Delray Beach, Florida
Have you heard about Delray Beach?
I hadn’t known too much about this eastern Florida beach before 2020. To be honest, I often got it confused with Daytona Beach which I believe is where MTV’s TRL would film it’s Spring Break episodes and thus figured it was trashy…. I went to Panama City Beach once myself, I know what goes down in some parts of Florida.
To be clear, Delray is nothing like Daytona.
I started hearing about people traveling there more frequently last year, and some buying properties in the area. I was intrigued and curious to know what was drawing people from our area down there. Many travelers going to Florida are focused on the bigger cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach etc. So what was special about Delray?
For starters, it’s beautiful. Sunshine dances on the turquoise waters and the soft sandy beaches. Boats travel up and down the Gulf Stream. Palm trees and brightly colored bushes line the streets. It feels like a tropical destination, but much more convenient to travel to. And the 2 mile stretch of beach is considered one of the nicest in this part of the country.
The beach may be the main attraction, but there are also parks, golf courses, and a buzzing commercial area with an arts district. And there are a large number of restaurants, cafe’s, boutiques, and stores to explore along E Atlantic Avenue.
My friends and I spent Memorial Day Weekend in Delray, and it’s safe to say after one day there that I could see exactly why it’s so special. Our friend Kevin’s family has a beautiful beach house there and extended an invitation to Ryan and I, and their best friends from college.
Amongst all the chaos of the last 2 months I did not book a single activity or make a reservation - I didn’t even know the times of our flights. Very unlike me, but it was my first week starting a new job, and I figured we could always make plans when we got there.
But luckily for me the guys did such a great job planning out the details of our long weekend! I’ve spent many holiday weekends with the guys and knew we’d all have a blast, but the plans typically revolve around the bars we’ll go to. This trip was different, and for me it was extra great company since everyone’s girlfriends were there! Ryan’s been desperate to recreate Couples Vacation for the last decade… his excitement was real.
So I owe all my joy and this top notch itinerary to them, as well as everyone who sent recommendations my way! Keep reading to learn all the details of my trip to Delray!
Getting There
The closest airports are either Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale. It’s an easy 2.5 hour flight from the tri-state area, and a thirty minute drive from either airport. So in all the trip is pretty painless!
Where to Stay
We were so fortunate and grateful to stay at a friends house on this trip, especially because it was such a gorgeous home just off the beach. It was a treat to just hang by the pool or around the house, and so we spent a good amount of time there.
It also made me realize that a good location in Delray can definitely make for an even better experience! Waking up to run along the beach, or walk to get coffee on Atlantic Ave, or mosey home from a beach bar was a huge bonus. I love when you can avoid those extra long Ubers!
Hotels & Homes
If you are looking to visit Delray, there are some good hotels in the area.
I always recommend checking Airbnb and VRBO for home rentals, there are some great spaces and deals. Here are some examples of what is in the area!
Things To Do in Delray Beach
Our friends planned a mix of day activities, down time by the beach or pool, some really great dinners, and a few nights out at bars. Overall it was a good balance of vacation fun and relaxation.
Night out at Tin Roof
We planned one night out at a large bar on Atlantic Avenue called Tin Roof. This is a popular spot, so in order to cut the long line on a busy holiday weekend we reserved a private table and paid for a bottle upfront. It was a great move because the line wrapped around the block!
The establishment has both an indoor and outdoor area, with a stage for live performances and a separate area for a DJ. We had a great time here, and I would definitely recommend reserving a table here if you want a fun night out! We lingered here for hours in our own separated space, but if you want to walk around to the various bars you can.
Delray Beach Day
First we curated an epic beach day playlist. Then we packed up our beach chairs, coolers, towels and snacks and walked to the beach… after just a few minutes we were sitting in our chairs staring out at the ocean. We spent the afternoon sipping on drinks and cooling off in the water.
