West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a mid-sized city of just under 100,000 residents in the South Florida (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach) Metropolitan area, which has over 5.5 million people.

West of the smaller, more famous town Palm Beach, West Palm Beach is mostly commercial but has some attractions and landmarks worth visiting.

• Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, 1 Whitehall Way (on the island of Palm Beach. This museum features the restored home of Henry Flagler, railroad entrepreneur co-founder of Standard Oil, and the man who conceived of Florida as a tourist destination. Tour his home ($10 per person) and have high tea ($28 per person).
• Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S Olive Ave (In downtown West Palm on Dixie Hwy, about a quarter of a mile from Okeechobee Blvd. Tu-Su noon-5PM. its permanent collection features American Art, Chinese Art, Contemporary Art, European Art and Photography. Its masterpieces of 19th century and 20th century painting and sculpture include works by Brancusi, Gauguin, Matisse, Miró, Monet, Picasso, Davis, Hassam, Hopper, Manship, O'Keeffe, Pollock and Sheeler. The museum presents special exhibitions, lectures, tours and programs for adults and children throughout the year. Free.
• The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast with a growing national and international reputation.
• Graffiti Street Art you will find one of the most beautiful and biggest graffiti street art of Florida if you walk around wpb downtown

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, 1 Whitehall Way (on the island of Palm Beach. This museum features the restored home of Henry Flagler, railroad entrepreneur co-founder of Standard Oil, and the man who conceived of Florida as a tourist destination. Tour his home ($10 per person) and have high tea ($28 per person).

Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S Olive Ave (In downtown West Palm on Dixie Hwy, about a quarter of a mile from Okeechobee Blvd. Tu-Su noon-5PM. its permanent collection features American Art, Chinese Art, Contemporary Art, European Art and Photography. Its masterpieces of 19th century and 20th century painting and sculpture include works by Brancusi, Gauguin, Matisse, Miró, Monet, Picasso, Davis, Hassam, Hopper, Manship, O'Keeffe, Pollock and Sheeler. The museum presents special exhibitions, lectures, tours and programs for adults and children throughout the year. Free.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast with a growing national and international reputation.

Graffiti Street Art you will find one of the most beautiful and biggest graffiti street art of Florida if you walk around wpb downtown

There are over 40 miles of beautiful beaches in Palm Beach County. The proximity of the Gulf Stream keeps the waters warm year-round although many miles are private a nearby public beach in the city of Palm Beach has lifeguards during the day, and is easily accessible. Flags by the lifeguard announce hazardous conditions (red for dangerous surf conditions, and purple for dangerous sea life).

For snorkeling, two places might satisfy. One is John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, on the north end of Singer Island. The beach contains a shallow reef full of fish. Be careful, shark and barracuda are seen occasionally. This park also has kayaking, music on Sundays, and some short hiking trails. Kayaking is popular in a calm inlet in the park, which is surrounded by mangrove swamps.

Another snorkeling spot is the Breaker's reef on Palm Beach. The reef is nestled right behind the Breakers hotel. This reef is one long stretch that juts out into the ocean. You can park on the side roads near the Breakers, although it is illegal and police often tow out of town cars from this wealthy neighborhood.

A beach activity unique to Florida is watching space shuttles launch out over the ocean. Shuttles lifting off from Cape Kennedy are visible during daylight and night hours, although night and early morning launches are significantly more impressive. From most beaches, looking directly north up the coast will orient you correctly. Launches are visible from anywhere in Florida, but the ocean guarantees a clear view and night launches often reflect in the water.

There are bicycle paths throughout the area. One of the nicest is on the West (Intracoastal) side of Palm Beach. It runs from the middle bridge to the inlet that separates Palm Beach from Singer Island. This path is also suitable for roller blading.

• McCarthys Wildlife Sanctuary, 12943 61st Street North (Take I95 to Northlake blvd west to Coconut south to 61st north west to 12943 1 hour, +1 561-790-2116. 11AM to 3PM. At this non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center, you can see over 90 animals and have a close encounter with over 22 large cats lions, tiger, panther, snakes and more. Money raised goes towards the care of the animals. Bring your camera. A fun and educational experience. $10 children, $20 adult.
• Lion Country Safari. Just west of the city. There used to be several of these Safari Parks, but this is the only one to remain. Includes rides for children.

McCarthys Wildlife Sanctuary, 12943 61st Street North (Take I95 to Northlake blvd west to Coconut south to 61st north west to 12943 1 hour, +1 561-790-2116. 11AM to 3PM. At this non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center, you can see over 90 animals and have a close encounter with over 22 large cats lions, tiger, panther, snakes and more. Money raised goes towards the care of the animals. Bring your camera. A fun and educational experience. $10 children, $20 adult.

Lion Country Safari. Just west of the city. There used to be several of these Safari Parks, but this is the only one to remain. Includes rides for children.

Shopping is a popular activity in West Palm, not least because the weather is so mild year-round. There are a number of places to shop, including:

• CityPlace, two renovated blocks in downtown West Palm that now features dozens of high-end shops, including Brookstone; Pottery Barn; White House, Black Market; and more.
• Clematis Street runs perpendicular to CityPlace, and is the older, trendy shopping district, featuring Ann Taylor and several unique, eclectic shops and some pubs, nightclubs and restaurants.
• South Dixie Highway provides several blocks of second-hand shops, from thrift stores to high-end antiques.
• Worth Avenue on Palm Beach Island is home to many luxury boutiques.
• Downtown at the Gardens in Palm Beach Gardens has many restaurants, along with other stores selling clothing, like urban outfitters, and other shops. Includes Cobb movie theaters.

CityPlace, two renovated blocks in downtown West Palm that now features dozens of high-end shops, including Brookstone; Pottery Barn; White House, Black Market; and more.

Clematis Street runs perpendicular to CityPlace, and is the older, trendy shopping district, featuring Ann Taylor and several unique, eclectic shops and some pubs, nightclubs and restaurants.

South Dixie Highway provides several blocks of second-hand shops, from thrift stores to high-end antiques.

Worth Avenue on Palm Beach Island is home to many luxury boutiques.

Downtown at the Gardens in Palm Beach Gardens has many restaurants, along with other stores selling clothing, like urban outfitters, and other shops. Includes Cobb movie theaters.

• Verdea Wine Bar, 4350 PGA Blvd, +1 561-622-1000. Wine Bar and fine dining restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens. Farm-to-table cuisine that features local products. Over 250 wines available.

• Whole Foods Market, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Drive, Palm Beach Gardens (xxit Hwy 95 at 79A, travel east less than one mile, it is in Downtown at the Gardens on the north side of PGA before (west) of the Gardens Mall, +1 561-691-8550. 8AM-10PM. Full grocery and cafe offering fresh and local produce, fresh and local seafood, grass fed beef as well as a butcher in the house, enticing array of salads and entrees prepared to eat-in or take-out, brick oven pizzas, custom sandwiches, full scale bakery, unique coffees, great wine and beer selections, nutritional supplements and spa products, and cheeses from around the world.
• Pizza Girls, 114 S Clematis St, +1 561 833-4004. A great place to grab a quick, expensive bite; offers gourmet pies, or pizza by the slice.
• King Super Buffet, 4270 Okeechobee Blvd., +1 561 567-8886. 10 AM - 9:30 PM M-Th; 11 AM - 9:30 PM Fr-Sun. Chinese food; large seafood variety.

Whole Foods Market, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Drive, Palm Beach Gardens (xxit Hwy 95 at 79A, travel east less than one mile, it is in Downtown at the Gardens on the north side of PGA before (west) of the Gardens Mall, +1 561-691-8550. 8AM-10PM. Full grocery and cafe offering fresh and local produce, fresh and local seafood, grass fed beef as well as a butcher in the house, enticing array of salads and entrees prepared to eat-in or take-out, brick oven pizzas, custom sandwiches, full scale bakery, unique coffees, great wine and beer selections, nutritional supplements and spa products, and cheeses from around the world.

Pizza Girls, 114 S Clematis St, +1 561 833-4004. A great place to grab a quick, expensive bite; offers gourmet pies, or pizza by the slice.

King Super Buffet, 4270 Okeechobee Blvd., +1 561 567-8886. 10 AM - 9:30 PM M-Th; 11 AM - 9:30 PM Fr-Sun. Chinese food; large seafood variety.

