October 24th, 2011

What’s Going On?, Delray Beach, Florida, Activities, Events, Entertainment, Village by the Sea, Palm Beach County, South Florida

The beginning of November marks that time of the year when the “snowbirds” are either getting restless or too cold.  I know some of them that are already there and some that already have their date on their schedule.

Delray Beach, is that Village by the Sea that has had 2 designations as “All American City”.  It is the only city in Florida to have won it twice.  They have so many activities and events year-round.  But, they really step it up more than a few notches when the season kicks in. 

Already more events and activities are found.  Here a some, if you happen to be in Delray Beach or in Palm Beach County.

Delray opened this year their new bed and breakfast; the Historic Hartman House located at 302 NE 7th Ave.  If you are looking for a place to stay, check them out.  Website? www.delraybeachbedandbreakfast.com.  They are a great addition to the Delray community and are already immersed in this unique coastal town.

Delray has the beaches, the restaurants, the shops, and plenty of roadway for exercising.  At times, if you want to get away from it all, you can catch a cruise, right there on Atlantic Avenue and the Intracoastal.

Delray Yatch Cruises has a schedule, including menus that can be accessed by visiting www.delraybeachcruises.com.  You can also call them for reservations or questions at 561-243-0686.

There is a Sunday Brunch Cruise that leaves at 10:30 a.m. going northbound.  That part of the intracoastal is beautiful and quite wide at different spots.

If you are going to be in Delray during Thanksgiving, check their schedule since they will be having special Thanksgiving Day Cruises and Dinner Cruises.   Being that it is a holiday, you should make the reservations way ahead of time.

Cruising on the intracoastal from Delray Beach started in 2003.  One of their yatchs, the Lady Atlantic, was designed for South Florida’s Intracoastal Waterways. 

Friday, 10/28 – It is the 14th Annual Pineapple Grove Bed Race in the Art District of Delray; Pineapple Grove, at NE 2nd Ave. at Atlantic Ave.  The race will be f rom 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

A new addition this year will be the Beer Tent and the popular Food Trucks.

The Bed Race will be followed by a free concert from “Hard Liquor” on the Old School Square Pavilion.  “Hard Liquor” is a high energy South Florida band whose genre is Classic and Hard Rock.  They play popular rock songs from the 60s until today.

What can I say?  Some of the teams have been doing this race every year.  If you have a favorite, well, by all means go and be a cheerleader!!

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10/28-10/30  –  Haunted Halls of Horror at the Delray Beach Community Center located at 50 NW 1st Avenue.  It is presented by Hugs Not Drugs in conjuction with Delray Beach Parks and Recreation.

Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. with last ticket to be purchased by 10:30 p.m.

Sunday from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. with last ticket to be purchased by 9:30 p.m.

$10 per person.  Family Fun from ages 8 to 80 years old.

This is a spine tingling charity event.  It is an interactive walk through a haunted house with thrills and chills around every single corner. 

More info?  Check out the website www.hauntedhallsofhorror.com.  Or, call 561-585-7771.

Saturday, 10/29 – Kidsfest of Delray & Halloween Festivities in Downtown Delray Beach at Atlantic Avenue, starting at 11:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. – Trick or Treat along the Avenue (between Swinton and the Intracoastal).

1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. – Halloween Parade – Line up at Old School Square at 1:00 p.m.  Parade starts at 1:30 p.m. and marches through Atlantic Ave. to Veterans Park (right by the Intracoastal).  More info? Call 561-279-1380 x17.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Kidsfest of Delray at Veterans Park.  A free family event.  Live entertainment.  More info? Call 561-243-7277 or e-mail Beardsley@mydelraybeach.com.

Another place that I enjoy when I want to get from it all is the Morikami and Japanese Gardens.  Believe me they are so peaceful. 

The gardens are “an invitation to stop momentarily and ponder anew what we are, where we have been, and where we are heading”.

The address is 400 Morikami Park Rd., Delray Beach, Florida.  Website? www.morikami.org.  Tel. 561-495-0233. 

From Delray Beach you can go west on Atlantic Ave., turn left on Jog Road and head south for a bit and you will see the entrance on the right hand side.  It is also the entrance for the Orchid Society.

The Park honors the Yamato Colony, a farming settlement of the early 1900s.  It also celebrates the living Japanese culture. 

My favorite garden is the Karesansui Late Rock Garden.  Karesansui means “dry landscape”.  In this style of garden, the rocks were arranged in a bed of raked gravel, while plants took a secondary role.

As the weather gets more comfortable in South Florida, these gardens are a great place to relax.

I hope you take advantage of some of these activities and events.  Delray Beach, that little Village by the Sea, is also full of restaurants.  I like a lot of them and I do have my favorites.  I have written about them in the past, and just like I do at the Delaware Beaches, I will visit them again…you never know what unique dish will be on their menu….AboutMyBeaches…yes this is one of my favorite beaches, as well.

December 21st, 2010

Delray Yacht Cruises, Day Cruises, Sightseeing, The Intracoastal, Private Charters, Delray Beach, Florida, Palm Beach County

I was taking a walk around Delray Beach the other day, right by the Veterans Park; the Artists in the Park hold their events there.  I always see the two yachts there; either the Lady Atlantic or the Lady Delray. 

I will be the first to tell you that, well, maybe it might be too touristic.  Thanks, but not for me.  Except that they did look beautiful.  Docked by the Intracoastal Bridge they were waiting for their passengers.  I have seen them when they are leaving or coming back. 

I remember my friend, Deveraux, went on it and she said it was good to “escape for the day”.  So, even though I have not been on i,t in order to tell you my experience, I wanted to add it as a post because if you are just visiting and have never been up and down the intracoastal; it might be a really nice relaxing way to spend a few hours.

Then, I got some information. Originally, I thought it was just up and down the intracoastal; they offer so much more.

The company is Delray Yacht Cruises, 801 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL, 33483.  Tel. 561-243-0686.  Website is www.delrayyachtcruises.com.

The yachts have 2 decks, which are climate controlled.  Most of the cruises depart from Delray Beach and head south towards Boca. 

On Wednesday mornings, Friday Dinner and Sunday Brunch the cruises go north towards Manalapan Island.  But call them up for more info. and for large groups because they do offer discounts.

Also they have different cruises from February through May, as well as from June through January.

At this time of the year, on their specialty cruise list, they have:

December Holiday Dinner Cruise, which is on Wednesdays.  Reservations are required so call for details.

Holiday Lights Cruises, $22 for adults and $19 for children and seniors.  This cruise is also on selected evenings so again call for schedule and details.

I don’t know if you have spend a New Year’s Eve in Delray Beach, but the town puts great displays for their First Nights New Year’s Eve Celebration with visual and performing arts through Atlantic Ave.  The yacht cruises also offer a New Year’s Eve Dinner, Dancing and Fireworks Cruise.  Definitely call 561-243-0686 for more info.

And so on they go with Special Entertainment Cruises, Valentines, Easter, Fourth of July, etc. etc.

It is worth noticing that the cruises are also booked for weddings, bridal and baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, family reunions and corporate outings.  About 150 passengers can be accommodated in comfort.

I thought it was interesting and that’s why I am passing it around.  Word of mouth, as they say.

Have a great day!!!  Talk to you later…..