West Palm Beach DDA launches DowntownWPB Unlocked app

Downtown West Palm Beach at sunset. [Photo by Sean Pavone]

A new way to explore Downtown West Palm Beach is now available, thanks to a collaboration between the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority and app developer Hoverlay. DowntownWPB Unlocked turns the neighborhood into a digital playground, using augmented reality to reveal hidden stories and unexpected discoveries tucked into familiar streets, storefronts and public spaces. No tour guide required, just a smartphone. 

After downloading the Hoverlay app, visitors can follow curated routes through Downtown West Palm Beach, with videos, audio, animations and stories surfacing on their screen as they approach each location. The result is an entirely new lens on the neighborhood. 

“Downtown West Palm Beach is more than a collection of buildings and streets, it’s a living story," says DDA Executive Director Teneka James-Feama. "DowntownWPB Unlocked invites everyone to experience that story in a new way by utilizing technology that we use every day to rediscover what makes our city center so vibrant.” 

More than 30 sites across the downtown district are featured in the tour. The stops span a range of destinations, from civic landmarks and public art installations to neighborhood shops and restaurants. 

"DowntownWPB Unlocked is about bringing people together and helping our community experience the heart of our city in a more meaningful way,” says Mayor Keith A. James. “It invites residents and visitors alike to connect with our culture, our history and each other in ways that feel engaging, accessible and uniquely West Palm Beach.”

Getting Started

1. Visit DowntownWPB Unlocked and download the free Hoverlay app (available on Android and iOS)

2. Search for the "DowntownWPB" channel to pull up the interactive location map

3. Enable camera and location access on your device, then head to any participating stop using the in-app map

4. At each location, tap the Hoverlay icon or hold up your phone and follow the on-screen prompts to activate the AR experience

DowntownWPB Unlocked offers a fresh perspective on spaces both familiar and overlooked throughout the downtown area, and reflects the DDA's broader commitment to using technology as a tool for reimagining the visitor experience.

Established in 1967 through a special act of the Florida Legislature, the West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district dedicated to fostering a safe, thriving downtown for residents, businesses, and visitors. The DDA pursues this mission by creating and supporting economic, cultural, and social opportunities throughout the district.