Boca Raton is a compact, metropolitan coastal city on the southeastern coast of Florida surrounded by natural beauty, with the Everglades to the west and miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline to the east. Spanish-style architecture in pretty pastels, endless rows of tall palms, and designer boutiques make Boca Raton one of the gems of southern Florida’s Palm Beaches region. The Boca Raton Museum of Art, Japanese gardens, and local ballet company demonstrate its commitment to the arts.

Just outside town, you’ll find miles and miles of protected wetlands to explore, where you may spot wildlife like alligators, spoonbills, cranes, and the gentle Florida manatee. Red Reef Park and South Beach Park are just a couple of the city’s patrolled beaches, where the area’s clear blue waters draw visitors to swim, surf, and fish for mahi-mahi and blackfin tuna.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is just a 30-minute drive to the center of Boca Raton. Plenty of taxis and ride-booking services, as well as car rental agencies, are available at the terminal. While it’s possible to take local public transit — including the Tri Rail commuter train and a series of bus lines — most routes will require several changes, and simple trips under 10 miles can take well over an hour, so having your own car may be the most convenient. In Boca Raton, you’ll find specific areas geared toward pedestrians, like the downtown, but you’ll need a car to explore the beaches or delve into the Everglades.

Southern Florida is hot and humid all year, with cooler nights in the winter and spring seasons. Although summer is a popular time to hit the beaches, you should prepare for a decent amount of rain, and some days, the heat index climbs into the high 90s Fahrenheit. Hurricane season runs from June to November, so you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast. Winter is the most popular time to book vacation rentals in Boca Raton, as the humidity is at its lowest and the days are still plenty warm enough to spend your days outdoors. In February and March, the Florida Renaissance Festival features live performances, competitions, period-appropriate food and drink, and merchants selling their wares.

Downtown Boca Raton

Starting in the 1920s, a leading resort architect began planning Boca’s downtown district, and the result is wide and tidy streets lined with turquoise street lamps, palm trees, and Mediterranean Revival buildings. You can spend a full day in this district checking out Mizner Park, the Museum of Art, and the Historical Society & Museum before shopping for souvenirs at one of the chic specialty stores. There are also a plethora of restaurants serving up a variety of cuisines.

Spanish River Park

The beach at Spanish River Park is one of the best in the city, and you can explore both the shoreline and the surrounding dunes on hiking trails open to the public. A lifeguard patrols the beach, and you’ll find plenty of public amenities like picnic areas with barbecues, restrooms, and a paid parking lot.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

When you enter the city’s Japanese gardens, you’ll be transported to historical periods in Japan from the 9th to the early 20th centuries. The replicas of palace gardens are adorned with arched bridges, koi ponds, rock gardens, and bonsai. In the middle of the park, you’ll find a cafe and a museum modeled after a Japanese villa, which exhibits 7,000 pieces of arts and crafts.