Tips on What To Do in West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach offers a variety of activities for a large range of visitors, from soaking up sun on the shores or working on your golf swing. But most West Palm visitors tend to choose the museums and historic sights over the beach. At night, the downtown area features bars and clubs for those who want to see and be seen, as well as performance venues for those who want to catch a show.

• Why Go: To soak up sun in the storied playground of Rockefellers and Kennedys amid oceanfront mansions, tony shops, and PGA golf courses." -- Sherman's Travel
• Much of the action centers around CityPlace … a European village-style alfresco mall with splashing fountains and a slew of dining and entertainment options. Clematis Street also has several worthy bars and restaurants to recommend it." -- Lonely Planet
• Take advantage of Palm Beach / West Palm Beach attractions and those in the surrounding area, both indoors and out. From a simple picnic or afternoon retreat to the park to a technical hike, a round of golf, or a more adventurous sport, there are plenty of Palm Beach / West Palm Beach activities to keep you busy." -- 10Best

Museums

Just south of downtown in Flamingo Park, experts and recent visitors recommend stopping by the noteworthy Norton Museum of Art. European artists, such as Picasso and Monet, are represented, as well as sculptures from China. The museum's café serves light fare for visitors whose experience runs long. A few blocks away from Norton is the highly regarded Armory Arts Center, which offers art classes for the public.

Southwest of West Palm is the South Florida Science Museum, where the kids can take part in hands-on exhibits. The museum also features a mini-golf course.

• If you're curious about science, don't miss [the South Florida Science Museum], next to the Palm Beach Zoo. Permanent exhibits are unique, as you can even make your own plastic dinosaur using industrial machinery. Outside, there's a Science Trail with whisper dishes, a human sundial and various Florida ecosystems." -- Lonely Planet

Golf

Golf is a popular activity in West Palm Beach. Courses are generally to the west of the city, where the ground is marshier and more varied. Travelers recommend the southwestern West Palm Beach Golf Course or the Breakers Rees Jones Course, which is farther west.

• In Palm Beach County, as in most of Florida, golf is a major sport and there's a course in almost every nook and cranny. … In West Palm Beach, the Emerald Dunes Golf Club will not disappoint the dedicated player looking for a challenge." -- Travel Channel
• There's good golfing in the Palm Beaches, but many private-club courses are maintained exclusively for members' use. ... In the off season, some private courses open to visitors staying in Palm Beach County hotels." -- Frommer's

Beaches

Edging the Intracoastal Waterway on Florida's Atlantic coast, West Palm's beautiful palm tree-trimmed beaches are ideal for tanning and the transparent water is good for scuba diving or snorkeling. You can also charter a boat for fishing in the waterway. Keep in mind, you'll find more water activities to the north of the city, in places like Riviera Beach.

Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures in the northern part of West Palm Beach is recommended for all skill levels. The company offers the opportunity to see turtles and dolphins and dive at night. For more watersports opportunities, drive over to Palm Beach, where there are more beaches.

• MacArthur Park features both upland and underwater acreage whose characteristics are detailed in the nature center's exhibits and videos. Trails through the landscape provide vistas of local flora and fauna, and beach frontage offers opportunities for swimming (no lifeguards on duty)." -- 10Best
• Riviera Beach, about 3 miles north of downtown, has one of the nicest beaches in the area, with wild dunes that have remained undeveloped thanks to the area's blue-collar reputation." -- Lonely Planet

Attractions for Kids

The museums won't hold your young ones' attention, but West Palm does offer a spattering of kid-friendly sites. Although the Lion Country Safari is a bit out of the way, located about 20 miles inland in Loxahatchee, Fla., experts say it's worth the drive. You can drive through the safari and animals, including giraffes, can approach your car. Closer to downtown West Palm is the traveler-recommended Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park. There are more than 125 species featured on 23 acres of land.

• Drive your own vehicle along 8 mi of paved roads through a 500-acre cageless zoo with a thousand free-roaming animals [at the Lion Country Safari]. Lions, elephants, … chimpanzees, and ostriches are among the wild things in residence. Lions are fenced away from roads, but there's a good chance you'll have a giraffe or two nudging at your window." -- Fodor's
• The monkey exhibit [at the Palm Beach Zoo] and petting zoo are favorites with kids. Stroller and wagon rentals are available. The newest attraction is the Tropics of the Americas, a 3-acre jungle path and complex that immerse guests in the animals, plants, and culture of a New World rainforest." -- Frommer's

Shopping

If you have serious cash to burn, you'll be better served in Palm Beach. But West Palm Beach also boasts a number of retail chains, as well as local boutiques. Recent visitors browsed in the stores at downtown's CityPlace, which hosts Macy's and Nine West in addition to restaurants and performance venues. Nearby Clematis Street features gardens alongside shops and nightclubs.

Located a little south of CityPlace is South Dixie Highway, which is sometimes referred to as Antique Row. This is where the interior decorator in you will want to spend the day. Furniture and antiques stores abound here and offer a wide array of items for your choosing.

• Antique Row, West Palm Beach. With more than 45 antique shops showcasing 17th- to 20th-century furnishings and art, this South Dixie Highway strip is a popular spot for a summer stroll, with outstanding restaurants lining First Avenue." -- Forbes Traveler
• West Palm Beach (or 'West Palm') is known as a 'shopper's paradise,' so expect to fulfill your shopping dreams there. Mega-malls, shopping centers with a European flair, boutiques, and more will place you at Shopper Heaven's doorstep." -- TripAdvisor

Entertainment / Nightlife

Clematis Street and CityPlace in the downtown area is where most of the nightlife in West Palm Beach is centered. Grab a drink at upscale Blue Martini in CityPlace, before heading out to one of the performance venues around town.

For dance and music performances, check out the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The Palm Beach Opera is also located downtown.

• A chic CityPlace lounge, known to attract its share of celebs, [Blue Martini] has three full bars, an extensive martini menu and live music nightly (usually blues or jazz). Dress to impress -- it's required." -- Lonely Planet