armory Art Center is a nonprofit that teaches classes for all ages and backgrounds. Their events include studios on ceramics, printmaking, digital art, painting, sculpture, wood carving, and welding.

• Kravis Center for the Performing Arts: The Kravis Center’s mission is to showcase high-quality, internationally recognized performances and dance companies. Performances at the center include Broadway shows, world-tour concerts and orchestras, and renowned ballet and companies.

5. Explore Florida’s natural wetlands and reserves

Most locals know that cities in Florida are right in the center of the Sunshine State’s natural reserves. Its subtropical climate means you’ll be able to enjoy the Palm Beach gardens and explore the botanical trails, the wildlife sanctuary, and natural wetland reserves. 

For nature lovers, hikers, or trail bikers, the local trails and parks are great natural experiences to try with the wonderful weather. These nature trails are must-sees if you’re looking for a breath of fresh Florida air: 

• Palm Beach Lake Trail: Just across the Intracoastal Waterway, this paved trail is perfect for biking, walking, or running and offers fantastic views of downtown West Palm Beach. Along the way, you’ll be able to spot boats at the lagoon and enjoy the famous Sprinkles Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop. 

• Okeeheelee Nature Center: This center is just 20 minutes away from the downtown area. The nature center features two and a half miles of nature trails and animal exhibits. If you want to explore the local fauna, check out the creatures found in the area’s natural wetlands.

• Riverbend Park: Located just a few miles away in nearby Jupiter, Riverbend Park hosts walking trails for biking or hiking, spanning 10 miles along the Loxahatchee River. If you’d rather explore by water, the park offers kayak tours.

Extend your stay with Landing

With so many fun things to do in West Palm Beach, it’s hard to get to all this South Florida city has to offer in just one week. So, if you’d rather stay awhile, Landing can help make your vacation a staycation, with furnished apartments, flexible leases, and no long-term leases.

Your move with Landing is effortless, allowing you to reserve apartments within minutes—no fees or deposits needed! Check out our furnished apartments in West Palm Beach to see the best rentals in the area. With a Landing membership, we can help you find a home in palm-lined paradise.