Things To Do

Enjoy the Resort

 

The Reef Ocean Resort can be your "Paradise Home away from Home".There is plenty to do right on our grounds with the beach, our beachside swimming pool and jacuzzi, picnic shelter, shuffleboard, horseshow pitching pits, children's playground, and basketball and tennis court. And everyday there is at least one scheduled event for our guests on the grounds. Click on  About The Resort in sidebar to view our facilities.

 

 

Explore the Area

 

 

• Take a walk along one of the many full-service beaches or in one of the many available parks
   
• Stroll along the boardwalk in the morning and have breakfast on the beach, or go later for a sandwich and ice cream at the Boardwalk Ice Cream Shop. Be sure to say "Hello" to Marty. He has the best ice cream!

  

• Visit the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the first designated by President Theodore Roosevelt and see pelicans and other wading birds. Take an observation boat tour.
   
• Walk along the trail and watch the birds at the Orca Riverfront Conservation Area, 350 acres along the Indian River Lagoon

   
• Take a Turtle Walk at the Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society during the nesting season from May to August. 
   
   
    
• Visit the McLarty Treasure Museum near Sebastian inlet and learn about and see treasures from the 1715 Spanish shipwrecks off of the Indian River coast. Continue out the back of the museum to the observation platform and imagine what it must have been like in 1715.
    

   

   

   

   

  

   
• Visit the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum in Sebastian on the mainland, view a video presentation of the treasure hunting expeditions here in Indian River, and see more treasures recovered from Spanish shipwrecks
    
• Visit the Navy Seal Museum on A1A in Ft Pierce and learned how they trained for acquatic duty along the Treasure Coast
    
•  Visit the McKee Botanical Gardens listed on the National Register of Historic Places
    
   
• Visit the Indian River Citrus Museum and learn about the pioneers who established the most distinguished citrus fruit in the world. Buy some fruit and ship it home or to friends.
   
•  Attend a Vero Beach Dodgers baseball game at Holman Stadium from April to Sept.
    

  

   
• Rent a boat or take an airboat ride, take a river cruise, charter a deep sea fishing boat; go diving
    

  

   

  

   
• Play a round of golf at one of the many public golf courses
   
• Rent a bicycle and go for a ride in the park or explore the neighborhoods
   
• Take a break and go shopping at the Tanger Outlet Center near I 95 and US 60 interchange (although shopping is not considered a sport nor an outdoor activity) 

 

 

 

 

Take a Day Trip and Explore Brevard County

 

Brevard County lies just north of Vero Beach and is easily accessed by A1A beachside or US 1 and I 95 on the mainland. It affords a wealth of opportunities unique to the Central Florida coast. Following are a few suggested day trip adventures for you to explore:

 

 

 

Day Trip 1: Kennedy Space Center

 

The Kennedy Space Center is truly a "one of a kind" place on the entire planet earth. It holds enormous significance in world history and is where man first journeyed to the moon and back. Located a relatively short driving time and distance from from The Reef, it should not be missed!

 

 

 

 

To fully see the Kennedy Space Center, tour the Apollo/Saturn V Center, visit the space shuttle and rocket launch pads, experience the IMAX theaters films, and visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame, one needs two days. But a one day trip will wet your appetite for another day.

 

The Kennedy Space Center is about two hours away.  It is suggested that you start early, have breakfast along the way in someplace like Indialantic or Cocoa Beach, and arrive before 10AM.

  

 

 

 

 

Tours of the launch pads and Apollo/Saturn V Center leave from the Visitor's Center, and it is best to do that first. Upon your return, view the incredible IMAX productions, check out the shuttle and rockets on the grounds, see the memorial, and pick up a souvenir from the gift shop.

Tourist Fact: In a typical year, 1,035,000 visitors visit the Space Center and stay an average of 1 day. The Cruise Port attracts an average of 1,615,000 visitors annually.

 

 

 

 

If you still have time, head over to the Astronaut Hall of Fame just down the road.  Tour the Hall of Fame, visit the gift shop, and have a coffee or space ice cream. Or save this for another good reason to come back to visit. (Rome wasn't built in a day nor was the Space Center.)

