Trip to Brevard County- would love some help (Orlando, Melbourne: appointed, spring break)

[DreamingofSunshine]

Hi! I have been reading this board for YEARS. We would eventually like to settle down in that area but not now as the kids are doing well in their schools and we have jobs here in MD. We have driven around and spent some time at the beach (Paradise Beach) when we have been to Orlando.

I am planning a spring break trip to Brevard (will stay someplace on the beach) and am trying to come up with things to do that the family will enjoy. This is what I have so far. Let me know what you think and what I am missing! We are family of 4, girls ages 14 and 12. My 12 year old will get tired of all the nature stuff, she likes to shop. Are there cool shops at the beach or even antique shops?

Kennedy Space Center
Brevard Zoo
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Blackpoint Wildlife Drive
Canaveral National Seahorse
Turkey Creek Sanctuary
Enchanted Forest Sanctuary

Best sushi place?
Best mexican food?

Thank you in advance!

[Gypsy3n8]

Check out Cocoa Village for cool shops and antiques.


https://visitcocoavillage.com/


Although this area is on the mainland, not beachside, it's easy to get to.


Historic downtown Melbourne is similar and also has unique shops and restaurants.


https://downtownmelbourne.com/

[SuiteLiving]

Not sushi but really good seafood with a nice setting on the river (byob).

https://www.facebook.com/ms.applecrabshack/

[Nypafl4u]

Great Sushi at Nippon Thai in Sataliite Beach.
Check out Oboy's Family Ranch in North Merritt Island. You can get up close to many animals to pet and feed them. There is also fishing, horseback riding, and an off road ride that will get you muddy. Fun place.
Obloyfamilyranch.com

For traditional shopping, there is The Avenue Viera mall. That should keep you busy shopping.

[Gypsy3n8]

Best Mexican food, IMO, is Mexico's Grill in Cocoa Beach. We've tried many, many places and this is the best. A close second is Salsa's of Cocoa Beach. We go to Mexico's at least once every time we come to town.

We did not like Rock the Guac, and Epic Burrito was...ok.

[1insider]

Originally Posted by Nypafl4u

Great Sushi at Nippon Thai in Sataliite Beach.

Hate to say this but I tried Nippon Thai and was disappointed. They serve the same generic Thai sushi that every Thai sushi place in Brevard serves. Same selection, same small pieces, same bland fish.

Have you tried Umami at the corner of Wickham and 192? I'm admittedly a sushi snob and it's the only sushi place in Brevard County that I'd feel comfortable recommending. It's the real deal.

[Rabflmom]

Things to do.....

Would the girls enjoy taking a surf lesson? Check out the Cocoa Beach surf schools. Some offer 1 hour lesson for about $50. There usually is a surf contest during spring break(Easter Week) that usually has tandem surfing and dog surfing etc.

take an airboat tour?

Go to Fun Town in Melbourne ? Attractions | Roller Skating, Laser Tag, Bowling & More | Fun Town

While in Cocoa Beach....... Ron Jons Surf Shop https://www.ronjonsurfshop.com/locat...x?LocationId=7

Also check out the surf shop next to Ron Johns next to the parking garage Cocoa Beach Surf Comapany is the name of it, I think.

Also in Cocoa Beach....play some Putt Putt golf? https://lighthousecoveminigolf.com/cocoa-beach/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/golf-n-gator-cape-canaveral

https://www.yelp.com/biz/andretti-thrill-park-melbourne

Maybe check out the Exploration Tower ExplorationTower Home

Best Hispanic food and atmoshere in my opinion is in Titusville El Leoncito. It is Mexican and Cuban Food right on US1 across the river from the VAB, El-Leoncito Titusville - Mexican & Cuban Restaurant

There is another location in the Shops of Viera in Viera but have not tried that location yet. It is in a new building and lacks the charm of the one in Titusville.

The girls would like the Shops in Viera, too. There is also a great pizza place there. Even Melbourne Square Mall seems to be thriving with all storefronts filled with many aimed at teens and young adults.

While in Indialantic/Melbourne might want to eat a lunch at Bazarros https://www.theoriginalbizzarro.com/
NY pizza in a NY atmosphere on the beach

or try Big Island Burrito (small but good food cash only still I think.) Its in Indiatlantic Shopping Center https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...y_Florida.html

another favorite on the beach ..... Cantino Dos Amigos Dos Amigos | Indialantic, FL

[Gypsy3n8]

Be sure to check out Groupon for deals. There are several for different companies that give surfing lessons.

[DreamingofSunshine]

Great ideas! Keep them coming!

Any thoughts to these? Any favorites?

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Blackpoint Wildlife Drive
Canaveral National Seahorse
Turkey Creek Sanctuary
Enchanted Forest Sanctuary

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by DreamingofSunshine

Great ideas! Keep them coming!

Any thoughts to these? Any favorites?

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Blackpoint Wildlife Drive
Canaveral National Seahorse
Turkey Creek Sanctuary
Enchanted Forest Sanctuary

The first 3 are all in the same area and well worth a day. Just remember that the National Seashore area has no food or drinks, no towels, chairs, showers to wash off or electricity. It is absolutely beautiful though. You should see lots of birds in the Spring. And if there is a rocket launch you can watch from the beach unless it is one they need to close it so always check the website. Oh, there are in block buildings at the beach with flushable port-a-potties in them. On the Blackpoint trail there is a building with bathrooms and maybe even a soda machine.

Turkey Creek is a short nature walk. Lots of turtles, maybe get to see a manatee or a gator or two, too.

We have never been to Enchanted Forest Sanctuary .

You mentioned antigue shops Check out this one....2 huge buildings with lots of the Highway Men paintings .

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...y_Florida.html

While in Grant might want to eat at the https://historicgrantstation.com/rib-city

You also could day trip it to New Smyrna Beach and go to the lighthouse https://www.ponceinlet.org/ If you go up there this is a cool place to eat, too.... https://breakersnsb.com/

Going South again from Melbourne I almost forgot to mention our favorite place ....https://www.floridastateparks.org/pa...let-state-park