The TOP 10 Things to Do in Boca Raton [2022 Version]

Red Reef Park is a 39.7-acre oceanfront park featuring picnic and barbeque areas, a boardwalk, walking trails and a playground; however, the famous snorkel reef of Red Reef Park Beach is definitely the popular feature attraction for this beach area with its abundant sea life and stunning coral, a great spot for beginner snorkelers and kids to safely get up close with marine life. Red Reef Park Beach has been called “one of the best-kept secrets” in Boca Raton.

South Beach Park: 400 N State Road A-1-A Boca Raton, Fl 33432
View on Google Map

South Beach Park is a 24.5-acre beach area featuring three designated swimming areas plus surf, fishing and bird watching opportunities. Most of the vegetation and foliage found in this park area is actually native trees and shrubs that would commonly be found on the dunes but they have adapted themselves and are a great asset in stabilizing the constantly shifting sand by the ongoing ocean breezes.

The well-laid-out walkways and thickly foliaged areas are favored by a wide variety of small birds making it a great place for those who love birding. It is also not uncommon to see larger web-footed birds on the ocean side of the park. Surf fishing has become a favorite pastime of many park visitors. Just be sure to check the current regulations for this activity. What exactly is surf fishing? Surf fishing is the sport of catching fish standing on the shoreline or wading into the surf. This is why it is important to adhere to the times and regulations that surf fishing is permitted so as not to interfere with those who are enjoying a lovely day at the beach.

Spanish River Park: 3001 N. State Road A-1-A, Boca Raton, FL 33431
View on Google Map

Spanish River Park is a 95 acre family friendly beach area perfect for a day at the beach swimming, relaxing and picnicking. Bird watching, fishing or simply enjoying the beautiful surroundings on one of the nature trails is even more reason to enjoy this wonderful beach area.

2. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

1801 N Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432, United States
View on Google Map

Although the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is best known for its involvement with protecting the area’s much endangered and beloved sea turtles, the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center of Boca Raton is so much more.

The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, a coastal and marine experience features both an incredible informative indoor museum full of fascinating exhibits including living, functional and educational aquariums, a fully stocked gift shop as well as major outdoor facilities that include multiple large aquariums featuring ecosystems for fish, turtles, and other sea life. The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center brings sea life to you. There is also a wealth of knowledge to be learned as you visit the amazing sea turtle rehabilitation facility. You can enjoy a boardwalk trail through the marvelous adjoining woods that features an observation tower as well as a phenomenal garden designed for observing amazing butterflies in their natural habitat.

This is a nature lover's paradise sitting on 20 acres of protected barrier island providing refuge to many plants and animals, some rare or even endangered. Whether you decide to try and count the thousands of incredible tropical fish in the aquariums, relax in the absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing butterfly garden or visit the majestic sea turtle patients, you are going to thoroughly enjoy your time spent at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton.

3. Daggerwing Nature Center

11435 Park Access Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33498, United States
View on Google Map

The Daggerwing Nature Center features a 3,000 square foot exhibit hall with live animals and many interactive modern exhibits, laboratory, art gallery, reading area, butterfly garden and elevated boardwalk trails which take you on a serene journey through a swamp. With live animals to experience and lots of hands-on state-of-the-art exhibits to learn all about the wondrous nature that surrounds these living creatures, Daggerwing Nature Center is both fun and educational.

The popular observation tower of the Daggerwing Nature Center will allow you to view abundant plant and animal life such as osprey, woodpeckers, butterflies, turtles, alligators and a great variety of the beautiful tropical bromeliad plant. Bromeliad plants are a family of plants that are native to tropical North and South America. The Daggerwing Nature Center of Boca Raton has done a great job of setting things up in such a way as to encourage everyone to be appreciative of the natural environment around them. Be sure to be on the lookout for the famous Ruddy Daggerwing butterfly, the colorful namesake of the Daggerwing Nature Center as it flits and flutters in and around the trees!

4. Town Center at Boca Raton

6000 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431, United States 

Known to be one of South Florida’s top luxury shopping destinations, Town Center at Boca Raton will not disappoint. With its exceptional 220+ unique upscale, elite stores and dining options along with your standard mall stores, Town Center at Boca Raton is a destination spot drawing people from all over. The ongoing expansion and ever-evolving shopping and culinary options mean there is always something new and exciting to explore.

Whether you are looking to purchase something special and unique, or just need to grab a few of the basics, or maybe you would like to enjoy a little pampering and self-care, then Town Center, Boca Raton is the place for you.

5. Boca Raton Museum of Art

501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432, United States
View on Google Map

Although Boca Raton has many museums and various art venues, Boca Raton Museum of Art is known as the official art museum of Boca Raton. The Boca Raton Museum of Art has provided many decades of cultural and artistic services to both its community and people from all around the world, attracting more than 200,000 visitors annually to its galleries and programs. Because of the cultural diversity of the museum's permanent and traveling exhibits, the Boca Raton Museum of Art attracts people of all ages.

Bringing the best of international arts while also reflecting the arts of local expressions, this museum offers the broadest spectrum of artistic culture at the highest level of quality. The Museum provides a variety of interactive activities for visitors to enjoy on their trip to the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Enjoy exploring the museum at your leisure or to take your visit to a deeper level you can arrange for a guided tour by a Museum professional. Spending time at the Boca Raton Museum of Art is sure to deepen and enhance your appreciation for art in the best possible way.

