As locals, were often asked what are the best things to do in Boca Raton and what are the best hotels, restaurants, shops and spots for culture and nature in the South Florida city that has significantly transformed in recent years. Beyond the arrival of luxury residential towers and resorts, one sure sign of its growth is Brightline high-speed rail lines new station; it opens up the city to more visitors, while locals can hop 40-minute and 25-minute train rides to Miami and West Palm Beach, respectively. Class-A office space, new industry and hip restaurants are following the buzz to Boca. Families approve for top-rated schools and after-school electives. A lot more people discovered the exclusive locale when Florida Atlantic Universitys Owls made it to this years Final Four. In addition to basketball, Boca is also mentioned in the same breath as its legendary Town Center; the upscale mall attracts 15 million visitors annually. But theres more to this beautiful city with natural beaches, notable golf courses and nearly 50 parks. From representing exceptional single-family homes to the newly developed Royal Palm Residences, ONE Sothebys International Realty is fully committed to this vibrant community. Please enjoy our curated guide to learn more about living here.
Hotels
Prominent South Florida architect Addison Mizner established the citys cherished Mediterranean Revival look thats most pronounced in his design for The Boca Raton resort and spa dating to 1926. Its recent $200-million makeover includes a collection of five hotels with distinct styles: Mizners historic portion, the Cloister; oceanside Beach Club; all-suite Yacht Club; 27-floor Tower, and 1- to 2-bedroom Bungalows. The 200-acre, all-inclusive concept features unparalleled amenities for multigenerational families, couples seeking a romantic getaway, and groups for all occasions. The four-acre Pool Club delights children with water slides and a lazy river. Guests can also hit the links at the 18-hole, par-71 golf course, and unwind at Spa Palmera reimagined by event and design powerhouse Colin Cowies Thrive Hospitality. It requires at least a long weekend to make a dent in myriad restaurants, too. Major Food Group of Carbone fame operates four onsite concepts: Sadelles for caviar service to eggs Benedict; updated steakhouse Flamingo Grill; Japanese Bocce Clubs sushi and izakaya plates overlooking bocce courts, and Lake Como-inspired Principessa Ristorante. A retro supper club and beachside Greek taverna are among non-MFG outlets. A 28-slip marina, FlowRider surf wave simulator and Racquet Clubs 16 Hydro-Grid tennis courts and four pickleball courts contribute to the resort being a smashing success. Slated to debut in 2023, the 158-room Mandarin Oriental, Boca Raton marks the citys first new luxury hotel in nearly a century. The brands seventh North American location boasts two rooftop pools, the Spa at Mandarin Oriental and MO Bar. Guests also have access to next doors Jack Nicklaus-designed, 18-hole golf course. Favored by out-of-towners for its downtown location and four-star rating, Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center even draws locals for Drift lounges Floribbean fare and music. The newly renovated Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel also gets rave reviews in the dining department for an outpost of Florida-based modern steakhouse Meat Market.
Dining
With much of the hype centered on Midtown, reservations at longtime local restaurateur Mitchell Robbinss new Red Pine are highly recommended for elevated Chinese cuisine (handmade dumplings, crab fried rice, Cantonese lobster). If you recognize the name, he cofounded Farmers Table, which also focuses on healthy ingredients. Mainstays New York Prime and Chops Lobster Bar will soon have some competition from Gallaghers Steakhouse, a New York institution famous for dry-aged chops displayed like works of art in a glass-enclosed meat locker; Mizners signature design elements from pecky cypress to stucco flourishes will further adorn its Roaring Twenties-inspired setting. Washington D.C.-based, Michelin-starred chef Fabio Trabocchis pending Fiolina Pasta in Midtowns Restaurant Row features an exhibition kitchen to watch his pro staff hand-make linguini to tortellini. A mozzarella bar and charcuterie station also provide interaction, as diners eat their way through Italy. (Of course, locals still recommend Arturos spaghetti alla Gismondi with smoked salmon and vodka sauce flambed tableside.) South Florida-born restaurant chains Pubbelly Sushi and El Camino Mezcal & Tequila Bar are expanding to Restaurant Row, too. At Mizner Park, Kapow! Noodle Bar relocated to a larger space with a large wraparound bar, omakase counter and private karaoke rooms; its former space will be replaced by the same groups Penelope New Orleans Kitchen. A perennial favorite since 1991, Maxs Grille serves bistro classics from chopped salad to burgers. Chef restaurateur Eric Baker combined his shuttered Rebel House and AlleyCat, his collaboration with Sushi by Bou, under one roof. Patrons can order Rebel House signature dishes with AlleyCats sushi platters and Asian fusion (king crab tacos, scallop gratin with lemon miso). Foodies also appreciate Corvinas raw-bar towers, Brazilian fish stew and Thai curry with Key West pink shrimp; a saltwater aquarium and live music complete the seaside vibe. Among Bocas happening caf society, a native founded Mane for pourover and cold brew coffees complemented by savory toasts and cookies.
