For many Palm Beach County residents, Downtown Delray Beach is not just a neighborhood, it’s a destination. It’s an area where they can walk, shop, eat, and enjoy the type of community life reminiscent of an early age.

For anyone considering moving to the area, here are some aspects of the neighborhood you should know about.

Pineapple Grove welcome sign

Atlantic Avenue: The Neighborhood’s Heart

Atlantic Avenue runs east to west, from the westernmost section of Delray Beach to the Atlantic Ocean. The portion of the street from I-95 to the ocean is known by locals as “The Ave,” and it’s where most of the attractions can be found. However, areas immediately north and south of the Atlantic Avenue are becoming more attractive to developers and business owners.

Many describe the street as a pleasant mix of both upscale shops and tourist-geared beach shops, with a mix of national retailers and locally owned boutiques. The avenue is home to both fine dining and lower-cost burger joints. And the nightlife includes everything from venues hosting local rock bands to elegant martini bars.

There Are Neighborhoods Within the Neighborhood

The Delray Downtown Development Authority defines the area as having six neighborhoods, each with a personality of its own. The Set (West Atlantic) is Atlantic Avenue from I-95 to Swinton Avenue and serves as a gateway to the area. Pineapple Grove Arts District on NE 2nd Avenue features boutiques, bistros, art galleries, and salons. The Ave (East Atlantic Avenue from Swinton to 5th Avenue) is a high-energy area and main thoroughfare for dining and shopping. SOFA (South of Atlantic) is an up-and-coming area with new condos and office space under construction. US1 (Federal Highway from SE 10th to NE 8th Street) is an urban area with wider sidewalks and decorative street lights. And lastly, Beachside is the area from the Intracoastal Waterway on Atlantic Avenue to A1A/The Beach, and it offers a selection of luxury hotels.

New Construction Is in the Works

In addition to the many restaurants and shops that have been added (or subtracted) to the area in recent times, Downtown Delray has several condominium and hotel projects under construction. Condo projects include 111 First Delray, a 70-unit condo project at 111 SE 1st Ave.; Atlantic Crossing, a project at the northeast corner of Federal Highway and Atlantic Avenue, will include 82 condos, 261 apartments, 83,000 square feet of office space, and 76,000 square feet of shops and restaurants; and 236 Fifth Avenue, which will feature 35 condos. Hotel projects include the 122-room Aloft Hotel and the 150-room Kolter Hotel. It’s also the site of 4th and 5th Delray, a mixed-use development that includes an iPic theater, Class A office space, retail shops, and a 326-space parking garage.

Silverball Museum photo courtesy of Rob DiCaterino

It’s Home to a ‘Museum’ Dedicated to Pinball

Silverball Museum features an array of pinball machines, but also has some traditional arcade games, such as Ms. Pac Man and Galaga, as well as skee ball games. Most of the machines are antiques and meant to commemorate the golden age of pinball in the 1960s and 70s. To play the games, you don’t need quarters—just pay an admission fee and you can play as many as you like. The museum also serves food and drink and holds special events such as 2 for $20 Tuesdays and Wine Down Wednesdays.

Old School Square

Among the unique aspects of Downtown Delray Beach is Old School Square, a set of buildings that once served as elementary and high schools for Delray Beach children. After the city closed them in the 1980s, they planned to demolish them until local residents called for them to be preserved as landmarks. Today, it’s home to the Crest Theatre, the Cornell Art Museum, the Pavilion, the Creative Arts School, and the Fieldhouse. Events are held throughout the year, such as Free Friday Concerts at the Pavilion.

The Neighborhood Has Great Art Events

Downtown Delray Beach is the site of one of the biggest events held during the year, the Delray Affair. It features fine art, crafts, and products from around the world on 12 city blocks from the Intracoastal to NW 2nd Avenue. The Cornell Art Museum and Old School Square hold Art on the Square events several times throughout the year. These are outdoor juried shows featuring original works by fine art and fine craft artists from around the country.