Top 10 Things To Do Near Boca Raton (That Aren't The Beach!)

If you think there’s nothing to do in Boca Raton besides going to the beach everyday, you’re in for a real surprise!

I downright hate the beach. And unfortunately for me, I spent most of my winter vacations visiting Boca Raton Florida going to the beach with my family.

So over the years, to steer them away from the beach, I had to find some other things to do near Boca Raton for entertainment (p.s. I did the same for South Beach in Miami!).

Here are my top 10 fun things to do in Boca Raton Florida other than going to the beach! And don’t worry, there’s something for everyone on this list, not just for families! Surprisingly, Boca is a very diverse place for activities!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

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Boca Raton isn’t that big so I’ve included a few places in Boca Raton, and up to an hour away from the city. But most things to do in Boca Raton Florida are within a 15 to 30 minute drive.

I’ve separated the things to do near Boca into three categories:

Outdoor things to do near Boca Raton
Food & drink things to do near Boca Raton
Indoor things to do near Boca Raton

Outdoor Boca Raton Things To Do

You’re visiting Florida for the incredible weather, so take full advantage of the outdoor activities that aren’t sitting at the beach all day!

the view from across the water, there's a small sliver of land separating the rippled ocean from the cloud spotted sky. The land is filled with mansions, with barely room between them for a palm tree. They look like villas with patios, and pastel coloured.

1. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens is one of my favourite things to do near Boca Raton.

With so much to do here, you can easily spend hours enjoying it and still want to come back for more!

For starters, it has one of the best Japanese gardens I’ve ever visited (and I’ve been to Japan!)! And because you’re in Florida, it’s also possibly the largest gardens!

a calming view of a pond woth rocks lining the edge, there's a red bridge attached two pieces of land. One side is filled with green grass, and a large white and black roofed building. The other side you can't really see because its covered in trees. These are the Morikami. Japanese Gardens in Boca Raton Florida

On top of that, there are permanent and temporary exhibits, including an incredible world class bonsai display.

But wait, there’s more!

Morikami also offers different Japanese cultural workshops throughout the year. They have everything from a traditional tea ceremony to sushi making. And they even offer different workshops for both adults and youths (15+)!

The downside is that there are very select dates for their workshops, and you have to register in advance.

a closeup of a bonsai tree, and another two blurred in the background on a bench. The closeup is in a pot with roots intertwined and blossoming into beautiful leaves on top, with two different greens, a light rim with a dark centre. There's an entire display at the Morikami Japanese Gardens

2. Gumbo Limbo Nature Park

The Gumbo Limbo Nature Centre is a wonderful initiative and one of the best things to do in Boca Raton Florida for all ages. I used to come here as a kid on family vacations to Florida and I’ve since gone back as an adult.

This is a completely free activity, although they do accept donations.

There are two parts to the Gumbo Limbo Park: the walking trails and an educational centre.

a raised boardwalk leading you out onto the beach. Two palm trees line the edges of the photo, leading your eye to the teal blue water and up to the sky with some clouds above.

The nature trails take you on a raised walkway through the park, perfect for spotting native flora and fauna along the way. It feels like you’re in the deepest depths of the jungle, far away from civilization!

The Gumbo Limbo educational centre is home to a few aquatic tanks as well, housing all different species of fish and even sea turtles!

Staff at the Gumbo Limbo are available to answer your questions, educate you on all the research and rehabilitation being done to help the sea life in Florida.

Find out more, and plan your visit to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Centre.

a closeup of a fish swimming in one of the tanks at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Centre in Boca Raton Florida. The background is a blurred moss covered rock. The fish is coming in on the right, it's half cut off. The bottom is golden yellow, with neon blye stripes going down from its open mouth. You can even see its small teeth sticking out. The colour then becomes navy blue, where its neon blue eye looks like its looking striaght at the camera. It has a double edged fin on top.

3. Adventure Through The Everglades

The Everglades are a wetland preserve, a unique environment somewhere between land and sea! With slow-moving rivers and marshes, the everglades are home to many different animal species from crocodiles and manatees, to Florida panthers!

And lucky for you, Boca Raton is actually within driving distance of the Florida Everglades! Although it involves a bit more driving (about 40 minutes, you can’t visit Florida and not see the everglades, it’s just one of those activities that screams Florida.

The best way to visit the Everglades is on an airboat ride through the marshland. Get up close and personal with wildlife on an airboat ride with this tour on Viator.

an alligator sit very still in the grass, laying low at the everglades near boca raton florida, just soaking up the sun

4. Wakodahatchee Wetlands – Boca Raton Things To Do

The Wakodahatchee Wetlands are a mix between the Everglades and Gumbo Limbo Nature Centre.

Here, you can stroll along a raised boardwalk through the wetlands of Florida (a.k.a the Everglades!). If an airboat ride is too much for you, then maybe a walk through the wetlands is more your speed.

The Wakodahatchee Wetlands are an essential breeding ground for many types of birds, and home to alligators, turtles and more. So expect to see some Florida wildlife in their natural habitat while you’re here.

But even if you don’t, it’s still a beautiful nature walk!

Wakodahatchee Wetlands near boca raton florida to see the wetlands and wildlife in the area. This is a marsh, with water and lake grass sticking out of the water. In the middle is a white crane. The water is so still that you can see his perfect reflection in the water. The trees line the distance before the clear blue skies take over

P.S. tips for dealing with the Florida heat…

Doing anything outside in Florida is HOT, but especially in the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, there’s barely any shade on the boardwalk.

So make sure you’re prepared with enough water to avoid getting dehydrated. I fill up my Thermoflask water bottle, (get your own on Amazon), to keep my water cold and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Make sure to also apply (and re apply) sunscreen, you don’t want to burn on vacation! You can also invest in a sun umbrella, like this one on Amazon, it’s a life saver for those hot summer days!

a large white bird with long legs and black tipped wings is taking flight off a railing right in front. It's head is bare, without any feathers and a long black curved beak. Below it is water. Behind it is a raised walkway, above the water for pedestrians, and behind that are some trees and blue skies.
This is at the Wakadochee Wetlands in Boca Raton Florida

5. Butterfly World

Although there are some indoor sections, Butterfly World is mainly outside. Plus, you’ll want to come on a nice day anyway – the better the weather, the more butterflies you’re more likely to see!

Butterfly World was the first butterfly house in the U.S., and in classic Florida style, it’s also the largest in the world!

But it’s not just about seeing some of their 20 000 butterflies in the aviaries, but also learning about them too!

See the butterflies as they change through the different stages of life, from caterpillar, to cocoon, before finally emerging as a beautiful butterfly!

a perfect blue butterfly (possibly moth because of its furry blue underbelly) sits in a field of green grass. It rests on the only purple flower in the area. You can see the bottom of its wings are a grey with black and white polka dots. The inside of its wings are a shimmering blue and purple.

6. Quiet Waters Park (Things To Do in Deerfield Beach Florida)

If you’re looking for things to do in Deerfield Beach Florida, head to Quiet Waters Park, just around the corner from Boca!

And don’t take the name too literally here… there’s nothing quiet about this park!

There’s A TON to do in Quiet Waters Park, it would be hard to find something you wouldn’t want to do! Mountain biking, walking trails, and water parks for kids and even dogs!

But the main attraction is Ski Rixen USA where you can sign up for wakeboarding or water skiing on their lake. If you’re a beginner, they also offer lessons on the weekends!

the iconic view of palm trees in florida high up in the sky from below. The contrast between the yellow tips of the leaves, the green leaves, and the blue sky is vibrant.

7. Fort Lauderdale Boat Cruise, Riverwalk, & Las Olas Blvd

Fort Lauderdale is the largest city near Boca Raton, so it’s a no-brainer that one of the top Boca Raton things to do is to visit at least once.

You could easily spend the day exploring the different unique parts of this city.

Walk along the Riverwalk, exploring the parks along the way and maybe you’ll even catch a local event taking place. Be sure to check out upcoming events. For example, the first Sunday of every month is a free jazz concert!

seeing the beach from a far, across overgrown grass and bushes. A top the green grass, you can see blue and white umbrella tops. Beyon that is a darker blue strip of ocean water before it meets the blue sky. The lifeguard tower is above it all, with a white and green painted rooft and a lifeguard deck. There are two flags blowing in the wind, a purple and yellow, showing beach goers the beach conditions of the day.

If walking isn’t your style, explore the city by water on a boat cruise through Fort Lauderdale, see tour options on Viator.

Be sure to stay for dinner to enjoy one of the many trendy restaurants along Las Olas Blvd. Walk off the meal afterward by doing some much needed window shopping at the local boutiques lining the street.

More Fort Lauderdale Boat Tours on Viator

A river splits the land on either side. The left has a dock, with tall apartment buildings. the right has more docks, greenery, and palm trees. There are two boats heading towards you in the centre of the water.