 

 

  

 

 

When you finish your tour, head back down I-95, US 1, or A1A. If you come back on US 1, consider a stop in Cocoa Village or old downtown Melbourne or beachside Indialantic for dinner. Or perhaps dockside at Captain Hiram's on US 1 in Sebastian.

 

Either way, local waterfront dining and "cool" places to eat exist all along the way off US 1 from Cape Canaveral to Vero Beach. Just check out the local area guides or ask The Reef front desk.

 

What goes up at the Kennedy Space Center often returns home. Check out our Brevard County Links for some pretty incredible adventures at the Kennedy Space Center. These new sites include Spaceport news, pictures, google "flyovers", web cams, and more. Check out the shuttle and rocket launch times and then catch them from the beach. The pictures below were taken over the beach of the shuttle coming back home to the Kennedy Space Center so watch the site for all the times.

   

  

 

 

Day Trip 2: Merritt Island National Wildlife Center and Seashore

 

If you love the outdoors, and want to spend some time seeing wading birds, eagles, live alligators, and more in their natural habitat, head off for a day at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Center off US 1 in Titusville. Be sure to pick up a brochure and map on the way into the Center. 

 

 

 

Here one can take the 6-mile nature drive and walk or bike the trail and view the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building VAB from a distance. You may even see a shuttle on the pad if one is near launch time.

 

 

The picture taken above of the VAB building with the alligators in the foreground was taken here. There were 17 alligators here when the picture was taken although only 3 are showing. The locals call this spot Camp Alligator because it is where many "hang out".

 

 

One should be aware that this area is a natural habitat and not a zoo. It is best to drive the trails and not venture far from the car. Always look around and be aware that alligators may be laying next to or in the road and don't tease or taunt them. Alligators are said to be able to run up to 30 MPH. For some reason, the guys fishing in the waterway here didn't seem worried!

 

 

 

While in the Refuge, drive over to the National Seashore and check it out. Launch pads are visible from there. After you have viewed the many varieties of wildlife available to see, stick around and catch the sunset. You won't be sorry!

 

 

 

Titusville on US 1 provides the gateway to the Wildlife Refuge. While there, check out the other local attractions, shop a couple of antique stores, and have lunch at a local spot. Or head on down US 1 to Cocoa Village, have lunch or a coffee, shop the village, or have dinner and see a play at the little downtown theatre.

    

 

Day Trip 3: Shopping in Cocoa Village and Old Downtown Melbourne

 

Old Downtown Melbourne is about 35 miles from The Reef via US 1 or A1A. I suggest a drive up A1A over the Sebastian Inlet and along the ocean. Then cross over to the mainland via the 192 Melbourne causeway in Indialantic. From there is is less than 25 miles up US 1 to Cocoa Village.

 

 

 

Both Cocoa Village and old downtown Melbourne are a great place to spend a morning or afternoon. I suggest you drive north to Cocoa Village first, tour the shops in the morning, and have lunch. Then head back south on US 1 to Old Downtown Melbourne (1 block south of 192 and immediately west of US 1), shop the stores, and have dinner at one of the local spots.

 

If you miss lunch at Coco Village and can't wait the 30 minutes down US 1 to Melbourne, stop at Chowders Seafood  Grill on the water north of the Pineda Causeway and dine on the deck. Or stop at the Pineda Inn on US 1 near the causeway. Both are great for lunch or dinner.

 

Another favorite local place for riverfront dining is Bonefish Willies, good for lunch or dinner. Look for this riverfront grill at 2459 Pineapple along the river north of the Eau Galle Causeway.

  

There are several great places to have lunch or dinner in downtown Melbourne. Try Meg O'Malleys Irish Bar, Bella's Italian, Island Pasta, or venture down to the Chart House on the water for more formal dining. Icabod's Dockside is on the harbor and has a nice dockside atmosphere. You will have to look for it.

  

 

 

 

 

For an afternoon or morning coffee, try the local Sun Shoppe Coffee House. Coffee is served indoors or out on the sidewalk. Thirsty? Have a beverage at the Main Street Pub inside or out in the back courtyard outdoor bar.

