Things to do in or around Vero Beach

[BigThunder]

Ok, it's pretty dull over here lately & I would like to hear of some things other people do when staying at VB. It is a small town that doesn't appear to have a lot of entertainment or attractions but maybe I've missed out on something in our previous two stays.
We generally just hang on the beach all day & then go out to dinner in the actual town of Vero. I've shopped at the mall, at the quaint little shops in the town of Vero & at the outlet mall. Other than that, I've done nothing. Is there anything else of interest for one to do when bored with the beach? I'm willing to drive 30 to 45 minutes, heck, we even drove back to WDW one year! :lol:

[Slowhand]

We`ve only been to VB once and at the time we used it as a "chill out" part of our vacation.
The only time we ventured out of the resort was to visit a museum set up by a famous diver [he`s so famous that I can`t recall his name!:blush: ], however it was a nice place to visit and spend a few hours.
It`s the only time that I`ve been able to hold a gold ingot in my hands which was apparently worth $250K.!:)

[OKWTink]

That about covers it. :D Vero Beach Resort is the place to go for a relaxing beach vacation and not a whole lot else. Vero Beach proper is a bit further south, and is a pretty small town. If you've done the mall, you've done the highlight of the town!

There is an environmental sort of excursion thing on the approach to Orchid Island, but as I don't do snakes, I haven't checked it out. :eek:

KSC is north. :shrug: More than thirty minutes, but closer than WDW!

[BigThunder]

That's what I figured, not much to do. It is a wonderful relaxing vacation. Especially if you do WDW first. And I usually like to go, go, go but find I love the laid back pace of Vero. I was just hoping there might have been some hidden gem that I had missed that we could do this time.
Anyone done the turtle watch? Is it fun because I have to be honest, I have always thought it sounded a little dull.

[OKWTink]

It's wicked fun, especially if you see turtles! :yes:

'Course it helps if you are totally into sea turtles. :blush:

[SorcererMickey]

That's exactly why we go there, nothing to do :lol: .

You know how people say, "oh, I need a vacation from our vacation", we go to VBR when we feel like that, like waking up whenever we want and just walking down to the beach or the pool.

Have you done some of the nature tours with Mary Ann? Bike trail and kayak tours, there is an Indian River exploration tour and scuba diving, and as OKWTink said, you could see turtles during nesting and hatching season.

[BigThunder]

This stuff with Mary Ann, like scuba diving, is that through the Disney VBR? Or is it from somewhere else?

[SorcererMickey]

Mary Ann does the bike trail tour, hiking trail, kayaking down the Indian River, turtle seminars and helps the people from AK who are the ones who manage the "turtle conservation program".

During turtle nesting and hatching season, the AK folks identify, mark, and record the positions of the nests. She helps with these programs.

Other programs like river tours, scuba, etc., are done thru local trird party companies and charters, but booked thru the VBR recreation office.

[BigThunder]

Thanks SorcererMickey, good to know. I don't think I'm brave enough to try scuba diving or many of the other "outdoorsy" things listed. A lot of that has to do with my weight. I'm on a diet & lost 20 pounds so far so maybe if I lose enough before June I may feel brave & daring & want to try a new experience. I'd like to do it for my kids because I think they'd like to try some of those things.

[muskateers]

It's wicked fun, especially if you see turtles! :yes:

'Course it helps if you are totally into sea turtles. :blush:

my sons is in a wheelchair , what are his chances of seeing the turtles

[SorcererMickey]

Chances of anybody really being able to see the turtles are low.

Turtles nest and hatch at night and people are not allowed to go down to the beach during this season. Vero Beach is even mandated to tuen the lights facing the beach off at night. Front Desk will call your room and ask you to turn off your lights or draw your curtains when they see lights on during their inspection walks. When turtles nest, they get scared very easily and will go back to sea. Hatching turtles will get disoriented by lights when hatching.

Now, having said that, there are times when the AK and the Florida conservation office people will be at the resort and will allow you to go with them if they are scheduled to study them at night.

To answer your question, VBR has wheelchairs with "beach wheels" for guests how want to go to the beach.

[TheTexasKid]

Actually there are two treasure museums in the Vero Beach area. One is the McLarty Treasure Museum at 13180 North SR A1A, Vero Beach, whose treasures were donated by Robert McLarty.

