West Palm Beach developed in an unusual way. Henry Flagler, an industrialist and oil tycoon, built it to act as a service town for the resort of Palm Beach, which he also founded. He wanted it to be the home of the people who would work in Palm Beach but, over the years, it’s developed a personality of its own.
Animal magic
There’s plenty of funky Floridian wildlife to be seen in the city, along with animals from much further afield. At Palm Beach Zoo, a huge exhibit recreates a rainforest, complete with monkeys, jaguars and panthers.
There’s conservation of a different kind at McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary, where the poor and ailing of the animal kingdom are nursed back to health before being released again. The guided tour is excellent, but you need to book in advance.
If you have to pick one wildlife experience, however, make it the Lion Country Safari, 20 miles to the west. You can’t get any closer to nature than this, driving through a conservation area while lions, rhinos and zebras roam freely.
Island life
There are islands, spits and inlets aplenty around here - but for a real treat head to Peanut Island. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, President JFK had a fallout shelter built here, and you can get a boat out to tour it. There’s also a pier and a reef, with plenty of places to eat and drink.
Alternatively, head over to the main Palm Beach for the finest sand, splendid turn of the century buildings and a sense of where the rich and famous come to relax on the Atlantic Coast. Millionaires and billionaires have put down roots here, and the high-end restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs speak to a world of excess.
Doing downtown
Downtown is the real highlight of West Palm Beach. Park up and take a stroll to discover noted sculpture gardens and galleries galore. The Norton Museum of Art is one of Florida’s finest, with an eclectic roll call of art including pieces from famed French artist Henri Matisse. The nearby Kravis Center hosts major concerts and performances – you can take in a transplanted Broadway show, stand-up from comedian Jerry Seinfeld or even ballet.
Clematis Street, the city’s historic heart, is a hub for the hungry, and the perfect place to eat after a day browsing the boutiques and hunting for antiques. There are new-wave coffee shops, simple grills, saloons, pizza places and rib shacks, along with a smorgasbord of international cuisine.
Try Pistache for solid French fare or go all-American at Grease Burger or Hamburger Heaven. Hullabaloo does dreamy comfort food – expect fish and chips, short-rib ravioli with Gorgonzola and drinks named for late legends of music. In its way, it’s the epitome of what makes the town special.
Go for West Palm Beach car rental and you can tick off all of this unassuming but welcoming city, before heading out to make the most of the coast.
