Overview
Delray Beach, Florida, is renowned locally for its ambitious gentrification centered on Atlantic Avenue, the main drag, better known as simply "The Avenue" with some of the best nightlife in South Florida. At the end of The Avenue is a large, free public beach. A funky and arty downtown beach area with terrific restaurants and shopping. The city of 67,000 people (2020) resembles its swanky neighbor directly to the south, Boca Raton.
4 sights · 7 things to do · 17 places to eat · 6 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Delray Beach
Arthur C. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Preserve
A great way to see some of the nature of Florida while in Delray: Does require car. Take Atlantic Avenue to the end (441), head north about 7 miles, you can't miss the sign: Nice visitors center, and plenty of walking fo…
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Preserves surviving artifacts of the Yamato Colony, now a ghost town. Includes a beautiful, large Japanese garden area where you can stroll and relax. Six diverse garden areas, each showing different aspects of the tradi…
Delray Beach
Public beach. There is meter parking (approximately $1.50 per hour) along A1A and 3 public parking lots that are also metered. There are chair and umbrella rentals located at a stand on the beach, near Atlantic Ave and A…
Veteran's Park
A public park with some boat docking facilities (2-hour limit) and a recreation center and large playground area. The recreation center features kitchen facilities, a lounge, bathrooms and activities such as lawn bowling…
Atlantic Dunes Park
A public beach park with a public parking area with meter parking. There is a lifeguard on duty from 9AM to 5PM and a boardwalk leading to the beach. Two specially equipped "surf chairs" are available for the physically …
Anchor Park
A public park with about 60 metered parking spaces, a playground, grills, restrooms and picnic tables. Offers easy access to the south end of Delray Beach. The headquarters of the Ocean Rescue Division are also located h…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 58°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jun. (climate data from nearby West Palm Beach)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DJT President Donald J. Trump International Airport, West Palm Beach — 15 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FLL Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale — 27 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Delray Beach, Delray Beach Tennis Center
- Lunch Deck 84
- Afternoon The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Anchor Park
- Dinner 32 East
- Evening The Blue Anchor
Day 2
- Morning Veteran's Park, Arthur C. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Preserve
- Lunch Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza Delray
- Afternoon Knowles Park, Silverball Museum
- Dinner Cabana El Ray
- Evening Boston's on the Beach
Day 3
- Morning Atlantic Dunes Park, Delray Yacht Cruises
- Lunch City Oyster
- Afternoon Lake Ida Dog Park
- Dinner Doc's All American
- Evening The Falcon House
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Climate
The climate in Delray Beach is tropical, with some discernible seasons, although not in the temperate climate sense. Delray Beach does experience cold fronts from November through March, however most of the year is warm and humid and the mean temperature for any month is never below 64.4°F (18°C). The brief, mild "winters" (December to early March) are noticeably cooler than the more humid summers. High temperatures during "winter" typically range from 65°F to 82°F (18°C to 28°C), although during cold spells high temperatures can remain in the 50s°F (10°C to 15°C).
The six months of summer (May through October) are hot and humid although easterly winds off the Atlantic and afternoon thunderstorms from the interior tend to temper the heat on a day to day basis during this period. Daily high temperatures consistently range between 86°F to 92°F (30°C to 33°C) between early June and late September. The heat index or humidex consistently measures between 90°F to 102°F (32°C to 38°C) during this period. Low temperatures average between 72°F to 81°F (22°C to 27°C) during this period.
The transitional months, November, March and April, are typically dry and warm with temperatures ranging from 55°F to 85°F (12°C to 28°C), although there can be short periods of quite cool weather in March and late November. Hurricane season is officially from June 1 through November 30, with the peak months being August, September and October. The city has received direct or near direct hits from hurricanes in 1928, 1947, 1949, 1964, 1965, 1979, 1992, 1999, 2004, and 2005.
Get in
- Delray Beach is on historic U.S. Highway 1. I-95 passes just west of Downtown, with 2 exits (#51 - Linton Blvd, #52 - Atlantic Avenue). Atlantic Avenue also has a junction at Florida's Turnpike, about 7 miles west of Downtown.
