West Palm Beach Quick Guide

Sheltered from the waves of the Atlantic, West Palm Beach sits on the western shore of Lake Worth, which is a 21-mile-long lagoon between the Florida mainland and the ocean-facing barrier island on which its sister city, Palm Beach, rests. With this little geography lesson in mind, know that West Palm Beach and its calm waters subsequently boast a number of marinas, and likewise are a haven for boating and watersports enthusiasts. If you want sandy shores, however, it’s best to take a water taxi over to the barrier island. In the past decade, West Palm Beach has strived to revitalize its downtown area and regain its tourist appeal with a number of major projects, such as CityPlex and the restoration of Clematis Street, which Donald Trump dubbed “the hottest street in Florida.” While strolling in the sun, find palm-lined streets, new boutiques, Art Deco architecture and delightful dabs of pastels and Flamingo pink, seemingly obligatory by Floridian standards, dappled throughout the city. For information about city offices and departments, call (561) 822-1200 or visit West Palm Beach City Hall, located at 200 2nd St. (Map).

Getting Around West Palm Beach

Get maps, driving directions and latest traffic info.
Find rental car agencies.
Find airport transportation services, if you’re flying in or out via Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).
Palm Tran (regular routes): (877) 930-4287
Palm Tran LINK (for arranged routes): (877) 870-9849
South Florida Commuter Serviceas: (800) 234-RIDE
Tri-Rail commuter rail: (800) 874-7245

Making West Palm Beach Your Home

Find a place to live: real estate agents, apartments and rental services.
Set up utilities: electric, water, gas, garbage collection, phone, internet, cable/satellite television.
Register to vote, or get voter information: (561) 656-6200
Get or renew your Florida driver’s license: (561) 681-6333

West Palm Beach Shopping and Services

Shop for the basics: department stores, shopping centers, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, pharmacies, pet supplies.
Enlist some help: employment agencies, day care centers, financial services.

Where to Go in West Palm Beach

If you want to enjoy the best of West Palm Beach’s blend of palm-dappled Floridian charm and urban appeal, head to the Clematis District, which stretches west along Clematis Street (Map) from Flagler Drive on the Intracoastal Waterway to downtown. Dozens of restaurants, local shops and bars – from the trendy to the homegrown – dot the way. Just to the southwest of the Clematis District, find the ever-evolving CityPlace complex (Map), which includes a mix of chain restaurants and stores, along with an improv club, huge cineplex and the Harriet Himmel Theater.

Things to Do in West Palm Beach

During the first week of February, browse exquisite antiques and artworks with serious collectors at America’s International Fine Art & Antique Fair, one of the world’s premier gatherings for arts and antiquities. With more than 100 international dealers, the affair surpasses the breadth of some museums. More info: (561) 209-1300. For a more lively outdoor fete, shop and stroll with thousands at the Delrey Affair, an annual arts-and-crafts street festival that has ushered in spring on Atlantic Avenue for more than 45 years. Browse the works of more than 600 artists and exhibitors, from painters to potters. The Delray Affair usually takes place in late March or mid April. More info: (800) 304-9702. Enjoy the open water: boat charters, jet ski rental, SCUBA diving, water taxis.
For everyday entertainment: movie theaters, ticket sellers, night clubs, restaurants, museums, golf courses

Popular West Palm Beach Attractions

Flagler Museum: (562) 655-2833 Map
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park (North Palm Beach): (561) 624-6952 Map
Norton Museum of Art: (561) 832-5196 Map
Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park: (561) 547-9453 Map
Rapids Water Park: (561) 842-8756 Map