Things to Do in Delray Beach: Atlantic Avenue, the Arts and Beyond

Most things to do in Delray Beach start on Atlantic Avenue, the main street that runs from the downtown arts district east to the ocean. Delray sits in southern Palm Beach County between Boca Raton and Boynton Beach. Its downtown packs restaurants, galleries, a historic arts campus, a farmers market and a pro tennis tournament into a walkable stretch. This guide is for people thinking about moving here. It covers what locals do week to week, the big yearly events, and which neighborhoods sit closest to the action.

Key takeaways

• Downtown parking runs $4 an hour on Atlantic Avenue, $3 on nearby side streets, $2 in nearby lots and $1.50 in garages. Free parking exists more than a block off the avenue.
• The Delray Winter GreenMarket runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Old School Square, from October 24, 2026 to May 22, 2027.
• The 2027 Delray Beach Open runs February 12 to 21 at the stadium at 201 W. Atlantic Avenue.
• The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens sits in a county park of about 200 acres west of downtown.
• According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Delray Beach had a median list price of $278,000 across 1,942 active listings.

Things to do in Delray Beach along Atlantic Avenue

Atlantic Avenue is the center of daily life downtown. The blocks between Swinton Avenue and the Intracoastal Waterway are lined with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, boutiques and galleries. East of the bridge, the avenue runs a short distance to the beach, so you can walk from dinner to the ocean.

For residents, the avenue works like a town square. People meet friends for brunch on weekends, stroll after dinner, and take visiting family out on the town. Many of the restaurants have outdoor seating, which makes sense for most of the year in South Florida.

Parking downtown

Parking is the first practical question. According to the Downtown Delray Beach parking page, rates are $4 an hour on Atlantic Avenue, $3 on side streets near the avenue, $2 in lots near the avenue and $1.50 in garages. Free parking is also available on side streets and lots more than a block off Atlantic. In addition, the city offers parking permits for residents and downtown workers, so ask about those after you move in.

Arts and culture: things to do in Delray Beach at Old School Square

Old School Square is the downtown arts campus at the corner of Atlantic and Swinton Avenues. It occupies restored early 20th-century school buildings, and the school buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to Old School Square's history page, the campus includes:

• The Cornell Art Museum, in the 1913 Delray Elementary building, with rotating contemporary art shows.
• The Crest Theatre, in the 1925 Delray High School building, which hosts musicals, comedy and family shows.
• The Pavilion, an outdoor venue with lawn seating that opened in 2002.

The campus also hosts many of the city's community events, so it is worth checking its calendar often.

More galleries, music and history downtown

Beyond Old School Square, Delray has several smaller cultural spots. The Arts Garage is a nonprofit venue that hosts concerts, theater and visual art. Meanwhile, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum focuses on the history and contributions of Black residents in the area. Both sit close to downtown, so they are easy to pair with dinner on the avenue.

Weekend things to do in Delray Beach: the GreenMarket

The Delray Winter GreenMarket is a Saturday ritual for many locals. According to Downtown Delray Beach, the 2026 to 2027 winter season runs from October 24, 2026 through May 22, 2027. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the market sets up at Old School Square.

Vendors sell produce, baked goods, plants, prepared food and local crafts. Many residents walk or bike over, pick up groceries and stay for coffee. A shorter summer market has also run on Saturday mornings in past years, so check the schedule if you arrive in June or July.

Things to do in Delray Beach by the ocean

Delray's public beach runs along A1A, just east of downtown. It is a long stretch of open sand within walking distance of the east end of the avenue, and it gets outside praise. For example, USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards named it the best beach in Florida in 2024 and again in 2025, according to the Downtown Development Authority.

Locals tend to use the beach in short, frequent visits rather than full days. An early swim, a walk at sunset or an hour with the kids after school is common. Metered parking runs along A1A, so many downtown residents simply walk or bike.

For families, the Sandoway Discovery Center offers natural history exhibits and environmental education. It makes a good rainy-day option with young children.

Gardens, wetlands and quieter things to do in Delray Beach

Some of the best outings sit west of downtown. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is at 4000 Morikami Park Road. It is a Palm Beach County facility, set in a park of about 200 acres. It includes two museum buildings, the Roji-en Japanese Gardens, a bonsai collection and a cafe.

