Looking out at the crystal clear waters and thinking about all the things to do in West Palm Beach, burying your feet in the sand; some of the finest sand you have ever walked in. Standing under the shady palm tree, taking in the familiar smell of the ocean and feeling the ocean breeze whisk across your face. You close your eyes just for a second and open them again. This isn’t a dream. West Palm Beach Florida is a real place and there is more it offers than picturesque ocean landscapes.
Of all places to visit in West Palm Beach, you will have no problem occupying your time. Downtown West Palm Beach is a happening place with many activities, shopping, and nightlife. West Palm Beach hotels and resorts also offer many things to do in the area. Below, we will outline some of the favorite things to do in West Palm Beach Florida.
Bahamas Air Tours offers private flights to Bahamas from a few locations near West Palm Beach Florida like Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Book today for a trip to Bahamas you won’t soon forget.
Aerial view of some of the places to visit in West Palm Beach.
Best Things to Do in West Palm Beach Florida
Here are some of the top things to do in West Palm Beach Florida on your next beach vacay:
1. Manatee Lagoon
Manatee Lagoon is one of the most unique places to visit in West Palm Beach because of the variety of displays and exhibits. Not to mention the fact that Manatee Lagoon is free to the public.
Even on days which the manatees don’t come out to play, there are still plenty of things to keep you busy. However, if you wait for later in the winter season when the water has chilled, you will start to see many manatees in the lagoon who come for the warmth from the power plant. Manatee Lagoon is the most informative and free educational site in West Palm Beach.
2. McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary
McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the busiest places to visit in West Palm Beach because it can keep you entertained for an entire afternoon.
Expert guides can be hired to take you around the sanctuary and educate you on the wildlife and also how to properly interact with the animals in a safe and healthy way. The professionals truly care for the well-being of the animals and are loaded with tons of information. The educational side makes McCarthy’s a great place to take the family.
3. Palm Beach to Bahamas Cruise — Day Trip to Bahamas
Just one hour north of busy Miami, West Palm Beach serves as a sort of escape from the big city buzz. And while the things to do in West Palm Beach continue to grow in popularity, the area continues to grow, too. Luckily, there is an even more secluded escape you can run to.
From Miami or Fort Lauderdale, you can take a Bahamas day trip by plane on a Palm Beach to Bahamas cruise through the sky. This is just one of the many on the ever-growing list of things to do in West Palm Beach.
4. People watch in City Place
City Place is a gorgeous plaza of downtown West Palm Beach which is always a great place to take in the local scene. With spaces for retail, eating, drinking, education, art, culture, and other entertainment, you would be hard-pressed to not find something that fits your fancy.
It has just undergone major construction (in May of 2019) and will soon become the hot place to be, again. So, better get there before the crowds rush in.
With great food and happy hours nightly, it is a good spot to end a long day of sightseeing or beach relaxing.
The popular Worth Avenue Clock Tower of West Palm Beach Florida.
5. Walk the streets of Downtown West Palm Beach Florida
Downtown West Palm Beach is a big city experience in a much more forgiving new environment. It has been completely redesigned with tourism in mind. Widened sidewalks, more road signs, open-air restaurants, bars, and plazas; everything you could want in your West Palm Beach experience.
Downtown is where you can find many of the West Palm Beach hotels including The Breakers Palm Beach which is located across the lagoon. Note that during Spring Break season, West Palm Beach hotels are usually packed with party-goers, as well as the streets of Downtown. If this is not your typical scene, it may be better to consider a different time to visit.
Downtown West Palm Beach Florida on Worth Avenue.
6. Support animals at Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society
At Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society, the habitats which the animals roam freely in are clearly fully developed in idea and care. These animals are treated well and there are a few great initiatives to educate the public such as the Tortoise Encounter exhibit where professional guides let you get up close and personal to the tortoises. It is obvious the Zoologists take much pride in caring for these animals.
If you live near West Palm Beach, a season pass is certainly worth the investment!
7. Escape to Nature at Mounts Botanical Garden
There are some very unique plant species inside Mounts Botanical Garden such as the Philippino Jade Vine, the violet Potato Tree, and even a Mexican Frangipane Tree. It is a true tropical oasis within the city limits.
However, if you are looking for a total escape from the city buzz, you will be sad to find out the garden is located quite close to the airport and the noise from the runway is fairly loud and constant.
8. See the Exuma Pigs on a one day cruise to Bahamas
There are a plethora of swimming pigs tours to Pig Beach of Big Major Cay, but the best chance to see the pigs in the Bahamas is via a Bahamas Day Trip or air charter to Staniel Cay. From there, it is only a ten-minute boat ride to Pig Island.
You can catch a Bahamas Air Tours day trip to Bahamas from Miami or Fort Lauderdale and spend a full day touring the best the Bahamas have to offer. Flights to Bahamas happen every day and are a great benefit to travel in southern Florida. A Bahamas trip is just one of the many things to do in West Palm Beach Florida!
Swimming pigs of the Bahamas in the out islands of the Exumas.
9. Get artsy at Norton Museum of Art (West Palm Beach Florida)
After recently undergoing a huge makeover ($100 million renovations), the Norton Museum of Art is back and better than ever before.
The museum is so well designed and curated with its major expansion and new exhibits coming. Whether it is contemporary shows or the Sunday concert series, there is almost always something going on at Norton Museum of Art. It is a wonderful addition to an already thriving fine arts scene in West Palm Beach.
10. Have some fun in the sun at Rapids Water Park
Rapids Water Park is not your typical waterpark. The staff really go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your experience. The park is clean, admission fees are not exorbitant like many things to do in West Palm Beach, and the degree of design in the park’s rides is second to none.
If you are on a budget, you may opt to eat before you go as the park’s food is typically overpriced.
There are many things to do in West Palm Beach with all its beautiful attractions.
Day Trip to Bahamas
Of all the things to do in West Palm Beach Florida, a Bahamas day trip by plane is one of the most exhilarating because of the excellent views you receive from the largest aircraft windows in the world.
Aboard our Cessna Grand Caravan plane, you are afforded luxury service and space as each individual gets their own window seat and the control to schedule an itinerary that fits the whole party. Whether it is Staniel Cay day trips to go swimming with pigs Bahamas or other Exuma day trips, you can’t really go wrong. Imagine traveling to a new country and back all in a one day trip!
Astronauts have been quoted saying the Exuma Cays from space are the best view Earth has to offer. You can see what they mean on your Miami to Bahamas day trip with Bahamas Air Tours. Book it today!
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