Vero Beach Tips and Special Things

[DrBond007]

Can anyone provide some tips and information about special services at the resort, or great activities to try near the Vero Beach DVC resort? We are planning on visiting this summer.

 

[JimFitz]

I just sent my mother in-law to Vero with a friend and she thought the resort was wonderful, but she did mention that there was nothing to do near the resort.

 

[Beth]

There's a mall with a multi-screen movie theater in the city of Vero.

Just west of the intersection of I-95 and SR 60 there is a pretty decent outlet mall.

For a little more of a drive, there is the UDT/Seal Museum in Fort Pierce. And further down is a nice lighthouse at Jupiter Inlet (a very wealthy town - a drive along their beach is pretty impressive.)

There is Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum (Hi Mike!) in Sebastian - very near the resort.

There's also the McClarty (sp?) Treasure museum a little further north.

The resort offers "sea turtle sighting" walks - likely while you're there - but be sure to sign up early.

Several have reported that they enjoy visiting the local "Hale's Groves" for fresh orange juice/citrus. Though in the summer, you may have to settle for just juice - if they're even open.

Sebastian Inlet is a very popular place for surfers - if you want to get up early morning and drive up there - you're sure to be impressed.

There's manatees in the local area. My husband ran up along side one while surfing at Sebastian early one morning. And they're also known to hang out near the power plant right there on US 1 - they like the warm water.

There are several good restaurants in the area that others may wish to comment on. A few of our favotites are Capt Hiram's, the Patio, and Mr. Manatee's.

Vero is definitely no Disney World - but there are a few things in the area to keep you busy if you're wanting to venture away from the resort.

Have a great trip!

 

[dyingtodisney]

My daughter did the turtle walk and loved it

 

[kweaver]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=320208

 

[bobbiwoz]

Last March, the resort booked a trip to Harborside Oceanographic Institute, and we went and it's a great trip. It's also opened to the public so you can go on your own. It's about 1/2 hour trip from the resort.

Bobbi

 

[Halle]

Does anyone know the distance between ST. Augustine and Vero Beach?

 

[KLR-wlv]

Someone may correct me - but I'd say it's around 2.5-3 hours from St. Augustine....

 

[Lizardbeth61]

is what it took us when we did the VB/St. Augustine Combo last summer. Now maybe we weren't burning rubber, but we didn't dawdle either.

It was a nice combination trip, by the way. Kids (DD 11 & DS 8) absolutely love the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine. There's not much to it and I thought the kids wouldn't be impressed, but they still talk about it. We also did a ghost walk tour (kids loved), toured the Ft. (Obligatory education that the we adults found interesting and the kids tolerated), walked on the beach (nice & flat . . . you can drive on it too. After 5 pm it's free. Before 5 it's $5.00 fee I think), took a carriage ride (fun for the kids for about 20 minutes of the 40-50 min). Oh yes, and we enjoyed mini golf at the place right next to the La Fiesta motel where we stayed. The La Fiesta was old, but quite clean . . . I checked out the Hampton for comparison and while newer, it was icky somehow. I have to say that after 5 nights at VB, any ordinary hotel would seem icky! Don't know where we'll stay if we go again.

DH has stayed at The Monterey on the bay and has liked that. I was looking for something on the beach for us as a family.

We heard that the Marineland down there is turning into more of an amusement park than a nature center. We opted not to go.

Also, don't miss the buffalo wings and food in general at the Sunset Grill directly across the street from the Hampton in on A-1-A! They are the best!!!!

 

[Halle]

Thanks for the info. Wow I didn't realize it was that far to St Augustine. We're heading to WDW in March for four days maybe we'll do St. Augustine then.