Top Things to Do in Lake Worth, Florida

Tucked between the popular tourist spots of Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Lake Worth offers visitors to South Florida a walking-friendly, small-town atmosphere known for its local events and beachfront access. Not lacking for options, visitors are greeted with boutique shopping and nightlife offering a plethora of food trucks and live music. Those hoping to enjoy South Florida's weather while avoiding the glitz and glamor of more crowded locales will find Lake Worth most appealing.

Casino Complex

• The Lake Worth Casino Building and Beach Complex was built in the 1920s and provides visitors with the town's only public beach access and the iconic William O. Lockhart Municipal Pier. Contrary to its name, the complex no longer offers gambling, but a number of waterfront restaurants and rooms for special events give visitors a chance to cool off and enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean from an expansive wrap-around terrace. A local farmer's market is held every Saturday across the street from the casino, and both spots are accessible by car or foot from downtown Lake Worth via a bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway.

Downtown Discoveries

• The downtown area of Lake Worth packs an significant number of bars, restaurants and shops into a 10-block stretch on Lake Avenue. Bracketed by City Hall and Bryant Park along the Intracoastal Waterway, the pedestrian-friendly downtown lacks the name-brand storefronts of its larger neighbors, instead opting for quirky thrift shops and dive bars with plenty of outdoor seating. You can find a diverse assortment of ethnic and health-conscious restaurants on Lake Avenue and neighboring Lucerne Avenue, while Bryant Park offers green space and a walking trail along the waterfront.

Evenings on the Avenue

• The first and third Friday of every month, Lake Worth turns its town square into an outdoor festival with live music and street vendors selling everything from local arts and crafts to seafood and barbecued ribs. Evenings on the Avenue begin around sunset and last well into the night, as visitors can move back and forth between the town square and neighboring watering holes. Once the outdoor scene comes to an end, a number of local bars host smaller indoor concerts and open mic nights.

Lake Worth Playhouse

• The Lake Worth Playhouse is a nonprofit community theater that has long been considered one of the best venues for plays and independent films in Palm Beach County. The playhouse opened its doors in 1924 and constantly showcases award-winning local productions and global favorites alike. The playhouse partners with a number of Lake Worth's most notable restaurants to give visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the local dining and entertainment scene.