Vero Beach Family Vacation

Oh Vero Beach!  I actually grew up in Vero, so it seemed that was just the way life was.  Small, safe – everyone knows one another, a tab at the corner ice cream shop Cravings, great public spaces, and a beautiful beach.  Not until raising kids of my own can I really appreciate this sweet community for all that it is.

We decided to make a long weekend out of a wedding in town.  While it started out a little rocky with our intended hotel not having the adjoining rooms for us (We have rooms across the property for you and your three small children, ummm… no thanks) our crew ended up at the Holiday Inn.  To be honest, we were a little bummed but gosh it turned out to be perfect.  The rooms were just what we needed and bonus a fabulous ocean view!  Right in the heart of the walkable beach town area between the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa,  the Costa D’Este and Driftwood.

Saturday morning we made a pit stop at the Humiston Park Green Market (Saturdays 8-noon) for a little shimmy to the live music and pick up some fresh muffins (Keto ones too!) Then of course Humiston Park, I dont even think they let you leave Vero without a visit to this special ocean front playground.

Casp Baby (just off Ocean Dr with sizes up to kids 12) got us stocked for fall.  Their maternity selection is pretty impressive for a relatively small shop!  (If you get time to shop without the kids Twig and Sassy have great finds for Mommy!)

Grabbed lunch for the kids from Casey’s which is always THE BEST.  Swung by Chelsea’s on Cardinal to pick up an order for the bridal party and lots of other organic goodness I didn’t need but had to have.  Fresh juices, organic salad bar, gifts, prepared foods, soups….  yum!

The wedding was at Cielo Blu Barn in Fellsmere.  I have to admit, my first reaction to an outdoor October wedding was mehhhh.  BUT, it was stunning and there was actually a nice breeze.  If we didn’t have the wedding dinner at Ocean Grill is a must.

Sundays in this sweet small town still have many places closed or opening later.  Great for a breakfast at Lemon Tree(sit down breakfast), Cravings(grab and go bakery), or the beautiful Costa d’Este, a hotel by Gloria Esteban.

Lucky for us – Riverside Park always has something great happening and this was Autumn in the Park, with vendors only selling items they made them selves, no reselling.  It was a thrill to come across “Fairy Tales on Parade by Judy.”  Handmade children’s clothing with character embroidered onto the items.  We have some from over five years ago that have been well loved and held up in the wash.

A much too quick stop at Countryside Citrus with their corn maze, hayride, pumpkins and more.  They are open Saturdays and Sundays 10-5 through November 4th.  Grab an order from – their holiday baskets make great teacher gifts.

There are so many great signature events in Vero!  Festival of Trees is November 17 and 18th, Holiday Nights offer free outdoor concerts each weekend in December.  December is also when Countryside Citrus typically opens up their you-pick strawberry patches.  McKee Botanical Gardens Dec 28-30th does Nights of Lights which is always a special way to spend an evening.  April 27th 2019 is the annual Kids Art Festival in the same special setting as Autumn in the Park.

We broke up the drive home with a stop in  at McKee Botanical Gardens in Vero.  They are open Tuesday – Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12 – 5 and closed Mondays.  (McKee Gardens are stroller friendly.  Bathroom with diaper changing area.  Free parking.)  If you are hungry -Garden Cafe is delightful to dine indoors or out.  Their annual Fairy & Pirate Festival is generally in April and absolutely worth the drive.  Enjoy a wonderland of treasure hunts, building fairy houses, face painting and more.  Themed costumes are encouraged!  They have a Childrens Gardens expected to open later this year, we are looking forward to exploring it.  (If you get to the new garden before we do please let us know what you think.)

If you plan a visit to Vero here are a few more things to consider adding to your itinerary:
A beach day!
Manatee Education Center
BigShots indoor golf entertainment
Vero Bowl – great for a rainy day
Vero Beach Museum of Art
Environmental Learning Center

Next time we will take more than two days.   More unplugged slow pace with days well spent in the salty air please.