A visit to Delray Beach means spectacular beach views, fresh seafood, and a chance to admire local wildlife. Downtown Delray’s famous Atlantic Avenue hosts award-winning restaurants, contemporary art galleries, historical sites, and a range of boutiques. Visitors can enjoy the splendor of the local ecosystem in one of the many wildlife refuges and conservation parks.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands
The Wakodahatchee Wetlands flourish with wildlife, and visitors can observe over 150 species of birds alone in this park. Black- bellied whistling ducks paddle in the ponds. Snow egrets grace the skies. A pied-billed grebe may swim along the marshes. Turtles might pop their heads out of the water. The wetlands park consists of 50 acres of former utility land transformed into a recreation area. Guests can admire the flora and fauna while strolling along a three-quarter mile boardwalk spanning the wetlands. Gazebos and park benches invite visitors to gaze into the wilderness to spot all sorts of other creatures like alligators, birds, rabbits, frogs, and raccoons.
13026 Jog Road, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-493-6000
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Visitors need not travel all the way to the Far East to enjoy the beauty of Japanese gardens. The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens consist of a 188.5-acre park. A traditional Japanese villa houses the museum and includes three hands-on exhibits, a collection of over 7,000 artifacts, a tea room, classrooms, and a gift shop. Visitors can head outside to admire gorgeous flora that captures the history of gardening styles in Japan. Throughout the manicured flowers, trees, and plants sit Buddha statues and other sculptures. The park received its name after George Morikami, a Japanese native who donated the park to Palm Beach County.
4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-495-0233
Atlantic Avenue
Downtown Delray provides the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Atlantic Avenue, affectionately referred to as “The Ave” by locals, represents the hub for shopping and cultural life. USA Today listed it as one of the top ten urban shopping areas. The Ave strikes a balance between high-end boutiques and affordable, down-to-earth shops. Galleries showcase local art. At the same time, the nearby beach gives the area a more laid-back, friendly vibe. Atlantic Avenue houses all kinds of award-winning eateries and restaurants. In between exploring the stores, visitors can take their pick of places to eat. Artisanal sandwich joints serve up cheap, delicious bites.
4723 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-637-8248
Delray Municipal Beach
No visit to Florida would be complete without a bit of salt and sand at one of the state’s many beaches. Downtown Delray Municipal Beach stands out as a festive and fun gathering on the shore. Downtown Delray has earned plenty of awards for its convivial atmosphere, and the Travel Channel listed Delray as one of Florida’s top 10 beaches. Delray also earned the distinction of placing third as the Top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns in America. Visitors can go for a day of sunbathing and shopping. Things come to life at night with a plethora of bustling bars, music venues, restaurants, and outdoor festivals.
340 South Ocean Boulevard, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-243-7250
Putt’n Around
Friends and family can spend the afternoon and evenings playing a little “putt-putt” during a visit to Delray, Florida at Putt’n Around . This family-operated business offers a special atmosphere for mini-golf. The well-maintained grounds blossom with botanical gardens, tropical flowers, lemongrass, and other native plants. Putt’n Around contains two courses themed after plant categories: the Ocean Course and the Everglades. Those with disabilities can also enjoy the facilities as Putt’n Around is ADA accessible. Prices are affordable, with discounts for kids and seniors.
350 North East 5th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-450-6162
Atlantic Dunes Park
Situated just one block north of Linton Boulevard on THE AIA, the Atlantic Dunes Park offers a peaceful beach destination away from the hustle and bustle. The park provides a place for families and friends to spend the day swimming and picnicking. Guests can spend the day enjoying the salt and sand in a park nestled in a wooded beach area. A 300-foot trail gives a chance to stroll through nature along the dunes. The parking lot accommodates over 120 cars with parking meters.
1605 South Ocean Boulevard, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-243-7000
Gulfstream Park
Visitors can access Gulfstream Park along the A1A just near . Kids can frolic and have fun on the playground equipment (recommended for ages 5-12). Then guests can head over to the picnic area for a chance to enjoy an afternoon lunch outdoors. The guarded beach provides a place to go for a swim, build sandcastles, and enjoy a good read. Bird watching opportunities abound, and native species appear in the skies. During peak months between November to February, Gulfstream can get crowded and run out parking. This park does not allow pets.
