Things to Do in Delray Beach: A Planning Guide for Families and Groups

Delray Beach packs a lot into a small city: a lifeguarded public beach at the end of Atlantic Avenue, a 1903 shipwreck you can snorkel from shore, a Japanese garden museum, free boardwalks through wetlands full of birds, sharks and stingrays fed in front of you at an oceanfront nature center, and a winter calendar that runs from a Saturday farmers market to a 100-foot Christmas tree you can walk inside.

This guide is for families, friends and multigenerational groups planning days together. It covers what to do, what to know before you go, and practical details that are easy to miss, such as which places close on Mondays, where dogs are and are not allowed, and how lifeguard hours change through the year.

Looking for restaurants, bars and nightlife? See our Delray Beach Dining & Nightlife Guide.

Delray Beach offers activities for families, couples and groups of all ages. Here are eight experiences worth considering:

1. Enjoy a lifeguarded beach day. Visit Delray Municipal Beach or Atlantic Dunes Park.
2. Discover the Delray Wreck. Learn about the historic 1903 S.S. Inchulva shipwreck offshore. Snorkeling requires appropriate open-water experience and safe conditions.
3. Visit Sandoway Discovery Center. See sharks, stingrays and other marine life at this oceanfront nature center.
4. Explore Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Discover Japanese culture, landscaped gardens and peaceful walking paths.
5. Walk Wakodahatchee Wetlands. Enjoy a free elevated boardwalk with opportunities to observe birds, turtles and other wildlife.
6. Take an Intracoastal sightseeing cruise. Explore the waterways aboard a narrated Delray Yacht Cruises excursion.
7. Discover Delray's history. Visit the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and Delray Beach Historical Society.
8. Experience seasonal events. Plan around the GreenMarket, holiday festivities, Delray Beach Open tennis tournament and Delray Affair.

Delray Municipal Beach

Delray Municipal Beach sits at the eastern end of Atlantic Avenue and is supervised by the City of Delray Beach Ocean Rescue Division. It's a popular choice for families and groups looking for a classic South Florida beach day.

Lifeguard hours vary seasonally. The city's published schedule generally runs from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM during daylight saving time, with earlier closing times during winter months.

For current conditions, swimming flags and lifeguard information, consult the city's official Ocean Rescue page.

Atlantic Dunes Park

Located along A1A near Linton Boulevard, Atlantic Dunes Park offers a beach setting with restrooms, picnic tables, a pavilion and a short nature trail through the dunes.

Both beaches offer accessible beach facilities, including access mats and beach wheelchairs at designated locations.

Important for guests traveling with dogs: Dogs are not permitted on Delray Municipal Beach.

Official sources:

City of Delray Beach — Ocean Rescue:
https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/government/city-departments/fire-rescue/ocean-rescue

City of Delray Beach — Beach Information:
https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/government/city-departments/parks-and-recreation/beach

Discover the Historic Delray Wreck

One of Delray Beach's most unusual attractions is the wreck of the S.S. Inchulva, a British steamship that sank during a hurricane on September 11, 1903.

The wreck lies approximately 150 yards offshore from the southern end of Delray Municipal Beach, in about 25 feet of water.

Visitors can learn about its history from the historical marker on the beach. Experienced snorkelers may explore the site when ocean conditions are appropriate.

Safety: This is an open-ocean snorkeling location, not a supervised swimming attraction. Check current ocean conditions and flags with Delray Beach Ocean Rescue. Snorkeling offshore requires suitable swimming ability, experience and precautions.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Delray Beach's sea turtle nesting season runs from March 1 through October 31.

During nesting season, visitors may see marked turtle nests along the beach. Help protect nesting turtles by removing belongings and trash, avoiding bright lights near the sand at night, and respecting protected nesting areas.

Official sources:

Florida Department of State — Delray Wreck Historical Marker:
https://markers.flheritage.com/home/details/565

City of Delray Beach — Sea Turtle Conservation Program:
https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/government/city-departments/public-works/our-beach-projects/sea-turtle-conservation-program

Wakodahatchee Wetlands is one of South Florida's most rewarding nature attractions for families and groups.

A three-quarter-mile elevated boardwalk winds through ponds and wetland islands where visitors can observe birds, turtles, alligators and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

Palm Beach County reports more than 178 bird species at the wetlands.

What to Know Before You Go

• Admission and parking are free.
• Posted operating hours are 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily.
• Pets, bicycles, food and drones are not permitted on the boardwalk.
• February through April is a particularly busy period, and parking may be limited.
• Annual maintenance closures can occur, so check the official county website before visiting.

Nearby Alternative: Green Cay Nature Center

If Wakodahatchee is crowded, Green Cay in nearby Boynton Beach offers another free wetland boardwalk experience, with approximately 1.5 miles of elevated trails.

