This year, skip the summer, vacation planning woes and plan a trip to Vero Beach, Florida, a place the New York Post says, ‘Discover Florida’s Most Underrated Beach Getaway.’ This destination de jour appears to fly, under-the-radar yet for many outside of Florida, it’s a best-kept secret. It’s a true gem on Florida’s Atlantic Coast presenting beachgoers with 26-miles of untouched beaches, amazing sunrises, and a thriving culinary scene. Vero Beach is also known as an unhurried, welcoming community and a haven for beach lovers seeking a reprieve from overly commercialized beachfronts — towering, oceanside high rises don’t exist here.
First, Vero Beach is the best kept secret on Florida’s East Coast. Families and couples alike can witness the birth of baby sea turtles, kayak alongside dolphins and spot manatees splashing about. Treasure hunters will also find the area fascinating as hidden golden doubloons await discovery, found in a centuries-old shipwreck located a few miles off the coast. Indian River County, is part of the Treasure Coast of Florida and has been featured on the Travel Channel as a must dive spot for treasure hunters.
Celebrated entertainer and hotelier, Gloria Estefan, leaves her beloved Miami to holiday beachside at Costa D’ Este, a posh resort she owns with her husband, Emilio Estefan. They visit to escape the crazy pace of Miami ready to relax and take in undeveloped beaches while appreciating the area’s evolving culinary scene. Estefan’s daughter, Emily, can sometimes be spotted singing at Waldo’s oceanfront restaurant, located within The Driftwood Resort. Established in the 1990’s and made entirely from driftwood, this rare, one-of-a-kind property pays homage to old Florida, and children find the resort fascinating.
Wanderlusters will appreciate this beach destination that offers more than a dozen unique beaches from kid-friendly, eco-inspiring and secret escapes. All public beaches provide free parking — yep, free parking, while the majority offer facilities. What makes Vero Beach, Florida so discoverable? Eco-adventures are around every corner, sippable, award-winning brewpubs await plus 130 mom and pop eateries offering delicious, homespun food. The biggest draw, none of the dozen or so beaches are anchored by towering, sky-scrappers. This town’s motto; “Sunrises Not High Rises”. How refreshing!
Coastal Living recently reported Vero Beach as one of the ‘Best10 Little Beach Towns in Florida”. We happen to agree, and here are a just a few beaches to inspire your summer vacation:
Humiston Beach is the ideal place to spend the day frolicking in the waves, flying a Frisbee through the air and watching your children squeal with delight as they race down the slide, hop on a swing, or climb the jungle gym.
Grandparents also find this beach to be the perfect spot as they welcome a shady place to watch their grandkids building sandcastles or join them in a delightful game of hide N seek in the grassy play areas.
This beach is equally attractive to parents too. While grandma and grandpa enjoy special moments with the grandkids; mom and dad can wander on over to Ocean Drive, a few blocks away to shop local boutiques and grab a bite. Enjoy a romantic lunch at Ocean Grill, which has built a reputation for sumptuous seafood and picture-perfect, ocean views. It’s the perfect lunch spot for couples who want to forget about sippy cups and instead, toast to an unforgettable afternoon. Tip: The entire family will want to try a delicious ice cream treat at Countryside Citrus. This charming shop is known for serving world-famous Indian River citrus-infused soft-serve ice cream in Florida.
Couples seeking an intimate beach escape will want to head to Tracking Station Beach. This beach is a slice of heaven with breathtaking blue waters accented by bleached-white sand. Couples can relish hand-holding moments as they watch the sun break on the horizon or spend an afternoon sharing stolen kisses.
More adventurous couples may want to visit Wabasso Beach, a stone’s throw away from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, the only Disney resort located outside of Orlando, Florida. This beach is a diver’s paradise as the reef leads to Queen Jewels 1715, Spanish shipwreck with untold riches. Bring your dive or snorkel gear.
Visitors to Round Island Beach will be greeted by an undeveloped beachfront teaming with wildlife; manatees and dolphins who are happy to join your kayak adventure. What makes Round Island Beach so special is it gives visitors access to the Atlantic and Indian River Lagoon, one of the most biodiverse lagoon systems in the Eastern Hemisphere. Paddleboard, hike the canopied tree trails or climb the lookout station to enjoy 360-degree views of the area watching pelicans and egrets at play.
These are just a few of the dozen different beaches which dot this pristine coastline, known as Vero Beach, Florida. Let’s not forget that Sebastian, Florida, offers a walkable riverfront complete with a Caribbean-esque beachfront at Capt. Hiram’s and some of Florida’s freshest seafood; found at Crab-E-Bills. Those that seek miles of undisturbed, old-growth Florida wilderness will want to visit Fellsmere, Florida. A top place to visit is Blue Cypress Lake, the largest osprey nesting site in the state. It became Hollywood famous as the Oscar-winning, On Golden Pond was filmed here. Want to experience Blue Cypress Lake by air with a thrilling seaplane landing on the water? Contact Treasure Coast Seaplanes for an unforgettable day in the air and on the water!
