Things To Do in Boca Raton and Delray Beach

by Alex Mendel

EXPLORE BOCA RATON

Boca Raton, known to locals as simply “Boca,” truly has it all. Want the beach? It’s there. Interested in the outdoors? It’s there. You want culture? Well, guess what – it’s got that, too! With exceptional options in attractions, shopping, events, and dining, Boca will keep you coming back for fun under the South Florida sun.

Here are 5 popular Boca Raton attractions for you to enjoy during your next visit:

1. Mizner Park

Mizner Park is downtown Boca’s shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Take a stroll through the plaza, tour a fine art exhibit or even enjoy a concert at the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The shopping component is the heartbeat of Mizner Park, offering discriminating clientele a high level of luxury choices with renowned jewelers, boutiques, national retailers, and the finest restaurants for every taste. For the ultimate movie-going experience, try iPic Theatres, an upscale cinema with delicious in-theater dining and reserved luxury seating.

Address: 327 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

2. Boca Raton Museum of Art

As a leading cultural institution in South Florida, this museum attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually to its galleries and programs. The 44,000-square-foot facility has achieved international recognition for its dynamic changing exhibitions and distinguished permanent collection. The museum’s many public programs include artist presentations, family activities, and art classes at its studio Art School. Admission is free for children (under 15) and students (under 18), and $16 for adults. Address: 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

Outdoor Sculpture at the Boca Raton Museum of Art

3. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

This joint project hosts environmental programs for all ages, as well as sea turtle-themed activities and events – sea turtle summer camps, turtle walks, hatchling release observations, and free outdoor marine feedings, to name a few. Admission is free, but a suggested $5 donation per person is always welcome.

Address: 1801 North Ocean Boulevard, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

4. Town Center at Boca Raton

One of South Florida’s top luxury shopping destinations, Town Center at Boca Raton features an outstanding mix of upscale specialty shops, along with favorite mall stores and an array of fine restaurants. Shoppers come from all over the world to explore more than 200 stores and an impressive lineup of department stores: Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales. Also shop Apple, Cartier, Gucci, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Lilly Pulitzer, Montblanc, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., and more.

Address: 6000 Glades Road, Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL 33431.

5. Red Reef Park

Red Reef Park is a secluded, heavily foliaged area that’s a favorite haunt for a variety of small birds. Bring your camera and see if you can capture images of larger and more spectacular birds on the ocean side of the park. Snorkeling at the park’s south end and surf fishing are popular leisure activities, and access to the beach is available with many parking options. Additional amenities include showering stations, walking paths and a picnic area equipped with grills, tables, and restrooms. Address: 1400 N Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

DISCOVER DELRAY BEACH

An intimate beach town with a big-city personality, Delray Beach is a vibrant South Florida community situated between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. With accolades like Most Fun Small Town in the USA and one of America’s Happiest Seaside Towns, it’s no surprise Delray is such a popular destination. Soak up the Florida sun on the beach along the crystal-clear Atlantic Ocean by day, and enjoy the lively atmosphere in downtown by night. When you visit “Florida’s Village by the Sea,” you can’t help but feel the warm and friendly atmosphere that makes this resort town such a joy to visit.

Discover it for yourself, starting with these 5 things to do in Delray Beach:

1. Atlantic Avenue

“The Avenue,” the pedestrian‐friendly epicenter of downtown Delray Beach, is most notably known for its shopping, dining, and small‐town curb appeal. Here, brick-paved sidewalks lined with palm and oak trees create a charming ambiance that makes for a perfect day or evening walk. Explore stylish fashion boutiques, art galleries, and dozens of gift shops to find one‐of‐a‐kind treasures.

Artwork Delray Affair — Courtesy of Delray Affair

2. Saltwater Brewery

Saltwater Brewery is Delray Beach’s first local production microbrewery with a “Reef Room” for tastings on site. The brewery is run by a team of Floridians who give special care to each batch of the handcrafted beer, made using only natural ingredients. The brewery promotes education on ocean conservation, and organizes private brewery tours for groups up to 10 people.

3. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Visitors of Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens have the opportunity to discover South Florida’s connection with Japan while exploring a series of six lush, authentic gardens. Each garden was inspired by a different period and style of Japanese gardening, and all were designed by Hoichi Kurisu. The museum showcases traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through engaging exhibits, a variety of educational events, a world-class bonsai display, Pan-Asian cuisine at the Cornell Cafe, and a distinctive museum store filled with one-of-a-kind items for all age groups. Admission is free for children 5 and younger.

4. Wakodahatchee Wetlands

As the first wetlands park in the region, Wakodahatchee Wetlands provides a diverse wildlife habitat that has attracted more than 150 different species of birds as well as alligators, rabbits, turtles, otters, foxes and other creatures found in a healthy South Florida wetland ecosystem. The public also “flocks” to Wakodahatchee, one of the most popular bird-watching and photography spots in The Palm Beaches. Enjoy nature at its best while taking a leisurely stroll along miles of elevated boardwalk stretching over acres of wetlands and water – the wetlands are free and open to the public.https://www.youtube.com/embed/3nMtTHOKfPc?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thepalmbeaches.com

5. Delray Municipal Beach

Named as the top beach in the southeastern U.S. by Travel Holiday magazine, Delray Municipal Beach is popular by people of all ages. You’ll see families on vacation, young people playing volleyball, and older folks basking in the warm sun. Visitors looking for excitement can rent equipment – from snorkeling gear to paddleboards – at the Delray Beach Watersports shack on the beach near Casurina Drive. Parking is also available nearby, as are several restaurants and eateries you can walk to when you’ve worked up your appetite, such as Boston’s on the Beach and Caffe Luna Rosa. Lifeguards are posted along the shore, and the beach itself is free, with metered parking nearby costing $1.50 an hour.