Hilton Head vs Vero Beach for 7 year olds June Birthday? Please help me decide:)

[MickeyFan612]

My family has never visited either resort but are planning to stay at one for my daughter's 7th birthday, which is the 1st of June. I realize this is a vague question and really up to individual preference so I'm mostly hoping to hear personal experiences, some advice or even some suggestions of what there is to do around both areas. Thanks!!

 

[Funky Chicken]

Although I have never stayed at Vero Beach, my in-laws live within one mile of the property on the barrier island where the resort is located. I spend a couple of weeks every year in close proximity to the resort and am pretty familiar with everything to see and do off-property.
There is very little else within walking distance of the property to see and do-it is located in what is essentially a residential area full of old rich people.
A few miles to the North is Sebastian River State Park. Never been there.
The "Environmental Learning Center" is a short distance away, located on the intracoastal waterway. A complete waste of time.
The town of Sebastian is actually as close to the resort as the town of Vero Beach. Sebastian is a little seedy-they have been working on the riverfront area and it is much improved, but you are not going to do any sightseeing there. You can take boat cruises from there if you like.
The section of Vero Beach that is located on the island (driving South on A1A from the resort) is a small upscale enclave of restaurants and shops. June will be off-season there (many residents do not stay all year,going North around Easter and not coming back until October) so restaurants should not be crowded. We like to eat at the following-
Squid Lips (overwater grill in Sebastian-the Cajun Bacon Wrapped Scallops might be my favorite food ever)
Mulligan's (Two locations-think Jimmy Buffett)
Bobby's (pub atmosphere, great burgers and nachos)
Driftwood (an old hotel on the beach that serves a great lunch)
Citrus Grille (good for a parents' night out, not so much for the kids)
Movie Theaters and mainstream big-box stores are a 20 minute drive. There is a very nice Publix supermarket about 10 minutes away in Sebastian with a 24 hour Walgreens next door.
Do not miss the kid's section of the Vero Beach Bookstore-it is an exceptional place. My DD7 begs to go every trip.
If you are the type that likes to stay at the resort VB is a great choice. If you are looking for more to do off-property Hilton Head is probably a better choice. That said, the actual beach in Vero is beautiful.
Last-You can always break away from Vero for a Day Trip to WDW. I can make rope drop from my in-laws house if I leave by 6:45 AM, leave after the 3:00 parade, and be home in time for a swim before dinner.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[MickeyFan612]

Although I have never stayed at Vero Beach, my in-laws live within one mile of the property on the barrier island where the resort is located. I spend a couple of weeks every year in close proximity to the resort and am pretty familiar with everything to see and do off-property.
There is very little else within walking distance of the property to see and do-it is located in what is essentially a residential area full of old rich people.
A few miles to the North is Sebastian River State Park. Never been there.
The "Environmental Learning Center" is a short distance away, located on the intracoastal waterway. A complete waste of time.
The town of Sebastian is actually as close to the resort as the town of Vero Beach. Sebastian is a little seedy-they have been working on the riverfront area and it is much improved, but you are not going to do any sightseeing there. You can take boat cruises from there if you like.
The section of Vero Beach that is located on the island (driving South on A1A from the resort) is a small upscale enclave of restaurants and shops. June will be off-season there (many residents do not stay all year,going North around Easter and not coming back until October) so restaurants should not be crowded. We like to eat at the following-
Squid Lips (overwater grill in Sebastian-the Cajun Bacon Wrapped Scallops might be my favorite food ever)
Mulligan's (Two locations-think Jimmy Buffett)
Bobby's (pub atmosphere, great burgers and nachos)
Driftwood (an old hotel on the beach that serves a great lunch)
Citrus Grille (good for a parents' night out, not so much for the kids)
Movie Theaters and mainstream big-box stores are a 20 minute drive. There is a very nice Publix supermarket about 10 minutes away in Sebastian with a 24 hour Walgreens next door.
Do not miss the kid's section of the Vero Beach Bookstore-it is an exceptional place. My DD7 begs to go every trip.
If you are the type that likes to stay at the resort VB is a great choice. If you are looking for more to do off-property Hilton Head is probably a better choice. That said, the actual beach in Vero is beautiful.
Last-You can always break away from Vero for a Day Trip to WDW. I can make rope drop from my in-laws house if I leave by 6:45 AM, leave after the 3:00 parade, and be home in time for a swim before dinner.

Hope this is helpful.

Thanks so much for all the info...especially liked about the restaurant info! My husband loves to find great places to eat when we are on vacation so this is all very helpful. After looking at pics of each resort we love the theming at vero beach (along with the beautiful beaches) so sort of leaning in that direction. We are located in Knoxville, TN and it is a 12 hour drive from here to Vero Beach vs. only 7 hours to Hilton Head. This distance is really the only drawback for us, but I really like the idea of traveling to WDW for a day of fun at the parks That would give us (esp. the kids) an extra incentive for the the long drive Thanks again for your response, very helpful!!

 

[AJKMOM]

Vero Beach was greatly affected by the 4-hurricanes-one-summer event several years ago. There isn't that much to to there, and when we went a few years ago, we couldn't even get to the beach without sliding down a cliff.

 

[vicki_c]

Vero Beach was greatly affected by the 4-hurricanes-one-summer event several years ago. There isn't that much to to there, and when we went a few years ago, we couldn't even get to the beach without sliding down a cliff.

True, but that was 8 years ago. There is frequently beach erosion, not related to hurricanes though and they have to replenish the beach all the time. But sometimes there will be that cliff, depending on the weather and when you visit.

 

[jollygreengirl]

IMO, HHI will be better for a 7 year old. Lots to do on the island, lots to do at the resort. We just took our ds (4) last May and had a marvelous time. They do magic shows, there's Shadow the dog who lives there, there are boat trips, Mr. B'Lou who is awesome...I could go on and on! We adore HHI and that resort in particular. It's not beach front, but honestly, we didn't care because everything else more than made up for not being on the actual beach. The Beach House in the Palmetto Dunes area is close enough to bike to (we did most days) and Shelter Cove is a short walk/bike ride across the bridge. Lots of restaurants and even kids concerts and fireworks there. The resort itself is fabulous and so cozy. It's small enough that even when it was full, it didn't feel packed. The pool is great and the lifeguards/recreation kids are so sweet to the little ones and even learn the kids' names. We couldn't have had a better time there. Just wonderful!

I'm a fellow TN Vol, too! So that's got to give me cred, right? UT class of '01, originally from Tri-Cities.