4489 North Ocean Beach, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-966-6600
Sandoway House Nature Center
The Sandoway House Nature Center strives to preserve the local ecosystem and marine life. Founded in 1998, the center consists of teachers, naturalists, and community leaders with a passion for protecting the region’s fragile marine and freshwater environments. Inside the center, students and other visitors can learn about Florida’s environment through classes, exhibits, and programs. Hands-on education programs raise awareness ensuring the conversation of the local ecosystem. Exhibits bring visitors up close to native species like sharks, reptiles, fish, and coral. A shell collection, observation deck, and plant and butterfly garden display the region’s lush coastal environment.
142 South Ocean Boulevard, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-274-7263
Old School Square Cornell Art Museum
The Cornell Art Museum sits inside a restored elementary school first built in 1913. This unique Delray discovery delights visitors with its comprehensive collection of local and internationally recognized artists. Exhibits contain avant-garde contemporary art that will awe and surprise museum guests. The museum opened in 1990 in honor of Delray Beach residents, Harriet W. and George D. Cornell. Situated in downtown Delray, the campus contains an elementary school, square campus, and several smaller buildings which serve the local arts community. In addition to housing two art galleries, the Cornell Art Museum also has a museum store selling handmade art, decor, and jewelry.
Old School Square Cornell Art Museum, 51 North Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-243-7922
Deck 84
Deck 84 is a vibrant dining destination in Delray Beach, voted as one of America's top 100 al fresco dining spots for several years running by OpenTable. The restaurant, which is overseen by executive chef Michael Romano, offers stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway from its indoor and outdoor dining spaces, which are bordered by 150 feet of easy access dock space for boat arrivals. Seasonal locally-inspired dishes include the restaurant's Caribbean-style mahi mahi, Baja California fish tacos, and prime 10-ounce special blend Deck Burger, served up with fried eggs and truffle aioli on a challah bun. Two stylish bar spaces serve up signature frozen drinks, tiki-inspired cocktails, and craft beers throughout the day.
840 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483, Phone: 561-665-8484
The Heart of Delray Gallery
Art enthusiasts can admire local works at The Heart of Delray Gallery. This “oasis of color” stimulates the senses with its 10,000 square foot space displaying abstract paintings, digital art, fine photography, and sculptures by over 80 different artists throughout its corridors and courtyard. The Heart of Delray Gallery also hosts monthly events for the community to gather and support local artists or admire the latest collections. Visitors in town shouldn’t miss out on the first Friday parties during the Delray Art Walk. Art buyers of all budgets can shop around as gallery prices range from affordable to expensive.
301 NE 2nd Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33444, Phone: 561-278-0074
Burt and Max's
Burt and Max's is part of the lively Rapoport's Restaurant Group, which also oversees Delray Beach dining favorite Deck 84. The restaurant, which was opened in 2013, showcases modern New American menu options in a cozy, contemporary dining space at brunch, lunch, and dinner service throughout the week. Entrees crafted by executive chef Patrick Broadhead include brick-oven pizzas available in variants like housemade chicken sausage, summer pesto and zucchini, roasted mushroom and gruyere, or margherita with house-pulled mozzarella. Diners can also enjoy internationally-inspired fare like Korean steak bowls, Southern-fried chicken and waffles, coffee-rubbed ribeye steaks, or south-of-the-border fish tacos. Fruit-forward specialty cocktails are paired with skinny margaritas, fine whiskeys and bourbons, and Ketel One botanical liquors.
9089 W Atlantic Ave #100, Delray Beach, FL 33446, Phone: 561-638-6380
Delray Beach GreenMarket
On Saturday mornings, locals and tourists alike can gather at the Delray Beach GreenMarket for a chance to shop around for local produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, home baked treats, floral arrangements, and gourmet eats. Locals sell handmade soaps, creative crafts, and specialty items. Community members or visitors from out of town can come to support the locals and find unique buys. The market frequently hosts live music events to liven the atmosphere. The Winter GreenMarket is located at the Old School Square just a half a block north of the famous Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray.
51 North Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-276-7511
Gary Rack's Farmhouse Kitchen
Gary Rack's Farmhouse Kitchen was opened in 2016, bringing farm-fresh cuisine to Delray Beach in a rustic, comfortable dining space. The restaurant, which is helmed by namesake restaurateur Gary Rack, serves up delicious fare crafted with locally-sourced ingredients, with a focus on hearty entrees like parmesan-crusted salmon, nut and seed-crusted chicken, and grilled New York strip steaks prepared with pumpkin seed chimichurri. Health-conscious options make use of Florida's rich natural bounty, ranging from shareables like buffalo cauliflower and lentil lettuce wraps to cauliflower-crusted pizzas prepared with toppings like apple, almonds, squash, and fig jam. Sandwiches are served on artisanal whole-grain bread, while tacos feature fillings like grilled shrimp, pineapple salsa, and aji amarillo.
