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West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach travel guide

City in southeast Florida, United States

Best time to visitApril
Nearest airportPBI · 3 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−4
Population117,415

About West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach (WPB) is a city in and the county seat of Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is located immediately to the west of the adjacent Palm Beach, which is situated on a barrier island across the Lake Worth Lagoon.

Places to visit in West Palm Beach

  1. Norton Museum of Art

    Norton Museum of Art

    Museum

    West Palm Beach's main art museum displays American, European, Chinese and contemporary art and photography in bright galleries, along with a sculpture garden shaded by a large banyan tree.

  2. Flagler Museum

    Flagler Museum

    Museum · 1 mi from centre

    Across the lake in Palm Beach, Henry Flagler's Gilded Age mansion, Whitehall, shows off opulent marble halls and period rooms, and his private railroad car is displayed on the grounds.

  3. Worth Avenue

    Worth Avenue

    Neighborhood · 2 mi from centre

    Palm Beach's upscale shopping street features luxury boutiques and hidden courtyards with Mediterranean Revival architecture, and it is pleasant even for window shopping and admiring the buildings.

  4. Clematis Street

    Neighborhood

    West Palm Beach's main downtown street is lined with bars and restaurants and leads to the waterfront, where events, concerts and a weekend green market are held.

  5. Palm Beach Zoo

    Palm Beach Zoo

    Zoo · 3 mi from centre

    A zoo set among lush tropical gardens near Dreher Park, featuring animals from Florida, Central and South America and Asia, with shady paths that suit families with young children.

  6. Lion Country Safari

    Lion Country Safari

    Zoo · 16 mi from centre

    A drive-through safari park west of the city where visitors stay in their cars as lions, giraffes, rhinos and zebras roam nearby, with a walk-through area and rides as well.

  7. Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

    Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

    Park · 1 mi from centre

    Monumental brick and stone sculptures by artist Ann Norton stand among lush tropical plants and palms, offering a quiet contrast to the busy city just outside the gates.

  8. Peanut Island

    Peanut Island

    Beach · 5 mi from centre

    A small island in the Lake Worth Lagoon reached by boat or water taxi, with swimming and snorkeling in clear water and a Cold War-era presidential fallout shelter.

Best time to visit West Palm Beach

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit West Palm Beach is April, when average daytime highs are around 81°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 60° – 73° 12
Feb 63° – 76° 8
Mar 65° – 79° 13
Apr 69° – 81° 6
May 74° – 87° 14
Jun 76° – 86° 25
Jul 77° – 88° 21
Aug 77° – 89° 26
Sep 76° – 86° 28
Oct 74° – 83° 19
Nov 67° – 80° 9
Dec 65° – 77° 10

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

West Palm Beach weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 81° 69° 30%
  • Thu 22 Oct 80° 72° 30%
  • Fri 23 Oct 80° 75° 50%
  • Sat 24 Oct 79° 75° 73%
  • Sun 25 Oct 81° 76° 73%
  • Mon 26 Oct 80° 77° 46%

Know before you go

Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Language
English
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/New_YorkUTC−4
Capital
Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to West Palm Beach

These are the airports closest to central West Palm Beach. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • PBI President Donald J. Trump International Airport3 mi (4 km) from the city centre
  • LNA Palm Beach County Park Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
Search flights to West Palm Beach

Getting around West Palm Beach

The easiest way to get around West Palm Beach and South Florida is by car. The city is set up on grid system, and is fairly easy to navigate. Downtown is roughly 2 miles north east of Palm Beach International Airport. Palm Beach County is served by Interstate I-95 and U.S. Highway 1 and US 441. It is also served by Florida's Turnpike.

By taxi

Taxis are generally expensive, but available at almost any time and place.

By train

Tri-Rail, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Commuter train which runs north and south parallel to I-95, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Tri-Rail provides access to South Florida's three major airports, and links to Miami's Metrorail. Local West Palm Beach stations are in Magnolia Park (northern terminus of Tri-Rail), (Downtown) West Palm Beach, and Lake Worth which are served by Palm Tran buses and local shuttles.

West Palm Beach travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit West Palm Beach?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit West Palm Beach is April, when average daytime highs are around 81°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.

What is the weather like in West Palm Beach?

August is usually the warmest month in West Palm Beach, with average highs of 89°F (32°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 60°F (16°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 290 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to West Palm Beach?

President Donald J. Trump International Airport (PBI) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (4 km) from the centre of West Palm Beach. Other nearby airports include Palm Beach County Park Airport (LNA, 8 mi).

What time zone is West Palm Beach in?

West Palm Beach uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around West Palm Beach?

The easiest way to get around West Palm Beach and South Florida is by car. The city is set up on grid system, and is fairly easy to navigate. Downtown is roughly 2 miles north east of Palm Beach International Airport. Palm Beach County is served by Interstate I-95 and U.S. Highway 1 and US 441.

What are the best places to visit in West Palm Beach?

Top sights in West Palm Beach include Norton Museum of Art, Flagler Museum, Worth Avenue and Clematis Street. West Palm Beach's main art museum displays American, European, Chinese and contemporary art and photography in bright galleries, along with a sculpture garden shaded by a large banyan tree.