Nestled away along Florida’s Space Coast is the stunning town of Melbourne. Known for its cozy coastal charm and family-friendly atmosphere, Melbourne pairs all the sun and fun Florida is best known for with all the arts and culture you can handle.
If you’ve just moved to Melbourne, you're likely ready to hit the ground running in immersing yourself in everything this sparkling town has to offer. There are literally endless places to visit and things to do in Melbourne. If you aren’t exactly sure where to start, here are some must-dos for anyone who calls Melbourne home:
Visit Historic Downtown
Breathe in the Old South charm of historic Downtown Melbourne. The quaint historic district’s history dates all the way back to the 1800s and the community of Melbourne has preserved the elegance of the area.
A trip to Downtown Melbourne will open your eyes to some of the most unique locally-owned shops and restaurants around. When making your adventure list of things to do in Melbourne, make sure historic Downtown is at the top of the list.
Get the Real Florida Coast Experience
Tourists come for the beaches, but locals know that the beach is just one element of the incredible beauty the Florida Coast has to offer. Whether you’re exploring the Banana River or the Indian River Lagoon, a river tour or a guided kayak trip is the perfect way to really immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Florida coast. These water excursions will take you up close to playful dolphins, colorful rare birds, over 4,000 plants unique to the region, and maybe an alligator or two.
Go Wild!
Melbourne is home to the internationally-accredited Brevard Zoo. Big cats, rhinos, sea life, giraffes, and hundreds of colorful birds are just a few of the animals you’ll encounter. Every species is housed in a habitat that was designed to imitate their natural environment.
The Brevard Zoo doesn’t just stop with the incredible animals. You and your family can take your zoo trip to the next level by experiencing a kayak tour, zip line excursion, old-fashioned train ride, or a solo animal feeding. The little ones can get trained as an official Wildlife Detective or swim right alongside a massive aquarium.
Take Time to Stop and Smell the Flowers
Get familiar with the local flora with a trip to the Florida Tech Botanical Gardens. The exquisite Old Florida-style garden houses a huge variety of stunning bamboos, palms, common flowers, and rare plants. A gently flowing stream encases the entire garden, making it the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend adventure.
Take in Some Culture
The Foosaner Art Museum is making waves as a center for creativity for Melbourne and surrounding areas. The museum’s permanent collection features over 5,000 pieces of art that span more than 2,000 years of creativity.
Original artwork by 20th century Central Florida artists, iconic metalwork, Asian ceramics, and the largest collection of Ernst Oppler’s impressionist pieces are just a few genres of art to be discovered in this Melbourne gem.
For more information on housing in Melbourne and other real estate news, check out 321area, your free guide to Brevard County.
Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay
