Day trips from VB

[2infinityandbeyond]

We plan on going to KSC when we're in VB. Any other worthwhile things to see and do within an hour or so drive of VB?

Has anyone done an Indian River cruise? Like: http://www.riverqueencruises.net/ Was it worth the time and cost?

Any info on Hale Groves? I assume we can stock up on fruit there, but is there anything else, like a tour? (Just looking for something to do for a few hours each day. I get stir crazy if I'm laying in the sun for too long )

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Subscribing as we are thinking of a trip later in the year.

I promised DW that we would do a beach on our non-AP year and we have enough points left for next year for a 4 day stay so I think it will work out fine.

DD and myself are also not people to just lay around

 

[DisDaydreamer]

First, Hale is only open during harvest season(s). We were there last August and they were closed.


The resort provides daily activities for kids & adults with the best CMs of all the resorts.

They have a nice pool & Lighthouse w/spiral waterslide, a REALLY cool water play area for the real young kids, a hot Jacuzzi, miniature golf, exercise room, ping pong, bike rentals, The Green Cabin Room (bar/restaurant) has 2nd floor covered deck that has a fantastic view of the ocean and is a nice place to relax with your favorite beverage. It also has live entertainment in the evenings. At night they have a campfire / s’more roast (bring the Cutter Advanced to fend off the No-see-ums). You can rent a small catamaran or jet-ski for ocean fun. Across the street they have a lake, picnic tables, nature trail, tennis courts, and basketball courts. Disney built a private tunnel under the road to access this area. And of course they have the ocean and great waves for boogy boarding. Everything from the ocean to the pool to your room is no more than 2 minutes away walking. So it is real easy to break up your day

Five minutes away is Pelican Island and a wildlife education center. Also minutes away is Sebastian Inlet were the Indian River meets the ocean. There are many good fishing spots around the inlet, and there are river excursions where you can see dolphins, manatee, and tons of other types of wildlife. About an hour away is Cape Canaveral, (where the Magic and Wonder dock), the Kennedy Space Center (with museums,tours, and shows), and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge with walking and driving tours.

Here is a nice slideshow created by Dis member Tagrel:
http://tagrel.com/Tours/DVC/Vero/VeroSlideShow.shtml

Have a great trip

 

[DVCconvert]

Also there are some nice gardens in Vero to spend some time in

http://www.mckeegarden.org

 

[Mahusky]

THere is also one of those drive through safari zoos close by if that is your thing.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Also there are some nice gardens in Vero to spend some time in

http://www.mckeegarden.org

Hey, thanks for mentioning this. We visited these gardens many years ago, and I had forgotten about them. I remember seeing HUGE Ficus trees with their knarly, twisting growth... really cool. I will have to see if I have a pic when I get home.

 

[Mom B]

We love to visit the McLarty Museum (and/or Mel Fisher's) near Sebastian. The history of the Florida coast shipwrecks interests us (possibly because we live off of Lake Superior and have our OWN versions of the shipwrecks) and we always have to stop to buy a new piece of Atocha jewelry at the McLarty Museum. Educational and fun! The McLarty Museum also has a nice boardwalk overlook that you can wander along.

 

[mbhoxsie]

You didn't say when you are going, but Dodger's spring training is just a few miles away...

 

[CarolAnnC]

I love visiting the little shops in downtown Vero Beach. So quaint and lots of nice little souvenir type gifts to choose from.

There is a nice mall not too far away, with movie theatres as well. We find at Vero we spend most of our time at the resort, however.

 

[DVCconvert]

I love visiting the little shops in downtown Vero Beach. So quaint and lots of nice little souvenir type gifts to choose from.

There's also the "village shops" which are basically in their own mall. Some cool stuff there too!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

You didn't say when you are going, but Dodger's spring training is just a few miles away...

July, so no spring training.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Is the Green Cabin Room kid friendly, or is it more of a bar atmosphere, i.e. over 21 only?