Humiston Beach is the ideal place to spend the day frolicking in the waves, flying a Frisbee through the air and watching your children squeal with delight as they race down the slide, hop on a swing, or climb the jungle gym.
Grandparents also find this beach to be the perfect spot as they welcome a shady place to watch their grandkids building sandcastles or join them in a delightful game of hide N seek in the grassy play areas.
This beach is equally attractive to parents too. While grandma and grandpa enjoy special moments with the grandkids; mom and dad can wander on over to Ocean Drive, a few blocks away to shop local boutiques and grab a bite. Enjoy a romantic lunch at Ocean Grill, which has built a reputation for sumptuous seafood and picture-perfect, ocean views. It’s the perfect lunch spot for couples who want to forget about sippy cups and instead, toast to an unforgettable afternoon. Tip: The entire family will want to try a delicious ice cream treat at Countryside Citrus. This charming shop is known for serving world-famous Indian River citrus-infused soft-serve ice cream in Florida.
Couples seeking an intimate beach escape will want to head to Tracking Station Beach. This beach is a slice of heaven with breathtaking blue waters accented by bleached-white sand. Couples can relish hand-holding moments as they watch the sun break on the horizon or spend an afternoon sharing stolen kisses.
More adventurous couples may want to visit Wabasso Beach, a stone’s throw away from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, the only Disney resort located outside of Orlando, Florida. This beach is a diver’s paradise as the reef leads to Queen Jewels 1715, Spanish shipwreck with untold riches. Bring your dive or snorkel gear.
Visitors to Round Island Beach will be greeted by an undeveloped beachfront teaming with wildlife; manatees and dolphins who are happy to join your kayak adventure. What makes Round Island Beach so special is it gives visitors access to the Atlantic and Indian River Lagoon, one of the most biodiverse lagoon systems in the Eastern Hemisphere. Paddleboard, hike the canopied tree trails or climb the lookout station to enjoy 360-degree views of the area watching pelicans and egrets at play.
One of the top places to consider is Indian River Lagoon. The lagoon has been designated as an “outstanding Florida waterway and an estuary of national significance,” by Florida State Parks systems. It’s also the most bio-diverse estuary in North America.
Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway is one of only two in the state of Florida. The Lagoon Greenway, in Indian River County, is located at 8th Street and Indian River Boulevard. The Lagoon Greenway features a robust, ecological, three-mile trail system offering hikers, bikers, joggers and their furry friend’s opportunities to view mangrove wetlands, and glimpses of Indian River Lagoon. The ¼ mile Mangrove Boardwalk extends from the main trail to the observation deck of the Indian River Lagoon.
Families with grandparents in tow, will ooh and ah watching tiny turtles break free from their shells and scramble to the coast disappearing in the frothy waves. Vero Beach is known as a top turtle nesting site in Florida; counting an estimated 7,000 nests annually especially amongst loggerheads and big green turtles, so it’s highly likely for a family to witness this marvel of Mother Nature.
Summer is turtle takeover season with more than 100,000 turtles hitting Florida’s Coastline. June is peak season ushering in a variety of turtle walks at the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge and the Sebastian Inlet State Park Both offer day and evening turtle tours, reservations requested. Another exciting learning experience for children is The Environmental Learning Center which offers eco-excursions, pontoon-style birding trips, wagon rides, canoe trips, touch tanks, children’s camps and more.
Remember your first-time fishing as a kid? Fellsmere Preserve can bring back those memories and create new ones for you and your family. The Preserve is known for bass and sits on 10,000 acres adjacent to Stick Marsh Point, one of the top big-mouth, bass, catch-and-release localities. Tip: Before you go stock up on the freshest pastries at Garcia’s Plaza Bakery, where you can purchase retro bottled Cokes! It’s a must stop so bring the kids.
Howl at the Moon, dueling pianos at The Riverside Theater and their laugh-out-loud comedy nights are just a few cultural highlights found within this artful community. Visitors are inspired by heritage museums; Indian River Citrus Museum, Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum, and others. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is comparable to a cosmopolitan museum which visitors will find refreshing in this small-town beach community.
Downtown Friday is a free street party with live music, food trucks, and merchant booths. The event is held on the last Friday of every month. Out-of-town guests, locals, and visitors from Winter Park and Windermere, Florida, have been spotted searching for unique, one-of-a-kind, local art, which is reasonably priced and highly sought after. Couples, families, and their four-legged family members will enjoy strolling from 6 – 9 PM.
Into brewpubs? Head on over to the newly opened, American Icon Brewery or opt for Orchid Island Brewery. Their grove-to-citrus brews are infused with Indian River County oranges. Or introduce your palate to an array of award-winning beers at Walking Tree Brewery, a top place to hang with the locals.
Indian River County, aka Vero Beach, Fellsmere, and Sebastian, Florida, offers countless adventures; beaches to be explored, artists to be discovered, refined theaters and opera houses, plus lush public gardens. Visitors will appreciate a thriving the culinary and cocktail community. A week is not enough to see it all. A 90-minute drive from Orlando, Winter Park, and Windermere, Florida, via the Florida Turnpike and 60 East makes a return trip easy.
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