good things to do for extended stay at Vero??

[jann1033]

we will be going to d's vero beach resort for a few days before and a few after WDW( like a total of 10! yikes!!) and from local vb websites it definitly looks like a"budget Busting" area so any ideas of fun but cheap things to do within a1/2 hr drive or so from Vero ( me as a solo most of the time so not rapelling off mountains... if I could find one ) that are "florida" type things and inexpensive but "florida like" places to eat?? ( like not olive garden or some chain i can go to in ohio minus the palm trees outside the window)

I got a cheap Rest. com certf. on ebay for someplace called "manatiki" so hope that is not a dive. any one ever hear of it? ( think it is in fort peirce..which someone told me is a "bad" area ..hoping they are wrong!)

they have a Tanger's outlet mall but do not know how " outlet" that really is and wonder if they have a DS outlet...

basically I need to find stuff to fill time with something other than the beach which would get old after a while ( especially depending on the weather) so any suggestions would be great!


Thanks

 

[ducklite]

You can go to Hale Groves and watch them pack oranges for free...and I think a couple times a week they ahve a free guided tour.

I spent a few hours at the outlets, but didn't find many bargains. In fact I walked away with a blouse and a pair of shorts after several hours of shopping. Not too many deals. I don't think I'd bother again.

Fort Pierce was not as "wealthy" of an area as Vero is, but we never felt unsafe there. The Navy SEALS museum is there, and is inexpensive.

When you get to Vero there will be binders with listings of restuarant menus, and the prices. They range from very inexpensive to very expensive. We ate at an Italian place one night, total tab for three was about $40, and that included a glass of wine and beer, tax, and tip. It was very good.

We bought lunch meat, bread, chips, soda, breakfast foods, etc. and ate breakfast and lunch in our villa everyday. That saved a bunch of money.

The best part about Vero was just relaxing. We spent our days by the pool. I read a book I had been trying to read for a couple of years! We borrowed video's and board games to watch/play in the villa at night. We spent time as a family.

Anne

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Don't know if you are baseball fans but there is a Minor League stadium about 10-15 minutes from the VB resort. Depending on what month you are going, the L.A. Dodgers have spring training games at that facility also.

The Indian River Mall is about 15-20 minutes away in case of a rainy day they have a Movie theater inside.

Here are a few links about VB for you with the 1st link being all the restraunts in the VB area with addresses.

http://www.metatiki.com/index.cfm?m...ngs&BusinessType=Food/Dining&city=VeroBeachFL

Activities at the resort......
http://www.mouseplanet.com/sue_holland/vbr_activities.htm

 

[jaysue]

There are a fair amount of activites going on - some of them are oriented more towards adults

The staff are always happy to help direct to attractions within the area

thanks
jaysue

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Although Kennedy Space Center is more than a 1/2 hour drive, it is fun and inexpensive.

MG

 

[jann1033]

thanks for the good hints and links.. I read there was a center where you could watch Manatees ( ??? education center) anyone ever been there? Since my husband will be attending classes all day is there any place you would consider " unsafe" to go by yourself during the day..( I mean with the normal amount of common sense) for example the nature trail, is it actually on property and therefore somewhat secure? (Usually he takes these classes in little Hershey Pa with no traffic, not much crime, every thing 5 mins. from the hotel and I have been there enough to know what is where so now this is throwing me for a loop! )thanks

 

[parrotheadlois]

We've eaten at Captain Hiram's in Sebastian and also "Fins" in Sebastian. Both were "local" type places, from Captain Hiram's we saw dolphins! We liked them both. Also in Vero, we at a place called the Wayfairer's Inn (I believe.) They had "pot pie" type dinners (which were not at all like the pot pie you're picturing). Real comfort food, we loved that!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

This thread has some nice ideas.
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=320208&highlight=treasures

 

[floridafam]

We tried Capt. Hiram's on our last trip. It was nice.

Go to Rita's Italian Ice in town. YUM. We can't leave Florida without getting a Rita's.

We don't really leave the resort much when we go so I can't offer any more ideas.

Have fun.

 

[Cap]

You could go over to the Power Station and watch the manatees for free.

Just driving up or down A1A is interesting for an hour or two, particularly in the low traffic time.

Fort Pierce has a manatee center, but I was not overly impressed.

The resort has some good nature tours.

We've gone to the musical or play at the performing arts center, if we've hit the right weeks when they have something going. Generally good.

Look at model homes - free and interesting to see the various layouts and furnishings.