City Profile: Delray Beach

By VISIT FLORIDA staff
Published: February 26, 2008
Last Updated On: January 13, 2012

Text Size A A A

Related Cities & Topics:

Delray Beach

Active beach scenes and a lively downtown characterize Delray Beach.

Delray Beach is located in southern Palm Beach County north of Boca Raton, 20 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport and directly on the Atlantic Ocean. The city has evolved from a small farming community 100 years ago, to a pleasant and developing residential area with a thriving downtown business district.

The beaches of Delray are perfect for outdoor recreation and sunbathing. There are plenty of volleyball nets along the beach, and a nature trail and boardwalk in Atlantic Dunes Park. For diving enthusiasts, be sure to investigate the wreck of the SS Inchulva, a few hundred yards from shore. This popular dive site was sunk in a hurricane in 1903, and is a state historical site.

Delray's beaches and parks are the ideal setting for outdoor rest and relaxation, but the downtown area is the heart of the city.

Delray also offers an abundance of watersports and boating activities. Boat owners can launch their crafts at ramps and docks at many local parks, such as Knowles Park, Veterans Park, Lake Ida Park and the Delray Marina. Veterans Park also offers limited dockage if tourists want to stay longer and not remove their boats from the water each day.

Delray's beaches and parks are the ideal setting for outdoor rest and relaxation, but the downtown area is the heart of the city. The paved brick sidewalks of Main Street, scenic vistas, decorative lighting and miles of shops make Delray Beach's downtown a great source of community pride.

Atlantic Avenue is made for walking, browsing and soaking up the culture and scenic ambiance of Palm Beach County. Art and Jazz nights, now known as On the Avenue, feature free trolley service, live music, food and fun. The downtown offers a mix of restaurants, antique shops, gift shops, galleries and clothiers, as well as an array of personal and professional services. State historic preservation officials often point to Delray as a beacon of what committed citizenry and government can do when there is a strong desire to preserve a city's past.