- AMTRAK, 345 South Congress Avenue.
- There are three major airports nearby. The closest major airport is West Palm Beach, about 25 minutes north. The next closest is Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, about 35 minutes south. Most international flights come through Miami, the furthest, being over an hour's drive south.
- Tri-Rail, is a regional rail service that stops in Delray and provides transport to most other nearby cities (West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami) as well as the three airports (West Palm PBI, Ft. Lauderdale FLL, Miami MIA).
- Downtown Roundabout Free Shuttle , is a free shuttle service around town that stops at the Tri-Rail station and goes all the way east to the beach. It has many stops around the downtown area.
Get around
- Delray Scooter Rental, LLC, +1 561-723-4387, +1 561-441-5244. Scooter rentals delivered and picked up for Downtown and Beach areas.
- Downtown Roundabout Free Shuttle, +1 561-243-7322, +1 561-243-7012. A free shuttle servicing downtown and offering transport to and from the Tri-Rail station. It has several different routes, running from 6:30AM to 10PM, with hours of operation varying by route.
- Metro Taxi, +1 561-391-2230. Local taxi service.
- Green Cab, +1 561-656-4888. Local taxi service.
See
See Delray Beach
Public beach. There is meter parking (approximately $1.50 per hour) along A1A and 3 public parking lots that are also metered. There are chair and umbrella rentals located at a stand on the beach, near Atlantic Ave and A1A intersection. The beach has several volleyball nets and a recreation area, on the south end of the beach. There are outdoor showers located at the entrance to the beach, spaced approximately every 200 feet. There are 7 lifeguard stands along the beach.
See Veteran's Park
A public park with some boat docking facilities (2-hour limit) and a recreation center and large playground area. The recreation center features kitchen facilities, a lounge, bathrooms and activities such as lawn bowling, shuffleboard and chess. The recreation center building can be rented for almost any type of event.
- 100-Foot Christmas Tree During the entire month of December a large fully lighted Christmas Tree is on display in downtown Delray Beach. Children can also visit Santa at certain times at this same location.
See Atlantic Dunes Park
A public beach park with a public parking area with meter parking. There is a lifeguard on duty from 9AM to 5PM and a boardwalk leading to the beach. Two specially equipped "surf chairs" are available for the physically challenged to enjoy the beach.
See Anchor Park
A public park with about 60 metered parking spaces, a playground, grills, restrooms and picnic tables. Offers easy access to the south end of Delray Beach. The headquarters of the Ocean Rescue Division are also located here.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands
The Wakodahatchee Wetlands is a nature preserve spread over 40 acres in Delray Beach, South Florida. First time visitors will be surprised to know that it is a man-made sanctuary created by pumping recycled water from Palm Beach County's Water Reclamation facility. The preserve's ponds, marshes and foliage are home to alligators, fish, turtles, rabbits, ducks, frogs, racoons and other critters. It is a great place for bird watchers what with more than 140 varieties of birds having been spotted in the park. An elevated boardwalk winds 3/4 mile through the park providing visitors a chance to enjoy the park's flora and fauna. The vegetation includes sabal palm, saw palmetto, sawgrass, duckweed, live oak and many others.
Visitors can spot a variety of wetland birds all around the park. Blue and green Herons, Anhingas, cormorants, Egrets, and other birds create a cacophony of sounds as they flock to their resting areas in the trees on small islands and marshes dotting the preserve. One may also sight hawks or falcons circling the skies, vultures making themselves comfortable on top of an unused electric pole or pelicans posing on the railing of the boardwalk. The ponds teem with moorhen, turtles, pied-billed grebes and a variety of fish. The park has about a few alligators (maybe 3 or 4 of them) and lucky visitors can sight an alligator sleeping in the shade or moving stealthily in the water. There is a small concrete walk abutting a canal and one can spot rabbits or an alligator nest from here.
