Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach

I love Morikami gardens. It's a haven of peace and beauty. Everything is meticulously maintained. The bonsai area is a feast for the eyes. Just walk around the whole garden at a leisurely pace and take your time to look, watch and observe, whether it's wildlife or flora. When you come out of there you feel calm and your mind seems cleansed from the noise of the everyday life. Such a treat! If you can, avoid weekends as it gets very crowded.

The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens is a must for locals and visitors alike. We have visited several times to see special exhibits and/or to just walk and take in the natural beauty & serenity. A friend and I even took a Japanese drumming class to learn something new about this fascinating culture and to celebrate my birthday! There’s a small restaurant on the grounds where we enjoyed a tasty lunch, and you will find benches along the almost one mile stretch of gardens where you can rest and take in the natural beauty around you. There is balance and harmony here, so if you want to relax, it’s the perfect place to visit. They are closed on Monday, but I recommend you go during the week as weekends are super busy, especially in high season. Plenty of free parking. Check out their website for special exhibits.