Family Things to Do in Vero Beach, Florida
Published October 2023 | Updated April 2024
If you’re looking for Family things to do in Vero Beach Florida, you’ll find them here!
Vero Beach is a serene beachside town with breathtaking landscaping.
Roads are decorated with lush, oak trees. Ocean Drive is a beautiful road to stroll and see all of the restaurants, shops, and hotels.
From fine dining to casual and hipster, there is so much to explore. Shopping is not limited, from upscale home goods, to boutique clothing.
Here are some things that I’ve deemed family-friendly while visiting Vero Beach.
Vero Beaches
Related: Check out this post for a full list of beaches on the treasure Coast
The beaches in Vero are beautiful. First of all, I recommend going to the boardwalk, which is a nice stroll from north to south (about 0.37 miles one way.)
It’s really peaceful!
You can’t go wrong with any of the beaches in Vero, but South Beach Park is one of my favorties. You’ll enjoy wide-open field of white sand, turquoise water, restrooms, paved parking, ADA access, shaded picnic areas and nearby dining along Ocean Avenue.
Lifeguards are usually on duty. Shark Bait Beach Gear Rentals offer fantastic seating and shade during season.
Also, the beach across from our hotel where we had a “stayctation” was pretty awesome!
Photo by local mom Olivia Coogan
Our favorite beach up this way is the Sebastian Inlet State Park. It costs $8.00 per vehicle but it is well-worth the calmness, shallow water, less people, and accessible bathrooms. This is really a family-friendly beach!
Royal Palm Pointe Fountains
This is a very nice splash pad with beautiful views! Check out my full list of Splash Pads on the Treasure Coast
Attractions in Vero Beach
Environmental Learning Center
This is one of our favorite educational centers on the Treasure Coast. The learning center is filled with interactive exhibits, a touch tank, and activities for the kiddos to do. Then, you have a wonderful board-walk trail and unpaved trail.
The board-walk trail is mostly covered with shade from the mangrove trees, and it has railing on both sides to keep littles on the trail.
McKee Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens is a must-do with kids in Vero Beach. They will love the children’s garden, which features a ship-wreck that you can crawl up and slide down. There is also a splash pad, and other play structures. The gardens are beautiful and enjoyable for the entire family.
The Vero Beach Museum of Art
Pictured above is the kids Art Zone at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. This is an interactive play space for kids to be creative. Our toddler loved it and it was a nice way to beat the heat. Afterwards, we strolled the museum’s exhibits.
The museum itself has a lot of interesting pieces and themed showcases that are ever-changing. Admission is free on certain days and with a Bank of America Card.
We ended up buying this 6-ft long dinosaur coloring book for my Dino-loving toddler at their gift shop. It folds up into a normal-size coloring book but is meant to stretch out as a table runner. Love it!
The Citrus Museum
The Citrus Museum is on the national register of historic places. It’s rich in history, and showcases artifacts and exhibits that makeup the history of Vero Beach. It is also across the street from a great coffee shop, Rio Coco Cafe; and it is next to a playground.
Barrier Island Sanctuary
Barrier Island Sanctuary is right on the northern part of Sebastian and southern part of Melbourne Beach. This is worth the 20 minute drive north of Vero to see the learning activities, trail, and views of the beach.
This board-walk went on pretty far with the views of the trees touching like that. It was gorgeous!
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
Breakfast with the characters is back as of April 2024! You can make a reservation on Open Table, and enjoy the morning without needing to be a guest at the hotel.
Breakfast with the characters is on Saturdays!
This Disney resort has other desirable amenities and an awesome resort-pool.
Playgrounds in Vero Beach
Related Post: I have a guide of the best playgrounds on the Treasure Coast. My favorite playgrounds have shade and are fenced in-bonus If there is no mulch!
This wouldn’t be a post about family things to do in Vero Beach Florida, If I didn’t mention playgrounds!
If you need to let the kids get their energy out-a playground may be the perfect idea. I like Pocahontas Park because it’s shaded and fenced in. It’s also right next to one of my favorite coffee shops- Rio Coco Cafe.
We love grabbing a coffee and breakfast sandwich before heading over to play.
I think they are renovating this park soon- and I hope they can find some shelters for the unsheltered people we have seen hanging around this area.
Buggy Bunch- Indoor Play Space
the Buggy Bunch is an adorable play space in Vero Beach that is perfect for toddlers. There is an outside playground, indoor play space with a climbing structure, sensory games, activities, crafts and events. You can’t miss the bright pink building! This little community is a great one to visit!
or, see this post for more play spaces! Indoor play spaces on the Treasure Coast
Farmers Market in Vero Beach
Related post: Check out my guide on Farmer’s Markets on the Treasure Coast. Know when they are, and where!
The Ocean-side farmers market is a fun, family activity in Vero Beach, Florida and was one of the top-rated in the nation.
Countryside Citrus Farm
If you can make time for this farm, there’s so many reasons to visit it! They make the creamiest dreamsicle ice-cream cone ever! There aren’t any animlals on this farm, but there’s tons of interactive games and activities! Also, this is a U-Pick farm! Pick your own strawberries, or flowers depending on the season. check out my full list of Animal farms and petting zoos on the Treasure Coast
LaPorte Farms
LaPorte farms in an interactive farm in Sebastian, just north of Vero Beach. It’s so cute and fun for little ones. They have pony rides, a variety of animals, a train ride, a general store, a little art studio, and frequent events-including a beautiful Holiday light display in the winter.
Where to eat in Vero Beach
- Casey’s Place is famous for their sandwiches and burgers! They have been around since 1981 and are still the best on-the-go sandwich shop for miles. This is a casual, order-at-the-window, kinda place. w the best blackened chicken sandwich-ever!
Casey’s Place
- We adored The Lemon Tree for breakfast. The food was great in this diner-style eatery. They also had Mickey Mouse pancakes for our toddler, which distracted him from opening the sugar packets at the table so for that, we are grateful. Going out to eat with kids is always a messy adventure! But at this place, you’ll feel welcomed.
We had an amazing dinner at Trattoria Dario-right across the street from our hotel. This had high-ratings, and we love Italian cuisine.
Well, it was homemade, authentic, and super delicious. We had a cheese spread appetizer. Dinner was chicken picatta and squid-ink spaghetti. Dessert was my all-time favorite, affogato.
Vero Beach Hotel
I love staying at boutique hotels because they’re usually quaint, interesting, and full of history. They are usually so thoughtful in their hospitality too. We spent a night at a local hotel in Vero Beach, and it did held true to all of the above!
You have to book your stay at The Caribbean Court Hotel. You will fall in love with it!
- They have an on-site 5 star restaurant, a piano bar, and a crêperie,
- The pool is so enjoyable, and the beach is across the street.
- Crêpes
Check out my full post on tour stay at the The Caribbean Court Hotel.
I hope you find this post of family things to do in Vero Beach, helpful.
Don’t miss this post on 50 Favorite Things to do on the Treasure Coast with Kids
