The county seat of Palm Beach County enjoys a tropical climate and excellent amenities. West Palm Beach Florida has had economic peaks and troughs but has now achieved commercial growth and security. Tourism is increasing as people discover the charms of the city. The city’s success is reflected in the amount of property development and renovation in the area. A recently built convention center has attracted the business community.
In 1967, the city received a well needed boost with the construction of the Palm Beach Mall. Major chains opened stores in the new enterprise, including Macey’s, Dillard’s, JC Penney and Sears. The following decade saw the construction of Trump Plaza by tycoon, Donald Trump and the development known as CityPlace also contributed to the emergence of West Palm Beach Florida as a city to be reckoned with. CityPlace is a downtown area of offices, apartment blocks, nightlife venues and shops. It also has a Movico 20 movie theatre.
Alongside all the new buildings, the Clematis Street Historic Commercial district, with its period buildings, has been preserved. The street has become a tourist attraction and it was decided to put on live entertainment in an event named the Clematis by Night street event. Food and arts and crafts vendors set up their stalls to the sound of performers playing rock, funk, blues, world music or rockabilly.
The Palm Beach Zoo is located at Dreher Park and contains more than 1,500 animals, divided up into different habitats. The tropical area consists of terrain typical of the West Palm Beach Florida region and has a trail winding through Cypress swamp where eagles, black bears and alligators reside. Australian animals have their own area, suitable for kangaroos, wallabies and kookaburras. An Asian rainforest section has tigers and exotic birds. There is also a play fountain to cool off in and an exhibition on flora and fauna of the Mayan civilization.
The city is fortunate in having an art collection that is respected everywhere. The Norton Museum of Art welcomes traveling exhibitions and has educational programs and talks for adults and children. The permanent exhibition contains the cream of 19th and 20th century American and European art and photography. The collection is varied and includes Chinese art and French Impressionism. Artists such as Matisse, Gauguin, Monet and Picasso are represented. Famous American artists are shown too, namely Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keefe and Jackson Pollock.
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a well supported venue in West Palm Beach Florida. The arena hosts the popular Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops, an orchestra whose repertoire includes Broadway hits, music from the movies and celebrates American composers such as George Gershwin and Henry Mancini.
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