As locals, were often asked what are the best things to do in Vero Beach and its exclusive waterfront enclavesJohns Island Club, Sea Oaks, The Moorings, Grand Harbor and Riomar, among severaland what are the best hotels, restaurants, shops and places for culture and nature in Vero Beach and beyond? Whether youre searching for Vero Beach homes for sale or Vero Beach condos for sale, our local ONE Sothebys International Realty office is available for all inquiries about Vero Beach real estate. To become better acquainted with the area, were sharing a curated guide for multigenerational visitors and tourists alike.Vero Beach Hotels
ONE Sotheby's International Realty's office is located between the most coveted oceanfront hotels. To our north, there are the three-star Holiday Inn & Suites and even more luxe Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. The Kimptons 111-room property is also a locals favorite for its White Orchid Spa, where summer services include the LaLicious Peachy-Keen body treatment, and restaurants Cobalt (tomahawk chops, blue crab salad on toast points) and Heatons (Florida citrus salad, mahi piccata). Live entertainment ranges from Motown Tuesdays to an End of Summer Luau on August 19. Summer introduces activities like kids weekly Turtle Talks and Stargaze on the Sea, a private riverboat cruise with a local astronomer and bites by Heatons. To ONE Sotheby's International Realty's south, Costa d'Este Beach Resort & Spa is owned by Miamis Latin music power couple Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The 94-room hotel stands out for its Miami nods, such as MiMo-inspired architecture and Cuban roast pork at the Wave Kitchen & Bar. The restaurant also hosts live music and specials, so check the calendar for paella night to whiskey and wine dinners. If booking a treatment at the resorts C|Spa, upgrade with a Salt Room experience. Other fitness activities are sunrise yoga and snorkel excursions to the S.S. Breconshire shipwreck that sank in 1894. Less than a two-hour drive from Orlando and Disney World, Disneys Vero Beach Resort is a popular destination for families wanting to extend their Mickey Mouse vacation. Kids love its mini golf and Pirates Plunge, a 163-foot, spiral pool slide. Guests of its 211 rooms further appreciate the variety of dining options from the Spanish galleon-inspired Green Cabin Room for sunset drinks and after-dinner digestifs and desserts to Wind & Waves Grill for shrimp and grits and key lime cheesecake.Vero Beach Restaurants
In talking to locals or reading travel features about Vero Beach, many of the same quintessential dining establishments come up. Most vacations include a meal at Ocean Grill, a salty, historic haunt with white tablecloth service and classic American fare (stone crabs, prime rib, fried shrimp). Original owner and legendary Vero Beach developer Waldo Sexton also did The Historic Driftwood Resort and onsite restaurant Waldos, which still operate to this day, and The Patio, whose new owners havent announced the spaces reopening date. Helmed by executive chef Scott Varricchio, whos made the rounds at French Laundry and Eleven Madison Park, Citrus Grillhouse is another seasoned oceanside eatery. Items range from citrus-flecked risotto to grilled local swordfish with Provenal summer salad. For something new, visit Pepper & Salt BBQ. The concept imports a slice of Austin, Tex., namely Franklin Barbecues line-forming smoked meats. Sample the whole shebang by ordering the Texas Trinity, a heaping combo platter of brisket, sausage, ribs and sides for four people. Speaking of barbecue, Smokehouse BBQs former chef restaurateur switched direction and opened The Oar for fine dining last year. His global menu features octopus ceviche with tostones and hoisin-glazed sea scallops with Asian slaw. Vero Beachs casual dining emphasizes the areas agricultural heritage that remains somewhat intact. Though citrus season doesnt ramp up until November, Countryside Family Farms main farm market and second beach location run year-round. Pop by for famous orange slushies and ice cream, produce and other homemade goodies. Countrysides El Sid Taqueria serves addictive Mexican street fare at its taco shop next to the beach market and the farms taco trailer. CW Willis Family Farms also expanded its citrus and garden nursery origins with an onsite restaurant and catering firm for locally sourced, all-day staples (buttermilk pancakes, burgers, fried pickles), plus beer and wine. Mark your calendar for family-owned Schacht Groves farm-to-table dinner series during citrus season, too. In the meantime, visit the groves market for honey, grass-fed beef and other provisions. Vero Beachs love of craft beer, spirits, cider and wine continues to grow. Complete The Treasure Coast Wine x Ale Trail with stops like Sailfish, Walking Tree and American Icon breweries, or