But, the one that Slowhand probably is thinking of, the one with the famous diver's name, is the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum at 1322 U.S. 1, Sebastian, Florida.

[draje01]

Does anyone have any info on how the restaurants are at this resort? My husband and I are going in about a month and were curious. :shrug:

[SorcererMickey]

The two restaurants at the resort are Shutters (family oriented) and Sonya's a (bit more upscale). They are both very good, we've been to Sonya's once but the rest of the times we've been there we've gone to Shutters, it's more casual.

[PaulaK]

How long roughly would it take to drive from Port Canaveral to Vero beach? :unsure:

[Ilovetink]

How long roughly would it take to drive from Port Canaveral to Vero beach? :unsure:

My guess is about 45 minutes to an hour.

As far as restaurants go. We ate at Shutters and Sonya's. As was mentioned, Shutters is more casual. It looks like they share the same kitchen though. We had steaks both and they were both delicious. The one from Sonya's was much pricier though. I think the other food can be hit or miss. I had some wonderful pasta dishes, but I've also had some so so meals.

The front desk has a book of menu's from local restaurants. Sometimes I have seen it out on a table, other times I have had to ask for it. They can recommend some great places for you. Last time we were there we dined at Captain Hiram's. It was wonderful and only about 10-15 minutes away.

[PaulaK]

Thanks ILT! :thumbs:

[BigThunder]

We ended up just happening upon a turtle while walking on the beach one night. It was very sweet but so dark we could hardly see anything at all, lol. Poor turtle, i just wanted to get a shovel & get in there & help her out! hehehe AFter about 15 minutes we were both like, ok.....so this is it......let's keep walking. : )
Other than that & going to WDW for a day we didn't end up doing anything new or exciting. But it was a wonderful vacation.

[OKWTink]

It's wicked neat to see them though, isn't it Big Thunder? I've seen baby turtles there once, too. That was seriously cool.

I've also seen a snake there. That was NOT cool by any way, shape or matter.

[SorcererMickey]

On our last trip to Vero during my b-day in June we went to the beach with the park rangers around 12:00am to look for turtles, stumbled into two that night :yes: , it was just incredible to see, it gave me goosebumps...

[BigThunder]

It's wicked neat to see them though, isn't it Big Thunder? I've seen baby turtles there once, too. That was seriously cool.

I've also seen a snake there. That was NOT cool by any way, shape or matter.


LOL :lol: I wouldn't like seeing a snake either Tink, I'm sure everyone around would hear me scream.

Seeing baby turtles would have been amazing. I didn't mean to make light of the turtle digging out to lay her eggs as it is amazing what they do & how they do it. Bless her heart it was just sloooooow, hehehe. We continued walking way down the beach for probably 30 to 45 minutes & on our way back by we went up & looked again & she was still just paddling away with her back fins.:wink:

[draje01]

Big Thunder,

How long of a drive was it to WDW? We have thought about going for a day as well. :wiggle:

[SorcererMickey]

It takes us about 1hr 45min to 2hrs to get there.

[jmac]

Big Thunder,

How long of a drive was it to WDW? We have thought about going for a day as well. :wiggle:

Its about 2 hrs - the same as to W Palm Baach which is a nice day out!

[JuniorMickey]

Its about 2 hrs - the same as to W Palm Baach which is a nice day out!
West Palm from Orlando is further than 2 hours

[BigThunder]

yep, about 2 hours or little less. totally worth it to us.

[jmac]

West Palm from Orlando is further than 2 hours

Completely agree but the question is about things to to FROM VERO BEACH :)

[Andy B]

Been thinking of staying at Disneys Vero Beach for the 4 night chill out middle of our break next Summer. Is it good and how much more expensive.is it than other hotels in the area

[SorcererMickey]

Prices start at $250 per night for an Inn room (main building) for that time of the year.

[Andy B]

Suitable for 4?

[BigThunder]

oh yeah, that's how many in my family & we always stay in an Inn room.
there is nowhere else to stay, that i'm aware of, close to where the DVC resort is. It all appears to be private residences but then again, they could be rentable condo's. They are WAY swanky tho & i imagine would rent for much more than $250 a night.
Personally i love VB, it's a beautiful, peaceful place to go.