Plan a day in downtown West Palm Beach

A day in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida goes better when it fits the week. The Saturday GreenMarket closes streets, Thursday nights bring free concerts to the Great Lawn, and several museums close on Sundays or Tuesdays. Start with the planner, then use the notes below to pick a day. Everything here was checked on October 20, 2026.

Plan your day

Decision tool · day planner

Plan your day downtown

Pick how long you have and what you like. The planner chooses sourced stops in and near downtown West Palm Beach, puts them in order from Clematis Street at Flagler Drive, and suggests where to park if you are driving.

Or start from one of three ready-made plans:

The Waterfront and Clematis

The Great Lawn and the fountain, the library on Clematis Street, the county history museum, then dinner downtown.

1. West Palm Beach Waterfront and the Great Lawn (100 N. Clematis Street): The City's waterfront lawn at 100 N. Clematis Street, where Clematis by Night plays free on Thursdays and the GreenMarket sets up on Saturdays.
2. Centennial Fountain (150 N. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL): The City's interactive fountain in the square at the foot of Clematis Street.
3. Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach (411 Clematis Street): The City's four-floor public library at 411 Clematis Street, beside City Hall.
4. Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum (300 N Dixie Hwy): The Historical Society's county history museum at 300 N Dixie Hwy, open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free general admission.
5. Lynora's (207 Clematis Street): Italian at 207 Clematis Street, serving lunch and dinner.

Museums south of downtown

Coffee on Clematis, then the Norton Museum of Art, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens and the Armory Art Center.

1. Subculture Coffee (509 Clematis St): A coffee roaster on the 500 block of Clematis Street that roasts in small batches in house.
2. Norton Museum of Art (1450 S. Dixie Highway): The art museum at 1450 S. Dixie Highway; closed Tuesdays, open late on Fridays for Art After Dark.
3. Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (253 Barcelona Rd.): Sculpture gardens and the historic Norton House at 253 Barcelona Rd., open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, October through June.
4. Armory Art Center (811 Park Place): An art school and gallery at 811 Park Place, beside Howard Park.

An evening downtown

Dinner near CityPlace, a show at the Kravis Center, then a drink on Clematis Street.

1. The Blind Monk (655 S. Olive Ave, West Palm Beach): Wine, cocktails and small plates near CityPlace, Monday to Saturday from 5 PM.
2. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Boulevard): The performing arts center at 701 Okeechobee Boulevard, with paid self-parking and valet.
3. Hullabaloo (517 Clematis St): A Clematis Street pub that opens at 4 PM and serves late.

Every stop comes from our sourced list of places in and near downtown West Palm Beach (checked October 20, 2026). Distances are straight-line estimates from OpenStreetMap coordinates, not measured routes. Time per stop is your chosen time split evenly, not an official duration. Check each place's hours before you go.

Spending more Saturdays downtown than not? See what living here is like.

Living downtown

How the planner works

Choose how long you have, from a couple of hours to a full day or a late afternoon into the evening, and what you like: the Waterfront, art and theatre, history, shops and markets, food and drink, or music and a nightcap. The planner picks stops from our sourced list of places in and near downtown and puts them in order from Clematis Street at Flagler Drive.

Distances are straight-line estimates from OpenStreetMap coordinates, not measured routes, and the time at each stop is your chosen time split evenly, not an official visit length. Each stop links to the page we read and shows hours where the operator publishes them. Check them before you go; we checked ours on October 20, 2026.

Three sample days

These match the three ready-made plans in the planner.

The Waterfront and Clematis

Start at the Great Lawn and the Centennial Fountain at the foot of Clematis Street, walk up to the Mandel Public Library at 411 Clematis Street, cross to the History Museum at 300 North Dixie Highway, and finish with dinner at Lynora’s, 207 Clematis Street. The History Museum opens Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, and the library’s Saturday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., so this works on any day but Sunday. Lynora’s opens at 11 am every day. Library users parking in the City Center Garage can get a $1.00 weekday voucher or a $5.00 weekend voucher.

