Melbourne Florida is a city on the east coast near the ocean. It is one of the capital cities that make up the Florida Metropolitan Statistical area, joining with Palm Bay and Titusville. The climate is mostly sunny with the winters being in the cool 70s and the summers getting up to 100+ degrees. In addition to the weather there are many tourist attractions in Melbourne.
10. Botanical Gardens
Start your trip off with a light trip through Florida Tech’s Botanical Gardens. The 15-acre garden features exotic specimens collected by the university in the shaded, public access trail. The main trail was named after the founder of the Palm Society, Dent Smith. However, Florida Tech warns visitors that while the garden is free and open to the public, dogs, skateboards and bicycles are not allowed. Also, tampering or cutting a sample of the specimens is forbidden. The campus offers guided tours to enhance the trip, check out their website for more details.
9. Foosaner Art Museum
This modern art museum is a cool and historical structure in the heart of downtown. Housing over 5,000 pieces of art that span almost 2,000 years of human history, the Foosaner Museum has been serving the city by being the go to place for fine art. New exhibits are always appearing. This month, visitors can enjoy the work of Reverend Howard Finster. Admission is very affordable with Adult tickets at $5 and seniors, students and kids just $2. When you feel inspired after viewing the art, you can take one of the many art classes offered by the Museum to hone your skills. When looking to spend a great weekend with the family, this museum is guaranteed to make an art lover out of you.
8. Space Coast Stadium
Nothing completes a trip or fun weekend like an old fashion baseball game. Come and see the Manatees play a home game at Space Coast Stadium. Perfect for family outings or quality time with friends, Space Coast Stadium offers an impressive game for baseball lovers. The 2016 schedule is available for you to plan your day. The stadium does weekly promotions to get the crowd pumped and involved. For example, every Sunday, the kids are allowed to run the bases in the stadium. For a day of sports and excitement, come down to the old ball park.
7. Sea Turtle Preservation
It is important that kids understand the importance of wild life preservation. The Sea Turtle Preservation is the perfect way for kids and adults alike to get involved in a fun and educational way. Activities include a turtle walks where guests can go on guided night tours to observe sea turtles nesting. Other activities include lectures, interactive classes and other educational lessons on how one can join in the effort to preserve the sea turtle population. This destination is a cool spot for science, learning and fun. You can become a volunteer for the organization or a member and help out with classes and lectures.
6. Wickham Park
This 400 acre park is a perfect way to spend an afternoon or even a whole weekend. The park’s amenities include 2 unguarded swimming lakes, a disc golf course, horseshoe pits, volley ball courts, and playgrounds. If you want to spend the night, the pine forest houses 88 campsites with an additional 25 overflow campsites. Events are held by the parks department all year round including Zumba classes, Yoga, and games like Mah Jongg and bridge. If you want to go to a low-key location when you want to rest between events, or just spend a day doing leisurely outdoor activities, Wickham Park is always an option, free and open to the public.
5. Paradise Beach
No trip to the coast would be complete without a beach trip. Paradise beach is a 12 acre dune covered beach with enough activities to last anyone the whole day. With volley ball courts and picnic facilities, there is plenty to do. Like most public beaches, Paradise is free and open to the public. Guests are more than welcome to bring their own food and stuff to the beach, although alcoholic beverages are to be used only in designated areas. With all this, and a near constant supply of warm weather and sun, this is among the top places to visit in Melbourne to enjoy the outdoors.
4. Boat Tours
There are many boat tours available to visitors in the Melbourne area that explore the Space Coast and the Indian River, but Good Natured River Tours is among the best. These tours take you on a trip through the Indian River lagoon and past the historic Dragon’s Point and Mathers Turner Bridge. On your trip, you have the chance of spotting bottlenose dolphins, manatees and a variety of birds and plant species. Guests are allowed to bring a 10oz cooler on board the boat and alcohol is allowed, but no glass bottles or hard liquor. Tickets range from $20-$29 and a year round schedule is available on their website.
3. Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area
For a jack of all trades outdoor experience, the Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area, or SISRA is perfect for that weekend getaway. This park has everything; picnic pavilions, water ramps and hiking trails, fishing spots and canoeing as well as kayaking, a beach and much more. This free public park also features monthly events. You can sign up today for a Dune to Lagoon Plant ID Tour or their Night Sounds Park Concert Series. The park is not just for family fun, you can bring your special someone and make a reservation for a romantic wedding and reception.
2. Melbourne Civic Theatre
Come and enjoy a live show at Melbourne’s longest running preforming arts center. The Civic Theatre features live performances in drama, music and comedy. This month, visitors can see The Curious Savage, a light hearted comedy about a widow enjoying life to the fullest with the money her husband left her. Tickets can be bought individually for $25 dollars for Adults and $23 for seniors, students and military. Season passes, or flex pass, can be purchased for $115 for adults and $105 for seniors, military and students. The flex passes are good for five admissions
1. Brevard Zoo
What better way to spend the day than at the zoo? The Bevard Zoo is a small zoo that does big things. This zoo features animals and exhibits from all over the world. Visitors can see animals from Africa like giraffes and zebras, as well as Australian animals like dingoes and emus. The zoo has special events every month, so check their website for more information and plan your trip accordingly. Tickets go for $16.95 for adults, $15.95 for seniors, children 12-2 for $12.95 and kids under 2 get in free. The zoo also has group rates and packages that you can look up on their website.
Melbourne is a city that has all you need for outdoor fun. This is a perfect spot for families as well as water sports enthusiast as there are various things to do in Melbourne. It offers a unique perspective by being on the beach as well as on the river. The summers can get hot, and hurricane season could put a damper on outdoor plans. Make sure you pay attention to the weather services when planning your stay.