Melbourne Beach is a town in Brevard County, Florida, that offers interesting activities for its residents and visitors alike. You can learn about the town of Melbourne Beach through its many historical sites that date back to the late 1800s but you can also learn about art through collections in museums. If you prefer outdoor activities, you can spend a day in a state park or explore a wildlife refuge.
The Brevard Art Museum is a five-gallery, fine arts museum and the only one of its kind in the county of Brevard. The museum has a permanent collection of artwork that showcases historical art movements and interests. Although the museum has rotating exhibits, the primary focus of the museum is on women artists and the main collections include modern and contemporary art, the Conill Mendoza collection of American industrial design, Asian art, cultural education collection and women artists. The museum also has an auditorium for lectures, demonstrations, meetings and performances and classrooms where art lessons from painting to pottery and photography are offered.
An admission fee is charged for adults, seniors, children and students with IDs. There is no admission fee on Thursdays and museum members can enter for free. Brevard Art Museum is closed on Mondays.
Brevard Art Museum
463 Highland Ave.
Melbourne, FL 32935
321-242-0737
brevardartmuseum.org
Sebastian Inlet State Park offers outdoor enthusiasts a host of activities. It is a premier saltwater fishing spot on Florida's east coast. Additionally, surf competitions are held here each year. The park is home to two museums where you can learn about the history of the area. Facilities include a boat ramp, a playground, a camping facility, a concession and restaurant, a picnic pavilion and restrooms and showers. Activities in the three-mile long beach include boating, canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and swimming. You can also hike or bike on a nature trail or enjoy wildlife viewing.
An flat admission fee is charged per vehicle of two to eight people. A single-occupant vehicle, pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers over eight are also charged a small fee.
Sebastian Inlet State Park
9700 S. State Road A1A
Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951
321-984-4852
floridastateparks.org/SebastianInlet
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is located along the east central coast of Florida and is about 30 minutes from Melbourne Beach. Pelican Island became the first federal bird reservation in 1903 and is considered America's first wildlife refuge. View over 30 species of birds, including endangered and threatened species, that use the island as a rookery, roost, feeding ground or loafing area. At the refuge, other activities include hiking, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, shellfish harvesting, wildlife observation and photography. The refuge is open daily from 7:30am until sunset.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex
1339 20th St.
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
772-562-3909
fws.gov/pelicanisland
