3Night/4Day Delray Beach Itinerary with kids

I love long weekends when I can pack up the family for a short roadtrip to enjoy beautiful Florida staycation. There are a lot of cities to explore in Florida and recently we took the kids to see what Delray Beach has to offer. I found it to be a laid-back beach town with an energetic side, Delray has plenty of shopping, unique restaurants, nature and nightlife options to fill a long weekend—plus make sure to spend some time on the sand too.

If you have 3 nights to spend in Delray Beach with your family, I’ve narrowed down the top places you should check out to get the best experience of your time.

Day One / Thursday

Depending on which way you are coming from, swing by one place in Boca Raton the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. There is no admission fee and the parking is also free. This Nature Center is based around 20 acres of protected barrier islands, which provide an important refuge to the number of plants and animals that live in the area with a number of exhibits inside the center ranging in topics from solar to sea turtles. There is a beautiful trail and butterfly garden. I personally love the boardwalk trail, which is 1/4 mile that will take you through the preserved Hardwood Hammock. 

Check into Crane’s Beach House Boutique Hotel & Villas for a comfortable and cozy stay in a prime location. This charming hotel is walking distance to the beach and the popular Atlantic Blvd. We spent a lovely 3 nights at this hidden gem and loved every minute.

On a nice night (which is most of the time in Florida), you can take a leisurely stroll down the popular Atlantic Avenue to check out all the stores and art galleries. This strip has tons of bars, restaurants and entertainment.

Then kick off your trip with a delicious family dinner at Elisabetta’s. This beautiful restaurant located in the heart of downtown delray offers a traditional Italian menu and fabulous drink menu! Everything we experience from service to the food a and atmosphere. Our waiter was Corey and he was very polite, knowledgeable & attentive. I would definitely put this on your foodie list – read about our full experience and menu choices here.

Day Two / Friday

Start your morning with a visit to Sandoway Discover Center. This nature center was opened in 2020 inside a 1936 beachfront house with shark/stingray feedings, shell and bone exhibits, fish tanks and a variety of Florida wildlife to see and learn about. Located a quick walk from Crane’s Beach House, it is a great way to spend a couple of hours.

The perfect family fun night can be had at Silverball Retro Arcade. It creates a nostalgic experience with over 100 games to play that are not only high-energy entertainment but a museum of arcade games that date back to the early 1900s! On our family vacation in Delray Beach we enjoyed dinner, drinks and hours of game play as a great end to the day. Checkout all our photos and full details on the menu and games on our review here.

Day Three / Saturday

Prepare some coffee in the room early and head to catch the sunrise at Delray Beach. The pavilion is just a short walk from Crane’s Beach House. The sunrise can be taken in from pavilion platform there or head straight to the water to catch amazing views. Enjoy an early swim before the beach gets crowded; On the way back to the hotel, grab some donuts at Holey Donuts and enjoy breakfast in the room.

Once ready for the day, take a walk or drive to Old School Square and checkout the weekly Green Market. You’ll find more than 50+ vendors featuring Palm Beach County farm-to-fork produce, fresh citrus and juice, farm fresh eggs, raw milk and butter, Florida meats, artisan baked goods, plenty of gluten free, vegan and sugar free products, fresh cut flowers, plants and other unique gourmet fare along with live musical entertainment each week.

Head to the Veteran’s Park off of Atlantic Avenue to enjoy some playground time before boarding the Lady Atlantic for a two hour Delray Sightseeing Cruise. Delray Yacht Cruises has been named the number one sightseeing and charter company in South Florida. Read about our full cruise experience here.

After the cruise, take a short walk under the bridge for a casual waterfront meal at Deck 84. We enjoyed sitting outside with great views and live music. The menu is diverse and something for everyone. It was the best chicken stir fried rice I have ever had!

As the golden hour approaches when the low sun glazes South Florida shining through the palm trees, stop in to The Colony Hotel to enjoy a drink at the Porch Bar. It overlooks Atlantic Avenue where you’ll find cool drinks and friendly service daily. Enjoy live music on the weekends.

Day Four / Sunday

No vacation is complete without a Sunday Brunch and Dada’s will hit the spot! It’s located in one of the oldest historic homes in Delray Beach and is listed as a historic site. The eclectic interior and revolving artwork complement the creative cuisine, which is sustainably sourced. Everything was outstanding. My kids loved that the tables were chalk boards. This is a Must Brunch Experience in Delray! Read about our full experience and menu choice here.

If you still need a little more exploration before your trip ends, drive about 5 miles south to the Morikami Museum, a Japanese cultural center and a stark contrast to hedonistic beach culture. Stroll through the traditional Japanese gardens of bamboo, bonsai, stone and water elements and visit the exhibition that explains the history of Delray’s Yamato farming colony.

Before leaving Delray Beach and heading back to the west coast of Florida we made a stop at Girls Strawberry Patch. It’s an old fashioned country ice cream shop that offers a HUGE selection of candy and ice cream. But the shocking part was “Grandma’s Garden” in the back. There is a little train ride, lush plants, goats, exotic birds and more to see as you wander through the garden.

Delray Beach : A Laidback Family Destination

Delray Beach was once named “Most Fun Small Town in the USA” by Rand McNally and USA Today – and it’s easy to see why. Located between Boynton Beach and Boca Raton, Delray Beach is noted for its lively main street, quiet beaches, inviting weather, a thriving arts scene and interesting culture that stretches back centuries. It’s a great stop on a Florida Road Trip or makes a perfect staycation for Floridians looking to change their daily scenery for a few days.

Have you been to Delray Beach? If so, what is your favorite thing to do with kids in the area?
I’d love to hear from you!
Feel free to comment below or email me at Mandy @ acupful .com

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