Boca Raton, Florida, is a Palm Beach County town on the Jupiter-to-Key West coast. This guide covers 11 beaches, parks and attractions, 9 places to eat and 39 upcoming events, kept current from official sources. Top picks: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center & Red Reef Park, Off-beach dog swims and Waterstone (Boca Landing). 2 of the activities are free. Nearest towns: Deerfield Beach (3.0 mi) and Highland Beach (3.0 mi).

Last updated September 7, 2026. Events refresh daily; places are hand-picked and re-checked monthly.

Boca Raton pairs pink Mizner architecture and Mizner Park's outdoor mall with Red Reef Park, where you can snorkel from the beach and walk the Gumbo Limbo nature center's sea turtle tanks. FAU football and the Boca Raton Bowl bring the crowds in fall.

For the live version of everything below, open the Boca Raton page: things to do · events · where to eat.

Beaches & Parks in Boca Raton

  • Gumbo Limbo Nature Center & Red Reef Park (Boca Raton) — Sea turtle rehab tanks and hammock boardwalk; park free at Gumbo Limbo and walk across A1A to snorkel Red Reef. Price: Donation · Dogs: no.
  • Off-beach dog swims (Various) — Snyder Park dog lake (FTL), Canine Cove at South County Regional Park (West Boca), Lake Ida Dog Park (Delray), Amelia Earhart Bark Park dog pools (Hialeah), Perrine Wayside (Palmetto Bay). Dogs: yes.
  • Red Reef Park (Boca Raton) — Artificial reef 20–50 yd out in 2–12 ft — the easiest beginner snorkel. Park free at Gumbo Limbo. Dogs: no.
  • Boca Inlet & Deerfield Pier (Boca Raton / Deerfield Beach) — Deerfield is the Broward standard and where the free lessons happen.
  • Dog parks with water (Various) — Snyder Park dog lake (FTL), Canine Cove (West Boca), Lake Ida (Delray), Amelia Earhart Bark Park pools (Hialeah). Dogs: yes.
  • Fenced dog runs (Various) — Bark Park at Snyder, Holiday Park, Riverside and Poinciana (FTL), Barkham at Markham, Woofing Waters at Quiet Waters, Tradewinds Park, Mizner Bark (Boca), Pooch Pines at Okeeheelee (WPB), Blanche & Kennedy parks (Coconut Grove). Dogs: yes.

Attractions & Activities in Boca Raton

  • Boca Raton Museum of Art (Mizner Park, Boca Raton) — Mizner Park itself is dog-friendly outdoors. Price: $16 · Dogs: no.
  • Cultural tours (Miami / FTL / Delray / Boca / WPB) — MDPL Art Deco walking tour (daily 10:30 am, ~$35), HistoryMiami walking/boat tours (Little Havana, MiMo, cemeteries; $30–60), Miami Culinary Tours (Little Havana, Wynwood; $65–90), Craft Food Tours (FTL, Delray, Boca, WPB; ~$65–75), Wynwood golf-cart graffiti tours (~$35–50, often dog-friendly).

Shopping & Markets in Boca Raton

  • Mizner Park farmers market (Boca Raton) — Sundays. Small; combine with the Boca Museum Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted. Dogs: leashed.
  • Mizner Park & Royal Palm Place (Boca Raton) — Open-air with amphitheater and museum; Town Center is the big enclosed mall. Dogs: yes (outdoor).

At Night in Boca Raton

  • Cinema (Various) — Savor Cinema / Cinema Paradiso (FLIFF — Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival typically Nov), O Cinema South Beach, Coral Gables Art Cinema, iPic Boca/Delray dine-in, Swap Shop drive-in.

Free things to do in Boca Raton

Nothing here charges admission (parking may).

  • Red Reef Park — Artificial reef 20–50 yd out in 2–12 ft — the easiest beginner snorkel.
  • Boca Inlet & Deerfield Pier — Deerfield is the Broward standard and where the free lessons happen.

