Boca Raton, FL Road Trips

Boca, as it's known by locals, is a city that was started as the project of one man, the eclectic architect Addison Mizner, who is more than anyone responsible for South Florida's Spanish-inspired architecture. Little of his luxurious plans was built, as he went bankrupt during the Florida real estate collapse of the late 1920s. It was intended to surpass Palm Beach, 30 some miles north, some of whose key mansions were designed by Mizner. Much of downtown was (and is being) built in "Addison Mizner-style" architecture, using distinctive bright orange and more subdued pinks in its Old Spanish theme with a touch of Venice. Boca's long history of catering to the well-to-do has given it a snobbish reputation, but looking deeper one can find many terrific features that can be enjoyed on any budget. The city is very safe and enjoys a much higher standard of living than many of its neighbors, giving it a well-manicured appearance with many amenities. Moreover, visitors can appreciate the limited nightlife and great beaches any time of year as the city consistently enjoys comfortable weather.

1 Boca Raton Museum of Art. In the Mizner Park complex, most of which is an upscale mall. Some good items in the permanent collection, and often hosts some fine traveling exhibits. 2 Morikami Museum, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, ☏ +1 561-495-0233, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. The Morikami complex in the western part of Boca includes a small but interesting museum of Japanese art and culture as well as extensive, beautiful Japanese gardens set around a lake. The museum restaurant overlooking the lake offers good Japanese food at a moderate price with a splendid view. The Morikami Museum also has events monthly where people can eat sushi and walk around the gardens at night. The Morikami's biggest event is the annual Bon Festival in August, drawing tens of thousands of people for taiko drumming, lantern ceremonies and a firework display. $15 entry fee (Adult). (updated Feb 2018) 3 Boca Raton History Museum, 71 North Federal Highway (take the 91 or 92 bus to South Federal Way and East Palmetto Park Road), ☏ +1 561-395-6766. M-F 10AM-4PM. A museum in downtown Boca Raton allowing visitors to learn about the town's past. The building was Boca Raton's first city hall, library, and fire station. $5. (updated Feb 2018) 4 Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 North Ocean Boulevard (between Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway), ☏ +1 561-544-8605. Tanks with marine life, nature trails, sea turtle rehabilitation. (updated Feb 2018) 5 Counte de Hoernle Amphitheater (Mizner Park Amphitheater), 590 Plaza Real, ☏ +1 561-750-1668.

1 Boomers!, 3100 Airport Road, ☏ +1 561-347-1888. An indoor/outdoor entertainment center where families can enjoy activities like miniature golf, laser tag, bumper boats, go-karts and a full arcade. Caldwell Theatre Company, 7901 North Federal Highway, ☏ +1 561-241-7432. Located on the west side of Federal Highway of north Boca Raton, the Caldwell Theatre Company opened its doors in December 1975 at the suggestion of James R. Caldwell, inventor of the rubber dustpan and founder of the Rubbermaid Corporation. Over the course of 34 years and four different locations, including its now permanent location in the Count de Hoernle Theatre, the Caldwell has been called South Florida’s “Cinderella Theatre” and Boca Raton’s “Jewel in the Crown.” Cinemark Palace 20, 3200 Airport Rd. Great movie theater open and closes very late. Shows all new movies including 3D, but no IMAX. The second floor is the Premier level including full bar and a restaurant. Bowlero, 21046 Commercial Trl. This bowling alley is a hotspot for the students in the area. It is located near the Town Center Mall so people tend to look around the mall and then head to the bowling alley. Spa Palazzo. This spa is known for its fantastic array of therapeutic massages and steams, open 6 days a week in the Boca Raton Resort and Hotel. Sports in the area are college-based: there are no professional sports. Boca Raton is home to a beautiful, beach-themed 30,000-seat college football stadium at Florida Atlantic University called FAU Stadium.

Boca has a deserved "ritzy" reputation, but good food can be found for a variety of budgets. Cannoli Kitchen, ☏ +1 561-338-2929. Pizzas (whole or by the slice. They often have up to 2 dozen varieties of pizza available by the slice at any one time), pastas, and other good Italian in addition to the namesake cannoli desserts. Mostly take out or delivery, but they have a small seating section if you want to eat there. (updated Dec 2024) Lindburgers – West Boca, 9834 Glades Road, ☏ +1 561-218-5557, +1 561-488-9665. Serves over 50 versions of their old-fashioned 7-ounce sirloin burgers. If you've ever tasted a hamburger fried in a cast-iron pan, you have a good idea of what goes on at Lindburgers. Mississippi Sweets, 2399 N. Federal Hwy (Just north of 20th Street on US 1). Reasonably-priced BBQ joint with genuine Southern-style cooking. BBQ is St. Louis-style. Salad Creations, 5250 Town Center Circle Ste. 129. You choose all the ingredients you want in your salad or wrap. Sal's New York Grill, 200 S. Federal Highway, ☏ +1 561-392-1969. New York Italian deli and similar dishes, breakfast, lunch, or diner. Sieng House, 1001 S. W. 2nd Avenue, Suite 500 (Just off Camino Real west of Dixie Highway, next to the Walgreens). Good Chinese with extensive menu. Tin Muffin, 364 E Palmetto Park Rd., ☏ +1 561-392-9446. Sandwiches, quiches, soups, muffins and desserts served at this small breakfast and lunch restaurant. Outdoor tables and a few indoor tables. Tomasso's Pizza & Italian Restaurant, 1229 West Palmetto Park Road, ☏ +1 561-392-8985.

