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Exploring | Beaches | Where to Eat | Where to Stay | Nightlife | Shopping | Sports and the Outdoors
6 miles south of Delray Beach.
Less than an hour south of Palm Beach and anchoring the county’s south end, upscale Boca Raton has much in common with its fabled cousin. Both reflect the unmistakable architectural influence of Addison Mizner, their principal developer in the mid-1920s. The meaning of the name Boca Raton (pronounced boca rah-tone) often arouses curiosity, with many folks mistakenly assuming it means “rat’s mouth.” Historians say the probable origin is Boca Ratones, an ancient Spanish geographical term for an inlet filled with jagged rocks or coral. Miami’s Biscayne Bay had such an inlet, and in 1823 a mapmaker copying Miami terrain confused the more northern inlet, thus mistakenly labeling this area Boca Ratones. No matter what, you’ll know you’ve arrived in the heart of downtown when you spot the historic town hall’s gold dome on the main street, Federal Highway. Much of the Boca landscape was heavily planned, and many of the bigger sights are clustered in the area around town hall and Lake Boca, a wide stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway between Palmetto Park Road and Camino Real (two main east–west streets at the southern end of town).
Getting Here and Around
To get to Boca Raton from Delray Beach, drive south 6 miles on Interstate 95, Federal Highway (U.S. 1), or Route A1A.
Essentials
Visitor Information
Contacts
Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau. | 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 800 | West Palm Beach | 561/233–3000 | www.palmbeachfl.com.
Exploring
Boca Raton History Museum.
Under the shimmering golden dome of the city’s original town hall is a vital repository of archival material and special exhibits on the area’s development, run by the Boca Raton Historical Society. With advance reservations, you can experience a 40-minute guided tour of Boca Raton’s original town hall and a small museum. The Boca Raton Historical Society also runs a monthly trolley tour from January to April, on the 3rd Thursday of each month (10–noon), which takes patrons around town to historic and modern points of interest, including Old Floresta and Mizner Park. Finally, on the first and third Friday of the month from January to April, tours are offered through the Boca Express Train Museum, housed in a 1930 restored depot. | 71 N. Federal Hwy. | 561/395–6766 | www.bocahistory.org | $8 | Weekdays 10–4.
FAMILY | Boca Raton Museum of Art.
Changing-exhibition galleries on the first floor showcase internationally known artists—both past and present—at this museum in a spectacular building that’s part of the Mizner Park shopping center; the permanent collection upstairs includes works by Picasso, Degas, Matisse, Klee, Modigliani, and Warhol, as well as notable African and pre-Columbian art. Daily tours are included with admission. In addition to the treasure hunts and sketchbooks you can pick up from the front desk, there’s a roster of special programs that cater to kids, including studio workshops and gallery walks. Another fun feature is the cell phone audio guide—certain pieces of art have a corresponding number you dial to hear a detailed narration. | 501 Plaza Real, Mizner Park | 561/392–2500 | www.bocamuseum.org | $12 | Tues., Thurs., and Fri. 10–5, Wed. 10–9; weekends noon–5.
FAMILY | Children’s Science Explorium.
This hands-on center in Sugar Sand Park has interactive displays designed to enhance 5- to 12-year-olds’ understanding of everyday physical sciences. Outside there’s a huge three-story playground with DNA-shape climbing structures, picnic pavilions, and a classic carousel. Day camps are run during school breaks and are open to visitors. | Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail | 561/347–3900 | www.scienceexplorium.org | Free ($5 donation suggested) | Weekdays 9–6, weekends 10–5.
FAMILY | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
A big draw for kids, this stellar spot has four huge saltwater tanks brimming with sea life, from coral to stingrays to spiny lobsters, plus a sea turtle rehabilitation center. Nocturnal walks in spring and early summer, when staffers lead a quest to find nesting female turtles coming ashore to lay eggs, are popular; so are the hatching releases in August and September. (Call to purchase tickets in advance as there are very limited spaces.) This is one of only a handful of centers that offer this. There is also a nature trail and butterfly garden, a ¼-mile boardwalk, and a 40-foot observation tower, where you’re likely to see brown pelicans and osprey. | 1801 N. Ocean Blvd. | 561/544–8605 | www.gumbolimbo.org | Free ($5 suggested donation); turtle walks $15 | Mon.–Sat. 9–4, Sun. noon–4.
Old Floresta.
This residential area was developed by Addison Mizner starting in 1925 and is beautifully landscaped with palms and cycads. Its houses are mainly Mediterranean in style, many with balconies supported by exposed wood columns. Explore by driving northward on Paloma Avenue (N.W. 8 Ave.) from Palmetto Park Road, then weave in and out of the side streets. | Paloma Ave., north of W. Palmetto Park Rd.
