The Great Outdoors, Culture and Nightlife, Boca’s Past—and Future, The Boca Raton, Where to Eat

Beachy, artsy, and rich in history, culture, and Mediterranean Revival charm, Boca Raton is a gem of South Florida—and with the city celebrating its centennial in 2025, there’s never been a better time to visit.

From an iconic luxury resort to its nickname as “the city within a park” (there are more than 40 public parks plus miles of beaches and trails for hiking and biking), Boca Raton has fun on tap for every type of visitor. Here's how to experience Boca Raton like a local.

The Great Outdoors

Along its five miles of Atlantic coastline, Boca Raton has three pristine beaches (South Beach, Red Reef, and Spanish River), but there are also many ways to get in, around, and under the water.

Snorkel the Red Reef Park Snorkel Trail

The Red Reef Park Snorkel Trail is a lesser-known gem beloved by locals. It is accessible to beginners while providing plenty to see for experienced snorkelers. This artificial reef, made of 20 artificial reef modules plus an artificial reef jetty that extends from the beach into the water, is located just offshore in shallow waters. It allows for easy underwater exploration amongst vibrant marine life like parrotfish, friendly reef sharks, and more.

In addition to beach access at Red Reef Park, you can enjoy bird-watching, surf fishing, and even golfing at the Alan C. Alford Red Reef Family Golf Course.

Soak up the Sun at Spanish River Beach

Spanish River Beach offers a unique double delight: access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Intracoastal side sports a boat dock, nature and birding trails, and waterside picnic areas, while the beach has swimming and colorful murals adorning the tunnels, providing natural beauty with a side of art.

Spend the Day at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

This 20-acre nature preserve on a protected barrier island feels a world away. Founded in 1984, the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center features a boardwalk for scenic walks, aquariums filled with tropical fish, nature programs, kayak tours, and a butterfly garden. The highlight for many visitors, though, is the sea turtle rehabilitation facility, where you can learn about conservation efforts and even attend sea turtle hatchling releases in season. Don’t miss the brand-new Jacob’s Outlook, a 40-foot ADA-compliant observation tower with sweeping ocean, Intracoastal, and coastal ecosystem views.

Culture and Nightlife

While much of Boca Raton’s culture is centered around Mizner Park, there are hotspots around the city worth checking out.

Spend a Day at Mizner Park

Dedicated to the architect Addison Mizner, 30-acre Mizner Park is the cultural heart of Boca Raton. Here, you’ll find a mix of upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment (including a 4,200-seat amphitheater) amidst swaying palms and Mediterranean Revival style. Beloved for its pink buildings, lush landscaping, and dynamic mix of restaurants and boutiques, Mizner Park was one of the first mixed-use developments in the country.

Catch a Concert at the Mizner Park Amphitheater

At the Mizner Park Amphitheater and lawn, you’ll find a regular docket of live music, community events, concerts, and festivals, so it’s a great gathering place.

Visit the Boca Raton Museum of Art

The 70-year-old Boca Raton Museum of Art has an impressive permanent collection, thought-provoking rotating exhibits, a sculpture garden, and a design-forward gift shop with artisan gifts, contemporary home designs, jewelry, and more—perfect for unique souvenirs. The museum also houses The Art School, where visitors can enjoy family activities and art classes.

Drink and Dine at One of Mizner Park’s Many Restaurants

Mizner Park is filled with fun places to drink and dine, but Kapow! is a local favorite because of the delicious Asian-fusion menu, craft cocktails, and lively ambiance. Want to begin your day with craft coffee? Subculture Coffee is a treasured local chain featuring high-quality beans and a small menu of açaí bowls, avocado toast, and breakfast sandwiches.

Admire the Plethora of Public Art

Public Art Boca works hard to ensure that Boca’s love for the arts extends beyond its museum walls. All around town, you’ll find murals, installations, and sculptures, even in unexpected places like tunnels leading to the beach. Take a self-guided tour to see it all.

Catch Live Music at The Funky Biscuit

The Funky Biscuit is an intimate live-music venue known for hosting national and local bands, especially funk, rock, jazz, blues, and reggae—plus Southern-inspired food and craft cocktails.

Get Wild at Crazy Uncle Mike’s

Lively but casual, Crazy Uncle Mike’s is a hotspot for a fun night out: this 4,000-square-foot venue has bites and brews plus karaoke, board games on Mondays, and a full calendar of local bands and entertainment.

Boca’s Past—and Future

Visit the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum

Housed in the city’s original Town Hall (look for the historic gold dome), the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum covers everything from local military activities during WWII to the invention of the IBM PC—which happened right here in Boca Raton.

Visit the Wick Theatre & Costume Museum

At the Wick Theatre & Costume Museum, not only can you take in a show, you can also view more than $20 million worth of authentic Broadway costumes on display—the Wick houses a collection of original costumes from over 50 Broadway productions and revivals. Tours are available in addition to theater shows, cabaret, and dining.

See the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC)

Design buffs and anyone interested in tech history will want to stop by the 1.7 million square foot office park known as the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC)—formerly IBM’s corporate HQ, where the very first personal computer was invented. Today, this sleek space blends futuristic vibes with Brutalist architecture by Marcel Breuer. You can stroll the longest hallway in the Western Hemisphere, see permanent art and rotating exhibits, and enjoy coffee or lunch in a sunny courtyard next to a large keyboard painted on the ground.

The Boca Raton

Formerly known as The Boca Raton Resort & Club, dating back to 1926, this legendary (formerly pink) palace recently emerged from a $375 million transformation. The Boca Raton encompasses five hotels within one luxury resort in the heart of Boca Raton, stretching from the ocean (the iconic Beach Club hotel, which recently reopened after $130 million in renovations) to Lake Boca Raton and The Boca Raton Golf Club.

Even if you don’t stay overnight, be sure to stop by to admire the Mizner architecture and incredible dining—though keep in mind that if you want to experience a treatment at the award-winning, 50,000-square-foot Spa Palmera, modeled after Spain’s breathtaking Alhambra Palace, you’ll have to be a resort guest.

Where to Eat

From fresh locally caught seafood to international flavors—options run the gamut from Indian-inspired small plates at chef Pushkar Marathe’s Stage to kosher-style Mediterranean at Motek to Uruguayan at Narbona—Boca Raton’s dining scene has it all and then some.

Farmer’s Table

The focus at Farmer’s Table is feel-good food: Everything they serve is sourced responsibly, and you’ll never find any chemicals, hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics in their proteins. The menu is healthy, hearty, and deliciously local.

Tin Muffin

The Tin Muffin Café is popular for brunch and lunch. Known for homemade sandwiches, soups, quiches, cakes, and pies, this quaint cash-only spot is always bustling (even with no website!).

364 E Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Luff’s Fish House

Housed in a converted bungalow built in the 1920s, Florida Keys–inspired Luff’s Fish House brings the freshest seafood from the boat to your plate. Laid-back and low-key, people love the relaxed ambiance, attentive service, and massive slices of Key lime pie for dessert.

Patio Tapas & Beer

Locals love Patio Tapas & Beer for the traditional Spanish tapas, sangrias, and, of course, extensive patio seating. Chef-owner Bryant Fajardo studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Los Angeles and under chef José Andrés, and his creativity and quality shine through in every dish.

Biergarten Boca

Located in Royal Palm Place, Biergarten Boca Raton provides an authentic German biergarten experience in the heart of Boca Raton. Highlights include the 24 different draft beers (both craft and imports) and live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays.