Vero Beach’s Historic Railroad Station Museum Is Back
One of Downtown Vero Beach's most charming landmarks is welcoming visitors once again! After a careful restoration, the historic 1903 Vero Beach Railroad Station Museum, home to the Indian River County Historical Society and its Exhibit Center, has reopened its doors at 2336 14th Avenue, right beside Pocahontas Park in the heart of Historic Downtown.
The community got a sneak peek on the Fourth of July, and the official Grand Re-opening ceremony followed on Thursday, July 9, 2026, celebrating the return of a true local treasure. And this station has serious bragging rights: it was the very first building in Indian River County listed on the National Register of Historic Places, back in 1987. Built in 1903 as a stop on Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway, the little wooden depot helped put Vero on the map, carrying passengers and world-famous Indian River County citrus up and down the coast. When the Historical Society purchased it for just one dollar in 1984 and lovingly restored it, they proved that our area's historic buildings could be saved and remain part of the community for generations to come.
A Museum You Can Listen To
The refreshed Exhibit Center isn't just something to see, it's something to hear. QR codes are posted throughout the museum, and a quick scan with your phone unlocks audio guides that tell the story of each section of the exhibits, from the early railroad days to the growth of Indian River County. Wander at your own pace, headphones in or speaker on, and let local history come to life around you, including historic memorabilia, a county history timeline, and the model train display that's always a hit with visitors of all ages.
Plan Your Visit
Plan your visit to the Vero Beach Railroad Station Museum & Exhibit Center, admission is $5 per person, children 12 and under are free, and tours are self-guided. Hours are currently limited to Thursdays for a few hours, so call ahead to confirm they will be open. Here is the fun part, as more volunteers join the historical society as docents, the doors can open more often. If you'd love to share our local history with visitors for a few hours a week, sign up with the link on the Historical Society's website under Join Us/ Volunteer Opportunities and note "Docent at the Train Station."
Here on a Day the Station Isn't Open? Keep Exploring!
The Train station was only the first of more than 30 Indian River County Treasures on the National Register of Historic Places, so make a day of it:
Old Indian River County Courthouse - Just a block from the station, this stately 1930s courthouse anchors Historic Downtown's shops, galleries, and restaurants.
American Icon Brewery - Grab a bite and a pint inside the beautifully preserved 1920s Vero Beach Diesel Plant, saved from demolition by the Historical Society.
McKee Botanical Garden - Listed as McKee Jungle Gardens, this lush 1930s tropical wonderland is one of Florida's most beloved pieces of old-roadside history.
The Driftwood Resort - Waldo Sexton's wonderfully eccentric 1930s beachside inn, built from driftwood, salvaged timbers, and curiosities.
Hallstrom House & Farmstead - The historical society's other gem: a 1909 pioneer farmhouse from the days of pineapple plantations.
Marian Fell Library & Old Fellsmere School - Two charming early 1900s landmarks in one of the county's oldest small towns.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge - America's very first national wildlife refuge, established in 1903, the same year the station was built, and the county's lone National Historical Landmark.
Whether you're a lifelong local or discovering Indian River County for the first time, the old depot is ready to welcome you. Scan those QR codes, listen to a story, and step into the history that built Indian River County, one whistly stop at a time.
