Vero Beach, Florida is a family vacation destination located along the Atlantic coast (between Jacksonville and Miami) along what is known as the Treasure Coast.
If you love golf, fishing, water sports, peaceful beaches, warm weather and a small-town feel, then Vero Beach makes for the perfect family getaway. It’s home to the Historic Dodgertown, a multi-sport destination facility and former spring training complex for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Vero Beach is also a popular turtle breeding ground for loggerhead and other sea turtles. Hop along for our top tips for visiting Vero Beach with kids so you can make a splash at this beachside town.
Top Tips for Visiting Vero Beach with Kids
Transportation While Visiting Vero Beach with Kids
If you are flying to Florida, there are several airports you can use, depending on your departure city and airline. The largest airport near Vero Beach with flights coming in from all over the world is Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is 99 miles away. There are also a few smaller airports closer to Vero Beach, but they may have more limited choices. Vero Beach has a small regional airport that has a few flights from select cities on Elite Airways. The next largest (but also limited) airport is Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB), which is 43 miles away. Palm Beach International airport is 77 miles away and services more airlines than MLB.
Ground Transportation at Vero Beach
Chances are you’ll be renting a car and driving to Vero Beach if you are flying into Orlando International Airport or one of the other airports. Hoppin' news: Did you know you can save on a car rental with Undercover Tourist? As a smaller city, Vero Beach is easiest to get around by car.
You’ll want to acquaint yourself with the car seat laws in the region. Florida car seat laws cover private cars and taxi cabs:
- Children 5 years old or younger must be secured in a federally-approved child restraint system.
- Babies under 1 year old and under 20 pounds must use a rear-facing car seat.
- Children 1 year old and up to 4 years old and 40 pounds must use a separate car seat or the vehicle’s built-in child seat in the back of the car.
- Children 4 years old and over 40 pounds old can switch to a booster seat in the back of the car.
- Kids must use a booster until they are 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
- All kids should remain in the back seat until they turn 13.
Weather in Vero Beach
Vero Beach is known for warm temperatures, which feel so inviting during the winter and early spring months for families visiting from the frozen north. The average temperatures are in the 70s November through March, and in the 80s April through November, although temperatures can reach the 80s any month of the year. (The lows range from the low-50s to the mid-70s depending on the season.) During the hottest months of June through September, you are likely to see the temperatures reaching the 90s.
The summer months also happen to be the rainiest. Vero Beach receives about 56 inches of rain per year, with the rainiest months being June through September. The month of December and the springtime tend to be the drier times of the year. February, March and July are the most popular months to visit. Hurricane season runs from June through November.
Packing for Vero Beach Based on the Weather
Vero Beach is a popular destination for “snowbirds” visiting from colder climates in the winter, and for families traveling during school breaks. When visiting Vero Beach, bring plenty of sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. Keep in mind that you might find insect repellent helpful during some seasons. An umbrella or rain poncho may also come in handy, especially during the rainier months. Pack your summer clothing — flip flops, shorts and T-shirts. If visiting in winter, check the weather forecast and bring some warmer clothes for cooler nights. Be sure to stay hydrated by carrying water with you wherever you go in Vero Beach.
Fun Activities When Visiting Vero Beach with Kids
Hit the Vero Beach Beaches
“Beach” is literally in the name of the place! No doubt you plan to relax with your toes in the sand and get the chance to swim in the warm Atlantic water during your visit. Luckily, you can find several family-friendly beaches to enjoy. Hop over to South Beach Park to get away from it all and take a nice walk on the beach. You can rent chairs and umbrellas there. Lifeguards are on duty, giving a little peace of mind to parents. Jaycee Beach is another family favorite, with a boardwalk, playground, lifeguard and a nearby ice cream shop — because the beach, sunshine and ice cream just go together.
If you are not from the area, definitely jump at the opportunity to meet some manatees. Check out the peaceful lagoon at Round Island Beach Park. You can observe the manatees by boat, kayak or the bridge, and you might spot some dolphins, as well. The beach side has good shell hunting.
Go Wild
There are several ways to observe and learn about the unique animals who live in Vero Beach. Hop by the Manatee Observation and Education Center in Fort Pierce to learn about wildlife in the area.
The Environmental Learning Center is located on an island sanctuary. It is home to many fish, birds, and other animals you can meet up close in the touch tank or go observe in nature via an eco-excursion by pontoon, wagon ride or canoe. Sea turtle season runs from March through October. If you are interested in taking a free turtle walk in June or July, be sure to sign up with the Friends of Sebastian Inlet State Park starting May 1. Tours are limited and do sell out.
The McKee Botanical Garden is a tropical hideaway with a collection of waterlilies (ribbit, ribbit!) and orchids. It has an 18-acre children’s garden (opening 2019) that welcomes tadpoles to the jungle with a fairy house, jungle gym and monkey bridge. It’s the perfect place for active little frogs to hop, skip and jump about.
If you are a family who likes to play hard, you can rent bikes, kayaks and paddleboards to explore Vero Beach by land or by water. Animal-lovers can combine activities with eco tours. Also, airboat tours are a fun way to explore natural areas that are otherwise hard to reach.
Explore Museums
It’s great to have some indoor, rainy-day activities lined up in case the skies open up. That's why you should look into local museums. The Treasure Coast was named for its rich history as an outpost for the Spanish Empire in the 1700s. A hurricane destroyed a fleet carrying gold and silver to Spain off of the coast of present-day Vero Beach, losing its treasures to the sea and survivors to the shore. If this history excites you, it may be worth a trip to the McLarty Treasure Museum with coins, tools, weapons and stories salvaged from the wrecks.
The Vero Beach Museum of Art has something for all ages, including an Art Zone for families. The multi-sensory space allows for hands-on interaction and creativity.
Kid-Friendly Vero Beach Hotels
One of our top tips for visiting Vero Beach with kids is to stay at a tadpole-friendly hotel. Get a taste of Disney without leaving the coast at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, which is about two hours southeast of Walt Disney World. This resort shares the shoreline with loggerhead sea turtle nesting grounds and is located just north of Vero Beach in a residential area.
The resort has kid-friendly pools and the Disney Discovery Club, where kids ages 4 to 12 can have supervised fun for three hours in the evenings (for a fee). Additionally, there are teen programs for older kids. The tadpoles will enjoy doing crafts, watching movies, playing games, doing sports activities and eating dinner. Parents can unwind at the on-site spa. Rent boogie boards, take surf lessons or enjoy water craft activities at the beach.
Some other kid-friendly hotels in Vero Beach include the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. We love its beachfront location and family-friendly environment, which includes pool toys, floats and games such as inflatable bowling and cornhole. But, If you are looking for more affordable options for larger families, you might consider the Comfort Suites and Country Inn & Suites, which offers free breakfast, refrigerators, pools and rooms that can accommodate over five people at budget-friendly prices, leaving more money for ice cream.
Do you have tips for visiting Vero Beach with kids? Please share them in the comments section below. Did you know that Undercover Tourist is hopping into family-friendly cities, including Vero Beach and Miami? Be sure to check out our discount tickets, hotels and rental car reservations. And keep hopping back because we are adding more products weekly!
Related: The Frog Family's Favorite Things To Do in Vero Beach
Hoppy planning!