204 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444, Phone: 561-266-3642
Cason Cottage Museum
Just north of the Old School Square in Delray, Florida, the Cason Cottage Museum provides an homage to the local history and culture. Visitors can learn about South Florida lifestyle in this humble, yet informative museum. The historic furnished cottage served as a home between 1915 to 1935. Guests who walk in take a step back in time. Guided tours teach about local history. The museum charges a small fee for adults with free admission for children 16 and under. The nearby 1926 Florida Bungalow and Ethel Sterling Williams Archive also tell the story of South Florida’s past.
5 North East 1st Street, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-274-9578
The Big Apple Shopping Bazaar
Visitors in Florida can get a taste of the Big Apple in this shopping center and flea market. The Big Apple Shopping Bazaar recreates the look and feel of New York City, complete with street lamps and iconic NYC buildings. The center even has replicas of the Statue of Liberty and Central Park. Of course, this shopping center has no shortage of boutiques and contains over 65 specialty stores. Visitors can escape from the Florida heat as the bazaar is enclosed with air conditioning. The “Big Apple Jewelry Exchange” specializes in selling fine diamonds, sterling silver, bracelets, earrings, high-end costume jewelry, and more.
5283 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-499-9578
Leon M. Weekes Environmental Preserve
Visitors in Delray looking for a quiet getaway should head over to the Leon M. Weekes Environmental Preserve. This nature reserve protects Florida’s native ecosystems and endangered subtropical forest ecoregions. The park sits in southwestern Delray Beach and contains nature trails, a pavllion, playground, and parking lot. The preserve consists of many rare plant species of the Florida Scrub Pinelands that only exist in the region. Guests may also spot a Florida scrub jay, a species of bird endemic to the region. The local fire department maintains the area through controlled fires.
2800 Albatross Road, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-243-7250
Spady Cultural Heritage Museum
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum honors the history of the African-American community in Delray Beach and Palm Beach County, Florida. The late Solomon David Spady’s former residence houses the museum. Spady rose to prominence as a local educator and community leader from 1922 to 1957. As a student of George Washington Carver (Booker T. Washington), Spady emphasized the importance of educating children. The non-profit organization keeps that dream alive by sponsoring community events, historical tours, and youth empowerment programs. The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum sits at 170 NW Fifth Avenue in the historical West Settlers District of Delray.
170 North West 5th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-279-8883
Delray Beach Playhouse
The Delray Beach Playhouse first entertained the public in 1947. Today, the playhouse continues to excite the community with Broadway musicals, comedic performances, nostalgic concerts, children’s theater, and cabaret. Youth classes and camps give kids a chance to develop their acting skills. Thousands of community members help support the theater, but those in Delray for a visit can also get tickets for a show. Patrons can purchase tickets for the latest performances on the Delray Beach Playhouse website. From the Book of Mormon to modern takes on Romeo and Juliet, the playhouse has no shortage of variety running all year round.
950 Lake Shore Drive, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-272-1281
Blue Gallery
Tel Aviv native, Rami Rotkopf, grew up in the art business. He later moved to Delray, Florida, where he then founded the Blue Gallery. Thanks to his lifelong experience working in the art industry, the Blue Gallery presents a beautiful collection of talented contemporary artists like Avi Ben Simhon, Harry Guttman, Calman Shemi, Iris Eshet Cohen, and many more. The gallery hosts rotating exhibitions giving locals and visitors an introduction to emerging artists. In addition to having two galleries on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, the Blue Gallery also has a location on East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
600 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL, Phone: 561-265-0020
Caffe Luna Rosa
Visitors in Delray Beach looking for a taste of Italy should book a table at Caffe Luna Rosa. The waterfront location gives diners a chance to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air during a delectable meal. Chefs cook up freshly made pasta made in-house daily. Caffe Luna Rosa also has a lounge and bar area with a casual setting. The restaurant boasts one of the largest selections of Italian wines in Florida and won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for many consecutive years. The Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce gave Caffe Luna Rosa the Restaurant of the Year Award in 2014 and 2015.
05 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444, Phone: 561-274-9404