Beaches
Boca’s three city beaches (South Beach, Red Reef Park, and Spanish River Park, south to north, respectively) are beautiful and hugely popular; but unless you’re a resident or enter via bicycle, parking can be very expensive. Save your receipt if you care to go in and out, or park hop—most guards at the front gate will honor a same-day ticket from another location if you ask nicely. Another option is the county-run South Inlet Park that’s walking distance from the Boca Raton Bridge Hotel at the southern end of Lake Boca; it has a metered lot for a fraction of the cost, but not quite the same charm as the others.
FAMILY | Red Reef Park.
The ocean with its namesake reef that you can wade up to is just one draw: a fishing zone on the Intracoastal Waterway across the street, a 9-hole golf course next door, and the Gumbo Limbo Environmental Education Center at the northern end of the park can easily make a day at the beach into so much more. But if pure old-fashioned fun-in-the-sun is your focus, to that end there are tons of picnic tables and grills, and two separate playgrounds. Pack snorkels and explore the reef at high tide when fish are most abundant. Swimmers, be warned: once lifeguards leave at 5, anglers flock to the shores and stay well past dark. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking. | 1400 N. Rte. A1A | 561/393–7974, 561/393–7989 for beach conditions | www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/rec/parks/redreef.shtm | $16 parking (weekdays), $18 parking (weekends) | Daily 8 am–10 pm.
South Beach Park.
Perched high up on a dune, a large open-air pavilion at the east end of Palmetto Park Road offers a panoramic view of what’s in store below on the sand that stretches up the coast. Serious beachgoers need to pull into the main lot ¼ mile north on the east side of A1A, but if a short-but-sweet visit is what you’re after, the 15 or so one-hour spots with meters in the circle driveway will do (and not cost you the normal $15 parking fee). During the day, pretty young things blanket the shore, and windsurfers practice tricks in the waves. Quiet quarters are farther north. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets; showers. Best for: sunsets; windsurfing; walking; swimming. | 400 N. Rte A1A | www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/rec/parks/southbeach.shtm | $15 parking (weekdays), $17 parking (weekends) | Daily 8–sunset.
Spanish River Park.
At 76 acres and including extensive nature trails, this is by far one of the largest ocean parks in the southern half of Palm Beach County and a great pick for people who want more space and fewer crowds. Big groups, including family reunions, favor it because of the number of covered picnic areas for rent, but anyone can snag a free table (there are plenty!) under the thick canopy of banyan trees. Even though the vast majority of the park is separated from the surf, you never actually have to cross A1A to reach the beach, because tunnels run under it at several locations. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking; solitude. | 3001 N. Rte. A1A | 561/393-7815 | www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/rec/parks/spanishriver.shtm | $16 parking (weekdays), $18 parking (weekends) | Daily 8–sunset.
Where to Eat
Fodor’s Choice | Casa D’Angelo Ristorante.
$$$$ | TUSCAN | The lines are deservedly long at Chef Angelo Elia’s upscale Tuscan restaurant in tony Boca Raton. The third outpost of his renowned Casa D’Angelo chain impresses with an outstanding selection of antipasti, carpaccios, pastas, and specialties from the wood-burning oven. From staples like the antipasto angelo (grilled vegetables and buffalo mozzarella), osso buco, and linguine with white-water clams and garlic, to the ever-changing gnocchi, risotto, veal scallopine, and fish specials of the day, Angelo’s dishes deliver pure perfection in every bite. The wine list is also exceptional with hundreds of Italian and American wines to choose from. Servers are experienced and top-notch. | Average main: $38 | 171 East Palmetto Park Rd. | 561/996–1234 | www.casa-d-angelo.com | Reservations essential | No lunch.
Farmer’s Table.
$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | Taking up the local food mantle, chefs here create inventive dishes following the seasons using locally sourced meats, seafood, and vegetables. Whenever possible, the foods are organic or sustainable. Bison meatloaf, a Buddha bowl, and “Spasta” (pasta made from squash) with chicken meatballs are some of the popular entrees. Dishes such as the chicken chop tagine or zahtar-spiced salmon are preparations that let foods work with flavors rather than be disguised by them. Vegan and vegetarian dishes, including juices, “mocktails,” and desserts, are on the menu, and dietary requests are accommodated with the same creativity. The wine list includes many organic and sustainable varietals. Mixologists apply the same philosophy of fresh, local foods to their craft cocktails. | Average main: $22 | Wyndham Boca Raton, 1901 N. Military Trail | 561/417–5836 | www.farmerstableboca.com | Reservations essential.
