Melbourne: A Well-Located Floridian Destination with Great Weather
Founded in 1867 by former slaves, Melbourne is a city in Florida that’s a perpetually popular tourist destination. Visitors appreciate Melbourne because it’s known for beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and excellent weather. In fact, the average yearly temperature is 22 degrees, and 300 days out of the year have sunshine. Although there are many things to do within the city itself, some visitors also take road trips from their hotels and visit other destinations in Florida, such as Cape Canaveral’s Kennedy Space Center, and Walt Disney World, which are about 60 and 90 minutes away by car, respectively.
Enrich Your Trip with Fine and Performing Arts
Make your trip to Melbourne more memorable by booking tickets for a performance at The King Center for the Performing Arts. It is a six-storey, 100-square-foot facility that includes a main auditorium, which holds over 2,000 people, plus an art gallery in the lobby that showcases new exhibits every month. There are also outdoor spaces that are sometimes used for special events. While at this venue, guests can hear performances from the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, the only professional group of its kind in the area, see ballet performances or experience performances from internationally known touring recording artists. Otherwise, you might wish to marvel at beautiful examples of fine art by visiting the Foosaner Art Museum, located on the campus of the Florida Institute of Technology and within the appealing Eau Gallie district, with its boutique shops, hotels and historic homes. Examples of the facility’s art are various and not restricted to certain genres. Past exhibitions have focused on Japanese art and pop art, along with landscape paintings.
Melbourne for History Enthusiasts
The Liberty Bell is an integral part of American culture usually associated with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rather than Melbourne, Florida. However, by going to the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum, you can see a replica of the famous bell, plus learn more about Melbourne’s origins. The recreated version of the Liberty Bell weighs about a tonne and was cast by London, England’s Whitechapel Bell Foundry, the same organisation responsible for forming the original piece. Many visitors also go to Freedom Hall, which is on the grounds. Dedicated to individuals who have served in the armed forces, it also has rotating exhibits about notable people from Melbourne. Furthermore, travellers interested in history also plan visits to Rossetter House. Originally occupied by John Houston in 1859, this charming Victorian residence offers a look at what life used to be like for some of Melbourne’s inhabitants. Many guests travel to this point of interest from their hotels and make the most of their time by taking tours led by knowledgeable guides.
Spend Time in the Downtown District of Melbourne
If you’ve only recently arrived at your hotel and are looking for a solid introduction to what the area has to offer, consider going to the downtown district. This part of Melbourne dates back to the 1800s, but offers many attractions that appeal to modern tastes. If you’re in the area during the second Friday of a month, go to Friday Fest, a free, family-oriented downtown event that happens from 6 to 10 p.m. and features live music, food and a play area for kids. Also, take your time browsing through what’s available from the enticing retail outlets. Many of the establishments are independent and exclusive to this area of Florida, so by purchasing things, you can feel you’re doing your part to support the local economy. From quaint cafés to engaging art galleries and beautiful performance venues, the downtown region offers fun ways to spend several hours, or even several days, depending on if patrons decide to book rooms in one of the surrounding hotels.
Marvel at Nature Within the Indian River Lagoon Region
Melbourne is home to a group of three lagoons collectively referred to as the Indian River Lagoon. It’s significant because over 3,000 plants and animals live within it, and the area is notably the most biodiverse lagoon in the Northern Hemisphere. You can make your trip to this part of Florida hard to forget by exploring the lagoon through a guided tour. These excursions depart from Melbourne, and tend to leave from central points that are within easy reach of the city’s hotels. While on a tour, you may see dolphins, manatees and pelicans, among other cool creatures Alternatively, make your way to the Melbourne Beach Pier to head out in the water in another way. Whether you go sailing, fishing or surfing, those are just a few of the many ways to see the lagoon in a memorable manner and give yourself a good chance to glimpse wildlife that inhabit the area. Make sure to bring your camera and prepare to take snapshots of your experiences.