Official sources:

Palm Beach County — Wakodahatchee Wetlands:
https://discover.pbc.gov/parks/Locations/Wakodahatchee-Wetlands.aspx

Palm Beach County — Wetlands Information:
https://discover.pbc.gov/waterutilities/pages/wetlands.aspx

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens offers one of South Florida's most distinctive cultural experiences, combining Japanese art, history and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Visitors can explore Roji-en, a collection of six gardens inspired by different periods of Japanese garden design.

Hours and Visitor Information

• Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Closed Mondays and major holidays.
• Last admission tickets are sold at 4:30 PM.
• Children ages 5 and under receive free admission.
• Tickets are available at the museum on the day of your visit.

Planning for Families and Groups

Groups of 15 or more may qualify for advance-arranged group admission rates when paying together.

The surrounding Morikami Park spans more than 188 acres and includes playgrounds for younger children, making it useful for multigenerational outings.

Official sources:

Morikami Museum — Hours and Admission:
https://morikami.org/hours-admission/

Palm Beach County — Morikami Park:
https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Morikami.aspx

Located just south of Delray Beach in Boca Raton, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center offers families an opportunity to explore South Florida's coastal environment and marine wildlife.

Visitors can explore a boardwalk through coastal hammock habitat, a 40-foot observation tower and outdoor marine aquariums featuring resident sea turtles.

Hours and Visitor Information

• General admission is free.
• Tuesday through Sunday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Monday: Noon to 4:00 PM.
• Pets are not permitted.
• Groups of 10 or more people who are not one family must arrange a reservation in advance.

Planning Tip

Gumbo Limbo is a useful Monday option when several Delray Beach museums and attractions are closed.

Outdoor exhibits and trails may close during lightning or severe weather, so check current conditions before visiting.

Official source:

City of Boca Raton — Plan Your Visit:
https://www.myboca.us/2098/Plan-Your-Visit

Located at 142 South Ocean Boulevard in Delray Beach, Sandoway Discovery Center is a historic oceanfront nature center where families can learn about marine life and South Florida's coastal ecosystems.

Visitors can see sharks, stingrays and other marine animals, explore an invertebrate touch tank, and participate in educational animal encounters.

Shark and Stingray Feedings

• Tuesday through Sunday: 1:00 PM.
• Additional Saturday feeding: 11:00 AM.
• Closed Mondays.

Planning Tips

Sandoway opens at noon on weekdays to accommodate school groups earlier in the day.

Its location along A1A makes it a convenient activity to combine with a morning at Delray Municipal Beach.

Check the center's current schedule before visiting, as feeding times and programs can change.

Official source:

Sandoway Discovery Center:
https://sandoway.org/

Located at 170 NW 5th Avenue, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum celebrates the history, culture and contributions of the African diaspora in Delray Beach, Florida and the United States.

The museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the people and communities that helped shape Delray Beach.

Planning Your Visit

• A self-guided visit typically takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
• Guided tours may be arranged with at least two weeks' advance notice.
• Young children are admitted free.
• The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
• Confirm current opening hours before visiting, as the museum has announced seasonal schedule changes.

Official source:

Spady Cultural Heritage Museum:
https://www.spadymuseum.com/connect/

Old School Square

Located at 51 North Swinton Avenue in downtown Delray Beach, Old School Square is a cultural and community destination featuring the Cornell Art Museum, an outdoor amphitheater and seasonal events.

The campus also hosts the popular Saturday Delray Beach GreenMarket.

The Cornell Art Museum's winter schedule generally runs Wednesday through Sunday. Check the current exhibition calendar and opening hours before visiting.

Delray Beach Historical Society

The Delray Beach Historical Society preserves and shares the city's history, from early settlement through its development into today's vibrant coastal community.

Visitors can explore historical exhibits, learn about Delray's early pioneers and enjoy the society's heritage garden.

Exhibits are generally closed Sundays and Mondays. Saturday visits may require advance reservations, so confirm before going.

Official sources:

Old School Square — Events:
https://delrayoldschoolsquare.com/events

Delray Beach Historical Society:
https://delraybeachhistory.org/

Experience Delray Beach from the water aboard a narrated sightseeing cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Delray Yacht Cruises operates the Lady Atlantic, offering approximately two-hour sightseeing cruises departing from Veterans Park at 801 East Atlantic Avenue.

Cruises typically travel south toward Boca Raton, passing waterfront homes and scenic stretches of the Intracoastal Waterway. Some departures travel north toward Manalapan.

Planning Your Cruise

• Cruises generally last approximately two hours.
• Daytime sightseeing cruises are scheduled Wednesday through Sunday from May through January, and Tuesday through Sunday from February through April.
• Holiday lights cruises are offered during December.
• Select evening cruises may also be available.
• Check current schedules, ticket availability and weather conditions before booking.

