Things To Do in Vero Beach and Sebastian
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Vero Beach and Sebastian Attractions
6 Results
- Park/Garden
Environmental Learning Center
The Indian River is not really a river at all, but a large, brackish lagoon that's home to a greater variety of species than any other estuary in North America -- it has thousands of species of plants, animals, fish, and birds, including 36 species on the endangered list. The… - Museum
Indian River Citrus Museum
The tiny Indian River Citrus Museum exhibits artifacts relating to the history of the citrus industry, from its initial boom in the late 1800s to the present; a small grove displays several varieties. The gift shop sells citrus-themed items along with, of course, ready-to-ship fruit.… - Park/Garden
McKee Botanical Garden
This impressive 18-acre attraction was originally opened in 1932 and featured a virtual jungle of orchids, exotic and native trees, monkeys, and birds. After years of neglect, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 and renovated; you can now again… - Museum
McLarty Treasure Museum
Built on the site of a salvage camp from a 1715 shipwreck, this little museum, part of Sebastian Inlet State Park, is full of interesting history. It may not have the treasures of Key West's Mel Fisher museum, but it shows an engaging 45-minute video describing the many aspects of… - Museum
Sebastian Fishing Museum
A cute little museum located within the Sebastian Inlet State Recreation area, it showcases the history of the Indian River Lagoon fishing industry with pictures, video, gear, and even a replica of a commercial fish house and dock. - Museum
Vero Beach Museum of Art
A small, yet impressive art gallery, it has over 900 pieces, mostly of American and contemporary art from the likes of Frank Stella, Andrew Wyeth, Lee Krasner, and Jasper Johns. The museum also sponsors thought-provoking lectures, traveling exhibits, classes, film screenings and…
Vero Beach and Sebastian Shopping
If you want to send fruit back home, the local source is Hale Indian River Groves (tel. 800/562-4502), a shipper of local citrus and jams since 1947, with four locations in Vero Beach. The grove is closed 2 to 3 months a year, usually from summer to early fall, depending on the crops; the season generally runs from November to Easter.
The Vero Beach Outlets, 1824 94th Dr., Vero Beach (tel. 772/770-6171; Mon-Sat 9am–8pm, Sun 11am-6pm), contains nearly 40 of the usual outlet mall suspects including Chico’s, Crocs, and Sketchers.
Indian River Mall, 6200 20th St. (S.R. 60), about 5 miles east of I-95 (tel. 772/770-6255; Mon–Thurs 11am–7pm, Fri–Sat 10am–8pm, Sun noon–6pm), is a typical mall, hanging on by a thread with the usual suspects—Bath & Bodyworks, Dillard’s, JC Penney, and a movie theater.
For more local charm, downtown Vero Beach, 14th Ave. between 17th and 26th Streets, has a few cute, locally owned boutiques, galleries and consignment shops. The adorable outdoor shopping center, Village Shops, 6174 N. Hwy. A1A, (📞 772/231-1066), has a few boutiques, a gourmet market, and a nice café, Citron Bistro. In Sebastian, there’s The District, 1101 US Hwy. 1, (tel. 772/316-9626), a modern, outdoor shopping area featuring 17 arty, hip boutiques and restaurants spread throughout nine buildings.
Vero Beach and Sebastian Nightlife
More than half of the residents in this area are retirees, so it shouldn't be a surprise that, even on weekends, this town retires early. Hotel lounges often have live music and a good bar scene, however, especially in high season, and sometimes stay open as late as 1am, if you're lucky. For beachside drinks, go to the Driftwood Resort.
The Civic Arts Center, at Riverside Park, is a hub of culture; it includes the Riverside Theatre (tel. 772/231-6990), and Vero Beach Museum of Art.
Near the 14th Street galleries are some popular bars, including the one at Curfew, The Grove ★★, 2115 14th Ave., a hub known for its excellent Old Fashioned, and Sean Ryan Pub, 2019 14th Ave. (tel. 772/217-2183), an emerald-hued, classic Irish drinkery.
Nearby is the Stamp Bar, 2015 13th Ave. (tel. 772/633-7274), located near an actual post office and with walls covered in stamps, featuring excellent local, live music. For delish pizza and drink specials until 2am, Filthy’s Fine Cocktails & Beer, 1238 16th St. is good, clean fun. And for coffee by day, booze by night, try Grind & Grape, 925 Bougainvillea Lane (tel. 772/231-5536), waking people up from 7am to 2am daily. For a more buttoned up scene, Bobby’s ★★, 3450 Ocean Dr. (tel. 772/231-6996) is a fun locals’ spot where great grands sip gin and tonics next to their espresso martini chugging grandkids.
In Sebastian, you’ll find live music every weekend (and daily in season) at Captain Hiram’s, a complex of outdoor restaurants and three bars on the Intracoastal Waterway. The feel is tacky Key West, complete with a sand floor and thatched-roof bar.
