An intimate beach town with a big-city personality, Delray Beach is a vibrant South Florida community situated between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. With accolades like Most Fun Small Town in the USA and one of America’s Happiest Seaside Towns, it’s no surprise Delray Beach is such a popular destination. Soak up the Florida sun on the beach along the crystal-clear Atlantic Ocean by day and enjoy the lively atmosphere in downtown by night. When you visit “Florida’s Village by the Sea,” you can’t help but feel the warm and friendly atmosphere that makes this resort town such a joy to visit.

Don’t believe us? Then explore it for yourself, starting with these 15 things to do in Delray Beach.

1. Explore Atlantic Avenue

Address: Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444.

Atlantic Avenue, also known as “The Avenue,” is the pedestrian‐friendly epicenter of downtown Delray Beach, renowned for its shopping, dining, and small‐town curb appeal. Here, brick-paved sidewalks lined with palm and oak trees create a charming ambiance that makes for a perfect day or evening walk. Explore stylish fashion boutiques, art galleries, and dozens of gift shops to find one‐of‐a‐kind treasures.

2.  Play Classic Pinball and Vintage Games at Silverball Retro Arcade

Address: 19 NE 3rd Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483.

Featuring more than 150 video games and pinball machines dating as far back as the 1930s, Silverball Retro Arcade brings a bit of nostalgia to visitors, evoking childhood memories for adults while creating memories for younger generations. The 9,000-square-foot museum offers classic video games such as Ms. Pac-Man, two floors of pinball machines, arcade games and even the original skeeball alleys from New York’s Coney Island – Eldorado Arcade. The best part about it is that all the games are set to free play, which means unlimited plays are included in your admission.

3. Learn About Black History at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum

Address: 170 NW 5th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444.

Dive into the rich black history and heritage of Palm Beach County at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum.

Once the residence of Solomon D. Spady, the most prominent African American educator in the Delray Beach community, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum showcases captivating exhibits, featuring everything from intricately crafted quilts to powerful photographs from the Civil Rights Movement.

4. Explore the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Address: 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446.

Visitors of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens have the opportunity to discover South Florida’s connection with Japan while exploring a series of six lush, authentic gardens. Each garden was inspired by a different period and style of Japanese gardening, and all were designed by Hoichi Kurisu. The museum showcases traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through engaging exhibits, a variety of educational events, a world-class bonsai display, Pan-Asian cuisine at the Cornell Cafe, and a distinctive museum store filled with one-of-a-kind items for all age groups. Admission is free for children 5 and younger.

 5. Enjoy Nature at its Best at Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Address: 13026 Jog Rd., Delray Beach, FL 33446.

As the first wetlands park in the region, Wakodahatchee Wetlands provides a diverse wildlife habitat that has attracted more than 150 different species of birds as well as rabbits, turtles, otters, foxes and other creatures found in a healthy South Florida wetland ecosystem. The public also “flocks” to Wakodahatchee, one of the most popular birdwatching and photography spots in The Palm Beaches. Enjoy nature at its best while taking a leisurely stroll along miles of elevated boardwalk stretching over acres of wetlands and water – the wetlands are free and open to the public.

6. Chill Out on the Delray Municipal Beach  

Address: S Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33483.

Delray Municipal Beach is popular by people of all ages. You’ll see families on vacation, young people playing volleyball, and older folks basking in the warm sun. Visitors looking for excitement can rent equipment – from snorkeling gear to paddleboards – at the Delray Beach Watersports shack on the beach near Casurina Drive. Parking is also available nearby, as are several restaurants and eateries you can walk to when you’ve worked up your appetite, such as Boston’s on the Beach and Caffe Luna Rosa.  Lifeguards are posted along the shore, and the beach itself is free, with metered parking nearby.

 7. Get an Up-Close View of Florida’s Reptiles at the Sandoway Discovery Center

Address: 142 S Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, FL 33483.

The Sandoway Discovery Center offers a glimpse into South Florida’s fragile marine and freshwater environments through educational exhibits and programs. Visitors of all ages can get an up-close view of some of Florida’s native and invasive reptiles, meet sharks and other fish at the coral reef pool, explore Southeast Florida’s largest private shell collection, and learn about natural history and the environment at the center’s library. The nature center’s activities include daily shark and stingray feedings, weekly alligator feedings, beach and dune walks, garden walks, live animal exhibits and fossil digs.