Why It's Great for Groups

A narrated cruise allows families and multigenerational groups to enjoy the waterfront together without renting or operating their own boat.

Official source:

Delray Yacht Cruises — Public Cruises:
https://delrayyachtcruises.com/public-cruises/

Veterans Park

Located near the Atlantic Avenue bridge, Veterans Park offers a relaxing waterfront setting for families and groups.

Amenities include:

• Children's playground.
• Picnic tables.
• 16 lighted shuffleboard courts.
• Convenient access to Delray Yacht Cruises departures.

Shuffleboard is an easy activity for families and multigenerational groups to enjoy together.

Lake Ida West Park

Lake Ida West Park is a Palm Beach County park offering outdoor recreation for families, children and guests traveling with dogs.

Amenities include:

• A fenced dog park.
• Children's playgrounds, including an accessible playground.
• Approximately two miles of walking and biking paths.
• Fishing pier.
• Kayak access.

The park is generally open from sunrise to sunset, including Mondays.

Official sources:

City of Delray Beach — Veterans Park:
https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/120/

Palm Beach County — Lake Ida West Park:
https://discover.pbc.gov/parks/Locations/Lake-Ida-West.aspx

Several popular Delray Beach attractions are closed on Mondays, which can catch vacationers by surprise. Use this quick-reference guide when planning your week.

Planning Tip:

Make Monday your beach, nature-boardwalk and private-pool day. Save museums and sightseeing cruises for other days of the week.

Important: Attraction schedules may change seasonally or for holidays. Confirm current hours with each venue before visiting.

Delray Beach hosts seasonal markets, holiday celebrations, sporting events and arts festivals throughout the year. Here are several events families and groups may want to plan around.

Official event sources:

Delray Beach GreenMarket:
https://delraycra.org/green-market/

Old School Square Events:
https://delrayoldschoolsquare.com/events

Delray Beach Open:
https://www.delraybeachopen.com/en/tournament/faq

Delray Affair:
https://delrayaffair.com/maps/

Important: Event dates, hours and schedules can change. Encourage readers to confirm details with organizers before attending.

Whether you're visiting Atlantic Avenue, heading to the beach or exploring nearby attractions, planning transportation can make a group vacation easier.

Freebee — Free Downtown Transportation

Delray Beach offers Freebee, an on-demand electric transportation service operating within its designated downtown service area.

Guests can request rides through the Ride Freebee app or call 855-918-3733.

Check current operating hours and service boundaries before planning your trip.

Downtown Parking

Downtown Delray Beach offers public parking garages, metered street parking and municipal parking areas.

Parking payments can be made at designated kiosks or through the ParkMobile app where available.

For groups arriving in multiple vehicles, public garages may be more convenient than searching for individual street spaces.

For parking rates, garages and street closures, see our Atlantic Avenue Parking & Visitor Guide.

Tri-Rail — Explore South Florida by Train

Delray Beach has a Tri-Rail station at 345 South Congress Avenue, providing regional train connections along South Florida's coast.

The station offers parking for riders and can be useful for day trips without driving.

Official sources:

City of Delray Beach — Freebee:
https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/government/city-departments/public-works/transportation-traffic/downtown-shuttle-service

Downtown Delray Beach — Parking:
https://downtowndelraybeach.com/get-around/parking

Tri-Rail — Delray Beach Station:
https://tri-rail.com/stations/delray-beach

Whether you're traveling with young children, teenagers, friends or multiple generations, these sample itineraries can help you plan your Delray Beach vacation.

These are flexible suggestions, not fixed schedules. Confirm attraction hours and weather conditions for your travel dates.

1. A Day with Young Children

Start your morning at Atlantic Dunes Park, where families can enjoy the lifeguarded beach, restrooms and short nature trail.

Return to your vacation home for lunch and a break.

On Tuesday through Sunday, visit Sandoway Discovery Center for its 1:00 PM shark and stingray feeding.

Finish with pool time back at your vacation home before dinner.

2. A Multigenerational Family Day

Begin with a morning walk along the Wakodahatchee Wetlands boardwalk, where you can observe birds, turtles and other wildlife.

After lunch, explore Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.

Families with younger children can also enjoy the playgrounds at the surrounding Morikami Park.

Groups of 15 or more should ask Morikami about advance group rates.

3. A Day for Teens and Adults

For experienced open-water swimmers, consider snorkeling near the historic Delray Wreck when ocean conditions are safe.

Alternatively, enjoy a beach morning.

Spend the afternoon on a narrated Intracoastal sightseeing cruise with Delray Yacht Cruises.

In the evening, explore Atlantic Avenue.

