Aerial View of Palm Beach County destination (561 area code) — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: pisaphotography
Florida may evoke images of beaches and theme parks, but this year’s top trending U.S. destination on Tripadvisor lacks both. As someone who has lived in West Palm Beach since 2012, I can attest that there are many reasons to adore this community.
In recent years, this emerging metropolis has experienced significant transformations. For instance, Lamarina’s long-overdue seaside restaurant has now arrived. Tripadvisor’s acknowledgment is not surprising to me because it is a relatively tiny city that has the charm and feel of a much larger one.
West Palm Beach has plenty of things to do, see, and eat, including a thriving downtown area encircled by historic neighborhoods, an international airport, and upscale Palm Beach—yes, it has a beach—just across the Intracoastal Waterway.
A sunset or sightseeing cruise on the Hakuna Matata will provide you a fun and picturesque overview of the area. If this is your first trip here, West Palm Beach culinary Tours is a terrific opportunity to see local neighborhoods while enjoying our deliciously diversified culinary scene. In order to experience our distinctive Floribbean BBQ, I also strongly suggest dining at Tropical Smokehouse.
Of course, it also helps to see yourself in the city. Arriving on a Saturday morning by Brightline puts you in a prime location to walk straight east along Clematis Street toward the waterfront, where you can discover the renowned 130-vendor West Palm Beach GreenMarket, which is open from October to May.
Alternatively, you might wish to head south to CityPlace, a lifestyle attraction that offers restaurants, shopping, positive energy, and a regular schedule of events. It is currently undergoing a complete makeover; an Eataly is anticipated to open in the fall of 2025, and two additional towers will soon be built.
Nora, a $1 billion neighborhood that aims to showcase adaptive reuse at its best, is also expected to change the West Palm Beach landscape this year. The 156,000 square foot Nora complex, which was created by the same group that revitalized Miami’s Wynwood area, includes eateries, shops, offices, public parks, and, according to rumors, a speakeasy and private club.
From Solidcore to the local business Celis Juice Bar to Northeast mainstays like H&H Bagels and Sunday Motor Company out of Madison, New Jersey, the mixed-use neighborhood is emerging from the footprint of a once-derelict stretch of railroad warehouses.
I recommend the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum, which is free and offers an intriguing look into local history, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, and Manatee Lagoon, especially during the winter months when the blubbery sea cows gather there. All of these attractions are within a bike ride from downtown. Another treasure is the Mounts Botanical Garden.
What about me? On any given day, you can find me at any of these locations, but my weekly rotation revolves around Composition Coffee’s lattes and vegan donuts, Howley’s for weekend breakfasts with friends, and Grato for anything on chef Clay Conley’s menu.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.