Things to Do in Delray Beach FL

Located just south of West Palm Beach, the resort town of Delray Beach, Florida is one of the hidden gems of the Palm beaches and of the Sunshine State. Voted the most fun small town in  USA Today’s Second Annual Best of the Road Competition, this quaint and scenic city is full of unique, exciting, and fun things to do, from fine dining to unforgettable outdoor activities. To help you get oriented to it all, we’ve made you this list of the best things to do in Delray Beach, FL. Hope you enjoy!

What To Do In Downtown Delray Beach

Stroll Atlantic Avenue

Located at the center of downtown Delray Beach, Atlantic Avenue is the city’s hopping “main street,” packed to the brim with restaurants, fine art galleries, and many other cultural institutions. Whether you choose to enjoy fresh seafood while overlooking the intracoastal waterway at Deck 82, stop in a gift shop for a spiffy souvenir, or just soak up the sun and relax, you’re unlikely to be disappointed by a stroll down Atlantic Ave.

Atlantic Avenue also often hosts festive community events like the Delray Affair, an annual showcase of artists and crafters that takes place each April, as well as an annual holiday parade and tree lighting, so be sure to keep an eye out for any seasonal events that you may be interested in! In walking distance of Atlantic Avenue on Swinton Ave, you’ll also find one of the highlights of Delray Beach, Florida in its Delray Beach Green Market.

Explore The Arts At Old School Square

Located on Atlantic Avenue, Old School Square is a community leader when it comes to the art scene in Delray Beach, FL. Its campus, which is the site of a restored elementary school, hence “old school square” nickname, includes the Crest Theatre, which hosts events and theatrical productions put on by schools and local organizations as well as talented visiting artists.

There’s also the Cornell Art Museum, one of the best art galleries in the area, and the Creative Arts School, which offers classes in various artistic disciplines to adults and children alike. You can also arrive early to Old School Square to catch live music concerts under their covered Pavilion, and currently on exhibition at the Cornell Art Museum is the eclectic Heart of The Square.

Enjoy The Sandy Beach

Visitors and tourists alike are enamored of the beautiful beaches that gave Delray Beach, FL its name. Just off of Atlantic Avenue on South Ocean Blvd, you’ll find Delray Municipal Beach, which may be your best bet because of its proximity to the main drag and handy dandy public bathroom. About one block north or so of Delray Municipal Beach is Atlantic Dunes Park, another scenic spot for you to soak up the Atlantic Ocean.

Atlantic Dunes Park is also the location of a weekly Sunset Beach Yoga meetup, which you can find information about here. In the other direction, you can check out Gulfstream Park, a beach-adjacent Delray Beach playground perfect for perusing with the kids or barbecuing a festive meal. And, if you’d like to spend time in the water but have had enough of the sand and salt, perhaps you’d fancy a dip in the swimming pool at the Colony Hotel, or the hot tub at the Opal Grand Resort or Seagate Hotel.

Explore The Pineapple Grove Arts District

On NE 2nd Avenue, just off of Atlantic Avenue, you’re likely to find a plethora of work by talented local artists on display in its array of fine art galleries. Along with these eclectic art galleries (Arts Garage, Arts Warehouse, and The Heart Of Delray Gallery, just to name a few) the Pineapple Grove Arts District is notable for its exciting public artwork and active artist studios. Arts Garage also hosts classes, concerts, open mic nights, and other performances that you may want to keep on your radar if you’re looking for an exciting Delray Beach night.

Other Activities In Delray Beach And Palm Beach County

Wakodahatchee Wetlands Park

The Wakodahatchee Wetlands opened in 1996 and cover 50 acres of Delray Beach, FL property that previously held a wastewater utility plant. Now, these Wakodahatchee Wetlands are a free public preserve featuring a three quarter mile boardwalk crossing open water ponds and islands and offering views of over 178 bird species that call it home as well as other animals like turtles, alligators, fish, and rabbits.  Thus, the Wakodahatchee Wetlands are a can’t miss sight for any nature enthusiasts or for anyone else in search of a relaxing and enlightening walk in Delray Beach.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is one of the best parts of Delray Beach. These luscious botanical gardens consist of six distinct gardens, each modeled after a similar garden that can be found in Japan itself. Then, modeled after a traditional Japanese villa, the “museum” portion of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens features artifacts and works of art inspired by Japanese culture. Finally, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens’ restaurant boasts sushi, spring rolls, and other pan-Asian favorites that guests can enjoy in its beautiful and natural setting.

Sandoway Discovery Center

Sandoway Discovery Center is a coastal marine life center and nature center in Delray Beach, Florida featuring a variety of fun and educational activities for visitors. The coral reef pool at Sandoway Discovery Center is home to sharks and other fish, and the premises also includes an observation deck and butterfly garden to round out your unforgettable experience.

Saltwater Brewery

Located on west Atlantic Avenue, the Saltwater Brewery is the only microbrewery in Delray Beach, FL. The name of Saltwater Brewery is inspired by its founders’ love of the beach and ocean, which is also reflected in its uniquely sustainable Eco Six Pack Rings. The food trucks frequently hosted at Saltwater Brewery and outdoor picnic tables are also perfect for enjoying a scenic meal, and a safer one given the ongoing pandemic.

More Fun, Food And Drink In Delray Beach, Florida

Kids and adults alike will have plenty to enjoy at the Silver Ball Museum, a retro arcade featuring over 80 pinball machines as well as other beloved retro games and even a skeeball machine. The Silver Ball Museum and its in house restaurant, the Jersey Shore Fry Company, also features discounts on appetizers and drinks during a daily happy hour, so feel free to come hungry!

Speaking of eateries, then there’s The Girls Strawberry U Pick, an attraction in Delray Beach that lets visitors pick their own sweet treats in its strawberry fields. The Girls Strawberry U Pick is also home to a pizzeria, a bakery, and an ice cream parlor, if you’re hungrier for something a little more substantial to round out your South Florida experience.

An ocean course at the Delray Beach Golf Club could be another way to enjoy the Palm Beach County weather. The Delray Beach Golf Club has been in business since 1926 and is open to the public, making it one of the oldest golf courses in South Florida, and also offers lesson and instruction to anyone looking to amp up their game. Finally, the Delray Beach Golf Club is also home to a restaurant that offers a full menu as well as catering options, so you won’t have to go hungry there either!

More To Do In Palm Beach County

As fun as Delray Beach, FL can be, there’s a lot more to explore throughout the palm beaches! If you’re ever in Delray Beach and on the hunt for more adventure, a visit to a nearby city like Boynton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, or West Palm Beach may be in order!

Addiction Recovery In Downtown Delray Beach

All else that can be said about Delray Beach, Florida and all the fun times it offers, it’s also worth noting that South Florida in general and Delray Beach, FL in particular is known across the nation for its status as the “recovery capital” of the United States as well as for all its other perks.

The cultural richness, healing beach vibes, and bustling tourist economy of Delray Beach have made it a particularly appealing destination for men and women seeking to recover from addiction, so the city now boasts an active recovery community that provides a welcoming environment to any newcomers to its recovery scene.

Reco Intensive is a highly respected and formally accredited addiction treatment center located in the heart of Delray Beach, Florida, conveniently close to the beach itself as well as to public transportation options that make it a practical pick for anyone entering addiction recovery. Our comprehensive treatment program offers activities designed to foster holistic wellness as well as scientifically backed therapies provided by trained professionals. To learn more about how you or a loved one can get back on the path to a brighter future in Delray Beach, Florida, feel free to call us anytime at 844.955.3042.