• Sushi Jo, 319 Belvedere Road #12, +1 561 868-7893. Best sushi around; always ask for market price!
• Rhythm Cafe, 3800 S Dixie Hwy, +1 561 833-3406. The menu changes regularly -- in an eclectic setting.
• ER Bradley's Saloon, 104 S Clematis St, +1 561 833-3520. Decent bar food at the end of Clematis St in sight of the Intracoastal.
• The India Palace, 4778 Okeechobee Blvd, +1 561 478-5606. Great Indian food, at a moderate price.
• Brewzzi, 700 S Rosemary Ave # 212, +1 561 366-9753. Local microbrewery cooks up excellent meals.
• Havana Restaurant, 6803 S Dixie Hwy, +1 561 547-9799. Authentic Cuban cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner, with an all-night take-out window.

Sushi Jo, 319 Belvedere Road #12, +1 561 868-7893. Best sushi around; always ask for market price!

Rhythm Cafe, 3800 S Dixie Hwy, +1 561 833-3406. The menu changes regularly -- in an eclectic setting.

ER Bradley's Saloon, 104 S Clematis St, +1 561 833-3520. Decent bar food at the end of Clematis St in sight of the Intracoastal.

The India Palace, 4778 Okeechobee Blvd, +1 561 478-5606. Great Indian food, at a moderate price.

Brewzzi, 700 S Rosemary Ave # 212, +1 561 366-9753. Local microbrewery cooks up excellent meals.

Havana Restaurant, 6803 S Dixie Hwy, +1 561 547-9799. Authentic Cuban cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner, with an all-night take-out window.

Verdea Wine Bar, 4350 PGA Blvd, +1 561-622-1000. Wine Bar and fine dining restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens. Farm-to-table cuisine that features local products. Over 250 wines available.

• Clematis by Night, sponsored by the City of West Palm, is a lively event each Thursday on Clematis Street until 9PM. There's live music, and the audience can purchase beer and wine -- poured by a (rotating) area non-profit, who gets to keep the profits.
• O'Shea's Pub, 531 Clematis St, +1 561 833-3865. A traditional Irish pub with a great beer garden on Clematis.
• Blue Martini, 550 S Rosemary Ave # 244, +1 561 835-8601. An upscale martini bar (martinis run about $15 apiece), featuring well-made drinks, doormen who are in love with themselves, and live music on the weekends.

Clematis by Night, sponsored by the City of West Palm, is a lively event each Thursday on Clematis Street until 9PM. There's live music, and the audience can purchase beer and wine -- poured by a (rotating) area non-profit, who gets to keep the profits.

O'Shea's Pub, 531 Clematis St, +1 561 833-3865. A traditional Irish pub with a great beer garden on Clematis.

Blue Martini, 550 S Rosemary Ave # 244, +1 561 835-8601. An upscale martini bar (martinis run about $15 apiece), featuring well-made drinks, doormen who are in love with themselves, and live music on the weekends.

• Driving -- Florida has "no fault" auto accident laws, which means you are responsible for up to $10,000 in damage to your car, even if you are not responsible for the accident. Make sure your rental car comes with collision insurance, or obtain separate insurance. Florida also has a very high rate of auto fatalities, so take extra care on the roads.
• Crime -- Despite a dropping crime rate, the crime is very high for a city the size of West Palm Beach, it has been rated as the 14th most-dangerous city in the United States, but the areas of high crime are not anywhere near the areas that would be traveled by the everyday tourist.

Driving -- Florida has "no fault" auto accident laws, which means you are responsible for up to $10,000 in damage to your car, even if you are not responsible for the accident. Make sure your rental car comes with collision insurance, or obtain separate insurance. Florida also has a very high rate of auto fatalities, so take extra care on the roads.

Crime -- Despite a dropping crime rate, the crime is very high for a city the size of West Palm Beach, it has been rated as the 14th most-dangerous city in the United States, but the areas of high crime are not anywhere near the areas that would be traveled by the everyday tourist.

The Tiki Bar is a casual bar on the Intracoastal about 2 miles north of West Palm, in Riviera Beach just off US 1. They feature live music 7 days a week. If you go, try the Grouper Tacos, an unforgettable taste treat. One plate serves 2 people.

Heading north about 5 more miles takes you to Blue Heron Blvd. Turn right, and cross the bridge. You'll find yourself on Singer Island, a small beach community that wants to be the next Cocoa Beach. Featuring clean, wide, white sandy beaches, several open-aired beachside restaurants, and a few large surf shops, this is a very relaxing place to get away from the trendy shopping and nightlife of West Palm.

There are a lot of other interesting cities surrounding West Palm, including Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens to the north, Royal Palm Beach to West, Atlantic Ocean to East and Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach to the south.