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Florida: Vero Beach, Family Vacation Ideas – Kayaking, Fishing, and
Buried Treasures.  In addition to miles of world-class beaches, easy flowing estuaries,
woodland pathways, moonlight paddles, turtle quests, surfing, kayaking and
golden artifacts from sunken Spanish galleons, the area also has plenty of
unique shopping places, entertaining theatre and awesome art. The communities
within Indian River County include Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmer. We have
made a list of the fun stuff to make your own family vacation memories.
Discover Pelican Island. Protected by Indian River Lagoon, tiny Pelican Island
is a national treasure and an awesome discovery for birders. The Jungle Trail
observation area provides rewarding natural encounters. From the Inlet
Marina, State Park Rangers conduct boat tours to Pelican Island on Inlet
Explorer. Kayak excursions provide a chance to glide by fragile
island refuge allowing participants to paddle up to the boundary markers for a
close look at the nesting wildlife. Bonus points: Kayaks Etc. conducts a
kayak excursion within Indian River Lagoon that includes a glide by of fragile
Pelican Island enabling participants to see the birds and get great
photographs. Just off the “Jungle Trail” is an impressive observation
boardwalk with a viewing platform now open for use. (Kayaks Etc. They are open year-round and do scheduled and private excursions almost
daily. Children and adults of all ages are welcome. We have taken
out as young as 6 months and as old as 90. 2626 US Hwy 1, Vero Beach,
32960. Go to www.kayaksetc.com) ( Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
1339 20th Street, Vero Beach, 32960-3559. 1(772) 562-3909 ext.173 or http://pelicanisland.fws.gov)
Try birding 101 or kayak by moonlight. At The Environmental Learning Center eco experiences
frame each day. The bottom line, these guys get it; therefore the facility
oozes with fun ways to learn. From “Birding 101” to guided kayaking under a
full moon, this is the good stuff. Even without a guide, a visit to the
dry lab onsite could take hours. Artifacts in the lab, each one meant to be
touched, include skulls and shells, stones and fossils. A unique station allows
visitors of all ages to review x-ray films from wildlife hospitals. Bonus
points: One corner of the dry lab is devoted to children less than 5 years of
age. It is a cozy friendly place filled with tactile items guaranteed to
entertain. Discovery: They have a “Turtle Talk/Beach Walk” that starts
with an indoor presentation on sea turtles and ends at the Archie Carr National
Wildlife Refuge. (Environmental Learning Center. They are nested at 255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach,
32963. 1(561) 589-5050 or www.elcweb.org)
Catch a wave. It is all about location and Sebastian Inlet State Park has the perfect
seaside location situated on the tips of two barrier islands where the Atlantic
Ocean meets the Indian River. It is the number one surfing destination in
Florida, hosting several national surfing tournaments each year. The
dramatically beautiful location is also one of the best fishing spots in the
state and provides access to three miles of ocean beach for swimming, snorkeling
and scuba diving. Discovery: Each summer surf camps are conducted from
the beach. Central Florida Surf School provides lessons and coaching to make
the surfing thing a reality. They offer summer camps, including girls only,
family sessions and one-on-one lessons throughout the year. (Lew Maresca's Central Florida Surf School. 1085 Morningside Dr. Vero Beach,
32963. 1 (772) 231-1044, 1-877-366-7873 or www.surfschoolcamp.com) (Sebastian Inlet State Park. Seaside ranger led walks are conducted evenings during
June and July. This activity is best suited for children of more than 10 years
of age. Take insect repellent. 1 (321) 984-4852)
Hear fish house tales. At The Sebastian Fishing Museum located within
Sebastian Inlet State Park, fish stories abound. Devoted to educating the
public on the rich cultural history of Sebastian's fishing industry, it has
charm. The story is told through the lives of three of the first Sebastian
families to operate fish houses. A replica of a typical fish house portrays the
heart of the community and its delicate connection to the sea. There is a
homemade fishing boat along with nets and fishing gear framed with photos of
fishing in the area. Bonus points: A 24-minute video further explains
the history and the richness of wildlife within the estuary. (The Sebastian Fishing Museum. Campsite reservations 1-800-326-3581, park location
1(321) 984-4852. Museum entry is free. 1(561) 589-9659)
Go for the art.  Named as one of the premier art towns of America, Vero Beach is without
a doubt an artist's haven. Galleries abound, each offering one-of-kind works of
art. The Vero Beach Museum of Art anchoring Riverside Park validates the
importance of art to the community. The dramatically beautiful facility
showcases nationally and internationally recognized exhibitions, provides
studio art classes, humanities-based programs, concerts, workshops, cinema, and
special events. Admission to general exhibitions and education wing exhibitions
is free. Members and young people 17 years of age or younger may attend all
exhibitions free of charge. Bonus points: Each year the Museum conducts
a Summer Art Camp offering hands-on studio art activities to children ages 3 to
15. The one and two-week camp sessions (comprised of half-day classes) are
scheduled Monday through Friday from May through August. Details may be viewed at the website. Good to Know: For more information on Summer Art Camp contact our
Assistant Curator of Education, Ellyn Giordano, at (772) 231-0707 ext. 116 or egiordano@vbmuseum.org (The Vero Beach Museum of Art. 3001 Riverside Park Dr. Vero Beach,
FL 32963. (772) 231-0707 or www.vbmuseum.org)
Stay for the applause. The 630-seat Riverside Theater, the Treasure Coast's
signature professional theater offers a rich variety of options including shows
at a separate Riverside Children’s Theater. Productions 2006/07 scheduled for
include “Heidi”, “Mere Mortals” “Pocahontas” “Fools” by Neil Simon, “The
Chinese Cinderella”, “The Pied Piper”, Missoula Children’s Theatre “101
Dalmatians” and in May the annual RCT Fiesta. In addition the parent
theater will be offering professional theater selections including “Forever
Plaid”. Season details are available at the
website. (Riverside Children's Theater. 3280 Riverside Park Dr, Vero Beach, FL Box Office at
772-231-6990 or toll-free 1-800-445-6745, (772) 234-8052 or www.riversidetheatre.com)
Try a turtle quest. Located under the flight path of Pelican Island residents, Archie Carr
National Wildlife Refuge stretches for
almost twenty miles along the Atlantic Coast and provides safe sanctuary for
nesting sea turtles and creating remarkable experiences for humans. It is
recognized as the largest sea turtle nesting area in North America. From April
through September the ancient night nesting rituals occur when loggerheads,
leatherbacks and an occasional green return to the beach to deposit eggs. Bonus
points: Several organizations conduct guided night time turtle quests which
provide a front row observation point to witness the turtles during nesting.
