September 29th, 2009
A Village by the Sea……This is Delray Beach, Florida
In one of my last posts I mentioned that I would probably be visiting Delray Beach soon. Well, I am here with my husband, but we actually visit Delray quite often. I would put it in the same category as one of my beaches.
Years ago, while visiting Florida, Marilyn told me to stay in Delray Beach because the town had gone through a revival and it was quite charming. Well, we really enjoyed it and it reminded us of home; coastal towns with everything the beaches have to offer.
The beach in Delray is great. No building obstructions of any kind. Only the palm trees and the sea grapes. The town is known for the abundance of sea grapes. They use them in landscaping because they grow so fast and can create a great hedge. Today I was walking and just picked some of them from a hedge. They are at the height of the season, but a lot of people don’t know that you can eat them. They are sweet and tart at the same time and have a small pit. The best ones are the purple ones.
My neighbor, Felix, takes a walk everyday and apparently he is finding avocados somewhere but will not divulge the location. He said that they are so good. Well, I am sooo glad for him.
Anyway, just here for a few days. It is hot and humid. Thought I would write a bit about this wonderful town they call, A Village By The Sea.
Delray Beach is located on the Florida’s Atlantic coast, between Palm Beach and Boca Raton. Two major airports support the many visitors to Delray. One is in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach International and the other in Ft. Lauderdale. From these airports, depending on the traffic it’s about 20 minutes from West Palm and about 40 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale.
Delray has maintained its charm through history. The area is known for its rich soil, many different types of crops (pineapple, tomatoes, vegetables, oranges) and the large colony of artists that call this beach town home.
There are so many festivals held here and throughout the year. Visitors come to them to enjoy all the festivities around the historic downtown streets.
Atlantic Ave. is the main street going East to West and this is where you will find a lot of shops and restaurants. Restaurants are allowed to have seating on the sidewalks so on any given night, at the height of the season, the sidewalks are full of patrons, sometimes accompanied by their pets, enjoying a good dinner under the stars.
In some of the old photographs, Atlantic Ave. was lined with Royal Palms, but they were destroyed by the 1947 hurricane, or removed to expand the road once the new bridge was built.
An important award was given to Delray Beach in 1993 and in 2001; “All American City” from the National Civic League. It really is a beautiful coastal town; one that has had its ups and downs through its history but has maintained its building and development integrity.
If you are fortunate enough to visit sunny Florida this winter, running away from the cold weather up north, visit this town and you might even hit one of those famous festivals Delray Beach is known for.
Note: Information for my post was taken from Images of America, Delray Beach by McCall Credle-Rosenthal
Tags: Delray Beach, Florida
Good Morning !
It must be so beautiful!
Hope you locate some avocados of your own.
Thanks for sharing and have fun.
Hello: I guess you were up too!! Yes, it is hot and humid but not crowded and no rain. Anyway, hope everything is well with all and thanks so much for commenting on the blog.
I’m so jealous – you are in my favorite town! And now you tell me you can find fresh avocados?!!
That is what Felix said. He carries a bag and brings them home. I should follow him. Haha. Thanks for your comments.
Tell me about the Coloney Hotel in Delray. Is it wonderful..looks great in photos.
Hi Deb: The hotel is closer to the restaurants uptown. For your parents, I think the hotel by the Marriott would be best. It is an older one hotel but quaint. I have only been in the lobby but I think they even have music on the week-ends. They have a beach which is on A1A and I believe they have a shuttle that can take you there. It is family owned. Because it is old, they don’t have central air because you can see from the side building the air condition window units. Shelley stayed there once but I think they have redone it since. Walking distance to everything. See you,