A Weekend Getaway in Melbourne and the Beaches

Getting to Melbourne

Signs to the Space Coast all point to Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral, but if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, full of history, and natural wonders, keep heading south on I-95 and exit at  Melbourne and the Beaches. 

Melbourne Orlando International Airport

You can actually fly right into Melbourne when you book flights to Melbourne Orlando International Airport. Many major airlines such as Delta, American, Allegiant, and Elite Airlines offer direct flights to paradise. This small airport is located near the action of Downtown Melbourne and is the perfect place to step off a plane and into a Space Coast vacation!

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192 - One Incredible Motorcycle Ride From Orlando 

Highway 192 is a favored highway for motorcyclists. This straight, toll-free highway is a perfectly scenic way to get to the Space Coast from Orlando. If you take it all the way to the Atlantic, you’ll end up in one of Melbourne’s most beautiful beach communities, Indialantic. 

Staying in Melbourne and the Beaches

There are so many hotels, bed and breakfast, and vacation rental options in Melbourne and the Beaches. From beachside cottages, oceanfront rooms, or trendy Downtown digs at Hotel Melby, finding your perfect accommodations is half of the fun. 

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Dining in Melbourne

You don’t have to look far for great food in Melbourne. Start your day right with these breakfast stops! 

Breakfast in Melbourne 

• Backwater | Downtown Melbourne 
• Oh Biscuit | Eau Gallie Arts District 
• The Roots Restaurant Tavern | Downtown Melbourne 
• Love Bugs Bakery | West Melbourne 
• Frigates | Eau Gallie Arts District 
• Keke’s Breakfast | Melbourne 
• Grills Riverside | Melbourne 

Breakfast in Melbourne’s Beaches 

• Sun on the Beach | Satellite Beach
• Banana River Cafe | Satellite Beach
• Morning Glory Eatery | Satellite Beach
• Too Cool Cafe | Indian Harbour Beach
• Beachside Cafe | Indialantic 
• The Blueberry Muffin | Indialantic 
• Sunnyside Cafe | Melbourne Beach

Lunch Dinner and all the Rest 

There are so many places to dine in Melbourne that we created a whole guide for it. Check out some incredible local spots for everything from fresh Seafood, Latin fusion, and more in our Melbourne Dining Guide. 

See the Melbourne Dining Guide

Entertainment in Melbourne 

Catch a show or two while you're in Melbourne. Local troupes, national acts, and Broadway shows delight audiences nearly every night of the week here on the Space Coast 

• The King Center 
• The Henegar Center
• Melbourne Civic Theater 

Brevard Zoo 

Only here will you find a zoo that lets you kayak through the giraffe enclosure, walk on a treetop obstacle course amongst spider monkeys, and zipline over alligators. The Brevard Zoo is consistently rated one of the best zoos in the United States year after year, and one step through the gates you’ll see why. This accessible zoo intertwines immersive exhibits with easy to traverse trails that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy the whole day. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuits either. Kids can cool off in the Splash Lagoon once they’ve finished visiting the animals. You will also learn all about the importance of conservation and preservation of native habitats and species in the Paws On section!  

Eau Gallie Arts District

No trip to Melbourne and the Beaches on the Space Coast is complete without a stop in the Eau Gallie Arts District. This historic part of town is where it all started. Visit The Rossetter House Museum to learn about the man who first settled here and his daughters who shaped the growth of the Space Coast long before it was called that. Check out the numerous galleries, co/ops and shops, then stop by Intracoastal Brewing Company to experience an extensive menu of ever-rotating beers you’ll be coming back for. Then head to the rooftop of Pineapples or the beach at Squidlips for live music, fresh seafood, and the Florida ambiance you came here for. This area is highly walkable and perfect for active travelers who love to see something new. 

Downtown Melbourne 

Downtown Melbourne is one of the Space Coast’s most lively districts. You can spend all day, from breakfast to dinner and aperitifs, enjoying this rich downtown area. Unique shops, local restaurants, and extraordinary displays of public art are around every corner. Sample authentic Cuban food at El Ambia Cubano after a SUP session in Crane Creek. Take a break from souvenir shopping with a freshly brewed Space Coast beer at Hell’n’Blazes Brewing company. Top the night off with dinner at The Landing rooftop bar at Hotel Melby for incredible views of the Indian River Lagoon and a photo op with a masterpiece by local artist Christopher Maslow.

 Maslow Mural Tour

Play in the Water 

In Melbourne and the Beaches you’ll get your pick of Lagoon or the Ocean! Local boat rental operations located in the Harbor City can help you experience the Indian River Lagoon like a local. Surf shops in Satellite Beach and Melbourne Beach can get you hooked up with a surfboard, sup, or kayak to take to the waves. 

• 321 Boat Rental 
• Adventure Paddleboarding 
• Rigg’s Outpost 

Parks to Check Out

Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge

The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most significant Sea Turtle nesting habitats in the world. Located on Melbourne Beach, you’ll be able to stop at the Barrier Island Sanctuary to learn about this important ecosystem and its yearly visitors along with all the other fun facts about this conservation area. During Sea Turtle Season (May - October) you’ll see tons of turtle nests and tracks, and if you’re lucky you may just see one for yourself. 

Learn more about seeing sea turtles on the Space Coast 

Canova Beach Park 

One of the Space Coast’s dog beaches is not to be missed if you’re traveling with your furry friend. Conveniently located at the end of the Eau Gallie Causeway, it’s equipped with accessible crossovers and showers for both dogs and their human companions. 

Satellite Beach Skate Park 

Erna Nixon Park 

This boardwalk hike brings you through several distinct Florida ecosystems. It’s a wonderful hike for kids and families looking to get out of the car for a bit during your stop in Melbourne. 

Suntree Rotary Park

For a calm afternoon of playing on the sandy beaches of the Indian River Lagoon, or searching for horseshoe crabs in the water, suntree Rotary Park is a quaint, secluded getaway in Melbourne. A perfect stop for little kids who may be a little too nervous to dip a toe into the ocean.  

Wickham Park 

Wickham Park has a little bit of everything for just about everyone. RV campsites, walking and biking trails, amphitheaters, disc golf course, a dog park, and a playground are great for a weekend stay or just a few hours to let the pup out of the car. Here you’ll get to participate in local events and see native wildlife like Gopher Tortoises and migratory birds too! 

Melbourne’s Beaches 

Melbourne’s Beaches are a laid-back slice of paradise. Free parking, picturesque crossovers, and miles of pristine shoreline to stroll, make Melbourne’s Beaches some of the quietest and beautiful in all of Florida. 

Satellite Beach

Indian Harbour Beach

Indialantic 

Melbourne Beach

No matter if you’re spending the day in town or on the beach there’s Space for you in Melbourne and the Beaches on Florida’s Space Coast.