Discover the tropical wildlife in golden dunes, leafy parks and colorful reefs surrounding the dynamic city center of Florida’s Venice.
Boca Raton, on the southeastern Florida Gold Coast, is known as the “City for All Seasons” for its almost year-round sunny weather. Palm tree-lined promenades, luxurious resorts, white-sand beaches and distinctive Spanish- and Moorish-inspired architecture in warm orange and pink tones make this city feel like a tropical Venice. Leisure sports, intriguing museums and lush parks are set against a magnificent Northern Atlantic beachfront.
Visit some of the coastal wildlife areas that make this southern state unique. Swim or surf in the pristine waters or try your hand at surf fishing at South Beach Park. Relax on the sand and watch the seabirds that make their home in the dunes. Enjoy a peaceful day out at Spanish River Park and cook up a delicious picnic on the grills under the shade of palm trees.
Explore the Hardwood Hammock, a quarter-mile (400-meter) boardwalk that winds through the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Explore the Floridian marine and coastal ecosystems at the center’s informative pavilions and sea tanks. The center is contained within the 67-acre (27-hectare) Red Reef Park, which features several man-made reefs where beginner and expert snorkelers can swim among shoals of colorful tropical fish.
See Boca Raton’s distinctive architecture and cultural attractions at Mizner Park on Plaza Real. Palm trees line the plaza and peach-colored buildings house upscale shops and apartments. Visit the Boca Raton Museum of Art, the city’s primary museum. Browse the excellent permanent collections of 19th- and 20th-century European and American artworks and West African cultural artifacts. Temporary exhibits keep the museum interesting for returning visitors.
Boca Raton is located on Florida’s east coast, in between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Fort Lauderdale Airport is 25 miles (32 kilometers) south of downtown Boca Raton and is serviced by major and regional airlines. Boca Raton is also accessible by Amtrak and southeastern Florida’s TriRail system. The Boca Raton inlet is easily accessible by boat from the Atlantic Ocean.