Delray Beach, FL

Delray Beach, Florida is a premier beach town, with a roughly two-mile stretch of sandy beach and beautiful coastline. Located in Palm Beach County, Delray Beach has a population of around 64,000 residents.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Downtown Delray Beach is a retail, cultural and residential hub. The area offers a multitude of upscale restaurants, retail, nightclubs and art galleries. The city has a distinct pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, which is aided by the prevalence of parallel parking. In addition, there are many free municipal parking lots and garages.

Townhomes are the preferred building style and are designed to enhance the landscape, with town codes prescribing beautiful color schemes reminiscent of Bahamian and Caribbean influences. While there are a few high rise structures, including vacation rentals and timeshare properties, the prevalent building and development style in Delray Beach is decidedly low to mid-rise. One reason to own a condo in Delray Beach is that residents and occupants are intimate with both the beach and the downtown.

The city has over 64,000 urban residents. There are about 31,000 houses in the city, out of which around 31 percent are tenant-occupied.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The city had an early history of agriculture. It then evolved from a farming community into a major city which also became a winter resort. Delray Beach today is considered a leading force in Florida's growing historic preservation movement.

The most common industries that people are engaged in are health care, accommodation and food services, construction, educational services, professional, and scientific and technical services.

The major employers in the city are XenaCare Holdings Inc., Office Depot Inc., MyTravel North America/Lifestyle Vacation Incentives, Delray Medical Center, Addison Reserve Main Gate, JetFlite Inc., Annco Services Inc., Ed Morse Delray Toyota KIA, and Delray Lincoln Mercury.

FAMILY FUN

• Anchor Park is a beach park with restroom facilities, showers, picnic areas, and a playground. This is also the location of the Ocean Rescue Division Headquarters.
• Atlantic Dunes Park is equipped with lifeguards, a pavilion, restroom facilities, and picnic areas. This park is handicap-accessible.
• Seacrest Soccer Complex is a large outdoor space with a multipurpose field, tennis and basketball courts, and softball fields. This complex also has restroom facilities, staff offices, and a concession stand.
• Miller Park has several lighted little league baseball fields, a multipurpose field, a press box, restroom faculties, a playground, and concession stands. This is also the location of the Bucky Dent Baseball School
• Pompey Park features a game room, an auditorium, indoor basketball and volleyball courts, little league fields, a multipurpose field, batting cages, a press box, a playground, lighted racquetball courts, and a picnic area. The Pompey Park Pool is also located here and features a swimming and wading pool.
• Catherine Strong Splash Park is a splash park with ball fields, fitness trail, and tennis courts.

EVENTS

• Art and Jazz in the Avenue is held for several nights in downtown Delray Beach and features live entertainment and art exhibits.
• Fourth of July Celebration is an annual event that takes place on the beach and features a sand sculpture contest, a parade, live entertainment, food, and fireworks.
• Holiday Festivities are holiday celebrations held in a month-long festival in downtown Delray Beach. A 100-foot Christmas tree is displayed and lit, and the fun includes activities, pictures with Santa, outdoor ice skating, live entertainment, and food.
• First Night is the town's New Year's celebration. This family event offers entertainment, parades, food, games, and crafts.
• Art Festivals features a multiplicity of arts and entertainment throughout the year. These festivals are hosted by Howard Allan, a chiropractor, who began displaying art in front of his offices to promote business.
• Multi Cultural Festival features entertainment, food, and prizes as the town of Delray Beach celebrates cultural diversity.
• The Garlic Fest is an annual event featuring various chefs, food, wine, and entertainment, where chefs can enter the cooking competition to vie for cash prizes.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• The American Orchid Society is a museum that features a variety of tropical plants and gardens. Visitors can participate in educational programs or purchase souvenirs at the visitors' center.
• Cason Cottage House Museum is a home constructed of Dade County Pine, in keeping with the Historical Society's preservation of Florida as it was in the early 1900s.
• Cornell Archives Room educates visitors about the town's history. The archives are managed by the Historical Society.
• Cornell Museum of Art and History is located in a 1913 schoolhouse and features exhibits, a two-story atrium, meeting rooms, and a gift shop.
• Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens features Japanese art, a theater, a teahouse, and gardens.
• Sandoway House Nature Center puts on exhibits and educational activities centered on the wildlife and nature found in Delray Beach.
• Spady Cultural Heritage Museum was once home to Solomon D. Spady, an African-American educator and leader. Today, this museum celebrates the city's African-American history and culture.
• Horse and Carriage Rides take visitors through Historic Downtown, cruising by historic Pineapple Grove and Old School Square.
• Delray Harbor Club Marina offers boaters monthly or annual dockage. At this marina, visitors can enjoy a heated swimming pool and picnic area with a gazebo, all with the convenience of restrooms and shower facilities.
• Marina Delray is a full services marina.
• Yacht Club at Delray Beach
• City Marina Delray Beach

SHOPPING

• Atlantic Antique Mall offers shoppers various antiques and vintage collector's items.
• Pineapple Grove Arts District provides a variety of activities, as visitors can shop at numerous boutiques, relax at a spa, or dine at one of the district's cafes. This district is also home to community events and festivals.

GETTING AROUND

• Downtown Roundabout. This is a free shuttle bus service running along two routes through downtown Delray Beach and Pineapple Grove.
• Amtrak. This station offers free short- and long-term parking, enclosed waiting areas, and restroom facilities.

LOCAL MEDIA

Local Delray Beach radio stations include:

• WSBR 710 (Spanish)
• WINZ 940 (Talk)
• WLVJ 1040 (Religious)
• WPOW 96.5 (Hip Hop)
• WKGR 97.9 (Classic Rock)
• WKIS 99.9 (Country)
• WHYI 100.7 (Top 40)