There’s Nothing Like Summer In West Palm Beach

There’s no shortage of fun and festivities this summer in one of South Florida’s top destinations.

As Floridians know, summer in South Florida can have its pros and cons. But no matter the season, West Palm Beach is always a must-visit destination. The South Florida gem offers a vibe like no other. Standing out from other popular destinations, it’s not just a beach town or a bustling city; West Palm Beach offers locals and visitors a mix of laid-back coastal life, old-school glamour, modern innovations, and creative energy all packed into one place.

With school out and calendars clear, there’s nothing better than enjoying the city’s walkable waterfront promenades, watching the sunset while boats drift by, and enjoying a diverse array of events, concerts and festivals right on the Intracoastal Waterway. West Palm Beach is truly a rare blend of urban liveliness and tropical oasis.

Perfect for those days full of summer rain showers, the city boasts a strong arts and culture scene. Institutions such as The Norton offer guests blockbuster exhibitions alongside a robust permanent collection featuring American, Chinese, European, and contemporary art, as well as photography.

The city’s public arts initiatives featured on Bloomberg Connects works from local to internationally renowned artists throughout the city. Nature reigns supreme, with appreciation of the outdoors on display at The Park, a premier public golf destination, and Grassy Waters Preserve, a complex Everglades ecosystem perfect for all ages.

Shop for luxury brands at CityPlace or in the eclectic shops and showrooms of artsy Northwood Village, and take a break at one of the city’s hot new dining destinations, many offering outdoor terraces perfect for people watching and enjoying the sublime weather. Following is a partial list of what makes West Palm Beach the place to be this season.

Community Event & Festival Highlights:

• Clematis by Night: Every Thursday, 6PM – 9PM, Palm Stage on the Great Lawn, Downtown West Palm Beach: Rated the Best Outdoor Concert Series by USA TODAY 10BEST latest Readers’ Choice Awards, this lively free Thursday night series offers the area’s best rock, R&B, reggae, blues, soul, swing, country, and Latin music. Featuring live performances by popular national, regional, and local bands, the beautiful setting in Centennial Square on the spectacular West Palm Beach Waterfront creates an unmatched seaside happy hour vibe, wrapped in the warm breezes and relaxed energy of an open-air evening by the water.
• THE BEAUTIFUL GAME: A Fan Zone Viewing Experience, Multiple Viewing Parties, The Ben Hotel, 251 N Narcissus Ave: Located in The Studio at The Ben Hotel, The Beautiful Game Fan Zone is your destination for the tournament finals. Watch games on a massive 16 foot LED screen while enjoying stadium-style concessions, a full bar, interactive games, and an atmosphere built for passionate fans. For more information, visit TheBenEvents.com.
• Historic Northwest BBQ Brews & Blues: Saturday, September 5, 5PM-9PM, Heart & Soul Park, 825 N. Rosemary Avenue: Save the date for the 11th Annual BBQ Brews & Blues! An evening packed with live blues music, smoky BBQ favorites, craft brews, local vendors, and family-friendly activities. This free community celebration brings together great food, cold drinks, and soulful entertainment for a night the whole family can enjoy!
• Summer Specials at The Ben Hotel, 251 N Narcissus Ave: Rethink the end of the workweek with Summer Fridays at Spruzzo, a rooftop restaurant and pool deck overlooking the Intracoastal. Locals can swap their desk for a daybed with “Work from Pool” Day Passes, with Wi-Fi and a limited-edition Summer Fridays menu featuring happy-hour-priced shareable bites, $10 spritzes and cocktails, and $5 beers. The hotel also offers Executive Lunch at Proper Grit. For professionals looking to maximize their lunch break, featuring a three-course prix fixe menu for just $28 per person, it’s designed to deliver a full dining experience in approximately 45 minutes. In addition, Mahjong Mondays at Proper Grit welcomes guests to an elevated evening of refined revelry, creative cocktails by Maccallan, and social play led by Kari Long of Mahj on the Beach.

