West Palm Beach, FL

West Palm Beach sits on the Atlantic coast of southeastern Florida, serving as the seat of Palm Beach County. The city is home to roughly 117,000 residents and carries a relaxed but cosmopolitan feel, with palm-lined streets, waterfront promenades, and a growing arts and dining scene. It is best known as the mainland counterpart to the wealthy enclave of Palm Beach, the barrier-island town famous for its gilded Gilded Age mansions and as the home of Mar-a-Lago. West Palm Beach lies approximately 70 miles north of Miami, an easy drive south on Interstate 95, and roughly 45 minutes north of Fort Lauderdale, making it a natural hub for travelers exploring South Florida.

Just a few minutes from downtown, the Norton Museum of Art anchors the city's cultural core. Founded in 1941, the museum houses an impressive collection of American, European, and Chinese art alongside rotating contemporary exhibitions, and its recent expansion added sculpture gardens and outdoor gathering spaces that draw both locals and visitors year-round.

Across the Intracoastal Waterway on Palm Beach island, the Flagler Museum offers a glimpse into the opulence of Florida's early Gilded Age. Housed in the 1902 Beaux-Arts mansion built by oil and railroad magnate Henry Flagler, the museum is about a 10-minute drive from downtown West Palm Beach and is one of the most visited historic house museums in the state.

Families visiting the area often head to the Palm Beach Zoo, located just a few miles west of downtown on the edge of Dreher Park. Spanning more than 20 acres, the zoo features animals from Florida and around the world, a recreated tropical rainforest habitat, and a carousel, all within easy reach of the city's central districts.

To the west of the city, the nearly 600-acre Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee offers a drive-through experience with free-roaming herds of giraffes, rhinos, and zebras, roughly a 25-minute drive from downtown. It pairs well with the surrounding agricultural lands of the western Palm Beach County countryside, providing a different side of the region from the coastal beaches and urban promenades.

West Palm Beach makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it pairs the conveniences of an established city — walkable neighborhoods, restaurants, galleries, and a strong event calendar — with easy access to the beaches, estates, and waterways of Palm Beach island and the broader Atlantic coast. Visitors can enjoy a quieter, more affordable stay while remaining within a short drive of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the natural attractions of the Everglades, giving the city year-round appeal for both leisure and event-driven travel.