Those are the Florida cities that typically steal the spotlight. But it’s time to make room for West Palm Beach. With its first true resort now open, this laid-back yet thriving city is stepping into the limelight — offering top dining splashed with plenty of things to do.
And if you’re craving a beach day or a little luxe retail therapy, the posh island of Palm Beach is just a short bridge away.
WHERE TO STAY IN WEST PALM BEACH
New to West Palm, The Belgrove Resort & Spa, West Palm Beach, Autograph Collection, feels like a hidden oasis — tucked away in a quiet residential pocket that might make you wonder where you’ve ended up. (Don’t worry, it’s still about 10-minutes from Downtown West Palm.) Its secluded location works in guests’ favor, as it offers peace and quiet and gorgeous natural surroundings that lull you into vacation mode. The property sits along Lake Mangonia and is dotted with swaying palm trees, lush plantings, and plenty of nooks for relaxation.
Guests are treated to oversized rooms and suites with huge balconies — another ideal spot to kick back for some sunbathing or reading — and you’ll want to reserve a room that overlooks the resort’s centerpiece poolscape. The pool is where you’ll spend much of your time, and there’s a vibe for every vacationer: a zero-entry family pool, an adults-only pool, and, if you book a spa treatment, access to the spa’s saltwater pool for some serious Zen. We camped out in a private cabana at the adults-only pool, which was tricked out with comfy couches and a TV, and sipped on a spicy avocado cocktail from the Deep End poolside bar.
While lounging poolside is tempting, you can also zip off on bikes (free for resort guests for two hours), including tandems and adorable canopied Surrey bikes for families. There’s also pickleball and tennis, and if you’re a golf fanatic, resort guests have access to play the exclusive members-only Dutchman’s Pipe — a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
When you don’t want to leave the property, Society 48 serves breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner. I started my days with a healthy green juice or smoothie, and for dinner, we enjoyed housemade pastas, fish and chips and crispy-skin salmon. The restaurant focuses on using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. One night we chilled in the room and devoured a perfectly blistered wood-fired pizza – the pizzas range from a truffle and mushroom to a meat-heavy pie with sweet piquante peppers.
WHERE TO EAT IN WEST PALM BEACH
West Palm Beach has recently gained MICHELIN recognition, including Moody Tongue Sushi West Palm Beach, tucked inside the Hilton West Palm Beach. The newcomer was recognized in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide for The Palm Beaches, and the Chicago location is the only brewery in the world to hold a MICHELIN Star.
You’ll be escorted through a discreet door into a dark and moody dining den to gather around a 14-seat communal table, where the chefs will lead you through a multi-course omakase experience, torching, rolling and dashing bites with surprising toppings. What makes this unique: the fish is flown in twice a week from Japan, and you can choose a curated beer pairing.
These are not your average beers: Some mimic the taste and look of champagne or wine and are served in fancy glassware. As someone who doesn’t like or drink beer, this experience blew my mind, and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the flavors like a carbonated Asian pear saison or an orange blossom Belgian blonde that felt oh-so-Florida. While the menu evolves with the seasons, expect elevated bites like a wagyu handroll with wasabi horseradish cream or a tea-brined Ora king salmon dashed with Florida orange zest. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday, and requires a reservation.
For al fresco waterfront dining, Lamarina is the kind of place that you come for lunch to leisurely sip on copious glasses of rosé, while gawking at mega-yachts docked at the fronting marina.
Start with the crispy artichokes in a green goddess vinaigrette, a pile of naughty truffle fries, and don’t miss the crispy swordfish sandwich on a brioche bun topped with a citrus remoulade and pickles (one of the best fish sandwiches I’ve ever had), and any of the fresh seafood. When I say “fresh,” I mean it — the day I had lunch there, they wheeled in a hulking tuna fresh off a boat, which was turned into sushi that night. For dinner, sushi is the main event along with seafood-centric dishes.
WHAT TO DO IN WEST PALM BEACH
For an authentic taste of the food scene in West Palm Beach, sprinkled with some juicy history, Kristl Story has been leading West Palm Beach Food Tours since 2015. Choose from tours that roam through downtown or historic neighborhoods, and popular family-friendly tours like the Mornings in the Market Food Tour.
This is your chance to taste your way through the West Palm Beach Greenmarket — skipping the lines to meet the makers. The popular Saturday farmers’ market that runs from October to May is worth spending a morning perusing the 100-plus vendors on your own, too. (Also, pop in Ganache Bakery Café for one of Jamal Lake’s scratch-made desserts such as a Key lime tartlet or one of the mini rum cakes.)
Looking for something uniquely Florida? When the temperatures drop in winter, gangs of potato-shaped manatees huddle up in Manatee Lagoon, relishing in the warm waters courtesy of the neighboring power plant. It’s free to visit, and families love bringing their kids to see the sea cows romping through the clear blue water.
Another family-friendly spot is the new Pop Stroke West Palm Beach, a mini-golf experience with two 18-hole putting courses, a playground for the kids to run wild, and a sports bar where adults can down a beer or cocktail when they need a refresh.
Culture is also big in West Palm Beach, and the Norton Museum of Art is worth exploring for its expansive permanent collection, outdoor sculpture garden, and monthly events such as Art After Dark on Friday nights.
WHERE TO SHOP IN WEST PALM BEACH
My personal favorite thing to do in West Palm Beach is make a crawl down West Palm Beach Antique Row. Even if it’s not in your budget, it’s worth popping in the 40+ stores to chat with the friendly owners about their unique finds. Some of my personal favorites are Patricia’s Gallery, Authentic Provence and Rosa Estate Jewelry (where the owner is always entertaining). I always end the hunt with lunch at the eclectically decorated Belle & Maxwell’s Café.
The shopping-dining destination CityPlace in Downtown West Palm is always growing with new shops and boutiques, with mainstream fashion favorites like Alo, Reformation, Anthropologie and Lululemon, and home stores such as Perigold and Crate & Barrel. More than a shopping center, look for regular events like live music under the stars, full moon yoga and creative workshops.
Also in Downtown West Palm, the newly developed Nora District is home to transformed century-old warehouses that have new lives as retail stores, popular fitness havens like solidcore, and places to eat and drink such as Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and locally loved Celis Juice Bar — with much more to come in 2026.