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Delray Beach is a seaside city in southern Palm Beach County, set between the Intracoastal Waterway and two miles of public Atlantic beach. Settlers from Michigan arrived in the 1890s and farmed pineapples and vegetables here, and in the early 1900s a group of Japanese farmers founded the Yamato Colony just to the west, a story still remembered at the Morikami Museum. The town took its name from a Detroit neighborhood in 1901 and grew slowly as a quiet winter retreat for artists and writers through the 1920s and 1930s.
Today Delray Beach has about 65,000 residents and one of the most walkable downtowns in South Florida. Atlantic Avenue runs straight from Interstate 95 to the ocean, lined with palm trees, sidewalk cafes, restaurants, galleries, boutiques and lively nightlife. Old School Square, built around the restored 1913 and 1925 school buildings, is the town's cultural heart, with the Crest Theatre, the Cornell Art Museum and a lawn for concerts and festivals. The Pineapple Grove arts district, the Delray Beach Tennis Center and a busy calendar of events keep the city active all year.
The beach is the main draw, a wide, natural stretch of sand with lifeguards, sea grape dunes and beach volleyball, and it is consistently ranked among the best in Florida. West of town, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens offer 16 acres of peaceful Japanese-style gardens, while Wakodahatchee Wetlands is one of the easiest places in the region to see herons, roseate spoonbills and alligators from a boardwalk.
A wide public beach along A1A at the east end of Atlantic Avenue, with soft sand, lifeguards, chair and umbrella rentals and a reef close to shore for snorkeling on calm days. It is walkable from downtown shops and restaurants. Metered street parking fills early on weekends, so arrive before 10 am.
A quieter city beach park south of the main beach, with a boardwalk through restored coastal dune vegetation, a shaded picnic area, restrooms and a lifeguarded beach. It is less crowded than the municipal beach. Parking is paid at the small lot, which can fill on weekend mornings.
The lively main street of Delray Beach, running about a mile from the Intracoastal to the ocean, lined with restaurants, sidewalk cafes, boutiques, galleries and bars. It is busiest in the evening when the street fills with diners. Use the free downtown trolley or garages instead of hunting for street parking.
A small residential historic district along the Intracoastal Waterway south of Atlantic Avenue, with 1920s to 1940s Mediterranean Revival, Mission and frame vernacular homes facing the marina. It is a pleasant quiet walk with water views. Respect residents' privacy and view the homes from the street.
A cultural campus built around the restored 1913 Delray Elementary School and 1925 high school gym, with the Cornell Art Museum, the Crest Theatre and a large lawn used for concerts and festivals. It anchors downtown events through the year. Check the calendar for outdoor concerts and the holiday tree lighting.
A museum in the 1926 home of educator Solomon D. Spady that tells the story of Black families in Delray Beach and Palm Beach County through photos, documents and rotating exhibits. It also runs cultural programs and walking tours. Opening hours are limited, so check before you go.
A museum and 16 acres of Japanese gardens on the site of the early 1900s Yamato farming colony, with stone gardens, bonsai, koi ponds and a lakeside trail. The museum covers Japanese art and culture and has a cafe serving Japanese dishes. Allow two hours and visit on a weekday morning for quiet paths.
A free constructed wetland with a three-quarter-mile boardwalk over ponds and marsh, known for close views of herons, egrets, wood storks, alligators and nesting birds. It is a favorite of bird photographers. Go early in the morning in winter and spring, when nesting is in full swing and the light is best.
A small coastal nature center in a 1936 beachside house, with shark and stingray feeding, a coral reef aquarium, a seashell collection and a butterfly garden across from the ocean. It is a good short stop with children. Time your visit for the scheduled shark feedings and check opening days in advance.
A walkable district just north of Atlantic Avenue along NE 2nd Avenue, with independent shops, galleries, murals and casual restaurants in low-rise buildings. It hosts art walks and seasonal events. Combine it with a stroll on Atlantic Avenue and look for the public art pieces scattered along the street.
A seasonal Saturday morning farmers market held in downtown Delray Beach from about October to May, with local produce, baked goods, prepared foods, plants and crafts from regional vendors. It often includes live music. Arrive early for the best selection and bring a reusable bag.
A public tennis complex downtown with clay and hard courts and a stadium that hosts the Delray Beach Open, a professional ATP Tour event held each February. Visitors can book courts or lessons the rest of the year. Buy tournament tickets early and check for reduced prices on the early rounds.
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