Delray Beach/Boynton

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[ SCHOOLS | HOSPITALS | RESTAURANTS ]

Delray Beach is a city of superlatives. In 1993-94, it was one of nine communities in the nation to win the prestigious designation of All-American City. It has been recognized as a Florida Main Street Community and named the "Best-Run Town in Florida" by Florida Trend magazine. President Clinton also praised the city of 58,000 residents for its community activism.

What makes Delray Beach so attractive to visitors and residents alike? It's a wonderful combination of superb sporting facilities ash including a competition-class downtown tennis stadium, award-winning public beaches and boardwalk; and, a quaint historical district.

Delray Beach was founded in 1894 when William Linton, then postmaster of Saginaw, Mich., purchased 160 acres of land and sold it in five-acre tracts through Michigan newspaper ads. In 1901, the city was named Delray, after a Detroit suburb.

Delray is rightfully proud of its history and it shows. The city fathers have preserved such historical gems as Old School Square; Victorian Sundy House (1902); and John Cason cottage (1917), which is now home to the Delray Beach Historical Society. Visitors can learn more about the city's colorful past at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.

Just north of Delray, Boynton Beach also has an interesting heritage The town, founded in 1895 by Civil War officer Major Nathan Boynton, who built a 50-room resort hotel on the beach, didn't actually begin to flourish until 1898, just after Henry Morrison Flagler brought his Florida East Coast Railroad through. Historical buildings, including the Boynton Beach Women's Club (1926) built by Addison Mizner, have been restored for public use.

Today, Boynton Beach has a population of 52,000 and is known for its quiet parks and beaches and suburban lifestyle. Boynton is also home to the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses 145,000 acres of the northern Everglades. Airboat rides, canoeing, nature trails and tours offer a glimpse of this unique ecosystem.

Every March, the city comes alive with fine arts, entertainment and international foods during the three-day Boynton Beach G.A.L.A. (Great American Love Affair).
by: Daphne Nikolopoulos

CULTURE & ARTS

Old School Square

Built as a school in 1913, this complex includes the 322-seat Crest Theater and the Cornell Museum of Art and History. Here you can meet your own Waterloo because, among the paintings and sculptures, you will be charmed by Military Miniatures, a permanent collection loaned by Edwin S. Reynolds. 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach (561) 243-7922

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Step into another world: This is the only place in the United States devoted entirely to the preservation and study of Japanese culture. It's a stunning experience, with serene gardens, where the bonsai bloom; and a museum, modeled after an imperial villa. The museum is on land donated by pineapple-grower George Sukeji Morikami, who was part of Boca Raton's Yamato colony early this century. 4000 Morikami Park Rd., Delray Beach (561) 495-0233

HOTELS

Berkshire By The Sea

The Berkshire by the Sea, with its 51 apartments, offers easy access to Atlantic Ave. and the ocean along with tennis, shuffleboard, a putting green, recreation room, jacuzzi and two pools. 126 N. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach (800) 327-3632/(561) 272-5045

Holiday Inn-Camino Real

Located directly across the street from the beach, the 150-room Holiday Inn-Camino Real's Seacrest Grill, outdoor pool and tiki bar provide ample opportunities for relaxation. 1229 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach (561) 278-0882

Holiday Inn-Catalina

Located a stone's throw away from the Boynton Beach Mall and other shopping and dining venues with 152 rooms, five meeting spaces and Dominic's Restaurant. 1601 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach (561) 737-4600

Holiday Inn Express

For weary travelers the Holiday Inn Express offers 102 rooms, tennis and a heated pool. 480 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach (561) 734-9100

Seagate Hotel and Beach Club

The Seagate Hotel and Beach Club combines the benefits of a private club and restaurant, outdoor saltwater and freshwater pools and watersports with an offering of 70 guest suites, complete with full kitchens. 400 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach (561) 276-2421

Spanish River Resort

Activities at the Spanish River Resort are in abundance with tennis, basketball, volleyball and an outdoor pool-all a mere 100-yards from the ocean. The Resort has 72 suites with kitchens and laundry on each floor, as well as a restaurant and lounge. 1111 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach (800) 543-7946/(561) 243-7946

SHOPPING

Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach Known as the main street of Delray Beach, Atlantic Ave. offers a melange of galleries, antique shops, clothing boutiques, jewelry and gift selections and eateries. Also the home of Old School Square Cultural Arts Center, the street exudes charm right down to its gaslight street lamps and brick walkways. (561) 278-0424

Boynton Beach Mall

Boynton Beach Mall is comprised of 140 specialty shops and five major department stores, including Macy's and Burdines. Restaurants, a food court and other amenities complete the mix. 801 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach (561) 736-7900

SCHOOLS

Barry University

BU's School of Adult & Continuing Education is an accelerated-degree program, targeting the working student; classes are offered evenings and Saturdays, with up to 30 credits awarded for college-level learning or "life experience." Also with a branch in Palm Beach Gardens. 701 N. Congress Ave., Ste. 15, Boynton Beach (561) 364-8220

St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

The only senior Catholic seminary south of Baltimore. Features a six-year pre-theology and theology programs. 10701 S. Military Trail, Boynton Beach (561) 732-4424

HOSPITALS

Bethesda Memorial Hospital

Not-for-profit. Emergency room: Entrance on north side of hospital. Specialties: Maternity, oncology care, occupational health, behavioral medicine and pain management. 2815 S. Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach (561) 737-7733

Columbia JFK Medical Center

Not-for-profit. A 363-bed acute-care and outpatient medical facility with 24-hour emergency services. On-site chest-pain emergency center, heart institute, comprehensive cancer center, radiation oncology department and diagnostic imaging. 5301 S. Congress Ave., Atlantis (561) 965-7300

Delray Community Hospital

For-profit, owned by Tenet Health Systems, Santa Monica, Calif. Emergency room: Entrance at east side of hospital, access from Military Trail and Linton Blvd. Specialities: Trauma center, cardiac care, chest-pain emergency room, laser surgery, sleep disorders, neuroscience, orthopedics and pain management. 5352 Linton Blvd., Delray Beach (561) 498-4440

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