Something for the Whole Family

• Family Fun Friday: Every Friday at 5:30PM at The Park: The Park, the premier public golf destination in West Palm Beach, welcomes locals and guests each week for Family Fun Friday. Starting at 5:30PM, guests of all ages can try the Toptracer Enabled Range and FREE putting course and enjoy food from The House.
• Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society: A 23-acre tropical zoological garden that houses over 450 animals, including endangered species like Malayan tigers and jaguars. The zoo focuses on conservation, education, and providing immersive habitats for wildlife. Even better, the Zoo is free of charge to all children ages 3-12 when accompanied by an adult through mid-August.
• Cox Science Center and Aquarium: Over 100 hands-on exhibits, a digital planetarium, and 10,000 gallons of aquariums make the Cox Science Center a strong draw for families. Additionally, exhibitions like Top Secret: License to Spy offer up daring missions, codebreaking challenges, spy simulations and laser surveillance activities, while the Dino Trek dinosaur garden is a prehistoric wonderland complete with life-size dinosaurs; and Explorers’ Cove offers interactive adventures that make learning about the ocean an exciting journey.
• Vintage Vibes (Back To School Edition): Saturday, August 1, from 5PM–9PM, West Palm Beach Waterfront: Expect a feel-good evening on the waterfront with retro-inspired flair, music, and more. Additional details coming soon!

Arts & Culture Musts:

• Mounts Botanical Garden Summer Golden Hours: Throughout June, July, and August, visit the garden until 8PM every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, offering time to explore the oasis during the day’s cooler air and softer light. Take a leisurely walk after work, find an inspiring setting for photography or journaling, or bring a family picnic, enjoy this peaceful setting and reconnect with nature. Arrival by 7PM is recommended to allow time to explore the garden. Regular admission applies and free on-site parking is available.
• Kravis Center for the Performing Arts: One of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast, it boasts three venues: the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall, the Rinker Playhouse, and the Helen K. Persson Hall. From big Broadway productions to intimate dance performances, the Kravis Center offers a diverse range of shows that leave guests thrilled, moved, or breathless from the laughter.
• Art After Dark: Every Friday from 6PM: Norton Museum of Art: Enjoy an eclectic mix of live performances, film screenings, workshops, tours, and more every week. In addition, the first Friday of the month also features performances by some of South Florida’s best jazz musicians!
• Palm Beach Opera’s Story Time Series: Young learners are whisked into the pages of some of opera’s most magical tales! Designed for children in Pre-K through 5th grade, these fun and interactive events invite children to sing, act, and follow along with energetic teaching artists. Whether it’s their first time hearing an opera story or their tenth, each session promises a joyful introduction to the world of music and storytelling. All Story Time Series events are free to attend; registration is required.

Culinary New and Coming Soon:

• Flamingo Park: Emelina: Recently opened and already the recipient of a coveted Michelin star, Emelina offers a unique Cuban dining experience with an 18-seat chef’s counter with one seating each night. The menu is shaped by the Chef’s experience in some of the world’s top kitchens and rooted in a culinary philosophy of curiosity, possibility, and respect for ingredients.
• Downtown: West Palm Beach’s hottest downtown dining destination is now KYMA. The stylish new Greek Mediterranean restaurant has quickly become one of the city’s buzziest reservations. Expect seafood towers, grilled whole fish, upscale cocktails, and a glamorous atmosphere.
• NORA District: West Palm Beach’s newest arts and entertainment district continues to expand with upcoming culinary openings such as Pastis, a critically-acclaimed, Parisian-style brasserie that has anchored Manhattan’s Meatpacking District for nearly 15 years; and now open Del Mar, an exquisite dining experience, specializing in fresh seafood and Mediterranean-inspired dishes; along with Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar, a funky neighborhood taco shop serving a variety of Mexican fare, fresh oysters, and creative cocktails.
• Clematis Street: Recently opened West Palm Cowboy Club offers a vibrant, first-of-its-kind dining and entertainment destination that fuses Nashville’s pulsating nightlife with the flavor of South Florida. The project is in partnership with popular DJ Diplo. In addition, the new Mystic Table serves coastal Italian flavors with a modern steakhouse elegance and globally inspired seafood.
• CityPlace: Multiple new restaurants have joined the vibrant dining scene at CityPlace, including Moxies, a large, upscale-casual restaurant with a social-lounge vibe, an extensive cocktail program, sushi, steaks, and globally inspired dishes. Also, Ela Curry & Cocktails, offering a dynamic selection of Indian street food and thali-style dishes from James Beard Foundation- nominated Chef Pushkar Marathe, along with Mango Mercado by Marathe as well, with made-to-order breakfast and lunch sandwiches, soups and salads, and daily and weekly specials featuring flavorful and seasonal creations. Fan-favorite PopUp Bagels has arrived as well, serving bagels fresh from the oven, hot and whole, to Grip, Rip and Dip.