Boat Day at Lake Boca Raton
On Sunday we chartered a boat and captain for the day! This was the activity I was most looking forward to during the weekend, and it did not disappoint. We had an incredible time with our friends on a boat party in Lake Boca.
This body of water is like a massive lagoon with a limited current so it makes for a great place for boaters to anchor and swim. People seem to gather here every weekend, but it’s known for an annual ‘Boca Boat Bash’ where thousands of people gather.
We were excited to check it out ourselves! In the spirit of safety it was well worth getting a captain or designated driver with a boating license, and split between several friends it can cost under $100/person for the day.
We met the driver at the dock around 10am. We first enjoyed a scenic boat ride down the Gulf Stream and passed by some insanely beautiful properties along the water. There are some amazing homes that can be seen from the water, so we spent the ride sipping on drinks and pointing out our favorites.
After about 20 minutes we pulled into a larger body of water where many boats were anchored, and realized we made it to Lake Boca. We planned to meet up with friends there so once we found each other we tied our boats up together.
We jumped off the boat into the water to swim, and we floated through a beautiful sunny day. The water was around 5 feet deep so it was possible to stand or bounce around.
There were many people docked on the lake enjoying the day, from families to bachelorette parties and beyond. We even ended up making friends with people on other boats, and I was invited to play with some of their dogs which was extra special to me.
It was such a memorable day, and I would absolutely love going back one day.
Dining in Delray
There are many great restaurants and places to grab food in town. Here are some from my recent trip!
Rocco’s Taco’s
Rocco’s Taco’s is a casual Mexican eatery on the main street in Delray, with a large menu offering. The food and margaritas were pretty good, and the meal comes out quickly!
It’s probably a good place for group celebrations, or to bring kids, since they bring around a Mariachi band and serve table side guacamole station.
Elisabetta’s
On the first night we dined at a really lively and delicious Italian restaurant called Elisabetta’s! The food was authentic, the drinks were so good, and the menu is huge.
I would definitely recommend making a reservation here!
Mussel Beach
For the seafood lovers, I’d check out Mussel Beach. Even though I got the steak, and loved it, I did try some oysters and even a mussel.
My friends all really enjoyed their dishes! And the service was phenomenal, our waitress kept the martini’s flowing.
Park Tavern
You’re bound to notice Park Tavern if you’re walking down E Atlantic Ave. It’s a very busy spot set back off the street with a small park area. It’s great for casual American food and grabbing drinks at the bar! We spent an hour here after dinner one night and it was super busy and lively in a good way.
Not pictured in this series but another honorable mention must be Taverna Opa. This is a well known Greek restaurant on the main street, and it’s another good spot for group dinners. It can be a really fun vibe with people dancing on the bar and tables as the night goes on. It’ll take you right back to Mykonos!
Happy Hour at Sandbar
After a beach or boat day, head to Sandbar! It’s a massive outdoor tiki bar right across the street from the ocean.
We ordered some snacks, frozen drinks, and spent a few hours with our toes in the sand.
Commercial + Pineapple Arts District
I’d definitely recommend taking a walk into town to shop and explore, even if just for some morning coffee and breakfast.
We grabbed some smoothies from PurGreens which is in the Pineapple Arts District, and strolled around the area. The food was so great we ordered lunch from here several times!
There are so many cute stores to check out, but especially Coco & Co and Periwinkle.
Coco & Co is a great place to get anything you might need on your trip - clothing, jewerly, shoes, gifts or home decor! Loved the friendly staff here too.
Planning Your Visit
We escaped a rainy Memorial Day Weekend in New York and got super lucky with the beautiful Florida weather. Though it can be hot and humid during the summer, the sun is also always shining.
I’d recommend planning a visit once the temperatures drop in the Northeast though, as Delray would be such a beautiful escape during the Fall or Winter when you’re missing warm temperatures and blue skies.
That covers my weekend in Delray Beach! I hope you enjoyed reading about this great Florida beach town, and maybe like me you now understand the appeal.
Xx Gabi
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