sample them all in one fell swoop during the trails annual fall festival. Natives Ray and Mandy Hooker launced Vero Beachs first distillery earlier this year. Located near the Vero Beach Regional Airport, their Indian River Distillery makes small-craft whiskey, gin, rum and vodka with locally sourced sour orange peel, juniper, hibiscus and more. The couple has apparently started a trend, since 21st Amendment Distillery is due to open downtown this summer. Though owner Jeff Palleschi prefers bourbonwhich is being aged as we speak in barrels on an Indian River-floating bargehe also plans to offer vodka, gin and citrus-infused liqueurs. Along with Grind + Grape, a perennial spot for coffee by day and vino by night, a new wine bar with a New Orleans heart is set to open in June. Founded by the same folks as the Painted Frog, a paint-your-own pottery studio next door, The Bayous motto laissez le bon temps rouler says it all.Vero Beach Culture
The Vero Beach Museum of Art exhibits Simple Pleasures: The Art of Doris Lee through September 18; learn more about one of the Woodstock Artist Colonys leading figures during a gallery talk on June 15. Youll have to wait until season for the majority of the museums events, including Concerts in the Park, Januarys annual gala and Februarys Fashion Meets Art fundraiser. Ballet Vero Beach kicks off its 10th anniversary season with a special hip hop dance performance by Chicago Dance Crash company on August 5-6. The ballets 2022/23 season also celebrates with commissioned premieres and a local twist on The Nutcracker with Indian River flora and fauna. The Riverside Theatre reached a milestone, too. Its 50th anniversary 2022/23 season features a variety of shows on its Stark and Waxlax stages. A few are musicals 42nd Street and Honky Tonk Angels, as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamets Oleanna. The citys culture patrons also support the Vero Beach Opera, so look out for its 2022/23 season announcement soon. Regarding major annual events, The Vero Beach Film Festival hosts its fifth annual edition with 75 film screenings and other fun tie-ins like a vintner dinner in June. Annual arts and crafts fairs from The Hibiscus Festival to Under the Oaks are set for next year.Vero Beach Outdoors & Fitness
Plant mavens from all over come for McKee Botanical Gardens annual Waterlily Celebration on June 18. The vibrant display features more than 80 varieties throughout ponds and pots. The Childrens Garden is always a popular attraction too. Fun fact: The same landscape design firm behind Central Park designed the original McKee developed by Arthur McKee and Waldo Sexton in 1922. Ever since its early days, Vero Beach has truly treasured its natural areas and protected them. Bike the iconic Jungle Trail for a piece of Old Florida; join environmental nonprofit Coastal Connections for sea turtle excursions in summer and early fall, and observe brown and white pelicans at The Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the nations first of its kind that turns 120 next year. Riverside Park offers an all-encompassing assortment of outdoor activities from fishing to dog parks to a walking track. Golfers have their pick of premier courses, too, whether private (Johns Island Clubs trio of championship courses by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio) or public (Sandridge Golf Club, whose dual 18-hole, championship courses were designed by Ron Garl). To experience the salt life, book guided kayak and paddleboard tours of Indian River Lagoon through Vero Tackle & Watersports; rentals are available as well.Vero Beach Shopping
On summer days, escape to The Village Shops shaded courtyards filled with tenants like J. McLaughlin, Belle Cose and Island Cashmere. Boho Cali brand Johnny Was joins them in fall. After your shopping spree, grab a bite at the charming centers beloved Citron Bistro. Down the beach lies another row of boutiques on Azalea Lane: The Lazy Daisy, A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, Tusk for mens and boys denim, polos, swim trunks and sneakers, Gazebos contemporary fashions for gals, and resort staple Southern Tide. GT Rhodes also carries a great selection of mens labels like Peter Millar (colorful Bermuda shorts) and Gitman Bros. (casual/chic button-down shirts), while Sassy Boutique caters to upscale womens designers like Tory Burch and Marysia. Among many lifestyle stores, a few are The Twig, Treasure Lane and Market. For precious jewelry by Roberto Coin to Halcyon Days, look no further than decades-old Veranda. Interior designers and DIY dcor enthusiasts visit VB Home, while culinary prsuits often begin by stocking up at Consider the Cook. Dont feel like cooking? Its not a problem, thanks to Ryders Gourmet Market and Chelseas Gourmet.[photo_box][/photo_box]
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