How To Spend A Weekend Getaway In Melbourne, Florida

When you need a quick, quiet getaway for the weekend, look no further and head to Melbourne, Florida. This town is known for its laid-back vibes, not being too far away from some of Central Florida’s hit locations like Orlando and Cape Canaveral. If you’re looking to plan a weekend there, we’ve got you covered:

Day 1: Friday Evening

1. Arrival

Arrive in Melbourne and check into your accommodation at your local hotel, motel, or Airbnb. Across the Space Coast and beach coastline, there are numerous places to stay that can fit almost anyone’s needs (sorry, there are no mountaintops here in Florida). Keep an eye out for off-season discounts, too, in different locations. 

2. Dinner at Downtown Melbourne

Explore the charming downtown area. Plenty of restaurants offer diverse cuisines, live music, and even activities on the sidewalks and parks. Some popular choices include The Mansion, Meg O’Malley’s, Matt’s Casbah, and El Ambia Cubano.

3. Evening Stroll at Melbourne Beach

Head to Melbourne Beach for a relaxing evening stroll along the coastline. Enjoy the ocean breeze and maybe catch a beautiful sunset. Depending on the time of year, please keep an eye out for safety postings such as rip current watches, seaweed/kelp washes, jellyfish warnings, and even shark notices. 

Day 2: Saturday

1. Breakfast at a Local Café

Start your day with breakfast at a local cafe. There are tons to check out along the Space Coast, and some vacation rental options offer local cafe partnership discounts for being nearby. An option could be The Sun Shoppe Cafe or Backwater, depending on which side of town you’re on.

2. Brevard Zoo

Spend the morning exploring Brevard Zoo, it can be as short as an hour walk, or up to four hours for a complete tour with interactive exhibits in each section, not to mention a lunch break. It’s a unique zoo with various exhibits, opportunities for animal encounters, and fantastic learning opportunities showcasing some animals they’ve helped rehabilitate and populate to reinstate in the wild.

3. Lunch at Squid Lips Overwater Grill

If you don’t spend the afternoon snacking at the zoo, head over to Squid Lips Overwater Grill for lunch. It offers a great seafood and American menu with a scenic view. Keep an eye out for dolphins while you’re on the waterline; they can make some really neat appearances.

4. Afternoon Relaxation at Cocoa Beach

Drive to nearby Cocoa Beach for an afternoon of sun and relaxation. You can swim, sunbathe, or even try some water sports. If you’re a National Parks member, stray a little further to check out the Canaveral National Seashore for a little more adventure.

5. Dinner at Grills Riverside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar

Enjoy dinner at Grills Riverside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar, known for its seafood and laid-back atmosphere. Grills offers some fun happy hour food, tasty vegetarian dishes, and some great seasonal cocktails for friends to meet up and try any time of year.

Day 3: Sunday

1. Morning at Eau Gallie Arts District

Spend your morning exploring the Eau Gallie Arts District. Check out the galleries, shops, and murals in this creative community. There are some interactive art spots where you can paint, puzzle, and pottery with your friends and family for some artsy memories to take home.

2. Brunch at Ossorio Bakery & Cafe

Have brunch at Ossorio Bakery & Cafe, known for its delicious pastries and cozy atmosphere. Locals love the service and the overall scene at and near Ossorio’s, so it’s totally worth stopping by.

3. Viera Avenue Shoppes or Melbourne Square Mall

If you’re interested in shopping, head up near the zoo to Viera Avenue shops, where there’s something for everyone. Alternatively, if you’d rather stick to downtown for the day, visit the Melbourne Square Mall for some retail therapy.

4. Afternoon at Wickham Park

Relax in the afternoon at Wickham Park. It’s a large park with walking trails, a lake, and various recreational activities. Keep an eye on social media to check for any events, markets, craft fairs, concerts, movies, ren faires, and so much more that regularly happen at Wickham Park. There is a nice dog park on the side of Wickham Park if you bring your pets with you.

Also, a heads-up that you didn’t hear from me… the squirrels here are a bit friendly as some locals feed them peanuts during their walks from time to time. 

5. Farewell Dinner at Djon’s Steak & Lobster House

Djon’s Steak & Lobster House is known for its upscale atmosphere and a diverse menu featuring high-quality steaks and seafood. It offers a sophisticated dining experience with a range of options for different tastes.

Remember to check for local events, beach, and weather warnings, or seasonal festivals during your visit to add some extra flair to your weekend getaway. Enjoy your trip to Melbourne, FL!

Featured image via Leonard J. DeFrancisci, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons