Vero Beach

Welcome to Vero Beach

The best of the best is found in Vero Beach. Situated along Florida’s tranquil Atlantic Coast in Indian River County, this elegant city, incorporated in 1925, is a plush sanctuary and gold mine for golf, water sports, and fishing. An integral part of the Treasure Coast region, Vero Beach has been coined the “Hamptons of Florida” by neighboring cities and visitors alike due to its luxurious waterways, picturesque ocean views, meandering Oak trees, and profusion of cultural wealth.

A seaside play palace called home by more retired Fortune 500 CEOs than anywhere else in the world, Vero Beach is a Riviera of elite beach resorts and spas in juxtaposition with natural parks and balmy tropical gardens. But what makes Vero Beach especially unique among other beach towns in Florida is its premier real estate market. Sweeping mansions directly on the ocean and estate-style manors resting on members-only golf courses are in ab

undance. And with prestigious private and public schools situated in the area, vacation goers and young families can turn a long weekend stay into a permanent residence.

Master’s Academy (pre-k through 12th grade), Beachland Elementary School, Osceola Magnet School (ranked #1 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Indian River County), Liberty Magnet School, Rosewood Magnet School, Sebastian Charter Junior High School, Vero Beach High School, Indian River Charter High School and Saint Edwards School are just some of the award-winning grammar and preparatory schools located in Vero Beach.

A barrier island located across from Indian River Lagoon Preserve State Park, defined by three areas including North Beach, Central Beach, and South Beach, watches over the greatest biologically diverse estuary in North America. Designated an “Outstanding Florida Water and an Estuary of National Significance,” this 500-acre-plus land, carpeted with natural communities and ecosystems, was first developed to grow pineapples in the 1880s. Today, it is home to some of Florida’s best fishing, sailing, and yachting, and provides one of the most diverse natural backdrops to enjoy watersports, hiking, and a plethora of other outdoor activities.

The Indian River Lagoon marks a piece of history that puts Vero Beach at the top of the list of most coveted cities in America. Brimming with stunning golden sand beaches and evergreen parks, Vero Beach is the ideal neighborhood to form life-long memories and the perfect place to build a family. Public beaches exude the feel of more secluded private beaches, with South Beach Park, Jaycee Beach, Treasure Shores, and Ambersand Beach being the local favorites. Most popular amongst surfers are Wabasso Beach and Tracking Station Beach.

Also located in Vero Beach is the spectacular 80-acre McKee Botanical Garden. Originally opened in 1932 as McKee Jungle Garden by land developers Arthur G. McKee and Waldo E. Sexton. Landscape designer William Lyman Phillips filled the prolific park with streams, ponds, and trails styled with pastel waterlilies and orchids. By the 1940s, this balmy tropical park was deemed one of Florida’s earliest and most popular natural attractions.

An exotic modern marvel that remains true to its origin as a jungle, McKee Botanical Garden features 10,000 native and tropical plants, a robust collection of waterlilies, and the first bamboo structure in the United States. McKee Botanical Garden is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and endorsed by The Garden Conservancy as a project of national significance. McKee Botanical Garden is the ultimate child-friendly adventure. Named one of "22 Secret Gardens – Soothing Places of Surprise and Sanctuary in the U.S. and Canada" by The New York Times, there is no better place to plan an afternoon weekend outing, birthday party, or educational activity.

For those looking to explore wildlife, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is the quintessential venue to visit and observe pelicans, birds, fish, sea turtles, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, West Indian manatees, bobcats, river otters, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Located on an island in the Indian River Lagoon, this small stretch of land is one of the world’s most important ecological footprints, spanning 5,400-plus acres of protected waters and lands. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is the country’s first national wildlife refuge, also serving as the ambassador for the development of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

A luxurious network of laid-back indoor and outdoor shopping malls is positioned throughout Vero Beach. Main Street Vero Beach, known to veteran locals as the city’s Downtown Historic Vero Beach, is a newly remodeled area packed with hidden gems and new-concept outposts. Locally curated boutiques with beautiful finds and one-of-a-kind souvenirs include Seahorse Lane Boutique, Carmine & Lucia’s Fine Olive Oils and Balsamics, Market Vero Beach, Threads Boutique, Hazel House, Decorative Arts, and Gallery 14.

Restaurants with passionate cuisines can be found intertwined throughout Main Street, such as Taco Dive, Baci Trattoria, Barefoot Café, Tea and Chi, American Icon Brewery, Kata, Southern Social, Rio Coco Café, Fishack, and Kilted Mermaid. Additional open-air shopping centers and traditional malls include Vero Beach Fashion Outlets and Indian River Mall. Closest to the heart are the fine boutiques and award-winning restaurants overlooking the beach on Ocean Drive. Fine shops filled with chic one-of-a-kind pieces and designer labels include Kemps Shoe Salon and Boutique, Sassy Boutique, Veranda, Treasure Lane Boutique, The Lazy Daisy Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, Twig Swim & Sportswear, Seaside Jewelry and Gallery, Ocean Drive Jewelers, Katwalk Boutique, and Laughing Dog Gallery.

Critically acclaimed restaurants offering fresh caught bounty daily, locally sourced ingredients and sumptuously inventive recipes include Ocean Grill, The Tides, Red Onion Eatery, Polo Grill, Orchid Island Brewery, Bobby’s Restaurant & Lounge, Grind and Grape, Countryside Citrus & El Sid Taueria, Waldos, Citrus Grillhouse, and Cobalt Restaurant and Lounge.

Vero Beach also offers world-class art and entertainment. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is the largest cultural arts facility in the region and is revered by both visitors and residents. Adjacent to Riverside Park on the east bank of the Indian River Lagoon, this cultural gem hosts finely curated world-renowned art exhibitions, along with seminars and classes hosted by internationally recognized artists, architects, musicians, actors, and designers.

With nearly 300 performances on three stages each year, Riverside Theatre is the region’s only professional, not-for-profit theatre. It attracts over 100,000 patrons annually and includes one of Florida’s only free-standing buildings dedicated to children's theatre. Professional actors, designers, and directors from around the country perform at the Theatre for up to four weeks, using sets, props, and costumes built on-site.