Culture
A major fundraising initiative is on for the $115-million Boca Raton Center for Arts & Innovation. Scheduled to break ground in 2025, the innovative hub will house traditional performing arts and 21st-century digital and immersive experiences. An open-air planetarium, rooftop terrace and retractable seating are more modernized amenities. Three decades in the making, the creation of downtowns cultural core will further renovate the historic Mizner Park Amphitheater with a climate-controlled system and link to the existing Boca Raton Museum of Art. Beyond diverse exhibits (Machu Picchu, Hollywood movie sets, New York contemporary artist Whitfield Lovell), the Museums known for its sculpture park and events (Museum Art Festival, Bijoux! jewelry show and sale). Festival of the Arts BOCA, Boca Raton Concours dElegance and Boca Bacchanal food and wine festival are some of the citys other big annual events. Touring acts from concerts to comedy perform at the nearby Studio at Mizner Park. IBMs former research and manufacturing facility designed by world-renowned Marcel Breuer Associates has been reinvented as Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC); Floridas largest office complex at 1.7-million square feet hosts cultural events (TedX talks, film screenings, gallery exhibitions, wellness festivals) and soon introduces the citys first food hall wittily named Byte.
Outdoors & Wellness
Abundant parks, preserves and golf courses create a patchwork of green space that residents make a priority and continue to grow. Spanning the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoatal Waterway, the 14-acre Ocean Strand Park is the citys newest waterfront park. Strolling its rustic, nature trails through Old Florida vegetation feels like stepping back in time. Like a puzzle piece, it lies between Red Reef Park and Spanish River Park. The proud addition comes hot on the heels of last years debut of Wildflower Park with exercise paths and public art. Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens shares Japanese culture from tea ceremonies to traditional architecture, but many visitors come for its 16-acre Japanese gardens and 200-acre pine forest with nature trails and picnic areas. Residents also find serenity in a round of golf. Having hosted the inaugural Gainbridge LPGA tour championship, the ultra-exclusive Boca Rio Golf Club tops golfers bucket lists for its bunker-bursting course designed by Robert Von Hagge. Boca West Country Clubs 18-hole course made Platinum Clubs of the Worlds Top 15 Country Clubs in America for 2023/24. Broken Sound Club, a 5-Star Platinum Club that hosts PGA tournaments, reopened after an extensive renovation of its clubhouse and par-72 Old Course by Rees Jones. Combining Bocas passions for golf and parks, the former Ocean Breeze Golf Club will become a 200-acre nature preserve and fitness zone with a golf course, Olympic-rated aquatics center, racket sports facility, trails, playground, dog park, and community and butterfly gardens in phases through 2028. As the hometown headquarters for Orangetheory Fitness, Boca doesnt disappoint with high-end gyms such as Life Time, and studios for cycling, barre and yoga. Newly entering the ring: A life coach, personal trainer and nutritionist founded the women-only Strong Wellness Fitness Studio with a mind, body and spirit approach to health.
Shopping
Town Center at Boca Raton is one of South Floridas longest-running attractions for good reason. The shopping mecca offers majors (Apple, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macys); fine jewelry and watches (Cartier, Rolex, Tag Heuer, Tiffany & Co.), and designer brands (Coach, Gucci, Golden Goose, Marni, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs). More clusters of stores with a mix of national retailers and independent local boutiques can be found around town, including Mizner Park (Sur La Table, Bluemercury, a new branch of Salt Life); Royal Palm Place (womens contemporary fashion boutiques Alene Too and Belle Cose), and the Shops at Boca Center (Vegan Fine Bodys 100 % plant-based beauty products and lifestyle items, Marmis Italian shoes). Polish your new wardrobe with a great hairstyle by The Greenroom and Zen mani/pedi with natural products at Namaste Nail Sanctuary. In-town home and design showrooms address most dcor needs. Top picks include Arhaus; family-owned Design Resource Center with 170 manufacturers covering a broad variety of looks, and Clive Daviss one-stop shop with interior design services to home accessories.
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