Vero Beach sits on the Atlantic Ocean side of Florida, and is part of Florida's Treasure Coast. It's a popular holiday spot because of its gorgeous sandy beaches, golf courses, historical attractions, museums, and more.
Located on 45 minutes north of Port St. Lucie, this coastal town if full of beauty, outdoor adventures, amazing restaurants, and a whole lot of fun.
Ready to learn more? Here are 17 things to do in Vero Beach that we know you're going to absolutely adore.
What better way to start a refreshing trip to Vero Beach than by communing closely with nature? Head over to McKee Botanical Garden at Vero Beach's southern gateway to experience the magic of nature. You will find a world of tropical botanicals and native plants unfold before you the moment you step into this luxurious natural sanctuary.
Visitors here love exploring the pathways of regal palms, and lazing by the tranquil streams of waterlilies. There can be no better choice for a self-indulgent treat than by visiting a place comprised of 18 acres of lush natural landscape.
You will get to learn about a range of unique trees, waterfalls, and their history at this botanical garden. You may also participate in one of its educational programs, world-class art exhibitions, or several other events that the garden hosts throughout the year.
One of the best things about visiting Vero Beach is the wide array of beaches to choose from. One such stunning beach option is the Round Island Beach Park, where scores of locals and tourists alike frequent to enjoy the stunning waterfront and natural beauty.
Round Island is actually made up of two parks - Riverside Park and Oceanside Park.
At Riverside Park, you'll find nature trails and lookouts over the water, a playground for the kids, a boat ramp, and a 3-story observation tower where you can regularly see manatees, and sometimes dolphins too. You'll love the unspoiled views of the Indian River found here.
At Oceanside Park, you'll find a beautiful beach with grills, pavilions, and a playground.
Do real-life stories and tidbits from real historical events excite you? Then waste no time in planning a trip to McLarty Treasure Museum. Here, you will get a chance to explore real life stories and histories of sunken treasures, artifacts, memorabilia, tools and more.
You will feel as if you have stepped into a page of fascinating history from 1715, when an entire Spanish fleet sank due to a storm. This fleet possessed an unimaginable treasure of gold and silver, that it had amassed from South America and Mexico, but then all eleven ships sank close to shore in a hurricane.
This museum is part of the Sebastian Inlet State Park, and is located on part of the former site of the Survivors & Salvager's Camp - 1715 Fleet. Kids and adults both love visiting this popular Vero Beach attraction.
Art lovers cannot find a better place to spend the day than the Vero Beach Museum of Art. This facility covers an area of 55,412 square feet and houses five art galleries, seven studio classrooms, a sculpture garden and more.
You will find stunning seminar rooms, an art library, and a range of exhibits here. This museum has a sizable collection that appeals to every art lover. Additionally, visitors also love exploring the museum store, the outdoor foundry, as well as the state-of-the-art auditorium here.
Plan a day here with your family and friends and discover Florida art at its best!
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is a habitat for brown pelicans that live throughout the area here. This refuge is America's first National Wildlife Refuge!
The refuge welcomes visitors daily until sunset, and is a great place to visit. Here, you'll find over 40 varieties of birds - making it a great place for bird watchers to spend a day. You'll also find more than 200 species of fish here too. The refuge's waters are home to endangered and threatened species, including sea turtles, West Indian manatees, and the brown pelicans.
Visitors will love the hiking trails found here. Two 3-mile loop trails take you around the salt marsh and mangrove habitats, and the Wildlife Trail gives you a peek into the habitats and wildlife found here.
The Centennial walking trail offers views of Centennial Pond, and end with a 500-foot observation tower that overlooks the Indian River Lagoon and Pelican Island. (The tower is ADA accessible.)
Come visit Riverside Park for a day of entertainment and leisure in Vero Beach. This waterside park is an ideal spot for family picnics and excursions, and your little ones will love it too. You'll find trails for biking, hiking, and walking here, along with a playground too.
The splash pad, museum, and pier are some of the other interesting things to explore Riverside Park.
Riverside Theatre is where you can see entertainment at its best in Florida. This theatre is also the largest professional one in all of Florida, so a visit here is a must. The theater puts up more than 300 performances annually, so planning a trip here to catch a special performance would be a great idea.
This theatre came into existence in 1973 due to the generous contributions of several patrons. It went on to become the first equity theatre by 1987, and opened in a new location in Vero Beach in 2007.
There's something for everyone here - musicals and plays, family-friendly entertainment, comedy acts, a lecture series, and more. Make sure to check their events calendar for the latest.