While not as big as some of the other wetlands in South Florida, Wakodahatchee has its own charm. One can cover the entire park within a brisk one-hour walk or stroll leisurely along the park for 2-3 hours. Visitors can pause for a break in 3 Gazebos along the boardwalk. A couple of these gazebos overlook the habitat islands and provide great photo opportunities. The park is open from dawn to dusk and the admission is free. The best time to visit the park is in winters when migratory birds come to nest. In summers, the best times are in the mornings or early evenings. These are the best times for alligator sightings. Afternoons in the summer can get hot and one would be well advised to get caps, umbrellas and sunscreen lotions.
Do
Do Arthur C. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Preserve (Loxahatchee)
A great way to see some of the nature of Florida while in Delray: Does require car. Take Atlantic Avenue to the end (441), head north about 7 miles, you can't miss the sign: Nice visitors center, and plenty of walking for those interested. A canoe rental place is set up at the pier, and a 5-mile canoe trail leads into the river of grass.
Do Delray Yacht Cruises
A lovely two-hour narrated cruise aboard the comfortable and spacious Lady Atlantic. Travel along the calm Intracoastal Waterway, passing waterfront luxury homes and park areas. Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks (including hot dogs and burgers) are available for purchase on board. They also have Sunset and Brunch cruises on some days. The ship is also available for private functions and parties.
Do Delray Beach Tennis Center
A world-class tennis facility featuring top player matches (Fed Cup, Davis Cup). Public tennis facility with 14 clay courts, 7 hard courts, and an 8,200-seat stadium, located in downtown. Classes and camps are offered to all ages and skill levels. There is a Pro Shop with locker rooms, equipment, racquet stringing.
Do Knowles Park
A public boat ramp offering access to the Intracoastal Waterway for boaters, jet skiers, etc. Also has a picnic area with grills and table. Parking spaces for trailers and cars.
Do Lake Ida Dog Park
A 2.5-acre section of the park for dogs. It is fenced with areas for large and small dogs, with drinking water available. The larger park has many picnic tables and walking paths. There is also a lake with a public boat ramp and parking areas.
Do The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Preserves surviving artifacts of the Yamato Colony, now a ghost town. Includes a beautiful, large Japanese garden area where you can stroll and relax. Six diverse garden areas, each showing different aspects of the traditional Japanese garden. Ranked 8th among more than 300 Japanese Gardens outside Japan, by the Journal of Japanese Gardening.
- Saltwater fishing, along Delray Beach and Intracoastal Waterway. There is good saltwater fishing in the area, including from the surf and along the Intracoastal Waterway. Different times of the year will provide Snook, Shark, Jack Crevalle, Bluefish, Ladyfish and Tarpon. During the summer, baitfish can be netted from the shoreline or caught using Sabiki lines. Fishing on the beach is typically done from the far north or south end of the beach.
Buy
Shop Mercer Wenzel
A classic two-story department store on Atlantic Avenue, featuring sensible resort wear for men and women, children’s clothing, and home decor.
Shop Epic Surf & Swim
Carrying a complete line of beach and surf accessories, including shirts, shorts, sunglasses, sandals, and more.
Shop Atlantic Jewelers and Antique Mall
A two-story location with vendors of jewelry and antiques.
Eat
Eat 32 East
Contemporary American food in a wonderful restaurant setting in the heart of downtown. Award winning chef offers a daily menu, using seasonal ingredients.
Eat Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza Delray
Features pizza cooked in a proprietary wood burning oven, cooked to "well done". Offers a variety of specialty pizzas, salads, sandwiches and coal-oven-roasted chicken wings topped with carmelized onions.
Eat Cabana El Ray
Nuevo Latino cuisine combines Cuban, Spanish and Caribbean influences to create exquisite dishes with new flavors. Tapas, salads, sandwiches, Paella, Churrasco are just some of the dishes at this prime location downtown restaurant. Also, features a nicely decorated indoor bar area.
Eat City Oyster
Features a fresh menu, with seafood flown in daily each morning. Sushi is available. A grand bar runs the length of the restaurant. Serving lunch and dinner every day.
Eat Doc's All American
Classic burger and shake stand, that also serves up great fries, cheesesteaks, soft ice cream, hot dogs and sandwiches. Delicious and affordable for the whole family.
Eat Gol! The Taste of Brazil
A steakhouse Brazilian style, where meat of various types is brought straight to your table and served to you directly. Fifteen different cuts of meat, grilled shrimp and salmon served by traditionally-dressed gaúcho waiters.
Eat Kyoto Sushi and Sake Longe
Hip setting for sushi and rolls. Great service from the friendly staff.
Eat Lemon Grass Asian Bistro
Featuring authentic Thai dishes, a small selection of Vietnamese dishes, plus sushi with an impressive sake selection. Among the 19 appetizers, favorites include the Thai-style crispy spring roll, fresh Vietnamese summer rolls, curry puffs with cucumber relish, fresh seaweed salad, classic mee kob, Over 30 main dishes including Mama's Lobster, Lemon Grass Duck, Steamed Jade Noodles, and Steamed pork and shrimp dumplings.
Eat Mellow Mushroom
Features a menu of creative pizzas, salads, sandwiches and appetizers, in a fun rock and roll setting just off Atlantic Avenue. A huge beer selection with 100 imported and domestic brands on hand. Outdoor seating available.
Eat Nino's Restaurant and Pizzeria
Excellent mid-priced Italian cuisine, with popular early-bird dinner from 3PM to 5:30PM daily.
Eat Pizza Rustica Delray
Gourmet pizza available ready by the slice in over 18 varieties, for eat in or take out. The slices are large and square. Excellent selection of salads. Delivery is available.
Eat Sazio Italian
Nice restaurant serving excellent salads, Italian fare and pizzas. Downtown location right in the action, great for people watching.
Eat Sushi Masa Thai Cuisine
Sushi Masa specializes in Thai and Japanese cuisine, including fresh sushi and creative rolls. The special rolls (some without rice, some tempura, some stuffed) are a real find. Thai menu includes specialties such as Duck curry, seafood garlic, seafood curry, and fried fish with sauce choice.
Eat Tramonti Italian Ristorante
A cool and stylish Italian with its roots stretching back to New York City's Little Italy. Serves local southern dishes from the Campagnia region in Italy.
Eat Yama Japanese Restaurant
Yama offers wide range of sushi & Japanese dishes, and some Korean & Thai options.
Eat Chico Mineiro Restaurant (Chico Mineiro Express)
Lunch, dinner, happy hour, private parties, etc.
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Eat Deck 84
Waterfront dining on the Intracoastal in Downtown Delray Beach.
Drink
Drink The Blue Anchor
South Florida's famous 19th-century British pub.
Drink Boston's on the Beach
Two restaurants in one featuring New England-style seafood, live entertainment, and sports club.
Drink The Falcon House
The Falcon House is a contemporary American restaurant and bar in downtown Delray Beach featuring small plates, big drinks and late nights. An innovative menu and casually elegant décor create an ideal setting for mingling and meeting, happy hour and dining.
Drink Bull Bar
The Bull Bar is a laid back bar with nightly live music and a good crowd.
Drink Dada
A 1924 two-story house turned restaurant/pub attracts an eclectic crowd of artists, musicians and poets who gather for open mikes, poetry slams, fashion shows, Popscene Saturdays, films and indie bands. There's also food, with a nice menu.
Drink Delux
A happening nightclub with DJ music and a well-dressed crowd. It is quite busy on weekend nights with a lively crowd and great music.
Sleep
Stay Colony Hotel & Cabana Club
A historic hotel, built in 1926, with a prime downtown location within walking distance of the beach and many restaurants and nightlife. A bar serves drinks on the relaxing porch area in the evenings, between about 4PM and 10PM, with some live music on weekends.
Nearby
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Pompano Beach
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West Palm Beach
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Palm Beach
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Coral Springs
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