This affluent South Florida city has Mediterranean-style architecture, pristine Atlantic beaches, and the largest indoor butterfly garden in North America at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
Boca Raton sits along Florida's southeast coast with accessible beaches, cultural spots, and distinct architecture. Walk two miles of shoreline at Red Reef Park, where staff at Gumbo Limbo Environmental Center care for injured sea turtles. Visit Mizner Park's plaza to see modern art exhibitions at the Boca Raton Museum of Art and browse clothing stores. Florida Atlantic University's campus fills parts of the city with student activity, and Mediterranean-style buildings from the 1920s line downtown streets. Clean public areas, green parks, and strict rules against billboards create a tidy environment for visitors.
Coastal Parks and Beaches
Red Reef Park and South Inlet Park on Boca Raton's eastern shore provide clear water for swimming and snorkeling near coral reefs. At Red Reef Park, the Gumbo Limbo center has tanks with recovering sea turtles and displays explaining how coastal ecosystems work. Walk through pedestrian tunnels under the coastal highway to reach beach entrances from parking lots. Spanish River Park covers 94 acres with picnic tables, short hiking paths through native plants, and wooden walkways for birdwatching. The Boca Raton Airport Observation Area gives plane enthusiasts a circular deck to watch takeoffs and landings, with speakers playing pilot-tower communications.
Art, Shopping, and Entertainment
Mizner Park forms downtown Boca Raton's central gathering spot with clothing stores, art spaces, and restaurants. The Boca Raton Museum of Art at the plaza's north end rotates exhibitions of 20th-century paintings and sculptures alongside works by international artists. Live music fills the Count de Hoernele Amphitheater during weekend concerts from November to April. Town Center at Boca Raton mall attracts shoppers with brands like Apple, Nordstrom, and local jewelry designers. City rules require buildings to use earth-toned colors and limit street signs, keeping visual clutter low.
Sports and Local Events
FAU Stadium hosts the annual Boca Raton Bowl each December, featuring university football teams from regional conferences. Florida Atlantic University's 29,000 students use campus facilities near Spanish River Boulevard, adding youth energy to the area. During March, the Festival of the Arts Boca brings live orchestra performances and book signings to Mizner Park's outdoor stage. In 2025, the city will mark its 100th anniversary with historical reenactments, music from different eras, and neighborhood picnics.
History and Neighborhoods
Addison Mizner's 1926 design for Boca Raton's original Town Hall still stands downtown with its red-tile roof and stucco walls. The Pearl City neighborhood, founded by Black families in 1915, gained national historic recognition in 2023 for its role in Florida's development. IBM's former Boca Raton campus produced the first personal computer in 1981; part of the site now houses Florida Atlantic University research labs. Construction begins in late 2024 on upgrades to the Tri-Rail Station, adding shops and better walkways to nearby areas. The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum inside the old Town Hall building details these stories through photos and artifacts.
Visiting Tips
Expect daytime temperatures between 75°F and 90°F year-round, with afternoon rain common from May to October. Fly into Palm Beach International Airport or Fort Lauderdale Airport, both 45 minutes away by car. Use Palm Tran buses to reach downtown from the Tri-Rail station, or wait for the new beach shuttle launching in 2025. December through March brings cooler weather for walking tours, while September hotel rates often drop by 30%. The city maintains 49 parks with tennis courts, playgrounds, and bike paths, including the 20-mile-long Ocean Breeze Trail.
