X Best Places in Melbourne

 Melbourne, Florida has undergone explosive growth thanks to its prominent position on the Space Coast. The city is a diamond in the rough as it is still largely unknown to many people outside the Sunshine State.

Whether you're a local or a new resident, this list of the best five places in and around Melbourne is for you. The fun, interesting, and useful activities do not stop here — from scenic wetlands to actual space launches.

1. Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands

Featuring over 200 acres of scenic wetlands, Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands is a great place to take a nice walk or a leisurely bicycle ride. Keep an eye out for alligators and look for all sorts of native birds as you explore the wildlife surrounding Melbourne. These wetlands have diverse flora and fauna native to the state of Florida. You'll soak up some sun during a trip to this wetland system, so SPF 30 or higher is definitely recommended. You'll also potentially see some exciting animals and unique plants. While it might be tempting to get a souvenir picture with a wild animal, we recommend you maintain your distance.

2. The Beach

Go to the beach. No beach in particular as Melbourne has several! However, you should absolutely stop by one of them while visiting the city. Enjoy the ocean breeze, play in the sand, and go swimming.

The possibilities are endless at the beach, and you should absolutely make the most of them. Stop by 321 Jet Ski Rental to spend the day waverunning, or get your paddle on with a kayak rental from Wildlife Watersports. Take cycling to the next level at Space Coast Hydrobikes for some ultimate weekend fun. Enjoy the beaches of Melbourne to the fullest, now that you're there. This is what locals do with their time, so if you're in the mood for some true local flare, this is where it happens.

3. The Brevard Zoo

Although this isn't technically in the Melbourne city limits, we would be remiss if we didn't include this first-rate home to over 900 animals from the far reaches of the world. The Brevard Zoo experience includes touring train rides, kayaks, and for the more adventurous, the ability to scale and rappel a Florida pine and see the animals from a birdseye view. If your zoo visits in the past left you feeling sorry for caged animals, we highly recommend the Brevard Zoo. The animal habitats are as close to the ones you'd find in the wild with top-tier safety protocols built in.

4. Cape Kennedy Space Center

From the days of the Mercury Mission to the incredible James Webb Space Telescope, explore the history of space exploration at this one-of-a-kind travel destination. This modern museum will take you from the earliest space endeavors to the headlines of today's news articles. If you plan your visit well enough in advance, you can get a close-up view of a NASA or SpaceX rocket launch. Of course, we are able to see these spectacles from Melbourne proper, but you haven't lived until you've seen a launch up close. You should be aware that missions are often scrubbed due to inclement weather, so if the launch is canceled the day you're there, give it another try. It's only 40 minutes away.

5. Baer's Furniture Store

If you've decided to make Melbourne your home, we recommend checking out Baer's Furniture store in Melbourne for all your high-quality, designer furniture needs. With dozens of stores all over Florida, you can find the closest one to you here. Baer's Furniture has an expansive space and hundreds of pieces of furniture for the bedroom, living room, dining room, home office, and more. The Melbourne location has 110,000 square feet of showroom space. Whether you're seeking a coastal look to match the beach lifestyle of your newly chosen city or you want a minimalist space to enjoy your leisure time, the design experts at Baer's can help you achieve your design goals.

About Melbourne

Because of its location on the Space Coast, Melbourne is fast becoming one of the biggest tech centers in the nation. In 2022, the city population was just over 86,400, but there are over a quarter million residences if you include the surrounding areas. With mean incomes for households around $96,000 for families, Melbourne is becoming one of the more affluent cities in the state. Whether you're visiting in anticipation of a move or you just happen to be spending a week or two in the Florida sun, these places will help you build fond memories of the Harbor City.