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Melbourne is a city of about 85,000 people on the Indian River Lagoon on Florida's Space Coast, about 70 miles southeast of Orlando. Founded after the Civil War by freed slaves and settlers and named after Melbourne, Australia, it grew with citrus, the railroad and later the space program, and it remains a hub for aerospace companies.
Historic Downtown Melbourne along New Haven Avenue has restaurants, bars, galleries and the Henegar Center theater, with Crane Creek winding nearby, where manatees often swim in winter. The Roesch House recalls early settlers, and Erna Nixon Park has a boardwalk through native hammock forest. The Melbourne Military Memorial Park honors service members.
Across the lagoon, the barrier island beaches of Indialantic, Melbourne Beach and Paradise Beach Park offer surfing and sea turtle nesting, and the Brevard Zoo, with kayak tours through its exhibits, is on the city's north side. Rocket launches from Cape Canaveral are often visible from the causeways.
Brevard Zoo is a community-built zoo in Melbourne with walk-through exhibits of animals from Florida, Africa, Asia and Australia. Guests can kayak past animals, feed giraffes and ride a train. Arrive at opening when animals are active, bring water, and book the giraffe feeding early in the day.
Historic Downtown Melbourne along New Haven Avenue is a walkable strip of older buildings with restaurants, bars, antique shops and galleries near the Indian River. It hosts monthly events and festivals. Visit on a Friday evening, and finish with a walk out to the waterfront at Front Street.
Eau Gallie Arts District is the historic north part of Melbourne, known for large street murals, galleries, shops and cafes near the Indian River and the Eau Gallie Causeway. It hosts art walks and festivals. Pick up a mural map and walk the area, ending at the riverfront Eau Gallie Square.
Foosaner Art Museum in the Eau Gallie Arts District is run by Florida Tech and focuses on modern and contemporary art, with changing exhibitions and a permanent collection. It is small and easy to visit. Admission is low or free on some days, and an hour is enough to see it.
The King Center for the Performing Arts is a large theater on the Eastern Florida State College campus, presenting concerts, Broadway tours, comedy and ballet. It is the main venue for big shows on the Space Coast. Book ahead for popular shows, and arrive early as parking can be slow afterward.
The Henegar Center is a community theater in a former 1919 school building in downtown Melbourne, staging musicals, plays and children's shows. Its intimate hall gives close views of the stage. Check the season calendar, and have dinner on New Haven Avenue before an evening performance.
Roesch House is a restored early 1900s wood home in the Eau Gallie Arts District, run by a local historical society as a museum of pioneer life in the area. Displays include period furniture and photos of early Eau Gallie. It is open limited hours, so check ahead and pair it with the art district.
Rossetter House Museum preserves an 1860s home and gardens in Eau Gallie that belonged to a pioneer family for over a century. Guided tours show original furnishings and tell the family's story. Tours run on set days, so check the schedule, and stroll the shaded gardens after your visit.
Melbourne Military Memorial Park honors veterans with memorials, displays of military vehicles and aircraft, and a walking path. A Vietnam memorial and flags line the grounds. It is free and open daily, and the quiet paths make it a thoughtful stop, especially on Memorial Day.
Erna Nixon Park is a 54-acre nature preserve with a raised boardwalk through hammock forest, wetlands and pine flatwoods. Look for gopher tortoises, birds and native plants. A small nature center offers information. Visit in the morning, bring bug spray, and stay on the boardwalk.
Wickham Park is a large county park in Melbourne with two swimming lakes, campgrounds, horse trails, a disc golf course and a big amphitheater for concerts. It is popular for weekend outings. Bring a picnic and swimsuit in summer, and check the schedule for concerts at the amphitheater.
Crane Creek Promenade is a walkway along Crane Creek near downtown Melbourne where manatees often gather, especially in cooler months. Signs explain manatee habits and protection. Look down from the railing quietly, and visit on a cool winter morning for the best chance to see them.
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Photo: Leonard J. DeFrancisci, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Leonard J. DeFrancisci, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Leonard J. DeFrancisci, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Leonard J. DeFrancisci, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
