10 Things to Love About Delray Beach in the Summer
Whether you’re stretching out on the sand or taking in a concert at a classic Florida roadhouse, here’s our guide to 10 of the worthiest Delray Beach attractions and things to do this summer.
10.) Beach, Please
You didn’t come to Delray Beach to ignore the sand and surf during the sunniest days of the year, did you? Exit Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa, the only true beachfront resort in Delray Beach, and you’ll be on a private stretch of white sand bordered by turquoise water straight out of a “Wish You Were Here” postcard.
9.) Art, Eats & AC
Retreat from the high heat of the afternoon by heading to the Pineapple Grove Arts District. The eclectic neighborhood just off Atlantic Avenue is shaded with palms and lined with AC-adorned art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Check out Artists Alley, a one-block warehouse that houses 30 artists, and grab a $5 Happy Hour blood orange margarita at the open and airy Mexican soul food joint El Camino.
8.) Sake, Sushi, Stroll
On select Friday evenings only in the summer, Morikama Museum and Japanese gardens offers a special Sushi & Stroll. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for half the usual admission price, you can stroll the mile-long path that weaves through six different Japanese gardens with a craft sake selection in hand. Bookend the visit with sushi bites from the museum’s Cornell Café.
7.) Buzzing Nightlife without the Bass
Summertime means the clubs and bars really come alive in Delray. However, Honey has that nightclub feel without the booming bass that leaves your eardrums ringing and grooving bodies hovering too close for comfort. Sit at the appropriately honey-colored bar or in the cushy lounge seating area, have a small plate, and soak in the nightly deejay.
6.) Biking the Coast
Route A1A is one of the most scenic rides in America, and it is best experienced from the back of a road bike rented from Richwagen’s Bike & Sport. We recommend the trip north from Delray to Palm Beach to catch cityscapes and quiet stretches alike, but mind the traffic.
5.) PYO…Tomatoes
You won’t be able to pick strawberries at The Girls Strawberry U-Pick this time of year. Fortunately, cherry tomatoes are in season and bursting with flavor to pick in their place, plus the quieter grounds mean the aviary of tropical birds and the on-site country store are all yours to explore.
4.) Tastes of Downtown
Savor the Avenue fills Atlantic Avenue with the sights and smells of Delray each March as the most notable culinary event, but thankfully there’s a second, equally delicious celebration of Delray food in August. At Tastemakers of Delray, you’ll pay a $30 flat fee to wander freely and be wined, dined, and quite likely stuffed by 18 of town’s best restaurants.
3.) Getting on the Water
If your idea of a good time on a boat is less paddling and more lounging, Delray Yacht Cruises is your ideal fit, with attentive staff that will put a cocktail and snacks in your hands and steer you past leaping dolphins and some of Delray’s poshest mansions with informative narration along the way.
2.) Icy Hot
For the coldest drinks around, locals head to Sandbar, a classic outdoor beach bar right on Ocean Avenue that specializes in creative frozen concoctions. Sip a Killer Colada, Exotic Berry Daiquiri, or Mango Tango Slush under the canopy covered lounge area, complete with a corn hole setup.
1.) Fourth & Fireworks
When you don’t have to worry about driving out of the city on the Fourth, the huge Fourth of July celebration suddenly becomes pretty relaxing. Compete in a sand-sculpture contest, catch local live bands on the sands, and watch a booming fireworks display in the evening while munching on food from dozens of street vendors who line Atlantic Avenue.
Where to Stay Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa | Delray Sands Resort