The museum has local roots. George Morikami was a member of the Yamato Colony, a group of Japanese farmers who settled in the area in the early 1900s. He later donated his farmland to the county for the park. As a result, the gardens are both a quiet place to walk and a piece of Delray's history.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands for birdwatching

The Wakodahatchee Wetlands cover 50 acres of former utility land west of the city. A three-quarter-mile boardwalk crosses ponds, marsh and small islands. The county says more than 178 bird species have been identified there, along with alligators and turtles. Early mornings tend to be the best time for birds and cooler air.

Yearly events in Delray Beach

Delray hosts events all year, but a few stand out for new residents.

The Delray Beach Open

The Delray Beach Open is a pro tennis tournament held downtown every winter. According to the tournament's site, the 2027 event starts with ATP Legends and qualifying matches from February 12 to 14. Then the ATP 250 main draw runs February 15 to 21. The stadium sits at 201 W. Atlantic Avenue, a short walk from many downtown homes and condos.

Beyond tennis, the city and downtown groups run holiday events, art fairs and concerts through the year. Dates change, so check the Downtown Delray Beach and city calendars after you move in.

A sample week for a downtown resident

It helps to picture how these pieces fit into normal life. A downtown resident might start Saturday at the GreenMarket, then spend the afternoon at the beach. On Sunday, the Morikami gardens make a calm outing with visiting family. During the week, dinner on the avenue or a show at the Crest Theatre fills an evening without much planning.

Families out west of I-95 tend to use downtown differently. They drive in for events, the market or a beach day, then head home to quieter streets with more parking. Both patterns work well, so think about which one sounds like you before you pick a neighborhood.

Busy season versus summer

Downtown feels different across the year. Winter brings seasonal residents and visitors, the GreenMarket, the tennis tournament and fuller restaurants. Summer is hotter and quieter, with shorter waits and easier parking. If you visit before you buy, try to come once in each season. That way you see both the crowds and the slow months.

Neighborhoods near the best things to do in Delray Beach

Where you live shapes how much of this you will use. Downtown condos and townhomes put Atlantic Avenue and the beach within walking distance. Pineapple Grove, a historic neighborhood named for the area's early pineapple crop, sits close to downtown and the arts district.

A bit farther out, the Lake Ida area offers single-family homes on and near the lake, with an easy drive or bike ride downtown. East of the Intracoastal, homes sit closer to the ocean and tend to cost more. West of Interstate 95, you will find many planned communities, including large 55+ communities, which trade walkability for space and amenities.

Our guide to the best neighborhoods in Delray Beach covers these areas in more depth. For a broader look at pros and cons, see is Delray Beach a good place to live.

What homes cost in Delray Beach

According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Delray Beach had 1,942 active residential listings with a median list price of $278,000. That is the median asking price, with condos and houses counted together, so it reflects the city's large stock of condos. The median price per square foot was $237, and active listings had been on the market an average of 118 days. The median asking rent for active rentals was $2,650.

These numbers update nightly on our Delray Beach page. Single-family homes near downtown and east of the Intracoastal usually ask far more than the city median.

Frequently asked questions

What are free things to do in Delray Beach?

The beach, a walk on Atlantic Avenue and a Saturday at the GreenMarket cost nothing beyond parking. The Wakodahatchee boardwalk is another free outing.

When is the Delray Beach Open in 2027?

Legends and qualifying matches run February 12 to 14, 2027. The ATP 250 main draw follows from February 15 to 21 at 201 W. Atlantic Avenue.

How much is parking on Atlantic Avenue?

Downtown Delray lists $4 an hour on Atlantic Avenue, $3 on nearby side streets, $2 in nearby lots and $1.50 in garages. Free parking is available more than a block off the avenue.

Is Delray Beach walkable?

Downtown and the blocks around Atlantic Avenue are very walkable. Most neighborhoods west of I-95 are car-oriented.

When does the Delray GreenMarket open for the season?

The 2026 to 2027 winter season opens on October 24, 2026 and runs through May 22, 2027. It is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Old School Square.

Sources

• Downtown Delray Beach, parking
• Downtown Delray Beach, Delray Winter GreenMarket
• Delray Beach Open, tournament FAQ
• Old School Square, history
• Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, about
• Palm Beach County Water Utilities, Wakodahatchee Wetlands
• Downtown Delray Beach, best beach in Florida release

Already own in Delray Beach? Find out what your home could sell for with a free home value report from Pure Equity. Thinking of moving here? Request a free relocation consultation for Delray Beach and we will show you the neighborhoods closest to the avenue, the beach and the parks. Talk with our team.