6. The FAU Fogelman Sports Museum

777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431, United States

Located in the Florida Atlantic University, is one of the largest known private sports libraries ever to be amassed by a single person. Avron B. Fogleman, former Kansas City Royals owner and longtime Boca Raton resident chose the Florida Atlantic University in 2019 to be the recipient of his personal massive sports memorabilia compilation.

Twelve hundred specifically selected pieces that Fogleman collected over time create the incredible exhibit that is used to depict America’s sporting history. It is said that Fogleman chose this specific venue to showcase his collection to ensure that the display of his artifacts would not only educate and inspire as many people as possible but also ensure that his own personal stories and the stories of many of his sports-minded friends would be told.

The FAU Fogelman Sports Museum offers a visual evolution of American sports alongside detailed vignettes of the country’s growth, providing historical context, opportunities for intergenerational connections and unique storytelling. In effect, a living, breathing account of America’s sports history can be found at the FAU Fogelman Sports Museum of Boca Raton.

Even a nonsports fan will find the rich history of America’s sporting evolution fascinating. Before you leave, be sure to check out Florida Atlantic University’s multi-purpose open-air stadium consisting of 30,000 seats, 32 boxes and 24 luxury suites. The FAU Stadium is the only stadium in the country that offers a view of the incredible Atlantic Ocean.

7. Pioneer Park

217 NE 5th Ave, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441, United States
View on Google Map

Pioneer Park is an incredible waterfront recreation spot and more. If you are an avid sports enthusiast this is the beach park for you. Just three miles from Boca Raton which is less than a five minute drive, Pioneer Park offers so much on its 13.7 acres.

You will find a 180 foot fishing dock as well as other great spots to fish, a boat launch ramp with access to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, a Tennis Center with six lighted tennis courts, a baseball / softball field, a lighted T-ball field and a fantastic playground for children. This beautiful park is a tropical oasis. Just want to enjoy a little rest and relaxation? Enjoy watching the boats come and go, appreciate a delectable beverage or something scrumptious to eat while savoring the sites or take in an ongoing ball game.

8. Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens

4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33446, United States
View on Google Map

Looking for a tranquil escape? The incredible surroundings of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is an incomparable paradise. A few minutes from Boca Raton you will be able to leave the hustle and bustle of the world and submerge yourself in the serene and beauty of Morikami’s gardens. The gardens named Roji-en, which means Garden of the Drops of Dew, are six breathtaking gardens inspired by well known gardens of Japan. With strolling paths, resting areas, world-class bonsai collections and waters teeming with koi and other wildlife, nature trails, pine forests, this is a genuine Japanese nature wellness experience. A quiet place to walk and meditate, the gardens promise to restore balance and calm to every person who takes the time to enjoy them for all that they are.

Explore the ancient art of bonsai as you take in the bonsai exhibit. Truly an art form, bonsai is said to promote peace of mind, health and life’s pursuit while teaching generosity, patience and even a philosophy about life.

The mission of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is to engage a diverse audience by presenting Japanese cultural experiences that educate and inspire. Visitors to the museum are usually quite surprised to learn of Florida’s extensive heritage and historical connection to Japan.

The Morikami Museum itself features a permanent exhibit chronicling the history of a Japanese farming community in South Florida over 100 years ago. The original building is actually constructed after a Japanese villa with a ring of exhibition rooms surrounding an open-air courtyard. The newer building, also inspired by traditional Japanese design, features three exhibition galleries, a 225 seat theater, an authentic Japanese tea house and the famous Cornell Cafe with lakeside terraces to enjoy the view while dining.

With more than seven thousand Japanese art pieces and artifacts to explore, the museum is a cultural extravaganza!

9. Tradewinds Park & Stables

3600 W Sample Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33073, United States
View on Google Map

At approximately 625 acres, Tradewinds Park & Stables just a mere eleven miles from Boca Raton is one of Broward County’s largest and most diverse parks. So much to do and something for everyone.

From disc golf, fishing, athletic fields, horseback riding, an educational farm, model steam train rides, playgrounds, picnic areas, hiking and biking paths and taking in the world-renowned Butterfly World, no matter what age, you are sure to enjoy exploring everything that Tradewinds Park & Stables has to offer.

Butterfly World is a tropical utopia of botanical gardens, six massive screened aviaries filled with twenty thousand live exotic butterflies and the world’s most incredible birds. This is the perfect outing to be enjoyed by everyone!

10. Boomers Boca Raton

3100 Airport Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431, United States
View on Google Map

If fun is what you are looking for then head on over to Boomers of Boca Raton. Batting cages, miniature golf, go karts, bumper boats, laser tag, spinzone bumper cars, rock wall, arcades and kiddie go kart make Boomers one of the top-ranked places in Boca Raton for all day fun!

Put your putting skills to the challenge on one of the uniquely designed Championship Miniature Golf Courses.

Maybe the idea of demolition on the high seas piques your interest, then all-aboard the amazing Bumper Boats and see what stamina you have as Captain of this adventure cruise. Did someone mention water canons?

Go-karting is for all ages at Boomers with the Lil’ Thunder Rookie Go-Kart Track as well as the need for speed high performance Thunder Road Go Kart Track. If gaming is your thing then you will not be disappointed as you step into The Arcade, a state-of-the-art gaming center. Epic virtual reality and so much more!