This activity is not-to-be-missed if you have children eight years of age or
older. It is a field trip extraordinaire. (Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 1339 20th Street,
Vero Beach, 32960-3559. 1(772) 562-3909 x258 or http://archiecarr.fws.gov and Friends of Archie Carr,
Melbourne, 1(407) 676-1701)
See sunken treasure. McLarty Museum, just north of Archie Carr NWR, offers yet another
glimpse into the treasure of the coast. Called the “Treasure Coast” by many,
this museum explains why it is so. At the site of the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet
Salvaging Camp, this small museum is filled with human drama. When the fleet,
heading for Spain loaded with treasure, sank more than 1500 survivors were
stranded on this section of desolate beach. Their story is told in a convincing
manner through visuals, dialog and artifacts. Artifacts and treasures from the Atocha,
one of the ships discovered in 1975, are on display within the museum. Discovery:
This museum is part of the Florida State Park system and is a treasure itself. (McLarty Treasure Museum. On the coastal road
north of Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge this fascinating museum provides
perspective to the area. Admission is $1.00 and there is no charge for children
younger than six. 1(561) 589-2147 www.atocha1622.com)
Take in a ballgame. Dodgertown is open all summer long
providing baseball Florida style. During the summer months the Dodgers Rookie
Team, the Gulf Coast Dodgers, also play ball in Vero Beach at 6,500-seat Holman
Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers during spring training. Nightly themes
are designed to add fun to the already energized stadium atmosphere. Tuesdays
will feature the crowd favorite Baseball Bingo. Bonus points: New on
Sunday afternoons, the Vero Beach Dodgers invite fans onto the field to play
catch in the outfield after the game. (Dogertown. 4101 26th Street, Vero Beach, 32960. 1-561- 569-4929, 569-4900 or www.vbdodgers.com)
Rent bikes and ride away.  The Bike Depot in Sebastian provides
families with vacation wheels. Not only do they rent
bikes for a day, they have a super deal for weekly rentals. Specializing in the
needs of families, they have bikes with extra seats, three wheelers,
mountain bikes, bikes for kids, bike trailers, and bikes with training wheels. Bonus
points: An insider tip for biking in the area, try the Jungle Trail
on the barrier island, they have the directions. (The Bike Depot. 9402 US #1 Sebastian, 1(561) 589-7234)
Visit the king of treasure hunters. Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum
showcases the stuff of dreams. You will see the bounty from Spanish galleons
and learn how they were salvaged. A video story is provided so visitors will
understand the background and magnitude of the findings. The gift shop has an
impressive assortment of sea treasures and gold for sale. It is helpful but not
essential to visit the McLarty Museum first. Bonus points: Among
the display cases is a rubbing stand to engage young visitors in the hunt. At
one side of the museum area there is a window to the conservation lab. At times
it is possible to see new discoveries being treated. (Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum. The coral colored building is located on US #1 at the
heart of Sebastian. 1(772) 589-9874 or www.melfisher.com)
Make plans to have fun. Indian River County on Florida’s Central East Coast
is loaded with delightfully affordable family vacation ideas. The area includes
Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmer. 1(772) 567-3491, ext.110 or go to www.indianriverchamber.com
Additional Details
The Pelican Island Preservation Society. Box 1903, Sebastian, Florida
32978-1903. 1(772) 663-9750 or www.nbbd.com/npr/pips
Sea Turtle Survival League. 1-800-678-7853 or www.cccturtle.org
Sea Turtle Preservation Society. Seaside night walks start the end of
May and run through the first week in August. This activity is best suited for
children of more than 10 years of age. Reservations are essential. 1(321)
676-1701.
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