Things to do in Boca Raton
-
Loxahatchee Everglades Tours
Ten miles west of downtown, Wild Lyle’s Loxahatchee Everglades Tours offers hourly ecoexplorations of the Everglades on one of eight custom airboats (a boat using a fan instead of a propeller to push it over the water). Guests enjoy an adventure ride through swampy marsh, around papyrus and hurricane grass, past long-winged birds and turtles and gators sunning themselves.
reviewed
-
A
Premier Muvico Palace 20
Ahhhh, this is how movies were meant to be enjoyed! This elegant and massive film house (sister property to the one in West Palm's CityPlace), offers luxurious seating, a private bar and a wine menu for sipping while you watch your movie. For some, the best detail is that children are not admitted into the theatres.
reviewed
-
Mizner Park
The Mizner Park is a ritzy outdoor mall with stores, restaurants and regular free concerts.
reviewed
-
B
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
Boca’s best asset is not its collection of retail, cultural or culinary treats, but this condo-free stretch of waterfront parkland. The crown jewel of the system is the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, a wild preserve of tropical hammock and dunes ecosystems. Dedicated to educating the public about sea turtles and other local fauna, the natural-history displays include fascinating saltwater tanks full of critters – fed with leftover seafood scraps donated by local businesses. Plus, it’s one of 10 places in the US where you can (legally) observe sea turtles nesting, 9pm to 11pm every Monday and Thursday between May 20 and July 11 ($5).
reviewed
-
C
Children's Science Explorium
A kiddy attraction in the western section of Boca, this explorium has exhibits on Florida ecosystems and local history, as well as brightly colored hands-on exhibits on ever-popular topics including space, physics and various aspects of nature. Outside is the very cool Science Trail, a series of physics experiments cleverly disguised as a nifty playground. The museum is part of Sugar Sands Park, 132 acres of shady Florida scrub that's almost as nice as Boca's collection of oceanfront greenways.
reviewed
-
Mizner Park
This outdoor shopping mall, bounded by Federal Hwy and Mizner Blvd north of NE 2nd St, and bookended on one side by the Boca Raton Museum of Art offers free valet parking plus live music on Saturday nights. The lovely mall provides a nice breezy stroll, but the abundant chain stores squelch its uniqueness. A notable exception is Kerzen Candles, whose non-toxic, gourmet candles are fascinating displays of waxen art.
reviewed
-
D
Spanish River Park
This massive and leafy park, between Ocean Blvd and the Intracoastal Waterway, is a fine 95 acres of waterfront property, blessed with a lagoon, a vast grassy area, picnic tables, a 40ft observation tower and well-shaded nature trails that are clearly loved by the locals who you'll see jogging, fast-walking and strolling along here. Through three tunnels under Ocean Blvd, you can walk to the wild beach, with nothing but sand dunes and surfers to distract you.
reviewed
-
E
Sports Immortals Showcase Museum
Founded by sports-memorabilia collector Joel Platt, this museum is a preview of his more ambitious project, the Sports Immortals Experience, ‘in the works’ for years. Today, you can view rotating exhibits featuring mementos from balls and helmets to plaques and artwork. The top floor features interactive displays, footage of outstanding feats and items like the ‘death ball’ that killed baseball player Ray Chapman in 1920.
reviewed
-
F
Children’s Museum, Inc
Housed in the 1925 ‘Singing Pines’ home, one of the oldest wooden structures in town, this museum has rooms with various themes, like Oscar’s Post Office (where kids can make their own postcards), KidsCent’s banking (featuring a working vault with prizes) and FACES Multicultural Room (with musical instruments, try-on clothing and crafts from around the world).
