South of the Palm Beaches lie several upscale beachfront communities, including Boynton Beach and Delray Beach. Located right in the heart of Florida’s Gold Coast, these thriving communities began as farming communities over a hundred years ago. Today, they are primarily residential, but with thriving commerce and a brisk tourist trade thanks to the world-famous sandy beaches of southeastern Florida.

Boynton Beach, right in between Delray Beach and West Palm Beach, is home to some of the best watersports in Florida. This area is best known for its sportfishing, with two prime spots – ‘Sailfish Alley’ in the nearby Gulf Stream, and another spot known as ‘Kingfish Circle’ – just off a mile or two offshore. Boats can be chartered to take anglers out to these areas. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream also provide ample opportunity for scuba diving, with three major reef systems just a few hundred feet offshore. In addition, Boynton Inlet is an easily accessible fishing spot that’s also known for its diving opportunities. Boynton Beach also has dozens of small parks throughout the area, including the Mangrove Nature Park, which features a boardwalk throughout a mangrove hammock, and the Intracoastal Waterway Park, which has boat access to the Intracoastal Waterway. Finally, the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, just west of Boynton Beach, encompasses the northern tip of the Everglades. Nature lovers will find a lot to do in this park, which includes a boardwalk, observation areas, walking trails, a canoe trail, a boat ramp and a bike trail.

South of Boynton Beach lies Delray Beach, a town which has earned the distinction of being named a Florida Main Street Community, and was named ‘Best Run Town in Florida’ by Florida Trend magazine. Delray Beach resembles Boynton Beach in that the beach is a primary attraction for the area, but Delray also has a relationship with the arts that continues today and was at the forefront of a historical preservation movement that now extends throughout all of Florida. The Old School Square Cultural Arts Center is based in what were formerly the Delray Beach Elementary and Delray Beach High Schools, both of which were slated for demolition until a concerned group of citizens raised the money to restore and renovate the facilities. Today, the arts center plays host to many world-class cultural events and is located in the middle of trendy downtown Delray Beach. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is another of Delray Beach’s cultural gems. With exhibits featuring Japanese art, classes on such Japanese traditions as bonsai and ikebana flower arrangment, and six carefully tended, historically accurate gardens. Right next to the Morikami is the new headquarters of the American Orchid Society, dedicated to the preservation of and awareness of exotic flowers.

Delray Beach’s downtown area is a particular point of pride. Delray’s Main Street, with its brick paved sidewalks, offers miles of shops, cafes, bars and boutiques. Atlantic Avenue, considered the heart of Delray Beach’s downtown area, features dozens of antique shops, clothing and jewelry boutiques, art galleries, restaraunts and bars. Art and Jazz nights on the Avenue feature live music, food, and fun, with free trolley service for all. Delray Beach’s revitalized downtown area is often used as an example of what the combined efforts of citizens and government can do to protect and preserve the history of a city.