Racks Downtown Eatery & Tavern.
$$$ | AMERICAN | Whimsical indoor–outdoor decor and comfort food with a twist help define this popular eatery in tony Mizner Park. Instead of dinner rolls, pretzel bread and mustard get things started. Share plates like bacon-wrapped shrimp and sea bass lettuce cups to promote convivial social dining. Move on to creative wood fired pizzas and burgers; there’s also a sushi menu. Happy hour at the bar is 4–7 and offers half-price drinks and appetizers. | Average main: $23 | 402 Plaza Real, Mizner Park | 561/395–1662 | www.racksboca.com.
Fodor’s Choice | Truluck’s.
$$$$ | SEAFOOD | This popular Florida and Texas seafood chain is so serious about its fruits of the sea that it supports its own fleet of 16 fishing boats. Stone crabs are the signature dish, and you can have all you can eat on Monday night from October to May. Other recommended dishes include salmon topped with blue crab and shrimp, hot-and-crunchy trout, crab cakes, and blackened Florida grouper. Portions are huge, so you might want to make a meal of appetizers. And don’t miss the warm carrot cake—it’s heaven on a plate! The place comes alive each night with its popular piano bar. | Average main: $35 | 351 Plaza Real, Mizner Park | 561/391–0755 | www.trulucks.com.
Uncle Tai’s.
$$$ | CHINESE | The draw at this upscale eatery is some of the best Hunan cuisine on Florida’s east coast. Specialties include sliced duck with snow peas and water chestnuts in a tangy plum sauce, and orange beef delight—flank steak stir-fried until crispy and then sautéed with pepper sauce, garlic, and orange peel. They’ll go easy on the heat on request. The service is quietly efficient. The early-bird crowd will appreciate the very filling Sunset Dinner specials (5–6:15 pm), which come with a starter, a dessert, and a main dish. | Average main: $21 | 5250 Town Center Circle | 561/368–8806 | www.uncletais.com.
Where to Stay
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Boca Beach Club.
$$$ | RESORT | Dotted with turquoise lounge chairs, ruffled umbrellas, and white-sand beaches, this newly reconceived and rebranded hotel is now part of the Waldorf-Astoria collection and looks as if it was carefully replicated from a retro-chic postcard. An annex of the larger Mediterranean-style Boca Raton Resort & Club (but set on the downy sands rather than the Intracoastal Waterway), the casually elegant property has 212 rooms, ranging from 420-square-foot standards to 800-square-foot one-bedroom suites overlooking the Atlantic. Each is cast in pale yellow and blue and features flat-panel TVs, plush bedding, custom bath products and—most importantly—easy access to the sand and sea. Guests can lounge by Pool Oasis, a trio of revamped swimming pools with cabanas and a bar, or linger with a cocktail and leisurely lunch in the on-site Sea Grille. For a change of scenery, head back to the main complex of the Boca Raton Resort & Club (just a short ride away via free shuttle) for other dining options, including Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s eponymous sushi restaurant. Pros: great location on the beach; kids’ activity center. Cons: pricey; shuttle ride away from the main building. | Rooms from: $449 | 900 S. Ocean Blvd. | 888/564–1312 | www.bocabeachclub.com | 212 rooms | No meals.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Boca Raton Resort & Club.
$$$ | RESORT | Addison Mizner built this Mediterranean-style hotel in 1926, and additions over time have created a sprawling, sparkling resort, one of the most luxurious in all of South Florida and part of the Waldorf-Astoria collection. The hotel has a particularly stunning beach club, which it shares with its beachfront outpost, the Boca Beach Club. The club has lovely outdoor mosaic-tiled showers. There are many lodging options: traditional rooms in the historic quarters are small but warmly decorated; tower rooms have a serene contemporary feel; and yacht-club rooms are the most indulgent, with custom-designed Venetian-style canopy beds and carved gold-leaf lamps. The beach is accessible by shuttle or water taxi. In addition to two golf courses (the Resort Course and the off-site Country Club Course) with a two-story clubhouse, there are three fitness centers, a tennis center that is home to an Evert Adult and Junior Academy, and the largest spa in Florida, with 44 treatment rooms and a Turkish-style bath. There are eight bars and restaurants on the grounds, including a Morimoto sushi bar. Pros: super-exclusive—grounds are closed to the public; decor strikes the right balance between historic roots and modern comforts; plenty of activities. Cons: daily resort charge; conventions often crowd common areas. | Rooms from: $309 | 501 E. Camino Real | 561/447–3000, 888/543–1277 | www.bocaresort.com | 635 rooms | No meals.
