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Get to know West Palm Beach

A full-fledged metropolis of over 100,000, West Palm Beach blends a seaside South Florida vibe with unfussy cosmopolitanism, allowing residents to enjoy the benefits of big city life while smack dab in the middle of the region’s most outstanding natural and cultural treasures. In 1894, West Palm Beach became the first incorporated municipality in all of South Florida. Brick and stone buildings quickly rose, while the population multiplied several times over during the 1920s and 1950s. The city played a vital part in World War II, as Palm Beach Air Force Base — now Palm Beach International Airport — trained thousands of pilots. Thanks to that airport, plus nearby highways and quite a few marinas, West Palm Beach is a place convenient to everywhere. Recreational opportunities are integral to life here, as is simply enjoying Atlantic breezes in the Florida sun.

Nearby Neighborhoods:

West Palm Beach History & Culture

West Palm Beach began as a place for hospitality workers catering to the hotels and mansions in Palm Beach. However, it has since eclipsed its easterly relative in its variety of cultural offerings. Though West Palm Beach may sit close to its island neighbor in mileage, it is lightyears away in spirit. Concerts and festivals are taken as inextricable parts of life, regular occurrences varying in size and scope. The sculpture gardens at Norton Museum of Art are a must-see, alongside the institution’s rotating cast of world-class exhibits and educational programs. All ages can find something fun or intriguing at nearby zoos, aquariums, and science centers. Resplendent venue Kravis Center for the Performing Arts hosts touring Broadway shows, operatic performances, ballets, and concerts across the musical genre spectrum.

West Palm Beach Dining & Shopping

West Palm Beach is a paradise for shoppers seeking the fashionable and unusual, with four notable shopping districts — not including outlet stores and all the big city basics you’d expect. Clematis Street is the city’s historic downtown, a stretch of shopping, dining, and nightlife destinations for tourists and locals alike. Northwood Village is home to sleek couture, funky boutiques, art galleries, and home decor — plus restaurants and cafés of all stripes. Antique Row, home to three dozen shops, is among the country’s best home decor shopping areas. Stores are professionally-curated collections of antiques from the last four centuries, with many specializing in fine arts, period deco, vintage and mid-century furnishings, and other niches. The district is a walkable shopping safari, with many excellent restaurants along the way.