• The Historical Society lists museum hours of Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. Historical Society of Palm Beach County: Plan Your Visit
• The City lists Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach hours as Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday and Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. City of West Palm Beach: Library Hours, Location & Parking
• The City says library users with a City Center Garage ticket (199 North Dixie Highway) can get a parking voucher: one $1.00 voucher covering the first two hours on weekdays, and one $5.00 voucher covering the whole day on Saturdays and Sundays. City of West Palm Beach: Library Hours, Location & Parking

Museums south of downtown

Coffee at Subculture Coffee, 509 Clematis St, then the Norton Museum of Art at 1450 S. Dixie Highway, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens at 253 Barcelona Rd. and the Armory Art Center at 811 Park Place. The Norton closes Tuesday, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens opens Wednesday to Sunday from October through June, and the Armory closes Sunday, so pick a Wednesday to Saturday. On Saturdays, City residents get into the Norton free (admission for one) with valid ID. The Norton’s lot across the street costs $3 an hour for up to three hours.

• The Norton Museum of Art lists hours of Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Friday 10 AM to 10 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM, and closed Tuesday. Norton Museum of Art: Plan Your Visit
• Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens lists hours of Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, October through June. Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens: Visit
• The Armory Art Center is at 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, (561) 832-1776. It lists hours of Monday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday to Thursday 9am to 7pm, Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm, closed Sunday. Armory Art Center: home page
• The Norton says City of West Palm Beach residents get free admission for one every Saturday year round, and Palm Beach County residents get free admission for one every Saturday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with valid ID. Norton Museum of Art: Plan Your Visit
• The Norton is at 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. It says parking across the street at 1501 South Dixie Highway costs $3 per hour, for up to three hours. Norton Museum of Art: Plan Your Visit

An evening downtown

Dinner at The Blind Monk, 655 S. Olive Ave, a show at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Boulevard, then a drink at Hullabaloo, 517 Clematis St. The Blind Monk is open Monday to Saturday from 5 to 10 PM and closed Sunday. Hullabaloo stays open until 1am Monday to Thursday and 3am on Friday and Saturday. Check the Kravis calendar for show times; its site says the 2026-2027 season is on sale.

• The Kravis Center's site lists Dreyfoos Hall, Persson Hall and the Rinker Playhouse among its venues and says its 2026-2027 season is on sale. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts: home page

Seasons to know

• GreenMarket season: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., from Saturday, October 3, 2026 to Saturday, May 22, 2027, with no market on February 6 or March 20, 2027.
• Clematis by Night: free, every Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m., on the Great Lawn. The City lists shows through December 31, 2026 and no 2027 schedule yet.
• Holiday in Paradise: November 27 to December 31, 2026 on the Waterfront.
• Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens: lists hours of Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, October through June.
• Norton summer Saturdays: free for Palm Beach County residents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with ID.
• Hurricane season: June 1 to November 30, per NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October.

• Discover The Palm Beaches lists the GreenMarket from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM every Saturday through May 22, 2027, except February 6 (Palm Tree Festival) and March 20 (Palm Beach International Boat Show). Discover The Palm Beaches: Return of the West Palm Beach GreenMarket
• The City describes Clematis by Night as an award-winning weekly concert series every Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m., on the Great Lawn in downtown West Palm Beach. City of West Palm Beach: Clematis by Night
• The City lists Clematis by Night dates only through December 31, 2026. A Discover The Palm Beaches listing gives a weekly window of May 28 to Nov 26, 2026. No 2027 schedule is posted. City of West Palm Beach: Clematis by Night
• NOAA's National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with a peak on September 10 and most activity between mid-August and mid-October. NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Climatology

Dates on the calendar

• Thursday, October 29, 2026: Clematis by FRIGHT, 6 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, October 31, 2026: LagoonFest, 8:30am to 2:00pm, free, at 201 Fern Street.
• Thursday, November 26, 2026: no Clematis by Night (Thanksgiving).
• Friday, November 27, 2026: Nights in Northwood Village, 6 to 9 p.m., and the start of Holiday in Paradise.
• Thursday, December 3, 2026: the Sandi tree lighting, 6 to 10 p.m., free.
• Friday, December 4, 2026: Winter in Paradise, 6 to 9 p.m., free (City pages disagree on the venue).
• Thursday, December 24, 2026: no Clematis by Night.
• Thursday, December 31, 2026: Sandi’s New Year’s Eve, 8:00 p.m. to midnight.
• February 6 to 7 and February 19 to 20, 2027: the Palm Tree Music Festival, per its site, which does not name a venue. No GreenMarket on February 6.
• March 5 to 7, 2027: Palm Beach Dramaworks’ Perlberg Festival of New Plays.
• Wednesday, March 17 to Sunday, March 21, 2027: the Palm Beach International Boat Show on Flagler Drive. No GreenMarket on March 20.