Waterstone Resort & Marina.
$$ | HOTEL | The former Bridge Hotel was transformed into a sleek, modern resort with a $20-million restoration in 2014. A wide hallway studded with modern art leads from the front desk to the jazzy Bar & Grill, bathed in light from sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking Boca Lake. On the east, dockside seating overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway is at the outdoor Boca Landing, the only waterfront dining in Boca Raton. Rooms are modern, light, and airy, with browns, tans, and aqua accents, and bathrooms are tricked out, some with soaking tubs, trough sinks, and glass-walled showers. Balconies provide views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean. Walk to the beach, or take the beach shuttle—the hotel provides chairs and umbrellas. Otherwise, laze by the waterfront pool sipping a cool one from the patio bar. Water-sports rentals are available here as well. Pros: short walk to beach; pet friendly; waterfront views throughout. Cons: parking fee; no quiet common space; some rooms noisy from nearby bridge traffic. | Rooms from: $179 | 999 E. Camino Real | 561/368–9500 | www.waterstoneboca.com | 139 rooms | No meals.
Nightlife
Jazziz.
A smart, sexy, and intimate jazz dinner club in Mizner Park attracts a variety of top musical talent. David Sanborn, Kevin Eubanks, Lee Ritenour, Nestor Torres, and Jon Secada are a few of the names that have played in the 12,000-square-feet space. It has several dining rooms and an indoor-outdoor bar that swings late into the night with or without entertainment. An “out back” cigar bar is always smokin’. The Sunday Jazz Brunch is a local favorite. | Mizner Park, 201 Plaza Blvd. | 561/300–0730 | www.jazziz.com.
Shopping
Mizner Park.
This distinctive 30-acre shopping center off Federal Highway, one block north of Palmetto Park Road, intersperses apartments and town houses among its gardenlike commercial areas. Some three dozen retailers—including Lord and Taylor, which moved in as the only national department store east of I–95 in Boca—line the central axis. It’s peppered with fountains and green space, restaurants, galleries, a jazz club, a movie theater, the Boca Raton Museum of Art, and an amphitheater that hosts major concerts as well as community events. | 327 Plaza Real | 561/362–0606 | www.miznerpark.com.
Royal Palm Place.
The retail enclave of Royal Palm is filled with independent boutiques selling fine jewelry and apparel. By day, stroll the walkable streets and have your pick of sidewalk cafés for lunch alongside Boca’s ladies who lunch. Royal Palm Place assumes a different personality come nightfall, as its numerous restaurants and lounges attract throngs of patrons for great dining and fabulous libations. | 101 Plaza Real S | 561/392–8920 | www.royalpalmplace.com.
Town Center at Boca Raton.
Over on the west side of the interstate in Boca, this indoor megamall has more than 220 stores, with anchor stores including Saks and Neiman Marcus and just about every major high-end designer, including Bulgari and Anne Fontaine. But not every shop here requires deep pockets. The Town Center at Boca Raton is also firmly rooted with a variety of more affordable national brands like Gap and Guess. | 6000 Glades Rd. | 561/368–6000 | www.simon.com/mall/town-center-at-boca-raton.
Sports and the Outdoors
Golf
Boca Raton Resort & Club.
The Resort Course at the Boca Raton Resort & Club is dedicated to both of the resort’s former golf pros, Tommy Armour and Sam Snead. Legendary Sam Snead was the head pro in the 1960s and Tommy Armour from the mid-1920s to the mid-1950s. The par-71 course is popular due to its many elevation changes and its Hugh Hughes–designed water feature. Nowadays there’s also a second course located off-site, the Country Club Course, with a Dave Pelz Scoring Game School that is open to the public. Resort Course play is just for guests and members. | 501 E. Camino Real | 561/447–3078 | www.bocaresort.com | Resort Course: 18 holes for $216, 9 holes for $155; Country Club Course: 18 holes for $97, 9 holes for $78 | Resort Course: 18 holes, 6253 yards, par 71; Country Club Course: 18 holes, 6714 yards, par 71.
Red Reef Park Executive Golf Course.
This executive golf course offers 9 holes with varying views of the Intracoastal and the Atlantic Ocean. The Joe Palloka and Charles Ankrom designed course dates back to 1957. It was refreshed in 2001 through a multimillion-dollar renovation. The scenic holes are between 54 and 227 yards each—great for a quick round. Fees range from $11 to walk in the off-season to $19 in season. Carts are available, but the short course begs to be walked. Park in the lot across the street from the main beach entrance, and put the greens fees receipt on the dash; that covers parking. | 1221 N. Ocean Blvd. | 561/391–5014 | www.bocacitygolf.com | $19 | 9 holes, 1357 yards, par 32.
Scuba and Snorkeling
Force-E.
This company, in business since the late 1970s, rents, sells, and repairs scuba and snorkeling equipment—and organizes about 80 dive trips a week from the Palm Beach Inlet to Port Everglades in Broward County. The PADI–affiliated five-star center has instruction for all levels and offers private charters, too. They have two other outposts besides this Boca Raton location—one north in Riviera Beach and one south in Pompano Beach. | 2181 N. Federal Hwy. | 561/368–0555, 866/307–3483 | www.force-e.com.