Looking for a beautiful Florida getaway? Boca Raton, a charming South Florida city with stunning beaches, upscale shopping, and beautiful downtown district. Located 20 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, and 45 miles north of Miami, there are plenty of things to do in Boca Raton that provide a healthy mix of city culture and relaxing beach vacation. The palm tree-lined streets lend to the beauty of this beach town, but beyond the glistening blue waters you’ll find unique attractions for every kind of traveler. From art museums and nature centers to the upscale attractions of Mizner Park, you won’t run out of places to explore in Boca Raton!
1. Explore the Snorkel Reef at Red Reef Park
In my opinion, Red Reef Park is the prettiest beach in Boca Raton. If you’re looking for clean beaches with plenty of grills, restroom facilities, and glistening blue water, Red Reef is for you.
What makes Red Reef unique for adventure travelers is their epic manmade snorkel trail! It has 14 different modules that host many visitors including sea turtles, parrotfish, lemon rays, barracuda, and snook to name a few. So grab your snorkel gear, and head to the south end of the park. There are buoys right offshore that mark the snorkel trail. Follow them and enjoy an epic adventure!
For an optimal snorkeling experience, remember to check the beach conditions before you go. Snorkeling is best at high tide in calm waters.
Know Before You Go
- Parking: Parking at Red Reef can be expensive for non-residents on weekends. You can try the metered lot across the street but do note that it fills very quickly.
- Parking cost at Red Reef: $35/vehicle
- Parking cost at metered lot: $3/hour (max time: 4 hours)
- Beach conditions: Check out the beach conditions before you go at this website: https://www.myboca.us/856/Beach-Conditions.
- Beach concessions: You can get beach concessions between Lifeguard Towers 7-8.
- Does Red Reef have grills or picnic tables? Yes, they have plenty of both! Weekends tend to be busier, so arrive early.
- Accessible? Yes
2. Visit Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is a fantastic stop for families, gal pals, and couples alike. This is a partnership project, and while admission is free, donations are always welcome.
At Gumbo Limbo you can enjoy 4 different outdoor aquariums, each representing different Southeast Florida marine habitats. In these aquariums are a variety of marine wildlife species and fish, and even a couple of sea turtles! You can learn about the residents of Gumbo Limbo from one of the volunteers. Don’t miss the shipwreck aquarium – it’s my personal favorite!
In addition to their beautiful aquariums, Gumbo Limbo has a butterfly garden, boardwalk trail, a research gallery in partnership with FAU, and a gopher tortoise exhibit. You can easily spend 1-2 hours here with your loved ones.
Know Before You Go
- Cost: Free, but a $5 donation is encouraged.
- Parking: There is a free parking lot for guests at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
- Good for young children? Yes
- Accessible? Yes
3. Stroll through Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Morikami Museum & Japanese Garden is a serene oasis where you can escape the hustle of the city and embrace Japanese culture. During your visit you’ll learn about the long history between Japan and South Florida. A stroll through the mile-long trail will carry you through time with several different Japanese gardens representing styles between the 9th through 20th century. There will be bamboo groves, waterfalls, lush forests, and even a bonsai collections.
As you explore the winding pathway, be sure to take a moment to reflect on the way the gardens play with the element of water. The water here reminds us to quiet our minds and let the world’s worries wash away as we melt into the landscape of Morikami.
Know Before You Go
- Cost
- Adults: $16
- Seniors: $14
- Children (ages 6-17): $10
- Children (ages 5 and under): Free
- Parking: There is a free parking lot for guests at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
- Good for young children? Yes
- Does Morikami Museum & Japanese Garden have a military discount? Yes
- Accessible? Yes
4. Visit Mizner Park: Play, Shop, and Dine
Looking to shop? Mizner Park is the place! A fabulous outdoor shopping center in the heart of Downtown Boca Raton, Mizner Park offers an elevated luxury outdoor shopping experience. On top of that Mizner also offers some fantastic restaurants, an upscale movie theater with a bar and in-theater dining, an amphitheater with regular live music! It’s truly one of the most popular things to do in Boca, so if you plan to visit on a Saturday night be sure you make reservations in advance.
If you’re visiting during the holidays, be sure to check out the big tree lighting ceremony and visit Santa!
Know Before You Go
- Does Mizner Park have parking? Yes, there are 2 parking ramps and street parking available.
- Good for young children? Yes
- Accessible? Yes
5. Look for Wildlife at Wakodahatchee Wetlands
This one is technically in Delray Beach, but if you want to see a real “Florida gator” you need to check out Wakodahatchee Wetlands. A 20 minute drive from Boca Raton, Wakodahatchee is somewhere I take every single person who visits us in Florida. As a part of the Great Birding Trail, over 178 species of birds have been identified here, making it a great place for birdwatching. Beyond the birds, keep an eye out for turtles, rabbits, frogs, and of course, alligators! You are plenty safe on their elevated boardwalk, as alligators really aren’t interested in humans. They have plenty to eat here at Wako.
Know Before You Go
- Cost: Free
- Parking: Two lots, both free
- Pet friendly: No
- Good for young children? Yes
- Accessible? Yes
6. Ride the Carousel at Sugar Sand Park
Sugar Sand Park is a staple here in Boca Raton. It is popular amongst young families because there are so many activities that will keep your kids busy all day, and wear them out enough for mom and dad to enjoy a quiet evening! Features at Sugar Sand Park include:
- Carousel
- Nature trails
- The Children’s Science Explorium – see #7!
- A massive tri-level outdoor playground
- Willow Theatre
As you can tell, the kids will be kept busy all day long and spending their day outside instead of in front of a screen. It’s really a win for everyone!
Know Before You Go
- Cost
- Park entrance: Free
- Carousel ride: $1 per person
- Good for young children? Yes!!
- Is the carousel at Sugar Sand Park accessible? Yes! The carousel has 2 wheelchair accessible chariots.
- When is the carousel at Sugar Sand Park open?
- Wednesday-Friday: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
7. Experience The Children’s Science Explorium
Located within Sugar Sand Park, The Children’s Science Explorium is a hands-on science center ideal for young children who are curious about the world around them. There are exhibits to explore, but what I think is most unique about the explorium is their emphasis on making your visit interactive. There are daily science demonstrations, experiment stations, and several worksheets/games you can play while you visit. My favorite activity is free rentals of their “Grab ‘n’ Go Eco Packs” which are outdoor adventure kits for a self-guided tour of Sugar Sand Park. Kids will even receive an interactive journal!
Know Before you Go
- Cost: Free, but a $5 donation is encouraged.
- Parking: Free, plenty of parking available
- Hours
- Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
8. Catch a sunrise or watch the boats at South Inlet Park
Another beautiful beach! I could go on about the beaches in Boca, but South Inlet Park has a unique feature. On the North side of the park, there’s an inlet where you can watch boats come in and out of the open ocean. You’ll often see fisherman fishing off of the jetty or the shoreline here as well. The inlet makes for a really beautiful sunrise, which is a benefit of being on the East Coast of Florida.
When it comes to swimming and snorkeling, this is a great beach to visit. I’d say there’s fairly decent snorkeling here due to the rock barriers attracting an array of fish and other sea life. So long as the weather cooperates, you’ll also have a pleasant time swimming at South Inlet Park.
Know Before you Go
- Parking: $3-4/hour, metered lot
- Beach conditions: Check out the beach conditions before you go at this website: https://www.myboca.us/856/Beach-Conditions.
- Does South Inlet have grills or picnic tables? Yes, they have a few picnic areas with grills.
- Accessible? Yes
