Welcome to West Palm Beach
A thriving city with abundant activities, cultural spots, and vibrant restaurants
If you’re thinking about living in West Palm Beach, you won’t find it hard to settle into your new tropical life. Nicknamed “the Orchid City”, West Palm Beach, FL, is located north of Delray Beach and Boca Raton, and just across the Intracoastal Waterway from Palm Beach.
The area was given its name when a Spanish ship carrying a load of 20,000 coconuts crashed off the coast. The locals gathered the coconuts that washed ashore and planted palm trees that give Palm Beach county its famous palm trees.
West Palm Beach represents coastal city living at its finest. This lively, artsy, downtown scene is always booming with activity from all age groups. Driving through the historic downtown neighborhoods you’ll be greeted with beautiful streets lined with tall palm trees, vibrant colors, and a city of people who truly love where they live. This city is the perfect mix of small-town life and big-city flair.
What to Love
- Rich history, unique neighborhoods & architecture that have stood the test of time
- Joyful aesthetic; people are just so happy here! Must be the gorgeous views.
- Vibrant arts community
- Excellent restaurants
People and Lifestyle
West Palm Beach isn’t just a retirees’ paradise, like other South Florida cities. Although it has plenty of senior living options, this urban center is full of young professionals living there. And, with the influx of new business, the city recently employed a $30 million revitalization of the downtown waterfront, offering a new performance theater and community gardens. Residents like to keep active by using the variety of walkable boulevards and bike paths in town.
West Palm Beach offers many families the ease of a laid-back lifestyle with the opportunities of a fast-paced city. On any given weekend, you can stroll the palm tree-lined streets while enjoying beautiful views of the Intracoastal waterways, watching boats pass by. Residents might take a visit to the famous Greenview Market hosted on Saturdays or pop into Subculture for a strong cup of small-batch, freshly roasted coffee. Clematis Street and Rosemary Square offer world-class shopping and offer a plethora of activities and things to do on the weekends.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
Here are some of our favorite spots!
- Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen: Delicious food, craft beer, and live music – right in the heart of downtown at Rosemary Square
- Spruzzo’s at The Ben Hotel: Upscale elegant food with gorgeous views
- NOMAD Wine Bar: International food paired with hand-selected wines
- Avocado Grill: Trendy, buzzy eatery that incorporates avocados into every meal
- Butcher Shop: Awesome beer garden and grill!
- Improv Comedy Club: Hysterical comedy shows where you can enjoy some great food and great drinks while you’re at it.
- Roxy’s Pub: One of the best and most famous bars on Clematis. With an excellent selection of beers and wings, this bar is a destination for tourists and locals alike. On certain nights, you might even catch them hosting late-night block parties.
- Cafe Centro: A staple of the Northwood Historic District, Cafe Centro offers Italian dining that locals love. It even attracts the rich palettes from the island (Palm Beach), making it a go-to destination for foodies from all over the county.
Things To Do
There is no shortage of fantastic things to do in the West Palm Beach area. Here’s our list of things you have got to check out Rosemary Square, the Downtown of West Palm Beach where you can find eateries, shops, and other town happenings like the Saturday Farmer's Market, otherwise known as GreenMarket (#1 in the USA!)
The Norton Museum of Art is the largest art museum in Florida. Founded in 1941, the museum features American painters like Pollock and Hopper in addition to classical artists like Monet and Matisse. Their exhibitions rotate regularly, allowing you to see something new every couple of months. If you’re a Broadway buff or love the sounds of an orchestra, then Kravis Center for the Performing Arts might be the place for you. They also have community programs, ballet performances, and even comedy shows, so you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll enjoy.
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is located near the Intracoastal Waterway, and the famous sculptor’s former residence now serves as a public garden and sculptural exhibition hall, showing famous sculptors from around the world. If you want to tap into your artistic side, the gardens also host adult artist programs for West Palm Beach residents.
Waterfront activities like boat tours to Peanut Island, jet skiing, kayaking, cruises, beaches are popular here. Plus, in March, thousands of boats from around the world fill the waterfront for the must-see Palm Beach International Boat Show. The nearby PGA National Resort & Spa draws a large crowd of golf fanatics every February for the Honda Classic and throughout February and March, locals can attend stadiums in the city and nearby suburbs to view spring training for Major League Baseball teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, and Houston Astros.
Buy tickets to SunFest, a large waterfront music festival that brings 275,000 individuals to the area every April. And last but certainly not least, see what the area is famous for: the beaches. Try John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Lake Worth Beach, Juno Beach, and Palm Beach – all are absolutely gorgeous!
Schools
The top private schools in the area are:
