48 Hours in West Palm Beach, Florida

A tropical get away perfect for all budgets, West Palm Beach offers everything from affordable to upscale whether it’s the beaches, shops or dining, you can find something to do for everyone here.

*Updated January 2024

The DL: Known because of the more upscale palm beach or popular surrounding areas an hour or less away like Ft. Lauderdale, Jupiter, and Miami, the town of West Palm Beach was also founded by Henry Flagler in the late 1800’s when he founded Palm Beach. West Palm is a great area whether you spend your whole weekend here or use it as an affordable middle spot for all the other places you want to visit nearby.

Friday: 

• Fly into PBI, you will need a rental car since there is really no public transportation you would use.
• Check into the hotel (some options include The Ben (nicest), or the Canopy for their rooftop pool!)
• Stroll the pathway by the water and take in the views of the beautiful yachts
• Grab a pre dinner drink – Proper Grit Whiskey Lounge, RH rooftop, ER Bradleys for more tiki bar scene
• Walk to Dinner: Roccos Tacos on 1^stAve for good tacos, Harrys for more upscale, ER Bradleys casual bar bites, Elisabettas for Italian with a view or outdoor seating, Felice for NYC based Italian (no view) also good for a pre dinner drink.
• End the night by walking around downtown or check out one of the restaurant bars for a lively scene downtown.

Saturday:

Morning

Grab breakfast at Pura Vida (bowl and healhty items), Paris Bakery Cafe, Surfside Diner, Big Johns for a southern breakfast, Banter for NYC brunch, or grab and go at the Colony Hotel across from Palm Beach.

Also check out the West Palm Greenmarket – Every Saturday from October to April at Centennial Square.

101 S. Clematis St., West Palm Beach, FL

Spend the day at Beach

• Palm Beach (Check out my palm beach guide here for more info) is the best and closest. You will have to pay for street parking here. Grab and go lunch option that is affordable – Buccan Sandwhich shop its a local spot and has great fresh lemonades and teas! There is also a publix nearby if you want to pick up a sub and snacks for the beach.
• Lake Worth Beach (get lunch at Benny’s on the beach) – a lot more casual vibes
• Visit Peanut Island (more of a full day experience)
• Ocean Reef Park – Singer Island – (3800 Ocean or Coconuts on the beach for lunch)

Option 2: Head up to Jupiter (45 minutes) paddle board, see the lighthouse and then Lunch at Guanabanas, one of my favorite places to eat!

Evening:

Depending on the vibe you can have a low key dinner and chill night or get dressed up and have a fancy night out on the town!

Sunday:

Start off your morning at the Hive Bakery for a quick bite, matcha or coffee and then explore their home shops. Walk a few blocks to the Norton Museum of Art for the morning.

Grab Lunch with a View

Bennys on the Beach (about 15 minute drive down palm beach) (Pictured above – get the fish tacos!)

Or Head into Wellington which is about 20 minutes to the National Polo field and catch a match if in season!

Spend the afternoon Shopping:

• Gardens Mall/Downtown at the Gardens $$
• Worth Ave – Palm Beach $$$
• The Square at West Palm $$ – the closest option (right
• The Royal Ponciana Plaza $$$$ (left)
• Discover more than 50 antique/specialty shops on one street Antique Row. 

Or other things to do for the day:

• Manatee Lagoon 
• Go to any of the Spa’s on Palm Beach Island
• Antique Rowe – art district 
• Explore PGA Boulevard/ Palm Beach Gardens
• Spa at PGA Resort
• Golf – so many optionns nearby
• The Square at West Palm has lots of events and great seats to just sit outside and people watch
• Have a proper tea at the local tea house – Serenity Garden
• Hang at the hotel Pool
• Play poolside bingo at the Colony Hotel
• See a show at the Kravits Center
• Explore the Henry Flagler Museum on a rainy day
• Aioli – little out of the way but bakery, gfree sandwhiches and good salumi board.
• Oceano Kitchen – out of the way but james beard finalist

Other Food Options Not Mentioned Above:

• Grandview Public Market – food hall with live music (check event calendars)
• Russos Sub – out of the way hole in the wall, family owned sub shop I grew up eating and is amazing, get the orginal russo with oil on the side – bread is baked fresh every morning!
• Grato – good for larger groups
• Avocado Grill – instagrammable more healthy restaurant
• Galley – grab a drink or dinner on their patio with firepit
• Havanna – family run hole in the wall cuban spot
• Don Ramon – cuban
• Indian breakfast from The Pelican in Lake Worth
• Waterway Cafe – happy hour, pizza, seafood, sandwiches
• Sloanes ice cream – they have the famous disappearing door
• Fern Street Wine Bar & Kitchen – in the art district, has eclectic mural walls and wine/cheese, sit outside.
• Tropical Smokehouse – get the burger, james beard finalist
• Cholo Soy – tacos
• Los Altos Jalisco – authentic Mexican
• Pistache – french spot downtown
• Coolinary and The Parched Pig – featured on dives and drive ins

Option 2: Drive southern blvd over to Palm beach, take a left on Ocean Blvd and drive down the island and see the beautiful homes. Grab brunch and spend the day on Palm beach. Guide here.

Head to the airport – luckily its tiny and you dont need to be there super early!