Living Well at the Village by the Sea

Delray Beach certainly caters to an active lifestyle for all ages. Delray Beach is centrally located in the heart of Palm Beach County coast, it is an amazing “Village By The Sea”. It is a laid-back resort style town with an all-seasons residential core, although there are also a number of vacation properties frequented by snowbirds in the high season.  It is a historic center for artists’ colonies and vacationers; Delray Beach retains relics of a lavish past while new neighborhoods, flavorful restaurants, fantastic unique boutiques, and bars give it a modern flare.

History

This resort town has a long history and an authentic character of its own. Among newer developments are numerous examples of historic architecture in the style of design icons like Addison Mizner, and John Volk. Many of the homes dating back to the 1920s and ‘30s serve as exemplary examples of the Mediterranean Revival, Beachside Cottages, and Art Moderne design.

Weather
Peak season is from mid-November to March or so, which means that the rest or the year, although the weather is still gorgeous (although rather hot and humid for some), you can get some incredible travel deals. There are a number of resorts in the vicinity, the kinds of places where you can just rent a cabana and while away the hours by the beach, never bothering to leave the premises. But, should you choose to venture out, a number of intriguing options await you.

Things to do:
Take a boat cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway and gawk at all the palatial estates - some of them are only lived in for a week or so per year. Stroll along Atlantic Avenue, where you’ll find a number of shops and small galleries, bars and dining options sure to please any pallet. Increasingly, Delray Beach is turning into a foodies delight town, with spots like Area 34 East, J&J Seafood and Tramonti (A personal favorite) on Atlantic Avenue.

The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens, the landscape of which showcases the evolution of the Japanese garden from the 8th to the 20th century -- as you walk the winding paths around its central lake, you can witness the changes in landscaping trends over the years.

Delray Beach is home to a number of artists, has a vibrant cultural scene with a considerable history. And the art scene is not limited to seaside-inspired watercolors either. The Arcade Building on Atlantic Avenue was constructed in 1925, and by the 1930s and well into the ‘40s and beyond, The Arcade and Tap Room there became a gathering place for cartoonists from all over the U.S. Around them, writers and socialites converged for stimulating conversation, sometimes joined by Delray Beach's growing ranks of polo players, golfers and political figures. Winston Churchill and Edna St. Vincent Millay were among its patrons. The building still exists on Atlantic Avenue.

There is a bike path along the A-1A, the highway that hugs the Intracoastal Waterway and looks out on the Atlantic. The beach is lined by sea grapes, and sand dunes together in case of storm. However, outdoor activity options don't end at the beach: Delray Beach features 12 city parks in addition to marinas, bike and walking trails and a skateboard park. The International Tennis Championships (ITC) is an ATP World Tour 250 Series men's tennis tournament, and yes you guessed it. It is held here each year. Played on hard courts Delray Beach has also been awarded the title of being home to major tennis events. 

In 2012 Rand McNally and USA Today set out to begin their second Annual quest for the BEST Small Towns in American. In July of 2012, their search came to a halt in Delray Beach . . . And we were awarded Most Fun Small Town in America.   

If you’re inclined to wear a T-shirt and flip flops all year round, enjoy fine living and fun in the sun then Delray Beach is the place for you!