[rickyd]

Hi,

I'm taking a trip by myself to Boca Raton and will probabaly spend 3 days and 2 nights there. Basically, I will just stay within the city limits being as I don't know my way around Florida like that (I live in S. Carolina but will be moving to Boca soon, I guess... which is why I'm taking this trip to test to see if I like the city).

My activities for the trip are VERY simple and they include cruising around the city at night and just walking along the shores of a beach somewhere. Then maybe visit Mizner park and some malls the next day during the morning time. The third day I will probably hang out at Spanish River park or something. Of course I will be checking out some homes in person as well (Having to do it online isn't enough).

I will be alone on this trip, so I really wont be doing much. I'm 22 and single but not the club or party type at all. I mainly just enjoy peace but also having a good time as well, so my questions are.....

1. What are some other activities to enjoy in Boca (That don't cost too much)? Name some things simple, it doesn't matter, as long as it's nothing corny or childish if you will. lol.

2. Is the traffic bad even at night time in this city?, Because I really love night cruising when there's not alot of traffic to deal with..

3. Do they allow people walking along beaches at night there as well (I heard this city is kind of strict so that is why I asked that question.) ?

4. Which one is better between Spanish River and Red Reef park? I want to visit one of the two while I'm there.

5. What are the times of the days that traffic is at it's worst in Boca, because as I said before, I don't know my way around except to a couple of places, so I don't want to get lose in traffic.

6. In addition to all of my annoying questions, what are some things that I might want to avoid doing while I'm here?

Thanks in advance.

[Lilybeans]

You can't get lost in south Florida. I-95, the Turnpike, US1 and A1A all run north and south. Everything else is a cross street.

Boca is not that big. It's a city by political designation, but nothing like a big city, such as Miami. You can do all the things you said, except for house hunting, easily in a day.

Boca, like all of south Florida, morphs into other towns, such as Delray Beach. Just plan on driving around. You'll probably like Delray better.

[Momma_bear]

I don't like Boca for the younger crowd. It's older and pretty stuffy. It's also pretty safe and easy to find your way around. The beach is nice. Boca Town Center is an upscale mall. There are some hookah places that have open mics. The Funky Buddha and Hookah Hut. They are fun places to hang out with younger folks without doing the club thing.

I think you might like Delray better than Boca as long as you stay east. West Delray is all old folks (I don't mean 40's, I mean 70's).

[rickyd]

Hi, thanks for your replies. It is good to know that I will be able to do all of my activities as planned. I'm still somewhat bothered by all of the traffic though, but as long as I can find my way around, it's no big issue.

Delray Beach is nice I heard, but I heard about some ghetto areas in the middle part of the city and I am trying to avoid that. I don't want to be cruising around at night and end up in one of those parts, especially the fact that I am a visitor.

As far as old folks go, it's fine with me. I feel more comfortable around the older crowd than most young people and how they act these days, even though I'm in my early 20s my self.

[Lilybeans]

The traffic isn't as bad as you think. And you won't find yourself in bad areas. This isn't a big city. From the beach in Delray to far west side, which is the Turnpike, is probably about 7 miles or so. Same with Boca.

[rickyd]

I will probably swing by Delray while I'm there. I don't know. It depends on how much chicken change I will have left over.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by rickyd

I will probably swing by Delray while I'm there. I don't know. It depends on how much chicken change I will have left over.

It's 3 or 4 miles north.

[House4Sale]

In Boca, you can hang at University Commons just across Glades from FAU campus. A great upscale and huge "strip mall" with quality stores like Barnes & Noble (has a Star$ indoors or you can sit outdoors as they have the alfresco thing going on), Whole Foods Mkt. and all the restaurants up and down the mall. Any Star$ are also great places to hang, meet and people watch. Borders Bookstore and Cafe west on Glades at 441. The seminole Casino just south on 441 Palm Beach/Broward boundry line. Then again if you're on a budget, you might just walk through to check out the action and leave.

As for traffic, you're hitting a great time of year for many snowbirds have left and the roadways and restaurants are less crowded. As for busy traffic, it would be during rush hours, 8-9 a.m. 4-6 p.m. Nice driving at night. Cool, breezy (for now), well lit with teal blue night skies, palm trees lining the streets. Awesome.

As for real estate, homes, apts, condos are aplenty and at great prices. Best wishes.

Perfect iming.

[rickyd]

Thanks for the ind depth response House4Sale. I'm sure that I will have a nice time in Boca.

Yea, I picked the perfect time for sure. lol.

well lit with teal blue night skies, palm trees lining the streets.............That sounds like my thing. Just because of that alone, I will probably cruise so hard til all of the rubber is burnt off of my tires.

[House4Sale]

Sounds great, Rickyd. Still, and you sound like you already know this, no matter where we roam, we should still practice the usual safety measures to keep ourselves safe.