Things to Do in Boca Raton

The thermostat at Awaken Yoga pumps out the heat, sending out waves of warmth to melt tension and toxins. In the balmy climate, Awaken Yoga instructors lead classes designed to burn fat, dilate capillaries, boost metabolism, and soothe muscular tension for a greater range of motion. They introduce fundamental flows in warm yoga and a challenging blend of sun salutations and choreography during hot Vinyasa classes, as well as lead a slew of other sessions designed for everyone from beginners to seasoned yogis. Early-morning Rise & Flow classes get students geared up for daily activities such as lifting boxes, sitting at a desk, or filling in for a Picasso sculpture at the local museum.

Boca Raton Children's Museum, located inside a quaint home built by hand around 1913, unfurls an array of exhibits designed to feed children's creativity and enhance critical-thinking skills. Visitors venture to Dr. Dig's Back-Porch to learn about artifacts and fossils, stage dramas in a miniature theater with hand puppets, or head to the Faces Multicultural Room to play musical instruments and play dress-up with garments from around the world. They can also wheel pintsize shopping carts through a replica of Boca Raton's first grocery store, where orange juice was invented, or chart a course across the lawn's grasses aboard an outdoor pirate-ship fort. The museum has recently added a gift and snack shop, and also offers classes that teach nonverbal tots to use sign language and summer camps that provide opportunities for play and learning in a group setting.

This year marks the second annual Boca Burger Battle, and the competition is heating up. The reigning champs from Rebel House took home both the Judge’s Pick and the People’s Choice last year, but the runners-up from Gimme A Burger don’t plan to go down without a fight. Dark horse Justin Flit from the newly opened Jazziz Nightlife trained at the French Culinary Institute in New York City, and Morton’s offers up the burger that inspired founders Arnie Morton and Klaus Fritsch to go into business in the first place. Non-beef entrants include fish sliders from Sea Level Restaurant and Ocean Bar and vegan patties from Darbster and 4th Generation Organic Market and Cafe.

Though burgers are the stars of the showdown, they aren’t the only refreshments on exhibition. There will be craft beers, summer wines, and top-shelf spirits from far and near, as well as an array of summer food samplings like gourmet french fries, onion rings, tropical salads, chicken wings, rum cakes, liquor infused ice cream, and apple pie. Meanwhile, judges such as Mo and Sally from KOOL 105.5, Sef “Burger Beast” Gonzalez, and The Glamorous Gourmet author Stephanie Miskew will be on hand to offer their insights into what makes a burger stand out from the pack.

Tennis instructors and consultants Jonathan Goldfarb and Rich Benvin call upon a combined 50 years of hard-court experience—including runs on the professional circuit—when helping tennis players improve their skills. The consulting aspect of their business focuses on matching tennis experts with specific player needs, such as club management, court resurfacing, and college placement for studious tennis rackets.

Each instructor brings a specialty skill set to lesson plans. Goldfarb is a certified family mediator, and he approaches his instruction—in tennis, and in life—holistically. Benvin lives a dual life as an online marketing specialist, and is just as capable of building a website as he is of deconstructing a backhand.

The instructors at American Dancesport Center are trained in 23 different styles of dance, from the elegant waltz to the lively merengue. Firmly believing that everyone has the potential to be a dancer, they welcome students of all ages and experience levels into their spacious, oak wood–floored studio. The seasoned instructors offer both private and group classes and host weekly practice parties with a live DJ.

A Latte Fun Indoor Playground and Café brims with happy chatter, which drifts from regular classes, special events, and open playtime seven days a week.

Children frolic across multicolored carpeted floors in a 6,000-square-foot playroom, exploring climbing structures, foam pits, and a floor-level trampoline that is kept safe by rounded edges, extensive padding, and declawed teddy bears. The playground eschews video games, prize games, and violent toys, instead letting older children don animal costumes in the dress-up area, while toddlers younger than 2 romp in their own play pit and toy bins. Cool zephyrs of air conditioning sweep contented sighs away from zebra-print sofas or onyx-hued wooden tables, where adults peruse a gourmet café menu. A boutique toy store extends the center's positive attitude toward play into homes with a slew of unique gifts and rare and eclectic toys.

A private room reverberates with the youthful energy of A Latte Fun Indoor Playground and Café's classes, formal functions, and parties, which staff members provide with refreshments, cake, and decorations. At least two assistants remain on hand at kids’ events to provide full setup, cleanup, and supervision to ward off squabbles that arise when imaginary friends show up wearing the same outfits.