8.  Plan a Night Out at THRōW Social

Address: 29 SE 2nd Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444.

For the perfect playful night with friends, stop at Throw Social, a venue that combines backyard-style games with music, entertainment and cocktails! From a non-traditional bar scene to a spacious venue to celebrate, THRōW Social is the go-to location for celebrations & events of all kinds. This tropical venue is located just a few steps away from the trendy Atlantic Avenue!

9. Shop Local Vendors at the Delray Beach Green Market

Address: Old School Square, 51 N Swinton Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444.

Established in 1996 by the Community Redevelopment Agency, the Delray Green Market is a popular Saturday morning destination as an open-air marketplace. The Summer Green Market operates June and July from 9 am to 1 pm and the Winter Green Market operates October thru May from 9 am to 2 pm in front of the Cornell Museum of Art at Old School Square. You’ll find more than 50 vendors featuring a wide variety of farm-to-fork products, such as citrus and juice, farm fresh eggs, milk and butter, grass-fed Florida beef, poultry, pork and lamb, baked goods, as well as several gluten free, vegan, and sugar free products, flowers, and plants.

10. Catch a Show at Arts Garage

Address: 94 NE 2nd Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444.

Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to Arts Garage, a dynamic cultural hub showcasing live music, theater performances, art exhibitions, and educational programs. Check their events calendar for upcoming events and immerse yourself in Delray Beach’s thriving arts scene.

11. Explore the Pineapple Grove Arts District

Address: NE Second Street, Delray Beach, FL 33444.

Pineapple Grove is a bustling neighborhood nestled in the heart of downtown Delray Beach. Take a leisurely stroll along the street and discover a diverse array of shops, boutiques, salons, spas, entertainments venues, restaurants and galleries showcasing local artwork, handmade crafts, and unique gifts.

Head to Rosewater Rooftop at The Ray Hotel and indulge in a cocktail in a refined environment. Then, indulge your taste buds at Akira Back’s acclaimed restaurant, where you’ll find a menu that blends modern Japanese cuisine with authentic Korean flavors.

12. Visit the Girls Strawberry Patch

Address: 14466 S Military Trl, Delray Beach, FL 33484.

With its bright red barn, green fields, and juicy strawberries, Girls Strawberry Patch is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with the entire family. Equipped with baskets and containers, kids can venture into the expansive fields and hand-pick their own strawberries. In addition to strawberry picking, Girls Strawberry Patch offers a variety of activities and services for the whole family. Children can enjoy pony rides, an inflatable castle, and even a petting zoo.

After a day of strawberry picking and outdoor fun, visitors can relax in the shaded picnic area and indulge in freshly made strawberry treats such as strawberry pie and smoothies.

13. Attend an Art Festival

Address: Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444.

One of the highlights of Delray Beach is its vibrant public art scene, which features murals, sculptures, and installations by local and international artists. The city also hosts a variety of art events, such as the Delray Affair.

One of the most popular art events in Delray Beach, the Delray Affair is an iconic annual event that captures the vibrant spirit and cultural richness of the city. This beloved street festival has evolved into one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the Southeastern United States, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Spanning several blocks along Atlantic Avenue, the Delray Affair transforms downtown Delray Beach into a bustling marketplace filled with art, music, food, and entertainment.

14. See Contemporary Art at The Cornell Art Museum

Address: 51 N Swinton Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444.

Immerse yourself in the world of contemporary art at the Cornell Art Museum, housed in a restored 1913 elementary school building. Explore the exhibitions featuring works by local, national, and international artists, and gain insight into the cultural landscape of Delray Beach.

15. Take a Sunset Cruise with Delray Yacht Cruises

Address: 801 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483.

Experience the beauty of Delray Beach from the water with a sunset cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway. Sit back, relax, and enjoy breathtaking views of the sunset as you cruise past waterfront mansions and scenic landscapes.

Palm Beach’s Premier Charter Yacht Company, Delray Yacht Cruises, offers year-round Sightseeing Cruises & Private Charters. Public Cruises depart from Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Delray Beach with Private Charters available throughout Palm Beach County.