South Florida by Design: A Road Trip to Delray Beach & The Ray
June 5th, 2025
Sun-warmed pavement, your favorite playlist on repeat, and that salty breeze just beyond the horizon-there's nothing quite like a South Florida road trip. And when your summer map leads you to Delray Beach, Florida? You've officially entered vacation mode.
Perfectly poised between Palm Beach and Miami, Delray is a scene all its own-equal parts cultural charisma and laid-back beach soul. And at the heart of it all: The Ray Hotel-your design-forward, cocktail-ready, rooftop oasis of a basecamp.
This summer, trade predictable for unforgettable. Here's how to plan a South Florida itinerary that's as vibrant and experience-rich as the destination itself-with Delray as your coastal playground and The Ray as your retreat.
Discover Delray Beach-Where Culture Meets the Coast
Don't let its size fool you-Delray Beach is packed with personality. It's South Florida's Village by the Sea, where walkable streets are lined with art galleries, open-air markets, buzzy boutiques, and cafés that channel a European riviera. Unhurried yet electric, Delray gives you space to wander and reason to look twice.
Summer brings that spirit to life with events like the Delray Beach Summer GreenMarket, Coco Market, and First Friday Art Walk, complete with gallery openings, artist meet-and-greets, and local musicians playing pop-up sets throughout downtown.
Arriving in July? The City of Delray Beach's Fourth of July Festival is a true local tradition. Expect a sea of flags, food vendors, family activities, and a beachside fireworks display that turns the shoreline into a front-row seat.
In a region filled with sun-drenched beach towns, Delray stands apart with a creative charge that turns everyday moments into something memorable. It's the kind of place that doesn't just fit your plans-it reshapes them.
Stay Where the Vibe Is as Good as the View
Delray isn't just walkable-it's livable. And The Ray fits right into that fabric, perched in Pineapple Grove Arts District where streets shift from gallery to café, cocktail to conversation. The hotel is part of the neighborhood-open, inviting, and grounded in the spirit of the place.
With sunlit balconies, living walls, and art in every direction, the stay feels curated, not staged. There's the rooftop, of course-lush and airy, with views that stretch across downtown-and quiet luxury in the details: Frette robes, Byredo bath amenities, and thoughtful design in every corner. There's no need to plan around the action-it's happening all around you, and often right upstairs.
Start the day with a fitness class led by one of our local wellness partners, then rent a surfboard, paddleboard, or shaded cabana-because the best kind of itinerary is the one that lets you follow the weather and your mood.
Summer at The Ray
This isn't the kind of hotel that sends you out to find the fun-we bring it to you. Here's what's on our summer radar:
Rosewater Rooftop's 4th of July Pool Party
Celebrate the holiday with sweeping views, DJ sets, specialty cocktails, and a next-level BBQ menu-all just in time to catch the city's fireworks show. Doors open early; vibes stay high.
Akira Back's Summer Tasting Series
Join us for an exclusive once-a-month dining series at Akira Back, our globally inspired showstopper. Each night features a custom multi-course menu paired with premium sake or spirits, and storytelling from the brand ambassadors themselves.
Save the Dates:
July 29: Caymus Vineyards
August 26: Clase Azul
September 30: HeavenSake (a highlight of Downtown Delray Beach Restaurant Month)
Seats are limited, the setting is intimate, and the experience is absolutely worth planning your trip around.
Art, Music, and Community-Right Outside Your Door
Live mural painting. Open-air dancing. Music in the streets. Art & Jazz on the Avenue is Delray's ultimate summer street party-right outside The Ray. Pop-up galleries, kids' activities, and a scene that brings the whole town out.
It's the kind of night that captures what Delray does best-and just one piece of a larger creative landscape. Through our partnership with Arts Garage, just steps from the hotel, guests enjoy live jazz, intimate theater, and rotating exhibitions-often with exclusive perks for Ray guests.
Let the Road Lead You Here
This summer, follow the coastline to somewhere that doesn't just check boxes-but leaves a mark. A place where art meets atmosphere, days unfold with ease, and every detail feels deliberately designed. Whether you're drawn in by the music, the markets, or the feeling of arriving somewhere that gets you-Delray has it.
And when you're ready to make the trip, we're making it easier to stay a little longer and explore a little deeper. Book our Third Night Free offer to extend your escape, or unlock local perks with our Florida and Georgia Resident Rate. The Ray is ready when you are.