reviewed
-
La Vieille Maison
Consistently voted one of the best restaurants in Florida, just walking into this elegant house that's brimming with delicate details and antiques will transport you to a small village in the French countryside. And tasting the food - from honey-roasted duck and exquisite cheese plates to succulent portions of veal and lamb - will drive that notion home.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
G
Healthy Bites Grill
Glance at this brightly colored drive-thru, near the Science Explorium, and you'll think it's just another crappy fast-food spot. But a closer inspection reveals the true nature of the South Florida chain: good and good for you. Choose from grilled portobello sandwiches, fresh salads, smoothies and tasty wraps like the tarragon chicken salad.
reviewed
-
Boca Muse
Equal parts classy bar, intimate dining space and secluded lounge, this oasis is as comfortable as a Roy Orbison song. Visitors are provided provocative coffee-table books to spark conversation while waiting for their food (tapas, salads and sandwiches), which is delightful.
reviewed
-
Saporissimo
Translating as ‘extremely delicious,’ this Italian restaurant is simultaneously romantic and shabby-chic, unlike many of its frou-frou neighbors. Choose from unusual Tuscan treats – wild boar, truffles, rabbit and elk – or more traditional options like ravioli or veal.
reviewed
-
H
Schmidt Center Gallery
The Schmidt Center Gallery is a large, adaptable space that features frequent installation art. To get here, use parking lot 1 at the end of Palm Beach Ave (visitors must use metered spaces), walk toward the theater and turn left into the Performing Arts Center.
reviewed
-
I
Ritter Art Gallery
Just over the hill, the Ritter Art Gallery is designed to exhibit larger pieces, from huge ceramic figures to carved granite sculpture. While many shows focus on student art, exhibitions by renowned South Florida artists are always a season highlight.
reviewed
-
J
GiGi’s
Beneath this tavern’s soaring 24ft ceilings are a huge stage, two bars and a whole lot of lacquered, chocolate paneling that can’t decide if it’s vintage or modern. Great oyster bar – plus several tasty chicken, steak and seafood options.
reviewed
-
K
Boca Raton Museum of Art
The outstanding Boca Raton Museum of Art, which has a permanent collection of works by Picasso, Matisse and Warhol, and more than 1200 photographic images. Special exhibitions have a higher admission cost.
reviewed
-
L
Zemi
The chef here perfected his eclectic fusion cuisine at the excellent Nemo in South Beach before exciting the Boca foodie crowd. Chili-crusted shrimp and succulent, marinated grilled skirt steaks are just the beginning.
reviewed
-
Boca Ballet Theatre
The theater, founded in 1990, stages both classical and contemporary ballets, often featuring visiting dancers (but accompanied by recorded music), at the Olympic Heights Performing Arts Theatre (20101 N Lyons Rd).
reviewed
-
M
Flakowitz Bagel Inn
This New York–style deli always has a huge breakfast crowd thanks to its 20-something variety of bagels, enormous plates of eggs, pancakes and the usual. Lunch is a quality experience, too. The line moves fast.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
N
Culinaros Mediterranean Taverna
A fine waterfront tavern with a heavy dose of Greek flavor. Specialties include grilled lamb chops, spanakopita and lemon-marinated chicken. Make reservations on weekends, when belly dancers prance and jingle.
reviewed
-
O
Red Reef Beach
- Boca Raton, USA
- Sights › Beach
Thanks to a unique outcrop of rock and reef just offshore, Red Reef Beach is tops for water-lovers, offering lifeguards in swimming areas, and great shallow pools for beginner snorkelers.
reviewed
-
P
Banyan Bar & Grille
This historic house lavishes diners with a fancy, US bistro–style resplendency. Select from traditional fare with modern twists, such as blackened mahimahi with fruit salsa and lobster shepherd’s pie.
reviewed
-
Q
Florida Atlantic University Galleries
A bit off the beaten path, FAU has two galleries that attract top exhibitions in between student shows. The Schmidt Center Gallery and, just over the hill, the Ritter Art Gallery.
reviewed
-
R
Boomers!
A perfect place to keep your little ones occupied for an hour or five, this indoor–outdoor fun park has go-karts, bumper boats, and endlessly flashing and buzzing arcade games.
reviewed
