About an hour’s drive up the coast from Miami you’ll find West Palm Beach which is a great spot for a day trip or a mini vacation. We had a free hotel night that was about to expire, so we figured we should use it. It was the perfect excuse to spend the weekend in West Palm Beach. We usually just go for the day but staying overnight gave us more time to explore the area and to have a nice dinner.
There’s a lot to do in and around the city including many excellent museums, beautiful gardens, glitzy estates, and of course lovely beaches and nature parks. So much so that we couldn’t possibly do it all in one weekend.
Must-see museums
Flagler Museum
The Flagler Museum is a must. The former Gilded Age summer home of Henry Flagler is now a museum containing Gilded Age era furnishing and artifacts including the railroad tycoon’s private railcar. On site, there’s also a restaurant and gift shop.
See our post: Flagler Museum, a Must-See South Florida Gem
Norton Museum of Art
At the Norton Museum you will see paintings and artifacts from American, European, and Chinese origins. In fact, the Chinese collection is quite extensive and reminded us of our trip to Beijing, China.
Be sure to look up and admire the Chihuly glass ceiling. We loved the ocean theme! The restaurant serves delicious dishes and everything we ordered was beautifully presented.
Boca Raton Museum of Art
When we visited the Boca Raton Museum of Art there was a special exhibition about Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. There was also a virtual reality experience but we visited on the spur of the moment and we couldn’t get tickets for this special event. However, we truly enjoyed looking at the exhibits.
Many of the artifacts on display came from the Larco Museum in Lima and it was nice to see some of those glittery treasures again. The exhibition reminded us of our trip to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley as well as what we saw in Northern Peru.
Beautiful gardens to visit
Mounts Botanical Garden
A tropical oasis in the heart of Palm Beach county, the Mounts Botanical Garden is the oldest and largest in the area. It’s divided into 25 distinct gardens all interconnected with winding paths. And, until May 1st, 2022, there is a special exhibition where you can see stunning Lego sculptures made by the award-winning artist: Sean Kenny. On site there is also a nursery and garden thrift shop.
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
Located in West Palm Beach, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is set on the grounds of the historic home of the artist Anne Norton. You can visit her studio and see her sculptures on the grounds of the estate. Seven Beings made of pink granite was our favorite piece. Special exhibitions are held inside the house.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
South of Palm Beach, in Boca Raton, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is a must-see attraction in South Florida. The gardens are designed in the same manner as authentic Japanese gardens but using native Florida plants. The ponds aren’t only filled with koi and turtles, you just might spot an alligator or two as we did. Keep an eye out for aquatic birds too that come and enjoy the park.
See our post: Visiting the Morikami Gardens
Observing wildlife
Manatee Lagoon
Located on the shores of Lake Worth, Manatee Lagoon is an educational center with a viewing platform and gift shop. During the cooler months of winter, manatees congregate in the warm waters generated from the runoff of the power station. For more information check out our post: Visiting the Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach, Florida
Palm Beach Zoo
The Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society is a good place to go to learn about wildlife. The menagerie includes many endangered species and hopefully some of the conservation projects sponsored by the zoo will help save these magnificent animals. It’s also a great place to go with children.
Phil Foster Park
Also commonly called the Blue Heron Bridge, the Phil Foster Park Snorkeling Trail is the perfect place to go if you want to see some of the most amazing, beautiful creatures that inhabit the coastal waters of South Florida.
We regularly see seahorses, octopus, squid, and eagle rays to name just a few. Who knows, you might just spot one of the manatees that hangs out at the nearby Manatee Lagoon.
The Blue Heron Bridge is also a world class shore dive site and a delight for scuba divers, us included. We dive this site often and never tire of it. Note that you must consult the tide tables for this dive site. See our post for more details: Blue Heron Bridge, a World-Renowned Shore Dive Site
Butterfly World
Further afield but definitely worth the drive south to Coconut Creek, Butterfly World was the first butterfly house in the US and spans over 3 acres. On site there are also botanical gardens as well as a working butterfly farm, and a couple of aviaries.
Related post: Butterfly World, More Than Just Butterflies!
The beach
Of course, if you prefer to relax, you can simply hang out on one of numerous beaches that dot the coastline of South Florida. Water temp varies from 70°F in the winter to 88°F in the summer. See our South Florida Beach Guide for a list of beaches from Fort Lauderdale to Miami.
Conclusion
West Palm Beach is a really nice place to go to spend a few days because there are plenty of things to do in and around town. We will certainty continue to explore the area and add to this list.