Palm Beach has been the preferred winter residence of families such as Rockefeller, Kennedy and Pulitzer and has a population of 20,000 in summer that swells to 40,000 in winter.
This is an area of private beaches, oceanfront mansions, luxury motor cars, chic boutiques, expensive designer labels and jewelery stores. It is not a place for the budget conscious visitor. It's the Rodeo Drive of the east.
The luxury Palm Beach hotels are popular with visitors seeking 5 star service, fine dining and the up market shopping. Other Palm Beach accommodation typically consists of ocean side cottages and inns, resorts, motels and condominiums.
A Palm Beach highlight is the shopping, with multi-level glassed malls and an historical shopping district with unique shops and boutiques. There are over 2,000 restaurants offering every imaginable cuisine throughout the greater Palm Beach area. There are cultural venues, a world-class art museum and an active nightlife in clubs and bars.
One little known fact is that the Palm Beach area is also one of the best bird-watching locations in the state.
West Palm Beach, population 80,000 plus, is where the less affluent live and work. It is located across the Intracoastal Waterway from Palm Beach and is considered as the downtown area of greater Palm Beach. The accommodation in West Palm Beach is far more affordable than in Palm Beach. There is more nightlife with plenty of clubs, bars and restaurants.
An urban renewal project has resulted in West Palm Beach emerging from the shadow of its more illustrious neighbor across the water. The Kravis Center For Performing Arts is one of Florid's premier cultural centers. The pedestrian-only malls of CityPlace attract visitors and locals alike to its cultural events, concerts, shops and bars.
** Palm Beach Transport
Major airlines such as Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental, Delta and AirTran service the Palm Beach International Airport and several economy carriers also operate flights to and from the airport. Amtrak has a terminal in West Palm Beach
Most visitors will opt for a rental car in this area, although the public transport system is a convenient way to reach the attractions in both West Palm Beach and The Island. Palm Tran has services to 32 routes with more than 140 buses. In downtown West Palm, free shuttles connect to all the major centers and tourist destinations.