 

Melbourne, Cocoa Village, Vero Beach, and other Florida communities frequently have local Art Festivals featuring the many local artists in the area. Check local events to see if one is taking place in one of these places.

 

 

 

For beachside dining, cross over the 192 causeway and have dinner on 5th Avenue (192) or another spot in Indialantic before heading south on A1A back to The Reef.

 

 

Try City Tropics on 5th Avenue for lunch or dinner or drinks on the outside deck. Andiamo's, a few doors east, is a wonderful, chic and new Italian restaurant. A few more doors east is the Island Fish Grill (very nice) and next door to that is the Beachside Restaurant, a local breakfast place. 

  

Or venture on down to the Indialantic Beach at the end of 192, grab a Starbucks coffee or a Cold Stone Slab ice cream, and stroll on the boardwalk.

 

 

 

One mile south in Melbourne Beach is Djon's, located at the western end of Ocean Avenue and near corner of Riverside Drive by the Intercoastal Waterway. Catch the sunset, have a nice dinner, listen to the piano player nightly, and walk out on the pier where the old ferry use to land from the mainland.

 

There are many great local dining spots to be discovered beachside here in the Melbourne area. Just look for them or ask any of the friendly locals. I have only given you a few. The rest are yours to discover.

  

    

Day Trip 4: A Trip to Port Canaveral

 

Port Canaveral is billed as the second busiest port in the nation and is home to several cruise lines including Disney Cruises. In addition, there are two gaming cruise ships that make "free" afternoon and evening gaming sailings.

 

 

 

Start in the morning and drive the 58 miles north up A1A over the Sebastian Inlet (a stop on the national surfing tour) and have breakfast in Indialantic. Continue north past Patrick Air Force Base to Cocoa Beach. Stop at the world-famous Ron Jon's Surf Shop (open 24-7) and visit the world-famous Cocoa Beach Pier.  

 

 

  

At the Pier, one can swim, sun, surf, eat, drink, watch beach vollyball, watch the crowd, walk and sight-see off the pier or rent a fishing pole and bait and fish off the pier. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue north to Port Canaveral (about 3 miles) and have lunch on the deck at the inlet at Grills or Fish Lips. Here you can view the cruise ships, watch boats launch, and watch the traffic back and forth between the Ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway.  

 

 

 

 

  

After lunch, one can look around the area or perhaps take a sail on one of the two "casino gaming cruises". Free afternoon and evening sails are available.

 

Coming back down A1A, there are some nice little restaurants in Cocoa Village and Indialantic. Stop at one for dinner before heading back home to The Reef, your "Home Away From Home".

 

 

The "Discover Vero" Section from our "Visitor's Center Home Page" includes "Links" and information on all of the suggestions mentioned above. In the future, we may provide a list of some of our favorite little dining spots all the way from Titusville to Vero. But for now, that will have to wait. And besides, the best places are the ones that are "discovered" on your own!

 

 

Below is a checklist of several suggestions:

Apollo Earth            Shock Wave

Tour the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral and the Astronaut Hall of Fame and see the Space Shuttle and Rocket Launch Pads.   View the twin IMAX theaters films including "Space Station", and visit the Apollo/Saturn V Center and walk below the massive 365-foot Saturn V rocket.   Attend the Astronaut Encounter where you can come face-to-face with a real astronaut every day of the year.   Drive the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore. Watch the wading birds, alligators, and other wildlife. Catch a sunset Take a cruise out of Port Canaveral, the world's most popular cruise port.   For the gamers, Sterling Casino, the world's largest casino ship, sails free twice daily.   Take an airboat ride at the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp in Cocoa, Fl   Visit historic Cocoa Village, see the shops, have a coffee or ice cream, catch lunch or dinner   Visit the world famous Cocoa Beach Pier. Fish off the pier, walk on the beach, lay in the sun, catch the surfers, and have lunch or dinner.    Visit and shop at the famous Ron Jon's, the world's largest surf shop open 24-7.   Shop for antiques in old downtown Melbourne, catch lunch or dinner at Meg O'Malleys or Island Pasta, have a drink at the Main Street Outdoor pub, or just grab a coffee at coffee shop.