7 Amazing Factors To Do In Indian River County

If you are searching for a Florida family vacation without the hustle of significant, touristy beach front cities but with loads to do and see, then make ideas to visit a true concealed treasure on the Florida Atlantic Coast — Indian River County.

The Indian River is positioned amongst Cape Canaveral and West Palm Seaside and is component of the Treasure Coast, an spot where by many shipwrecks — some dating back again to the early 1700s — sank with their beneficial cargo even now on board.

The county really life up to its moniker of “Shoreline, Not Significant Rises” with miles and miles of white sand beach locations, surf, and the quintessential tropical foliage and vibe that presents it its other moniker, “Gateway to the Tropics.”

Here are 7 reasons to make Indian River County your future getaway spot.

1. Surf’s Up 

Indian River County is the ideal place to capture the waves and do a little browsing. The place is under the radar of most surfers who would fairly flock to Cocoa Beach front and Miami’s South Beach front.

A beloved desired destination is Sebastian Inlet Point out Park. The park features in excess of 3 miles of shoreline with ample uncrowded accessibility to the crashing waves. The standout location is referred to as the Monster Gap, which is essentially a shoal formed by a artifical sandbar that serves up 10-foot waves.

Other very good surf places in the county consist of the Vero Beach front Pier, where sandbars on each and every facet of the pier present good waves in the course of significant tide, and Wabasso Beach front Park.

There is an $8 per car working day-use price billed to enter the park.

2. The Route Of The Paddle 

Indian River County is the residence of a number of traditional Florida kayaking activities.

Deliver your kayak or rent just one and paddle Blue Cypress Lake. The lake is lined with impressive bald cypress trees, their knees jutting out of the h2o and their limbs draped in majestic flowing Spanish moss. Along the 21-mile-very long shoreline, many ospreys and their nests will be found as effectively as the beautiful pink-hued roseate spoonbill and an occasional alligator holding a watchful eye on you.

Yet another not-to-pass up desired destination is the paddle into the Indian River itself on the Jungle Path. This excursion commences at the Jungle Trail Kayak Start at the Pelican Island Countrywide Wildlife Refuge and potential customers you as a result of mangrove flats ahead of achieving the open h2o of the Indian River, wherever you can paddle for miles to check out various islands including Egret, Roosevelt (named immediately after Theodore Roosevelt) and Pelican Island itself.

3. Snorkeling To A Shipwreck And Treasure Hunting 

1 of the actually enjoyment activities you can have in Indian River County is scuba diving, but you do not have to don air tanks to see an remarkable sight — the wreck of the SS Breconshire, an English-crafted steamer that sank in these shallow waters in April 1894 on its way from Tampa to New York. You can truly snorkel to it.

Positioned only 200 yards offshore and 20 feet beneath the floor, the action of the currents has taken its toll on the 300-foot vessel, acquiring been damaged up by the battering of the waves, but there is even now considerably to see.

The bulk of the ship is nevertheless incredibly much alive, acquiring turn into a limestone reef that plays host to a wonderland of sea lifetime — angelfish, stingray, sea urchins. Around 400 species of maritime lifestyle will be observed below. You may well even be joined by a swish loggerhead sea turtle passing by.

The great time to visit the wreck is when the h2o is clearest concerning Could and July. You really should bring alongside and deploy a diving flag to be safe and enable boaters know you are in the water.

Indian River County is aspect of the Treasure Coast of Florida, an location where by more than the hundreds of years many shipwrecks have transpired with their beneficial cargo dropped at sea.

Treasure hunters have dived to the wrecks to get their share of the bounty, but we landlubbers may well nevertheless find a handful of coins and shards of pottery along the shoreline. So bring along your steel detector and check out your hand at it.

One of your ideal bets is to scan the seaside together the Sea Grape Beach front Trail in Vero Seaside. Just keep in mind that treasure hunting is only permitted on shorelines from the significant tide mark to the low tide mark.

4. Image Perfect 

If you are into photography, then seize the digicam bag and head to Indian River County. The landscapes, nature, sunrises, and sunsets are certainly magnificent.

Get started your working day with a glorious sunrise and do a little seaside and ocean images at Sebastian Inlet State Park. The park characteristics over 3 miles of beach front with crashing surf alongside the north jetty and sea oats carefully waving in the breeze along the dunes.

