Delray Beach

Delray Beach is a fun area, a breath of fresh air after stiff Boca Raton. The main strip, Atlantic Avenue, which is funky and cool, leads down to the beach.

The beach itself has pale grey, soft sand and handsome blue comfy chairs you can rent. There are plenty of free parking lots, which makes this area more desirable as a beach destination than Boca Raton, where a day at Spanish River Beach Park costs $20 in parking! A jogging path goes along the coast, beside the sea oats, with lovely views of the water. At short intervals there are showers along the path.
It's great to go for a swim! On certain days in winter when the wind is from the east, watch out for Portuguese man-of-war (if there are any, purple lifeguard flags will warn you).
Across the street from the beach on Atlantic Ave is a gourmet burger cafe called BurgerFi with picnic tables outside. 
While here, visit Sandoway Discovery Center, across the street from the beach. Time your visit to see the Nurse Shark feeding- it's a lot of fun!
Across the street from the southern end of the beach near Casuarina Rd is a small playground called Anchor Park. There's plenty of shade, some picnic tables, and a large maritime anchor. At this end of the beach there are volleyball nets in the sand.
An interesting thing to do while you're in Delray is visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.
Also nice is Putt'n Around, near Atlantic Ave, which is a mini-golf place with an abundance of tropical flowers.

Directions

From Highway 95, take the Atlantic Avenue exit and follow Atlantic Ave down to the ocean. Park along N Ocean Blvd to access the beach. Bring quarters for the parking meters.
All down Atlantic Avenue you will see shops and restaurants, so stop if you want to walk around!
There are also a number of free parking lots that are closer to the shops than to the beach. You can follow the signs to them.
BurgerFi, 6 S. Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach FL 33483, call (561) 278-9590.
Colony Hotel, 525 E. Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach FL 33483, call (800) 678-8946.

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