Road trippin’ to Delray Beach with the kids
By Mandy Carter
With fall breaks coming up, I have already started to think about what fun things I can do with the kids. I love the idea of packing up the car for a short family road trip to enjoy a beautiful Florida staycation. There are a lot of cities to explore in Florida and recently I took the kids to see what Delray Beach has to offer. I found it to be a laid-back beach town with an energetic side. Delray has plenty of shopping, great restaurants, nature and some unique attractions.
For me, a hotel can make or break a vacation. We enjoyed our stay at one of Delray’s hidden treasures: Crane’s Beach House Boutique Hotel & Luxury Villas. This luxurious hideaway is barely visible through the perimeter’s tree line and located within a quaint, quiet block within the bustling historic beachside community. This charming hotel is walking distance to the beach and the popular Atlantic Blvd. Being able to disappear into a little oasis while being within minutes be of the downtown area full of entertainment, restaurants, and activities made for a well-balanced family trip. We spent a lovely three nights at this hidden gem and loved every minute. (cranesbeachhouse.com)
Here’s a list of fun things to do with kids in Delray Beach:
●Delray Yacht Cruises. Experience the calm waters of the Intracoastal Waterway aboard the Lady Atlantic for a 2 hour sightseeing tour, where you get to see the beautiful waterfront mansions of the rich and famous in South Florida. Times and prices vary. Make reservations at delraybeachcruises.com
● Sandoway Discovery Center. This nature center was opened in 1998 inside a 1936 beachfront house with shark/stingray feedings, huge shell and bone exhibits, fish tanks and a variety of Florida wildlife to see and learn about. Located a quick walk from Crane’s Beach House, it is a great way to spend a couple of hours.
● Silverball Retro Arcade. It creates a nostalgic experience with over 100 games to play from vintage pinball machines to skeeball. You can enjoy dinner, drink and hours of game play for a fun way to spend the night out. Get admission information at silverballmuseum.com/delray-beach
● Girls Strawberry Patch. It’s an old fashioned country ice cream shop that offers a HUGE selection of candy and ice cream. But the shocking part was “Grandma’s Garden” in the back.
● Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. This Nature Center is based around 20 acres of protected barrier islands and has a beautiful walking trail, butterfly garden & inside exhibits. I personally love the boardwalk trail, which is 1/4 mile that will take you through the preserved Hardwood Hammock. There is no admission fee and parking is also free!
Here’s a list of family friendly restaurants in Delray Beach worth visiting:
● Elisabetta’s for a delicious traditional Italian meal in the middle of downtown
● Dock 84 for waterfront dining with live music and a diverse menu
● Johnnie Brown’s for an open air casual lunch
● Dada’s for a yummy brunch in an eclectic and historic setting
https://www.restaurantji.com/fl/delray-beach/dada-/
So if you are in fall vacation planning mode, I suggest you gather the kids, pack your bags and hit the road for a couple of hours to visit the quaint town of Delray Beach! Mandy Michelle Carter … Just a SWFL mom living the dream. She loves to inspire parents to spend authentic time with your kids and to chase your own dreams unapologetically! Found on Instagram @mandymcarter and her family blog at Acupful.com.
