Delray Beach

Tropical gardens, art galleries, a downtown for foodies and a beach at the end of the street — in Delray Beach, the fun away from the shore eclipses the beauty of the beach itself. Established around a House of Refuge built for shipwrecked sailors, the community attracted Japanese settlers in the early 1900s to grow pineapples in the tropical climate. The downtown district dates back to the 1920s. It’s a vibrant place where ethnic eateries and fine bistros fill the storefronts, and where some of the proprietors on Atlantic Avenue have been doing business for more than 75 years. It’s a wonderfully walkable downtown anchored by the 1926 Colony ...

Tropical gardens, art galleries, a downtown for foodies and a beach at the end of the street — in Delray Beach, the fun away from the shore eclipses the beauty of the beach itself. Established around a House of Refuge built for shipwrecked sailors, the community attracted Japanese settlers in the early 1900s to grow pineapples in the tropical climate. The downtown district dates back to the 1920s. It’s a vibrant place where ethnic eateries and fine bistros fill the storefronts, and where some of the proprietors on Atlantic Avenue have been doing business for more than 75 years. It’s a wonderfully walkable downtown anchored by the 1926 Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, the historic Old Schoolhouse Square, and the Blue Anchor Pub, transported from London, said to be a hangout for Jack the Ripper. Beyond downtown, the community boasts a large concentration of antique shops and some of the prettiest urban natural areas in Florida, including two large wetlands parks and two premiere gardens. Delray Beach is also home to the International Tennis Championships.

About the Expert

Sandra Friend has written 12 books about Florida, including the Explorer's Guide (Countryman Press) series to Florida.