Exploring West Palm Beach

by Graham McKenzie

If you are travelling around Southeast Florida, your opportunities for relaxed easy travel have now increased dramatically with the opening of the Brightline service.

Linking Miami with (from this summer) Orlando, comfortable train service will whisk you to a whole variety of destination hot spots. No more tail to tail on the I-95, no more sat nav issues but instead just a relaxed journey observing south Florida.

I recently chose to take the train from Miami to West Palm Beach and was delighted to find that once I arrived at the destination there was a free, electric, taxi service to my accommodation. Apparently, this is true of all the stations and applicable to any hotel within five miles.  The whole experience was good. On the way from Miami we stopped at Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton but arrival was bang on time and alighting was easy.

So, what of West Palm Beach? Why get off the train here? West Palm Beach is a great destination for those who love golf, food, art, and history. With the option of the train then day trips are also a possibility. Here are some activities that you might enjoy:

Play Golf: West Palm Beach is home to some of the best golf courses in Florida, including the PGA National Golf Club, the Bear’s Club, and the Breakers Ocean Course. You can also check out some of the other courses in the area. Why not watch the professionals as PGA National is home to the Honda Classic and of course the infamous ‘Bear Trap’ consisting of the last three holes. This was named after the Golden Bear aka Jack Nicklaus who helped redesign the course.

Explore the Food Scene: West Palm Beach has a thriving food scene, with plenty of restaurants and cafes. Check out the local cuisine, which includes fresh seafood, Cuban dishes, and Southern-style cooking. Don’t miss the opportunity to try Florida’s famed dessert key lime pie. My personal recommendation would be to try the seafood bar at the Breakers Hotel for lunch but make sure you drop off on the edge of the property so you can enjoy the walk through the magnificent gardens and driveway.

The Norton Museum of Art: The Norton Museum of Art is a world-class art museum with a diverse collection of works from around the globe. The museum’s permanent collection includes paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from ancient to modern times. If you can arrange it, take a guided tour of the museum and many of the exhibits will come to life with explanations of how, why, who and when.

Tour the Flagler Museum: The Flagler Museum is a historic mansion that was built by Henry Flagler, a wealthy industrialist, railroad tycoon and for many the father of modern-day Florida tourism. Picture a man with untold wealth who wants to build a whole new industry in a place he and his ailing wife love.  His footprint can be seen all down the east coast of Florida and the nearby Breakers hotel along with this museum lay testament to his impact. The mansion has been preserved and restored to its original grandeur and is now a museum.

Take a Walking Tour: West Palm Beach offers a variety of walking tours that can help you explore the city’s history and culture. Some popular options include the Historical Society of Palm Beach County’s walking tour, the Clematis Street Historic District walking tour, and the Downtown West Palm Beach Art & Entertainment District walking tour.

Relax at the Beach: West Palm Beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean, so it’s a great place to soak up sun and relax on the beach. Some popular beaches in the area include Palm Beach, Singer Island, and Juno Beach.

The fact that these are easy to find and easy to access is just another reason to come visit “The Original, The One, The Only, The Palm Beaches”.