• The City lists the Holiday in Paradise Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 3, 2026, 6 to 10 p.m., a free celebration with the official lighting of Sandi, West Palm Beach's sand tree. City of West Palm Beach: Holiday in Paradise Tree Lighting
• The City lists Clematis by Night: Sandi's New Year's Eve on Thursday, December 31, 2026, 8:00 p.m. to midnight, at Centennial Square and the Great Lawn. City of West Palm Beach: Clematis by Night
• The Palm Tree Music Festival site lists two 2027 weekends: February 6 to 7 and February 19 to 20, 2027. The site does not state the venue. Palm Tree Music Festival: home page
• The Palm Beach International Boat Show says it will take place March 17 to 21, 2027 along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, across from Palm Beach Island. Palm Beach International Boat Show: home page
• The boat show lists hours of Wednesday 3/17 12PM to 7PM, Thursday to Saturday 10AM to 7PM, and Sunday 3/21 10AM to 5PM. Palm Beach International Boat Show: home page

SunFest’s own site still shows May 3-5, 2024 and posts no later festival, so we do not plan around it. The full list, with any date you choose, is in the date checker.

• SunFest's own home page still carries the title "SunFest | Downtown West Palm Beach | May 3-5, 2024" and posts no 2025, 2026 or 2027 festival dates. SunFest: home page

Event-day tips

• GreenMarket Saturdays: the 100 to 400 blocks of Clematis, plus Olive, Dixie and Flagler between Banyan and Datura, close from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Park free during market hours at the City Center, Clematis Street or Sapodilla garages.
• Concert Thursdays: the City names the Banyan garage as closest to the Great Lawn.
• Special events: the $5 weekend garage rate does not apply, and the City says event rates go up to $100. Pick your garage in the parking picker.
• Changes: the City says its events can change or be canceled; for after-hours cancellation information, call (561) 822-2222.

• The City says that on market days the 100 to 400 blocks of Clematis, plus Olive, Dixie and Flagler between Banyan and Datura, are closed from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. City of West Palm Beach: GreenMarket Hours, Location & Parking
• The City says parking is free during market hours (8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) at the City Center Garage, the Clematis Street Garage and the Sapodilla City Garage. City of West Palm Beach: GreenMarket Hours, Location & Parking
• The City says City events are subject to change or cancellation and gives (561) 822-2222 for after-hours cancellation information. City of West Palm Beach: Community Events FAQs

What to bring

• A lawn chair or blanket for Clematis by Night, as the City suggests.
• A card, phone or watch for West Palm Move: the City says it takes no cash.
• A credit card for a City garage on weekends: the City’s parking map says the $5 rate is credit card only on entry.
• Valid ID if you are claiming the Norton’s resident Saturdays.
• A leash: the City says its events and the GreenMarket welcome leashed dogs.

• The City's Clematis by Night event pages describe the concerts as free and invite guests to bring a lawn chair or blanket. City of West Palm Beach: CBN Margaritaville Memories: The Landsharks Band
• The City says fixed-route rides cost $1, paid by tapping a card, phone or watch; on-demand rides cost $2 in the app; a trip using both is a flat $2; cash is not accepted. City of West Palm Beach: City of West Palm Beach Launches West Palm Move, a New Fixed-Route and On-Demand Transit Network
• The City's Community Events FAQ says City-sponsored events welcome leashed dogs. City of West Palm Beach: Community Events FAQs
• The City's history page says the GreenMarket is leashed dog-friendly. City of West Palm Beach: History of the Market

Where to stay

Two downtown hotels publish their own sites: The Ben, Autograph Collection, at 251 North Narcissus Avenue, which describes itself as a 208-room boutique hotel on the waterfront, and the Hilton West Palm Beach, 600 Okeechobee Boulevard, which says it connects directly to the Palm Beach County Convention Center. We do not list prices. Getting in without a car is covered on our getting here page.

• The Ben, Autograph Collection

  Boutique hotel

  251 North Narcissus Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL

  A '208-room boutique hotel' in Marriott's Autograph Collection on the downtown waterfront, inspired by Byrd Spilman Dewey's Ben Trovato Estate.

  Source: The Ben: A New Energy – Luxury West Palm Beach Hotel, checked 2026-10-20

• Hilton West Palm Beach

  Full-service hotel

  600 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

  Downtown hotel 'directly connected to the Palm Beach County Convention Center', with a resort-style pool and on-site dining.

  Source: Hilton West Palm Beach: Home, checked 2026-10-20

Plan your visit FAQ

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of West Palm Beach (official site)