What Are the Best Things to do Near Vero Beach Resort?

The genius of the Disney Vacation Club is that it empowers members with a wide range of vacation options. Sure, you can spend a week at a theme park if that’s your preference, but you’ll find other options as well.

Several locations reside at beaches rather than theme parks, and that’s before we factor in Interval International exchanges. Some members wonder how they’ll entertain themselves at these properties, though.

I’m happy to report that’s never a problem, especially at the resort we’ll discuss today. Here are the best things to do around Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. 

Local Entertainment 

Vero Beach comprises a portion of the Treasure Coast, one of the most beautiful areas in the country. It also possesses a rich history as a cultural touchstone for pirate tales. 

Disney has sanitized pirate legends via its famous ride. Should you prefer to learn more about the truth behind the fiction, you can visit the McLarty Treasure Museum. It’s only about five miles from the hotel. 

At this museum, you’ll learn about a Spanish fleet of ships lost at sea during a hurricane. The 1715 Treasure Fleet is not only a part of Spanish legend but also the reason why this area is called the Treasure Coast.

You’ll find other museums and exhibits in and around Vero Beach. Tourist favorites include the Vero Beach Museum of Art, the Heritage Center & Indian River Citrus Museum, and McKee Botanical Garden. I’d suggest stretching these out by spending an hour or two at each of them during your visit. 

The other popular tourist activity falls more into the next section, but I’ll go ahead and discuss it here. You’ll find the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Sebastian, Florida, roughly 3.3 miles from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. It’s a three-acre island lauded as the first official National Wildlife Refuge in the United States. 

The government did this to protect rare birds living in the region, and it’s also home to a portion of the Everglades Headwaters. So, if you’ve ever watched an Everglades boat chase in a movie/television series, this was the backdrop. 

Pelican Island is absolutely breathtaking. You’ll quickly fall in love with the place and want to visit regularly. 

Oceanfront Activities

Obviously, Vero Beach is an oceanfront property. So, you’ll spend much of your time savoring the sand beneath your toes as you luxuriate away your vacation. 

Sometimes, you’ll want to splash around a bit, though. Thankfully, the Treasure Coast setting has created quite the cottage industry of aquatic activities. 

You’ll find countless entertainment options, ranging from helicopter tours to airboat rides to kayaking. Fishing charters are also wildly popular here, but they’re respectful of the patron saint of the region, the tortoise. Should you rent anything, the guide will warn you about where and where not to go to avoid disrupting the wildlife. 

Indian River County, which includes Vero Beach, lists turtle season as March 1st through October 31st. So, when you visit during this timeframe, you’ll find additional turtle-related activities available. 

If you’re lucky enough to book a room during the Tour de Turtles, that will likely become the focus of your trip. Even if you don’t, you can ask wildlife expert Cast Members about other enjoyable oceanfront activities involving turtle watching. Sebastian Inlet State Park hosts some excellent options, too.

Then, we have the basics like bike rentals, surfing, and walking. That last option may prove magical as you and a loved one stroll down the Indian River Lagoon Greenway. It’s a public trail that includes a boardwalk area. 

Dining and Shopping

Vero Beach has evolved into a culinary hub, presumably due to its proximity to an ample seafood supply. You’ll have a choice of dining options here across all meal types and vacation budgets.

Local restaurants include Mrs. Mac’s Filling Station, Ocean Grill Restaurant, Riverside Café, and The Tides. Those are four of the top ten restaurants in Vero Beach, according to TripAdvisor. 

Courtesy of The Riverside Cafe

The Tides and Riverside Café are currently #1/#2, although I have a soft spot for Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station due to an anecdote involving my father. TripAdvisor ranks it fourth overall among more than 200 restaurants in the area. 

Of course, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the best bar in the area. American Icon Brewery has become a Treasure Island staple due to its unique location. You’ll find it at the historic Diesel Plant. This place is a full-service restaurant in addition to being a craft beer icon. It’s one of the preferred hangout spots in the region.

Pirates of the Caribbean fans are in for a treat when it comes to shopping. Treasure Coast merchants sell many kitschy trinkets that will make you feel like Jack Sparrow and/or Redd. 

You should also visit the Vero Beach Farmers Market and Wildwood Antique Mall of Vero Beach. Outlet mall fans are in luck as well, thanks to Vero Beach Outlets, which includes brands like Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger. 

Notably, there isn’t a Disney outlet here, though. So, you’ll do most of your Disney shopping at the hotel itself. Thankfully, Island Grove Packing Company has plenty of merch. 

Overall, you’ll find more Vero Beach activities than you can possibly accomplish during a single vacation. But if you do get bored, please remember that Disney’s Vero Beach Resort resort is only a two-hour drive from Magic Kingdom!