 

[mbhoxsie]

Is the Green Cabin Room kid friendly, or is it more of a bar atmosphere, i.e. over 21 only?

We take our kids (DS6 and DD4) to the Green Cabin Room usually for lunches... You can't beat having a hamburger out on that balcony with the ocean view..

I don't know that I'd take them there in the evenings... No that there's anything bad going on, it's just that it can get somewhat busy and with the music I'm not sure that the kids would have the best time...

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We take our kids (DS6 and DD4) to the Green Cabin Room usually for lunches... You can't beat having a hamburger out on that balcony with the ocean view..

I don't know that I'd take them there in the evenings... No that there's anything bad going on, it's just that it can get somewhat busy and with the music I'm not sure that the kids would have the best time...

It is a bought a year later, but I would agree with mbhoxsie that this is a great place for lunch with the kids. The evening is not bad or anything, but it is just an adult atmosphere. Just mostly adults attending. That's all.

 

[lisareniff]

How about kayaking (or canoeing)?? We are interested in doing some on our trip in a few weeks. Anyone know of or use and outfitter in the area?

We have canoed for years in the Adirondacks and have a kayak to kick around in for fun. So we're experienced with flat water but no experience with white water or sea kayaking and don't really want to try with our kids. Paddling around the bayside waters sounds fun.

 

[lisareniff]

First, Hale is only open during harvest season(s). We were there last August and they were closed.

Rob, It looks like they might have closed the stores down when they sold the business. The original store in Sebastian has opened back up after remodeling in November.

From TCPalm...

Groves landmark Wabasso store reopens today

By Nadia Vanderhoof (Contact)
Originally published 06:55 a.m., November 21, 2007
Updated 06:55 a.m., November 21, 2007

WABASSO — Residents will get their first taste of fresh Hale Groves orange juice from the Wabasso store today as the landmark building reopens.

The store closed its doors in 2006 and underwent renovations when Hale Groves announced a partnership under the new ownership of Southern Fulfillment Services.

The store's grand opening was supposed to happen on Monday, but was delayed until today, executives at Southern Fulfillment Services said Monday.

Company Vice President Alex Brown said the business would operate under the name "Hale Groves River Market."

"We're working through a couple of issues with they county, but they're all very technical," Brown said. "Obviously, we're very excited about the opening."

Brown said as he was preparing Monday for the reopening, a local resident drove to the store just to thank him for bringing back the business.

"That's really an interesting sentiment because this place is such a big part of history," Brown said.

Polly and Steve Hale Jr., who used a shed behind their home to pack the fruit for shipping, opened Hale Groves as a fruit stand along U.S. 1 in 1947. Their first mailing list was made up of friends, relatives and customers who stopped at the stand to buy fruit.

Since then, Hale Groves has sold Indian River citrus and gourmet food across the country through catalog and Internet marketing. At one time, Hale Groves was one of the largest gift fruit shippers in the country.

Citrus diseases and urbanization may have contributed to the company shuttering secondary locations on Beachland Boulevard and 580 U.S. 1 in 2004. Both were considered landmarks.

After Hale Groves announced its partnership in 2006, all stores closed and the Wabasso location underwent extensive renovation.

Store location and hours: 9255 U.S. 1, Wabasso; 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

[KLR-wlv]

We are leaving for Vero tomorrow!! I booked an airboat tour with Stumpnucker's tours. I forget where I found the info on it - but it's a swamp tour in Blue Cypress Recreation area which is about an hour west of Vero. I've always wanted to go to the Everglades and do one of those tours - so now I can try it out at Vero...

We always mean to go to the Botanical Garden and the Environmental Learning Center and the Vero Art Museum - but we never get too far from the pool! This is about my 6th trip there - maybe we'll be more adventurous this time!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I am the OP. I'm chuckling while reading the thread, because other than going to KSC and a few local dinner spots, we never left the resort. We had such a great time at the resort, there was no reason to leave.