Things to Do in Delray Beach for Active Adults 55+
In this article
"Active adults have plenty of things to do in Delray Beach: a walk along Atlantic Avenue, a visit to an art museum, a stroll through the Morikami gardens, a boardwalk walk at Wakodahatchee Wetlands and a day at the beach. There is also a pro tennis tournament and a public library. Delray Trails, a 55+ villa community, puts you in west Delray Beach with these choices nearby.
This guide lists real places, one by one. We give no hours, no prices and no dates, because those change. Check each place's own page before you go.
Things to Do in Delray Beach: The Short List
Here is the list in one glance.
Atlantic Avenue downtown
Pineapple Grove arts district
Old School Square and the Cornell Art Museum
Delray Beach Open pro tennis
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Wakodahatchee Wetlands boardwalk
Delray Municipal Beach
Delray Beach Public Library
Read on for what each one offers.
Walk Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic Avenue is the main road of downtown Delray Beach. It is lined with galleries, boutiques and places to eat. You can park once and walk for hours.
Restaurants open and close often. Confirm that a place is still there before you plan a meal around it. For a full picture, see the official downtown Delray Beach site.
Explore Pineapple Grove
Pineapple Grove is the arts district. It runs along NE 2nd Avenue, just north of Atlantic Avenue. You will find galleries, studios and murals. It is a good place for a slow walk with a camera.
If you like art, plan an afternoon here and then move on to Atlantic Avenue.
Old School Square and the Cornell Art Museum
The Cornell Art Museum is at 51 N Swinton Ave. It sits in a restored school building from 1913. The museum shows contemporary art.
The museum says admission is free, and donations are welcome. Check before you go, because that can change. It is an easy stop on a day downtown.
Watch Pro Tennis
The Delray Beach Open is a pro tennis tournament. It is played at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center, 201 W Atlantic Ave. We do not list dates. Check the tournament's own page for the schedule.
If you play tennis yourself, you will like this next fact. Lennar lists 13 tennis courts and a pickleball court among the amenities at Delray Trails. Lennar does not publish opening dates for each amenity, so call to confirm what is open.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Morikami is at 4000 Morikami Park Rd. Palm Beach County owns it. You can walk through gardens and see bonsai trees. It is a calm, slow way to spend an afternoon.
Plan a visit with the Morikami website. Look up hours and ticket details there. They change.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands
Wakodahatchee Wetlands is at 13270 Jog Rd. Palm Beach County Water Utilities runs it. It is a boardwalk walk through a wetland, and many people go to watch birds.
Rules apply, and they can change. Read the county's wetlands page before you go. For more green spaces, read our guide to Delray Beach parks, wetlands, gardens and beaches.
A Day at the Beach
Delray Municipal Beach is at the east end of Atlantic Avenue. You can walk Atlantic Avenue all the way to the sand. That makes a full day: breakfast downtown, a stroll to the water and a walk back.
Beach rules and hours change. Check the city's page before you go.
Delray Beach Public Library
The Delray Beach Public Library is at 100 W Atlantic Ave. It is a good rainy-day stop, and it is on the same road as downtown. Look up its programs on its own website.
Things to Do at Delray Trails Itself
Not every day needs a trip. Delray Trails is a 55+ villa community by Lennar at 5832 Shining Sea Court, Delray Beach, FL 33484. Lennar lists these amenities:
A clubhouse
A swimming pool
A fitness center
13 tennis courts
A pickleball court
Trails
An event lawn
An outdoor bar area
Lennar does not publish opening dates for each one. Call 561-704-0091 to learn what is open today.
You can see the villas themselves on the Delray Trails community page.
They include the Larkspur, the Hibiscus and the Orchid. Each is one story with a one-car garage.
Tips for Active Adults
A few simple habits make days out easier.
Go early on warm days. South Florida gets hot, so plan outdoor walks for the morning.
Bring water and a hat. The Florida sun is strong, even in winter.
Wear good shoes. Atlantic Avenue and the garden paths both mean a lot of walking.
Mix indoor and outdoor stops. Pair a museum or the library with a park, so you can rest between walks.
Call ahead. Hours, rules and events change. A short check saves a wasted trip.
Rainy-Day Ideas
Florida rain can come fast. Keep a short list of indoor stops. The Cornell Art Museum and the Delray Beach Public Library are both close to downtown. You can also browse the downtown boutiques. If you live at Delray Trails, the fitness center and clubhouse may be options too, once you confirm with Simon what is open.
How to Plan Your Week
If you want a home base for these outings, look at Delray Trails.
You do not have to do everything. Here is a simple sample week.
Monday. A morning walk on the trails, then the library.
Wednesday. Gardens or the wetlands boardwalk.
Friday. Atlantic Avenue and Pineapple Grove.
Weekend. The beach, or a pro tennis match when the tournament is on.
Mix it up. Rest days count too.
Getting There and Getting Around
Most of these places sit along or near Atlantic Avenue, the main east-west road. For trains, buses and highway exits, read our post on Tri-Rail and the main roads. We do not list drive times, because traffic changes by the hour.
Where to Read Next
If you want the big picture of the city, start with living in Delray Beach. If you are still learning what 55+ means, read our guide to 55 plus communities in Delray Beach. For errands, see our post on Delray Beach shopping, groceries and downtown.
Common Questions
What are the top things to do in Delray Beach?
Popular choices include a walk on Atlantic Avenue, the Pineapple Grove arts district, the Cornell Art Museum, Morikami gardens, the Wakodahatchee Wetlands boardwalk and the beach. Pick two or three and see how they feel. You do not need to see them all at once.
Are these things to do free?
Some are, and some are not. The museum says admission is free with donations welcome, and the wetlands boardwalk is a county site. Prices and hours change, so we list none here. Check each place's own page before you go.
Which place is good for a first visit?
Atlantic Avenue is the easiest start. You can park once, walk past galleries and shops, and then walk to the beach end of the road. Add Pineapple Grove if you like art. Confirm that any restaurant is open before you plan a meal.
What can I do without leaving Delray Trails?
Lennar lists a clubhouse, a swimming pool, a fitness center, 13 tennis courts, a pickleball court, trails, an event lawn and an outdoor bar area. Lennar does not publish opening dates for each one. Call Simon at 561-704-0091 to confirm what is open today.
When is the Delray Beach Open tennis tournament?
We do not list dates, because they change from year to year. The tournament has its own page on the downtown Delray Beach site. Look there for the schedule and ticket details before you make any plans around it.
Do I have to be 55 or older to live at Delray Trails?
Delray Trails is a 55+ community, so it is for people 55 and older. Ask Simon for the exact age rules in writing before you decide. He can also walk you through the three plans and what Lennar lists for amenities.
Want to live near it all? Call Simon at 561-704-0091, or Live Near It All - Schedule a Delray Trails Visit. Pricing and incentives change, so ask for today's numbers."