Then head over to investigate America’s initial wildlife refuge, Pelican Island Countrywide Wildlife Refuge. The 5,400-acre refuge was set up in 1903 close to Sebastian, Florida by President Theodore Roosevelt and has quite a few trails that consider you by way of stunning mangrove habitats and salt marshes. The most effective time to check out is from November by April when you will have your greatest possibility at snapping pictures of migrating white pelicans, nesting brown pelicans, river otters, and several a lot more.

Wrap up your day with a end in Vero Seashore at Round Island Park. Nature trails lace the island, main you by means of groves of palms and seagrass to a spectacular sunset from a tall observation tower.

At the time once again, there is an $8 for every car day use charge to enter Sebastian Inlet. The other websites are free. Pelican Island gives free ranger-led excursions every Wednesday from November via March.

5. Art For Art’s Sake 

Art enthusiasts are in for a serious take care of in Indian River County. The county is renowned around the world by artists for its tropical environment which can only inspire creativity.

The hub for arts and lifestyle is the historic artwork district in Vero Beach that has a plethora of galleries such as The Laughing Dog Gallery and Gallery 14, which options juried displays and their yearly Summer Squared Exhibit and Sale.

You can even examine your personal resourceful side at the Vero Seashore Museum of Art’s Cork, Canvas & Business occasion. Each individual Thursday, you are invited to provide your have wine and gentle hors d’oeuvres and local artists will guide you as you produce your very own masterpiece. Artwork supplies are offered.

The theater world is not left out. Get your tickets and capture a play at the largest small town qualified theater in America, the Riverside Theatre.

6. Viewing Citrus Groves 

Touring down one particular of Florida’s interstates or backroads, you will see hundreds of symptoms advertising and marketing regional businesses advertising Indian River citrus, and there is a explanation — the sweet and juicy citrus developed in Indian River is environment-well known.

To definitely appreciate the sweet flavor of their legendary honeybells, purple grapefruit, and clean squeezed orange juice, you require to get it appropriate from the source at just one of the county’s remaining citrus groves.

In 1950, touring salesman Henry Schact made a decision he preferred to commence a citrus grove. His Schact Groves carries on his aspiration these days with fairly the choice of citrus in their Citrus Shop and nearby treats and greens at the Farm Market.

Peterson Groves is one of the oldest in the county but has expanded to involve domestically produced honey, jellies, and gourmand sauces.

In the meantime, Countryside Relatives Farms has taken the roadside citrus sector a action even further by hosting their once-a-year Drop Festival and Maze. Held every single Oct, the function has everything you would count on in a slide competition right down to the rubber ducky races and hayrides.

7. From Everyday To Good Dining 

Right after a full working day of exploring and obtaining fun in the sunshine, you will obtain that Indian River County has fairly an eclectic array of eateries positive to remember to every palate.

On the relaxed aspect, test Squid Lips Overwater Grill. As the name implies, this amazing restaurant sits on the h2o at the end of a pier at Fins Marina. What makes their dishes special is that they are cooked above an open up oak wood fire that seals in their juices and offers them a slight trace of oak flavor. You are going to like their bacon-wrapped scallops and smoked fish dip.

Then there is Capt. Hiram’s Sandbar Cafe. Described as “the essence of Florida increased with a Bahamian conquer,” the Sandbar is situated appropriate on the beaches of Indian River. You can’t support but come to feel the tropics as you dine on mouthwatering sandwiches, seafood, and pasta dishes between the palms. Best your meal off with an grownup beverage like the Roxy Rita or Painkiller.

For a little something with a good deal of Caribbean flavor, attempt the Zafem Caribbean Cafe, which serves up the spicy flavors of the islands like conch creole and sauteed pink snapper Thursday via Saturday evenings.

On the wonderful eating side, a wonderful decision is Vero Key. Patrons connect with the cafe Vero Beach’s premier steakhouse, but it is far more than that. With its intimate placing perfect for a intimate evening, Vero Key serves up the most incredible rack of lamb with rosemary demi sauce and my beloved, shrimp scampi angel hair with roasted garlic, arugula, and diced tomatoes, all dripped in a white wine butter sauce.

Pro Strategies

When visiting the beaches of Indian River, you should bear in mind that the sand dunes support defend communities from the outcomes of storms and are also primary nesting grounds for migratory birds and sea turtles. Use the selected walkways when heading to the ocean and keep off the dunes.