Best Things to Do in Vero Beach, Florida

Things to Do in Vero Beach: At first glance, Vero Beach might seem like just another beach town, but don’t be misled by its name. This East Coast spot offers cultural attractions, high-end shops, family-owned restaurants, historical sites, and numerous outdoor activities both with and without beaches. Take the kids to the McLarty Treasure Museum for a history lesson, find your inner peace at McKee Botanical Garden, watch a performance at Riverside Theatre, or surf the famous waves at Sebastian Inlet State Park. If you prefer relaxing on the beach, head to Round Island Oceanside Park to sunbathe, picnic, or fish.

Looking for more fun in this state? Check out the top things to do in Florida Beach.

Sebastian Inlet State Park- Things to Do in Vero Beach

Located less than 2 miles north of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, this protected area is a surfer’s paradise. Sebastian Inlet State Park is home to world-famous surf spots like First Peak and Monster Hole, known for some of the best and most consistent surf breaks in the state. Professional surfers like Kelly Slater and C.J. and Damien Hobgood honed their skills here as kids. But the great surfing isn’t the only reason to visit.

The park’s pristine beaches are perfect for finding seashells and sea turtle nests, the jetties offer excellent fishing, Bayside Marina is a great place to see wildlife like dolphins and manatees, and the calm lagoon waters are ideal for kayaking. There’s also the Hammock Trail, a mile-long path through subtropical plants, including mangrove, palm, and oak trees.

If you love history, don’t miss the on-site Sebastian Fishing Museum. This free museum features exhibits about the fish houses established here in the 19th and 20th centuries, including a replica of an original fish house, a homemade fishing boat, and fishing gear. Another historical attraction worth visiting is the McLarty Treasure Museum, located just outside the park by its south entrance.

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Round Island Oceanside Park and Round Island Riverside Park– Things to Do in Vero Beach

One of Vero Beach’s main attractions is its beautiful beaches, with many people considering Round Island Oceanside Park to have the best one. Located 8 miles southeast of downtown Vero, this beach park has everything you need. It features covered pavilions with grills, a playground, restrooms, and more. The wide shoreline offers plenty of space to relax, even when some sections are blocked off to protect sea turtle nests.

What makes this beach unique is its closeness to the Indian River Lagoon. When you want a change of scenery, you can walk across State Road A1A to the beach’s sister park, Round Island Riverside Park. This park has a 400-foot-long boardwalk, nature trails, a fishing pier, and an observation tower. You can climb the tower to spot manatees or go paddleboarding or kayaking to see them up close. Just remember to bring your own water sports equipment or arrange for a rental, as there are no rentals available on-site.

McKee Botanical Garden– Things to Do in Vero Beach

Vero Beach attracts travelers who love art and nature. If you enjoy both, visit McKee Botanical Garden. This 18-acre garden by U.S. Route 1 features a wide variety of Florida’s native plants and impressive sculptures by famous artists like Hans Godo Frabel and Seward Johnson. It also has several restored buildings, earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Visitors have praised McKee Botanical Garden for its beautiful gardens, knowledgeable staff, and fascinating sculptures, making it a must-see in Vero. Many were particularly impressed with the Children’s Garden, added in January 2020, which includes interactive features like a music maze, splash pad, and pirate-themed climbing structure. However, some mentioned that the main garden is small and lacks shade. To see the garden’s best plants—over 80 kinds of water lilies in bloom—several reviewers recommended visiting during the summer months.

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Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge– Things to Do in Vero Beach

When you visit Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll feel far from society. Established in 1903 as the first national wildlife refuge in the U.S., this sanctuary covers over 5,400 acres and is home to migratory birds, fish, sea turtles, alligators, and mammals like manatees, dolphins, and bobcats. Over 10 kinds of pelicans also nest here. The main activities at the refuge are bird-watching and fishing. You can also take leisurely hikes along three trails that span about 7 miles of the property.

For the best view of Pelican Island, the refuge’s main landmark, past visitors recommend hiking the Centennial Trail. This nearly 1-mile-long trail features an 18-foot-tall observation tower with two mounted spotting scopes and a boardwalk with signs displaying QR codes that you can scan with a smartphone for more information. No matter which trail you choose, reviewers suggest bringing plenty of drinking water since it’s not available on-site. Also, be sure to use lots of sunscreen and insect repellent, especially during the warmer months, to protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes.

Vero Beach Museum of Art– Things to Do in Vero Beach

Head to this nonprofit in Riverside Park (a green space on the barrier island that also houses Riverside Theatre) to see some of Vero’s most impressive artworks. Within its 7 acres, you’ll find five art galleries, a sculpture park, seven studios for art classes, an interactive kids’ space, an auditorium, a cafe, and a gift shop. With over 880 pieces, it’s no surprise that this more than 55,000-square-foot facility is the largest of its kind on the Treasure Coast.

The museum’s impressive collection offers plenty to admire, so prioritize the types of works you enjoy most. Recent visitors recommended the sculpture park and the permanent collection of contemporary paintings by artists like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dalí. The museum’s collection of glass objects by Dale Chihuly and Frederick Carder, among others, is also worth seeing. Depending on when you visit, you might want to explore the museum’s temporary exhibit, which has featured everything from gold Chinese zodiac sculptures to astronomy photos to 19th-century French posters.

McLarty Treasure Museum– Things to Do in Vero Beach

At first glance, Vero Beach might not seem like a place with a rich history, but if you look a bit closer, you’ll find some fascinating facts about the town. In the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, Florida was a Spanish colony. When the famous 1715 Fleet—a group of 11 ships carrying a huge load of gold and silver coins to Spain—wrecked off the coast of Vero during a hurricane, the town made its mark in history. Treasure hunters still visit the town’s beaches searching for coins from the sunken ships.

While your chances of finding gold are slim, you can learn more about this part of Vero’s history at the McLarty Treasure Museum. Located on the site where survivors from the fleet camped after swimming to shore, this museum is filled with artifacts and displays about the failed voyage and its treasure. The property also has an observation deck with views of the ocean.

Riverside Theatre– Things to Do in Vero Beach

After a day of swimming at the beach, shopping on Ocean Drive, or exploring the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s exhibits, catch a show at Riverside Theatre. Located in Riverside Park, this nonprofit theater is the largest professional theater in Florida. Its events calendar often includes touring musicals, kids’ productions, comedy shows, and lectures by distinguished guests like Colin Powell, Tom Brokaw, and Ben Stein. The theater also hosts Live in the Loop, a fun outdoor concert series with dining and live music twice a week.

Past visitors said you’ll have a memorable experience at Riverside Theatre, no matter what event you attend. Many praised the Live in the Loop event, which takes place most Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 9:15 p.m. Others loved the Broadway-style performances, noting the beautiful sets, talented actors, excellent costumes, and well-designed theaters. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, so choose a spot based on your budget. Since main events like musicals sell out quickly, be sure to reserve tickets for bigger shows months in advance. Prices vary depending on the event, but many visitors said they’re more affordable than Broadway shows.

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