Visiting Delray Beach, Florida

Delray Beach, Florida, or as the locals call it, just "Delray" is known as "The Village By The Sea," prides itself on being a winner of the "Most Fun Small Town in America" award. The town's motto is "STAY. PLAY. EAT. EXPLORE." This vibrant community truly lives up to that motto, offering a wealth of activities and experiences for visitors and residents alike. 

Beaches and Parks: One of the best ways to experience Delray Beach's coastal lifestyle is to spend a day at the Delray Municipal Beach. Public beach showers and benches are available at several of the pathways leading down to the beach, making it convenient to rinse off after a day on the sand. While there appears to be an adequate amount of on-street parking, those in the know realize those spots fill up quickly. Multiple paid parking lots are available along Ocean Boulevard, South of Atlantic Avenue, there is the Sandoway Lot, the Ingraham Lot, and parking behind Anchor Park, along Gleason Street. Once you arrive on the beach, one of the best ways to enjoy the beach is through the Oceanside Beach Service. The service offers chair and umbrella rentals, as well as other beach equipment rentals and services. You can pay for just the day, become an annual member, or choose from several other options. This allows you to leave your beach chairs and umbrellas at home and relax in comfort while soaking up the sun and enjoying stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. For more information on Oceanside Beach Service, visit their website at https://www.beachservice.com/.

In addition to the beaches, there are several parks in downtown Delray Beach that are worth visiting. Veterans Park, Anchor Park, and Lake Ida Park are all great places to spend some time with friends and family. A bit further from downtown Delray Beach, The Wakodahatchee Wetlands and the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens are two very popular options, but there are plenty of other parks and green spaces to explore as well.

Restaurants: Downtown Delray Beach offers an incredible selection of top-rated restaurants, ranging from fine dining to casual fare. For seafood lovers, City Oyster, J&J Seafood Bar and Grill, Lionfish, and the Atlantic Grille all offer great options, while Vic & Angelo's, Elisabetta's, and the longstanding Tramonti are the go-to spots for delicious Italian cuisine. The Atlantic Avenue Yacht Club, Tin Roof, Throw Social (outside) and Johnnie Brown's all offer great live music options - be sure to check their websites for acts and showtimes. You will find plenty of options that will tempt you to sing-along to one of the many cover bands in Delray Beach that span from the 60's to today's hits. 

If you're looking for something a bit more laid-back, there are plenty of casual dining options as well. For a quick & easy - yet still delicious- bite in downtown Delray, try Sazio, Pizza Rustica, Playa Bowls, BurgerFi, and Sandwiches By The Sea.

And who doesn't love a good BRUNCH? The longstanding winner of brunch in Delray is Caffe Luna Rosa, however it is small and requires reservations most weekends. Some great additional brunch options include Drift, Park Tavern and Salt7.

Bars: Downtown Delray Beach has a vibrant nightlife scene, with plenty of bars and clubs to choose from. The Sandbar is a lively bar across the street from the beach. It's a great afternoon or early evening option after a day at the beach. The Wine Room Kitchen & Bar offers an extensive wine list and delicious tapas-style dishes. Honey is a great high-energy, late-night spot. For three of the best options, go to Rosewater, otherwise known as the Rooftop at The Ray Hotel, the newly remodeled OG, which does a great job capturing the overall vibe of Delray Beach, or Throw Social. 

When it comes to shopping, there are several unique boutiques and shops in downtown Delray Beach that are worth exploring. Quiet Storm Surf Shop, Morley, Koko, and Global Pursuit are all great options for fashion and accessories.

Overall, downtown Delray Beach offers an incredible coastal, upscale lifestyle that's perfect for anyone looking to experience the best that Florida has to offer. With its beautiful beaches, parks, top-rated restaurants, bars, and shops, there's something for everyone in this vibrant, dynamic community.