Where to eat in Boca Raton

Waterfront

  • Waterstone (Boca Landing) (Boca Raton) — Resort deck. Sunset over Lake Boca. $$$.

Casual & Family

  • Farmer's Table (Boca Raton) — Wholesome. $$.
  • Max's Grille (Mizner Park, Boca Raton) — Mizner Park anchor since 1991. $$$.
  • Casa D'Angelo (Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale) — Tuscan white-tablecloth. $$$$.
  • Kapow Noodle Bar (Boca Raton) — Asian noodles and cocktails. $$.
  • Ouzo Bay (Boca Raton) — Greek whole fish. $$$$.
  • Truluck's (Boca Raton / Fort Lauderdale / Brickell) — Own fishery. Strong stone crab; mediums are the best value — ask if they are fresh that day. $$$$.

Bars & Nightlife

  • Second Story (The Boca Raton) — Sophisticated lounge and tapas — the Boca rooftop. $$$.
  • Barrel of Monks (Boca Raton) — Brewery. Belgian-style; Run for Beer Nov 29. $ · dog-friendly patio.

What's on in Boca Raton

The next 10 events on the Boca Raton calendar (dates are America/New_York; confirm with the organizer before you go):

  • Wildflower in Bloom: Bootcamp — Wed, Sep 9, 10:00 AM · Wildflower Park · Community. Join our bootcamp to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors. Price: Free
  • 3D Printing A-CAD-emy — Thu, Sep 10, 5:45 PM · Children's Science Explorium · Community. A hands-on workshop introducing kids to 3D printing. Price: Free
  • Bright & Smart Robotics: Tiny Innovators (Parent & Me) — Fri, Sep 11, 12:15 PM · Sugar Sand Park Community Center · Community. Engaging science and technology class for toddlers. Price: Free
  • FAU Owls football vs Navy — Sat, Sep 12 · FAU Stadium · Sports. 7:30 pm Cheap, easy, 30 min away.
  • Family Gardening - The Garden as an Ecosystem — Sat, Sep 12, 11:00 AM · Children's Science Explorium · Community. Explore gardening's role in our ecosystem. Price: Free
  • Wildflower in Bloom: Bootcamp — Wed, Sep 16, 10:00 AM · Wildflower Park · Community. Join our bootcamp to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors. Price: Free
  • Dive-In Movie Night — Fri, Sep 18, 7:30 PM · Meadows Park Pool · Festivals & Markets. Join the City of Boca Raton for Dive-in Movie Night! Swim, relax, and enjoy the movie from the pool or deck. Price: Free
  • FAU Owls football vs FIU — Shula Bowl — Sat, Sep 19 · FAU Stadium · Sports. 6:00 pm Cheap, easy, 30 min away.
  • The International Coastal Cleanup — Sat, Sep 19, 8:00 AM · Spanish River Park · Community. Help clean up the beach and mangrove habitats! Price: Free
  • Amazing Athletes — Mon, Sep 21, 3:30 PM · Sugar Sand Park Community Center · Community. Introduce young children to various sports. Price: Free

See the full list, refreshed daily: Boca Raton.

Getting there and planning your day

Boca Raton sits at 26.359, -80.083 in Palm Beach County. Parking rules, beach access and permits are on the City of Boca Raton site; the Discover The Palm Beaches (official tourism board) calendar lists county-wide festivals; check the National Weather Service Miami – South Florida forecast before a beach or boat day (summer storms build after 2 pm); snorkelers and anglers should read the NOAA tides: Lake Worth Pier; Brightline (West Palm Beach–Boca–Fort Lauderdale–Aventura–Miami) is the car-free way in; the official Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (City of Boca Raton) page has hours and entry fees.

Nearby towns

Each has its own page in this guide:

Official sources and further reading

We link to primary sources so you can verify hours, fees and dates:

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