Food & Drink Things To Do Near Boca Raton

Even though Florida isn’t exactly known for being a foodie hub, we all still need to eat, so why not turn it into one of your things to do in Boca Raton Florida that isn’t the beach!?

I mean, it’s also terrace season all year round in Florida, so you should also take advantage while you can!

8. Delray Beach Atlantic Av. Food Tour

As a neighbouring city, Delray Beach is one of the best places to visit near Boca Raton. But did you know that it’s also a hopping place for top food in Florida?

The main street to visit in Delray Beach is Atlantic Avenue with shopping and restaurants galore!

But why not elevate your trip to Delray by going on a delicious secret food tour of the city. Your guide will take you through an off the beaten path culinary tour of Delray Beach!

Check out the tour on Viator.

A cream orange and pastel yellow apartment building take up the entire frame, there aer several yellow columns separating the balconies. Palm trees hide the bottom levels, in front of the trees are two green lights, and streets sighs. The cross street is Gleason St, and you're on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach Florida.

9. The Funky Buddha Brewery

I know Florida doesn’t seem like the beer capital of the states either, but they do dabble in some of their own local brews. One of those being Funky Buddha Brewery, which is actually the largest brewery in South Florida.

There’s nothing more fun than ordering a flight to taste local brews (and take notes to compare them!). Who knows, maybe Florida brewers will surprise you!

They also have weekly events that you can find on their Instagram. Events include Happy Hour with discounted prices, trivia nights, bottomless brunch, DJs, and more!

A closeup of three round chalise beer glasses. The front one looks the most like a typical lager bear, you can see the bubbles on the side of the glass as it warms up in the heat. Behind is a thicker yellow brew, and finally a bright red beer in the background.

Indoor Things To Do In Boca Raton Florida

As great as the weather can be in Florida, you can also have really bad days. So, when you’re bored of Town Centre Boca Raton mall, here’s another idea for more fun things to do in Boca Raton…

10. Boomers! Arcade, Mini Putt, & More!

Boomers was my favourite activity in Florida as a kid! Seriously, if you’re traveling to Florida with your family, you need to head to Boomers STAT!

It’s an indoor arcade with all the top games to play and win prizes!

Plus if the weather starts to take a turn for the better, you can go outside where they’ve added a mini putt course and bumper boats.

Or if it takes a turn for the worse, head across the street to AMC and watch the hottest new movie in theatres.

a man bends over with a mini golf club as we just hit the ball, you can see it making its way into the second hole. The course is small, and littered with palm trees and floridian botanics. In the distance, a woman poses for the picture, she's squatting with her hands to her cheeks and mouth wide open in awe of the shot.

Bonus! Full Day Trip To South Beach Miami

If you’ve run out of things to do in Boca Raton Florida, consider going on a full day trip to South Beach Miami.

Although South Beach is a bit farther away (about an hour drive), it’s still worth visiting and spending the day. And yes, just like Boca, South Beach Miami is SO MUCH MORE than just a beach.

For starters, head to the historical Art Deco District, a top bucket list destination in the United States. The unique architecture is matched with lively pastel colours and up beat vibes.

a vibrant happy photo with popping colours of an art deco hotel in south beach Miami in the art deco district. the hotel is onyl three stories tall, it's white and a lemon yellow paint with an awning shadowing the first floor. Three people sit on the steps leading to the hotel escaping the sun. There's a palm tree on either side of the hotel, both bending towards the left, from the wind. There are bright white clouds behind the hotel, but the rest of the sky is bright blue.

Go on a guided tour around the art deco district, like this one on Viator. Stop in for an iced coffee at one of the many cafes, and do some shopping on Lincoln Avenue.

Or if you have some more energy, you could even bike along the boardwalk to enjoy those beachy views without getting sand between your toes!

You can see my full list of things to do in South Beach Miami that don’t include the beach.

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Need A Place To Stay In Boca?

I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Deerfield Beach, it was halfway between my grandparents condo and the beach! Although it was a great hotel, with breakfast included and a very relaxing pool, you still had a drive to the beach.

So if you’re looking for a place to stay in Boca Raton that’s walking distance to the beach, you can’t get closer than 365 Ocean. With apartment style amenities like a full kitchen, to an outdoor pool, and it’s pet friendly so the whole family can come!

But I always wanted to stay on the Beach at the Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort. Not only are you on the beach, but you have shops and restaurants at your fingertips.

See more hotel options in Boca Raton on Booking, or look for more in Deerfield Beach on Booking instead.

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