The Best Way to Spend 3 Days in Delray Beach
When you visit Delray Beach, you can’t help but feel the warm and friendly atmosphere that makes this seaside town a joy to go to. Stroll along downtown’s main drag of Atlantic Avenue for art galleries, cafes, bars, and shops. When you finish with your Atlantic Avenue exploration, head to the beach. There is much to do at Florida’s “Village by the Sea”, and we will tell you The Best Way to Spend 3 Days in Delray Beach.
Where we Stayed
The Seagate Beach Club
We checked into The Seagate Beach Club and were lucky enough to get an upgrade. Our room was spacious and well-equipped with a large soaking tub and a private balcony. You know you have hit the hotel room jackpot when you have a phone in the bathroom. The hotel is in a prime location as the beach is just a 4-minute walk to the east.
Friday Dinner at Deck 84
After checking in, we walked across the bridge to Deck 84, an iconic Delray Beach restaurant on the water. Deck 84 is a casual restaurant where diners can enjoy Intracoastal views while enjoying American cuisine, and fresh seafood. Deck 84 offers live music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and is also known for its fresh and handcrafted cocktails. The restaurant has a large back deck that is dog-friendly and has boat docking availability right in front.
Deck 84 840 East Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483
Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic Avenue, also known as “The Avenue,” is the pedestrian‐friendly epicenter of downtown Delray Beach, renowned for its shopping, dining, and small‐town curb appeal. Brick-paved sidewalks with palm and oak trees create a charming ambiance for a perfect day or evening walk. Explore stylish fashion boutiques, art galleries, and dozens of gift shops to find one‐of‐a‐kind treasures.
Saturday
Wakodahatchee Wetlands
We woke up Saturday morning to temperatures in the seventies and overcast skies. Perfect for a walk to view some of Florida’s nature. Wakodahatchee Wetlands provides a diverse wildlife habitat that has attracted more than 150 different species of birds as well as other critters such as rabbits, turtles, otters, iguanas, and other creatures found in a healthy South Florida wetland ecosystem.
Enjoy nature at its best while taking a stroll along miles of elevated boardwalk stretching over acres of wetlands and water – the wetlands are free and open to the public.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands 13270 Jog Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33484
Brunch at Lulu’s Café & Cocktail Bar
In a cozy spot on a popular street in the design district of Pineapple Grove lies a neighborhood eatery and cocktail bar called Lulu’s. I had my standard breakfast of two eggs, bacon, and good homefry potatoes, and Brenda had a burger for lunch. The tropical vibes and outdoor seating make this the perfect place to have brunch on a nice morning and have that extra coffee refill.
LULU’S 189 NE 2nd Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens has been a center for Japanese art and culture in South Florida since opening in 1977. Enjoy exhibits of Japanese art, or have a tea ceremony in an authentic tea house. The Cornell Cafe serves traditional Japanese fare, and the Morikami has a library, a theatre, and a house representing aspects of Japanese life today. There’s so much to see at Morikami, and something new with each visit, with ever-changing exhibits and gardens.
Whether you live in beautiful South Florida or are just visiting, you owe it to yourselves to visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens: 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33446
SilverBall Pinball Museum
Boy, this brings back memories of bringing a pocket full of quarters to my favorite pinball machine and bouncing the silver ball off the electronic bumpers. Silverball Museum is not your average museum. Instead, you’ll find over 150 video games and pinball machines dating back to the 1930s.
You get unlimited play when you buy a pass ($17.50 for an hour or $25 for a day pass and a slice of cheese pizza). There is also a full bar on site so it’s the perfect recipe for a good time!
The museum offers classic video games such as Ms. Pac-Man, two floors of pinball machines, arcade games, and even the original skeeball alleys from New York’s Coney Island. The best part is that all the games are set to free play, which means unlimited plays are included in your admission. You don’t need quarters here. Just pay by the hour. But be careful. Don’t TILT.
Silverball Retro Arcade 19 NE 3rd Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483
Dinner at DaDa Delray
Dada opened in Delray in 2000 inside the historic Tarrimore house (built circa 1924). We were able to snag the last outdoor table on the tree-filled patio. We started dinner with a round of Coconut Mojitos and a plate of DaDa Dates wrapped in black pepper bacon and stuffed with goat cheese. Brenda enjoyed the Crab Cakes and I had the DaDa Meatloaf with Horseradish Mashed Potatoes. Not only was the food spectacular but the service from our waitress “Love” was unmatched. She had plenty of recommendations which turned out to be delicious choices. Immersing yourself in the local culture never tasted so good.
DADA 52 N Swinton Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444
Delray’s Magical 100 Foot Christmas Tree
As we passed Old School Square, the finishing touches were added to Delray’s Famous 100-foot Christmas tree. The spruce will be the centerpiece for Delray’s Tree Lighting and Yuletide Street Festival, where Santa himself will flip the switch.
Pineapple Grove Arts District
The Pineapple Grove Arts District is chock-full of murals and sculptures and has its fair share of eclectic galleries, whimsical shops, and one-of-a-kind eateries. Whether you’re in the mood for a shopping spree, a spa session, or a sit-down meal, you’ve come to the right place.
Ice Cream at Sloan’s
Sloan’s is a homemade ice cream store known for its delicious creamy concoctions and vibrant hot pink or lime green ice cream shop decor. We stopped for ice cream after dinner. The bathroom is something you have to experience.
Sunday Breakfast at Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen
We enjoyed a fabulous breakfast at Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen. I had the Breakfast Burrito loaded with potatoes, scrambled eggs, green chiles, jack cheese, and red pepper chimichurri. The Farmhouse sits in the heart of Delray Beach along E. Atlantic Avenue, Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen offers seating indoors or outside.
Cornell Art Museum at Old School Square
This one-time school campus has been converted into one of Delray’s most innovative arts destinations. The five-acre campus includes a fine art museum, free Friday night concerts, and Broadway musicals and plays.
Delray Municipal Beach
You can’t visit a beach town without visiting the shore. It’s kind of a must-do in Florida. While it was windy the day of my visit, I walked part of the one-and-a-half miles of South Florida coastline on a beach that accommodates over 3.2 million visitors yearly. You won’t see any commercial construction on the beachside, only sea grapes and dunes.
Delray Municipal Beach 400 S Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33483
Dinner at Hampton Social
Sitting in a restaurant next to an open window on a delightful evening enjoying good food, and good drinks, makes me want to linger and take my time. This sums up our meal at Hampton Social. I had the Short Rib and Brenda enjoyed Fish and Chips. I love the Ivy Wall on the side of the building.
In addition to the amazing food, the drinks are innovative and fun. Cocktil names such as “I Glitterly Can’t” (Strawberry Gin, Rose, and Glitter Balls) “Gin the Nick of Thyme”, (Grapefruit Gin, Thyme, Pepper & Lime), or a “Hampton Frose”. The bar has plenty of seating in a festive atmosphere. Countless television make this bar a great place to bring the gang to watch the games.
Final Thoughts
Monday morning after checking out of the Seagate Beach Club, we drove back North to Stuart, Florida but will leave with good memories of Delray Beach. From the unique dining experiences, strolling along Atlantic Avenue, seeing nature at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, playing the silver ball at the arcade or just unwinding on our hotel balcony, it was nice to look in on this charming “Village by the Sea”
