48 Hours in West Palm Beach

The birthplace of Addison Mizner’s Mediterranean Revival mansions and the bright, breezy patterns made famous by designer Lilly Pulitzer, Florida’s Palm Beaches region proudly calls itself America’s first-ever resort destination. Nowhere captures that vintage-meets-modern Southern Florida charm better than West Palm Beach, a city brimming with luxe idiosyncrasies.

Here, old-school opulence meets open-air living, introducing a sophisticated side of Florida far removed from its famous theme parks. Here’s how to experience the best of West Palm Beach and its surrounding shoreline—from sprawling gardens to indulgent spas.

Arrive in West Palm Beach

Just 10 minutes from the center of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) operates direct flights from major cities across the US. If you’re already in Florida, consider taking the Brightline instead. The high-speed train connects Miami and Orlando, with stops including West Palm Beach, and offers a Premium class option to ease you into vacation mode.

Once you’ve arrived, check in to a hotel that fits your travel style. Many resorts offer guest-only access to golf courses, tennis courts, pools, and other upscale amenities. For a classic resort experience, consider The Breakers Palm Beach—a storied AAA Four Diamond property—or the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, known for its luxury and oceanfront setting on the nearby Palm Beach barrier island.

Prefer something a bit more modern and low-key? West Palm Beach’s newer hotel options embrace a more relaxed kind of elegance. If you’re into live music, for instance, try Aka West Palm, where local performers take the stage twice a week.

Day 1

Start your trip in downtown West Palm Beach at CityPlace, a Mission Revival-style complex where designer boutiques, casual cafes, and public art come together in palm-lined common areas. It’s also the perfect launching point to explore the city’s other top attractions.

After grabbing a quick breakfast from the Salty Donut, where the freshly made gourmet creations often taste more like dessert, head to the Norton Museum of Art, home to works by pop art icons Keith Haring and Joel Shapiro anchoring the lush sculpture garden. Or, stroll along lively Clematis Street, the city’s main hub for dining, nightlife, and entertainment.

Come lunchtime, head to The Ben West Palm, a AAA Four Diamond hotel and home to Spruzzo, its rooftop Italian restaurant with sweeping waterfront views. After your meal, drive across the lagoon to Palm Beach, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon lounging on white sand—or opt for more sightseeing.

Should you choose the latter, the Flagler Museum offers tours of the Gilded Age mansion once owned by Henry Flagler, the railroad magnate who helped develop Florida’s east coast. The home showcases the opulence that shaped the Palm Beaches. Outside the museum, don’t miss landmarks such as the Worth Avenue Clock Tower and flagship Lilly Pulitzer store, nestled along the town’s most glamorous shopping street.

For dinner, circle back to West Palm, and reserve a table at Harry’s Bar and Restaurant, the Palm Beach outpost of the famed NYC steakhouse. With some luck, you might even run into Harry himself, as he’s known to make appearances in the dining room. To cap off the evening, check the schedule at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts everything from Broadway shows to symphony performances.

Day 2

Because West Palm Beach sits within a much larger stretch of coastline spanning 47 miles, you’d be remiss not to visit any neighboring towns. For a leisurely morning, head north to Boca Raton to indulge in a luxurious spa treatment at the on-site spa of the city’s namesake hotel: The Boca Raton. After your treatment, savor fresh seafood at the elegant Harbor House, an open-air restaurant that’ll make you feel as though you were dining on a private yacht.

On your way back to West Palm, stop in Delray Beach to visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. The combination of pine trees, bamboo stalks, and curving bonsai plants offers a tranquil contrast to Florida’s swaying palm trees, creating a unique afternoon respite.

When the gardens close at golden hour, make your own happy hour. Stay in Delray to sample pours from The Wine and Spirits Kitchen. It boasts nearly 200 wines via self-serve dispensers, including rare vintages and cult labels that you’re unlikely to find by the glass elsewhere.

For dinner, settle into the swanky, artfully decorated Le Colonial, which serves creative and flavorful French-Vietnamese fare. Plan to share a few dishes—everything on the menu deserves at least a taste. After returning to West Palm, grab a final cocktail on Clematis Street, and soak in the vibrant ambiance that exudes that unmistakable Southern Florida charm.