One of the best events they host is Live in the Loop, which you'll find almost every Friday and Saturday night, rain or shine. Live in the Loop is a casual outdoor concert that features some talented musicians. Enjoy the live music, while dining on burgers, BBQ, ice cream, beer, cocktails, wine, and more.
One of the best things to do in Vero Beach is to visit the Indian River Citrus Museum and learn the best of Florida history. This museum showcases the integral part that citrus harvesting has played in Florida's history.
Although a small facility, it manages to captivate every visitor by showing them how citrus seeds first came to Florida and its prime growing spot here. You can also visit the charming little gift shop here and purchase locally crafted gifts, art work and produce to take home.
While you're here, don't forget to try the refreshing orange juice!
Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach is a preserve occupying 64 acres, and consisting of wooden boardwalks and a delightful gift shop. In addition to being an ideal facility for some great family fun, it also houses an interactive museum with aquariums and informative exhibits.
You can have a grand time with your friends and family looking out over the beautiful vistas. There are also options for pontoon boat riding and canoeing at this facility. Moreover, the Learning Center houses several gardens for attracting butterflies, a delightful gift shop selling eco-friendly gifts, and picnic facilities too.
If you're in Vero Beach, head out to Sebastian Inlet State Park for a day of fishing, wildlife observing and surfing. You can find this popular attraction in Melbourne Beach, just 10 miles south of Vero Beach, sitting on the tip of two spectacular barrier islands.
One of the greatest draws at this state park is its multiple fishing jetties that make it a prime destination for casting a line. Many locals and visitors alike tout this as one of the premier saltwater fishing destinations on the East Coast.
You will see anglers catching snook, redfish, and Spanish mackerel here.
If you're in the mood for stretches of serene, undisturbed, and peaceful sandy beaches, then a trip to Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge should be on your agenda.
The gorgeous beaches here play a significant role in the survival and reproductive success of turtles. At this beach refuge, you will not only get to enjoy scenic views, but also learn about the fantastic ecosystem of the barrier island. It stretches for 20 miles and encompasses 248 acres.
Moreover, many beaches on this refuge allow fishing for visitors, making it a favorite of line casters.
Built in 1909, the Hallstrom Farmstead was the former home of the Hallstrom family, who had their pineapple plantation here. The Indian River County Historical Society has worked to preserve the home, its collections, and the grounds, and the home is now open to the public as a living museum.
Visit here and learn more about what life was like in Indian River County long ago. You'll see artifacts, photographs, furniture, and memorabilia here. The farmstead is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area is a particularly great spot for kids. Located along the Indian River Lagoon, it's a great place to look for birds along the stunning mangrove-edged waters, and admiring the flora and fauna found here.
You'll find plenty of hiking trails here, and you can also enjoy guided canoeing excursions here. Make sure you bring mosquito spray, though! They can be particularly vicious in this area.
What is a vacation without a bit of shopping? Well Vero Beach is certainly not short of designer brands and outlets for a shopping spree here. You will find every boutique, brand and designer of your choice at the Vero Beach Outlets.
They're open daily, and shoppers can get a chance to enjoy great savings, with nearly sixty five percent off on retail stores. Vero Beach Outlets have all your favorites, including Nike, Reebok, Gap, Carters and lots more.
Do you wish to learn all about William T. Piper's fascinating dream of learning to fly? The Piper Aircraft Factory Tour is where you can see the manufacturing facility and the great dream that evolved over a span of 75 years.
You will learn about the 130,000 and more aircraft productions that have happened here, as well as see an ever-expanding array of aircraft that will simply take your breath away. Be sure to book a tour in advance before you visit here!
How does the idea of a culinary walking tour grab you? Well you can make that wish come true with Treasure Coast Culinary Tours. Book yourself a walking tour and spend two to three hours enjoying delicious foods, including Cajun and creole food, wood-fired pizza, as well as chocolate fondues and Mexican dishes
In addition to savoring the delectable items, you can also sip some delightful beverages, including craft beer, while learning about history, local maritime and fun facts of Vero Beach. There are five culinary stops in total, with several courses as part of a single meal.
Chocolate and fudge-making is a fantasy for one and all, regardless of our ages. You can live this fantasy at How Sweet It Is Chocolate Factory in Vero Beach. The best part is watching hand-dipped fudge and chocolate in the making, while 'Little Rascals' and 'Honeymooners' play in the background.
This Vero Beach attraction is a family-owned business that produces more than 200 types of sugar-free and hand-made chocolates. Additionally, they also produce around 12 flavors of butter fudge that are an absolutely sensational treat.
You can also enjoy ice cream, at the ice cream parlor here. With 16 varieties of handmade ice creams, along with Italian ices and more, you'll feel as if you've stepped into an ice cream paradise.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO FLORIDA