Spending time in sunny Florida can provide many different opportunities like learning about local wildlife, lounging on a sandy beach, or even sampling spectacular seafood, to name a few. When you visit beautiful Melbourne on Florida’s Atlantic coast, you can experience all these iconic Floridian offerings and then some. Let’s look at a few activities you shouldn’t miss out on when you have a weekend to explore the beautiful Melbourne, Florida.
When to Visit
With over 242 sunny days on average every year, there is almost no bad time to visit Melbourne. Exceptionally mild winter seasons only drop temperatures in this coastal city to 50-70F, so snowbirds love to visit Melbourne when it is chilly up north. But this city is truly a year-round destination, so a visit here is going to provide plenty of fun and sun any time of year that you come.
Where to Stay
Since this beautiful beach town is situated on the Indian River Lagoon, straddling both the mainland as well as on the oceanside of the river lagoon, Melbourne has plenty of oceanfront, lagoon area, and city lodging choices for visitors to choose from. For oceanside lodging that is also near the Indian River, visitors can opt to stay in one of Melbourne’s popular resorts or hotels right on the beach. The Hilton Melbourne Beach, the DoubleTree Suites, and the Crowne Plaza Melbourne-Oceanfront are all across the Indian River and on the oceanfront beach stretch of Melbourne. For a more intimate feel, waterfront B&Bs in the same area are also a great choice, too, like the Windemere Inn by the Sea or the Port d’Hiver.
If you’d like to stay in the city, plenty of choices are available in town to fit all budgets. Most national chains are available in Melbourne, like Holiday Inn and Fairfield Inn. With the rise in popularity of home rental services like Airbnb, arrangements can be made in the city or surrounding areas for a variety of types of accommodations for visitors that want to stay more like a local.
Start Your Day Off Right
A hearty breakfast and a cup of joe are traditional ways to kickstart just about any vacation, and Melbourne has plenty of terrific breakfast and coffee shops for visitors to enjoy. Coffee lovers rave about Apocalypse Coffee Roasters not only pours a mean cup of coffee but also serves up tasty breakfasts and lunches, too. Other popular breakfast spots in Melbourne include Jacqueline’s Bakery & Café for authentic French pastries and treats and Backwater, a unique brunch destination where you can even make your own pancakes at one of their griddle tables and finish them with such unique toppings as caramel sea salt chips or Nutella.
Sampling the Tastiest Food and Drink in Melbourne
Of course, seafood is the most popular and fresh food option in Melbourne, and you can snag some of the most delicious on the eastern seaboard at places like Grills Riverside Deck & Tiki Bar and Shells of Melbourne. Pubs like Hemingway’s Tavern and Meg O’Malley’s are also popular and provide lots of hearty choices along with a variety of beers and cocktails to go along with your meal.
The Burger Place grills up delicious burgers and fries with all the fixings, and Mustard’s Last Stand is a hotdog eatery that is not to be missed for a quick but delicious casual meal. Late-night noshing and drinks are better with a view, so visit the rooftop bar of The Mansion for an after-dark meal or snack. If you just want to grab a pizza to enjoy beachside, order up a pie from Genna Pizza Company to go and hit one of the gorgeous waterfront areas in town.
Waterfront Fun in Melbourne
No visit to this coastal town would be complete without time by the beach, and Melbourne’s most popular sandy location is Paradise Beach & Park, located just north of downtown and over the Indian River. Sebastian Inlet State Park is another place to enjoy Melbourne’s naturally beautiful water. Sebastian is a stunning lagoon area where visitors swim, picnic, and even fish.
Another stop to make should be the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands, just south of downtown. Drive or bike along the free boardwalks where you are almost guaranteed to experience Florida’s most popular creature, the alligator in its own stunning natural habitat.
Cultural Life in Melbourne
One place not to be missed is the Brevard Zoo on the north side of town. This internationally accredited zoo has all of the creatures that make Florida life unique as well as a variety of others not found in the wetlands of Florida. Visitors can stroll through the shady walking paths while enjoying a frosty Dole Whip pineapple treat to stay cool during their visit.
Another hot spot to check out in Melbourne is the Eau Gallie Arts District, also known as EGAD, located just north of downtown. Originally a separate town, the towns of Eau Gallie and Melbourne merged into one larger city but the EGAD area has flourished. Visit Eau Gallie’s shops, restaurants, and art galleries, or catch one of the local musicians playing while you stroll this historical district’s quaint streets.
For art lovers, Melbourne’s downtown Foosaner Art Museum is a good spot to visit as well as the Historic Rossetter House Museum and Gardens where you can learn about local history with a guided docent tour.
Melbourne’s Best Secrets
For a one-of-a-kind experience, plan a paddling tour in Melbourne where you can see manatees and dolphins in the river and wetland areas of Crain’s Creek or Turkey Creek. Another unique location to try out in Melbourne is the Sea Turtle Preservation Society on Melbourne Beach. Learn about the local hatchlings and how they are cared for and loved by Floridians and visitors alike. If you have a few hours and love the water, you might want to schedule a deep-sea fishing outing for an opportunity to reel in some of the Atlantic’s most exciting sport fish.
We hope you love your visit to Melbourne and our suggestions helped you find some of the best spots to experience life in this lively coastal town.