For restaurant and nightlife ideas, visit our Delray Beach Dining & Nightlife Guide:
https://delray.sunshinestateluxbnb.com/

4. A Rainy-Day Plan

South Florida weather can change quickly, especially during warmer months.

When outdoor attractions close due to thunderstorms, consider indoor cultural experiences such as Morikami's museum galleries, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, the Delray Beach Historical Society or Cornell Art Museum.

Check current hours before visiting, especially on Mondays when several attractions are closed.

Delray Beach can be a wonderful destination for travelers bringing their dogs, but it's important to understand where pets are permitted.

Where Dogs Are Not Allowed

• Delray Municipal Beach does not permit dogs.
• Wakodahatchee Wetlands does not allow pets on its boardwalk.
• Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in nearby Boca Raton does not permit pets.

Where Dogs Can Play

Lake Ida West Park features a fenced dog park where visitors can bring their dogs.

Palm Beach County's dog park rules include current vaccinations and licensing, leash requirements when entering and leaving, and a limit of two dogs per person.

Choosing a Pet-Friendly Vacation Home

Having a private fenced backyard can make traveling with dogs more convenient, especially when some local attractions do not permit pets.

Every Sunshine State Lux BNB vacation home has a private fenced backyard and welcomes dogs under our established pet policy. Other household pets may be considered case by case.

Explore our pet-friendly vacation rentals:
https://sunshinestateluxbnb.com/pet-friendly-vacation-rentals

Official source:

Palm Beach County — Dog Park Rules:
https://discover.pbc.gov/parks/Amenities/Dog-Parks.aspx

A Delray Beach vacation often includes mornings exploring local attractions, afternoons relaxing by the pool and evenings enjoying restaurants and entertainment along Atlantic Avenue.

For families and groups, a private vacation home provides space to spend time together between activities.

Why Choose Sunshine State Lux BNB?

• Private heated pools: Every home features a private heated pool, with pool heating included.
• Private fenced backyards: Every home has a fenced backyard, ideal for families and guests traveling with dogs.
• Room for families and groups: Our Delray Beach homes offer three- and four-bedroom layouts accommodating different group sizes, depending on the property.
• Entertainment amenities: Select homes feature tiki huts, putting greens, billiards and canal-front settings.
• Zero checkout chores: No stripping beds, starting laundry or taking out the trash before departure.

Explore More South Florida Vacation Options

If your group needs multiple homes, Sunshine State Lux BNB also offers vacation rentals in nearby Boynton Beach.

Compare the destinations:
https://sunshinestateluxbnb.com/delray-vs-boynton-beach-group-stays

Explore large-group accommodations:
https://sunshinestateluxbnb.com/large-group-vacation-rentals

Book Your Delray Beach Vacation Directly

Browse our Delray Beach vacation homes, compare amenities and check availability:
https://sunshinestateluxbnb.com/delray-beach-vacation-rentals

Our homes are intended for registered overnight guests. Parties, weddings and organized events are not permitted.

1. What is there to do in Delray Beach with kids?

Families can enjoy Delray Municipal Beach, Atlantic Dunes Park, Sandoway Discovery Center's shark and stingray feedings, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, and the playgrounds at Veterans Park and Lake Ida West Park. Seasonal holiday activities at Old School Square offer additional family entertainment.

2. What can you do in Delray Beach on a Monday?

Popular Monday options include Delray Municipal Beach, Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Lake Ida West Park and Veterans Park. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in nearby Boca Raton is generally open from noon to 4:00 PM on Mondays. Morikami, Sandoway and several local museums are closed Mondays.

3. Are dogs allowed on Delray Beach?

Dogs are not permitted on Delray Municipal Beach. Travelers with dogs can visit the fenced dog park at Lake Ida West Park, subject to Palm Beach County's posted dog park rules.

4. Can you snorkel in Delray Beach?

Experienced open-water swimmers may explore the historic Delray Wreck, the remains of the S.S. Inchulva, approximately 150 yards offshore in about 25 feet of water. Conditions can be hazardous. Check ocean conditions and consult Delray Beach Ocean Rescue before considering offshore snorkeling.

5. When is the Delray Beach GreenMarket?

For the 2026–2027 season, the Delray Beach GreenMarket is scheduled on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, October 24, 2026 through May 22, 2027, at Old School Square. Confirm the schedule with the organizer before visiting.

1. City of Delray Beach — Beach Information
2. City of Delray Beach — Ocean Rescue
3. Florida Department of State — Delray Wreck Historical Marker
4. Palm Beach County — Wakodahatchee Wetlands
5. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
6. City of Boca Raton — Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
7. Sandoway Discovery Center
8. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum
9. Old School Square — Events
10. Delray Beach Historical Society
11. Delray Yacht Cruises
12. Palm Beach County — Lake Ida West Park
13. Delray Beach GreenMarket
14. Delray Beach Open
15. Delray Affair