Get to know Delray Beach

The town began as humbly as you could imagine in 1876 when a single tiny shack was built to shelter shipwrecked sailors. This house of refuge was called Orange Grove, situated among mysterious orange trees; no one knows who planted those citrus bearers, but it’s as if the spirit of Florida had always been there. Beach and railroad intersecting led to rapid expansion in the early 20th century, and a community of artists, writers, and poets helped sustain Delray through the Great Depression. Because the town never went bust, there are remarkably preserved buildings in Art Deco, Mission Revival, Colonial Revival, and bungalow styles — plus your typical Florida cottages. Delray is still strongly influenced by its arts community, with a thriving visual arts scene, live theater, a history museum, Japanese gardens, festivals, and concerts.

Delray Beach is an out-and-about town, something reflected in its dynamic restaurant culture. With ingredient-driven local eateries, haute cuisine from star Miami chefs looking for a less hectic lifestyle, and more, the Delray Beach dining scene has a little something for everyone. It has also become a destination for gourmands from all over the world. From sidewalk cafés to fine dining at the waterside, deliciousness is always at the ready. An exciting retail experience spills out onto those same sidewalks, dotting beachfront strips, filling converted bungalows, and packing upscale shopping centers. Shops and boutiques cater to every aspect of the perfect Florida life, from typical beachwear to elegant homewares to the high fashion you’d expect to find in Miami, New York, or Paris.