Boca Raton doesn't have a very lively downtown area but interspersed throughout the city are some great bars, from local faves to upscale chains. A slappy dappy clapper is a really great drink after a long day of golfing. The more a drink in Boca sounds like only a dad on vacation would order it, the better it is. Biergarten, 309 Via De Palmas #90, ☏ +1 561-395-7462. A German-American themed bar and restaurant serving beers and steins to complement foods like potato pancakes, bratwurst tacos and different kinds of schnitzel. Blue Martini,, 6000 Glades Road, Suite C-1380. This trendy upscale bar sells appetizers in addition to fabulous martinis. Attached to the Boca Raton Town Center Mall. Brewzzi Boca Raton, 2222 Glades Rd, ☏ +1 561-392-2739. An Italian American bistro and microbrewery in central Boca. In addition to the 2 for 1 Happy Hour (M-Th 3-6:30PM) serving the award winning beers as well as cocktails, there are also 2 for 1 drinks 9:30PM-close daily. A good place to eat and drink. Packy's Sports Grill, 11379 W Palmetto Park Rd, Suite F, ☏ +1 561-482-0052, +1 561-488-9665 (delivery). A warm, family friendly bar that welcomes all NY Jets and NY Giants fans as well as other sports enthusiasts. Plenty to watch with 17 TVs, including 7 satellites. Nightly beer specials including All Day, All Night $2 Pints of Heineken. Karaoke night Thursdays. Tuesday Night kids special, free kids meal with purchase of adult entree. Located in the southeast corner of the Loggers Run Plaza in West Boca Raton. Dubliner Irish Bar, 435 Plaza Real.

Waterstone Resort & Marina, 999, East Camino Real, toll-free: +1 866-909-BOCA ext 2622 (2622). Overlooking the Boca Raton Inlet by A1A, originally known as the Bridge Hotel, this property is Boca's second-oldest, albeit, fully renovated hotel. Upscale and pet-friendly, offers resort-style accommodations and amenities a short distance from the beach. 1 Boca Resort and Spa, 501 East Camino Real, toll-free: +1 888-491-2622. Spa resort includes the tallest building in the city (and pink stucco, too), world class dining, as well as providing beachfront and intercoastal access with professional golf course. What is now a side wing was Addison Mizner's original 1928 hotel. Embassy Suites - Deerfield Beach, 950 Ocean Drive, ☏ +1 954-426-0478. Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel, 2000 NW 19th St, ☏ +1 561-368-5252. Boca Raton Marriot at Boca Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, ☏ +1 561-392-4600. 2 TownePlace Suites Boca Raton, 5110 NW 8th Avenue (Exit at the Yamato Road exit off of I-95 and head west until you reach NW 8th Ave.), ☏ +1 561-994-7232, toll-free: +1 888-236-2427. This hotel offers many amenities including high-speed internet access, a fitness center, and included breakfast served at the adjacent SpringHill Suites Marriott hotel. The extended-stay rooms make this hotel a great choice for any guest needing to stay for a few days or months. (updated Feb 2018) Hilton Suites Boca, 7920 Glades Road, ☏ +1 561-483-3600. All-suite hotel, located several miles inland from the beach and downtown. 3 Ocean Lodge, 531 N.

1 Boca Raton Airport (BCT IATA), 903 NW 35th St (alongside Florida Atlantic University and Interstate 95), ☏ +1 561 391-2202, [email protected]. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Boca Raton has a single-runway airport, mainly serving the general aviation community. It has no scheduled airline service. It has a Customs & Border Protection facility to process international flights, namely passengers returning from the Bahamas. Two companies offer seasonal charter routes: JetSmarter offers flights from Atlanta and White Plains, while Airstream Jets offers routes from Las Vegas and Toronto. Companies such as Boca Jet Charter and One Sky offer access to planes based at BCT, ranging from economical single & twin engine aircraft to luxury Gulfstream and business jets. Commercial passengers will have to arrive via one of South Florida's three main airports: (updated May 2019) Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL IATA), large airport 20 miles south of Boca in Fort Lauderdale. This is often a better choice compared to Miami. Shuttles are usually available from airports and taxis are common. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI IATA), large airport 20 miles north of Boca. Miami International Airport (MIA IATA), Miami (about 45 miles/45 minutes non-rush hour.) Interstate 95 - five exits to Boca Raton are Palmetto Park Road, Glades Road/Spanish River Blvd, Yamato Road, and Congress Avenue. Florida's Turnpike - toll road with lighter traffic and an exit for Boca Raton at Glades Road.

Tri-rail connects to Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm. It is underused and thus runs relatively infrequently. Palm Tran buses serves Boca Raton and the rest of Palm Beach County are available. ☏ +1 561-841-4287. Buses run every 20–45 minutes, depending on the route. The cash fare is $2 per trip. A one-day unlimited pass is available for $5 from the bus. The 92 bus runs between downtown and the beach between East Palmetto Park Road and Hillsboro Blvd. The 94 bus runs between downtown and the Boca Raton TriRail station. Delray Scooter Rental, LLC, ☏ +1 561-723-4387, ☏ +1 561-441-5244. Scooter rentals delivered and picked up for Downtown and Beach areas in Boca Raton and Delray Beach. Royal Airport Transportation Service & Taxi Cab Company - 1901 Dixie Hwy. ☏ +1 561-809-8871 is a commonly used transportation service in Boca Raton. Your best bet is to rent a car to get around. Boca Raton is friendly to bicycle traffic, but the public transportation serves a limited portion of the city, and overall it's not a very walkable city outside of the downtown area. Streets are numbered in a grid with four quadrants (Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast) centered on the intersection of Palmetto Park Road (which runs east-west) and Dixie Highway (running north-south). Streets run east-west while avenues run north-south.