Amazing museum and highly recommended. It has so much information, and the exhibition is…read moreincredible. There is a large collection of artifacts. Very educational information about the different operations, wars, missions, weapons, equipment, Navy Seals, Iran hostage crisis, 9/11, Korean War, operation Eagle Claw, Urgent Fury, NASA space program, the crisis in Cuba, Vietnam War, the attack on Pearl Harbor... just to name a few! A great way to learn and recognize the sacrifices made by our soldiers and understand the impact of their service.

Our visit to the Navy Seal Museum could not have been anything less than five stars. Wanting to…read moretake a break from the beach and pool, we decided to check out this museum. We were pretty much blown away the moment we arrived. The exhibits include films and virtually everything a Seal member uses to fulfill the mission they may be assigned. The museum was laid out in "reverse historical order" beginning with a 9/11 film recounting the tragedy. Truthfully I had hoped never again to see the planes crash into the World Trade Center but never forgetting is really part of the recovery. There was a mock up of Bin Laden's compound and a fascinating film of how he was killed. There were all types of weapons of the era, various Seal transport vehicles, helicopters on display-many allowing you to go inside. One display outlined the training regimen for Seals. (pictured below) Captioned, "The Only Easy Day was Yesterday" seems pretty accurate. There is a pretty substantial drop out rate as the trading is so difficult. When a prospective Seal drops out of training, he had to ring a bell three times. When one graduates, they ring the bell once. The exhibits continue with Viet Nam, Korea and World War II era history, weapons and things like Viet Nam patrol boats, high speed assault craft, Seal delivery vehicles, etc. Naval Seals were formed by President Kennedy in 1962 but they functioned as "wartime commando units" as far back as World War II. Once you visit all the indoor exhibits, there is quite a bit to see outside as well like the obstacle course used in training, a captured Iranian gun boat and other marine type vehicles that add to what you've already seen inside the museum. After a fascinating several hours, it was time for the beach!

Small space, heavy history. The Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center punches way above its…read moresize. From the old church building to the surrounding burial grounds, this place tells stories that don't always make it into textbooks. You'll see local Black history through sports, art, faith, and everyday life. Handmade pieces, photographs, memorials, and names that mattered to this community long before anyone thought to preserve them. It's quiet, reflective, and honestly grounding. Not flashy. Not rushed. Just real. The kind of place where you slow down, read the plaques, and walk out knowing a little more than you did going in. What really stood out was learning about Black culture in Gifford and the Highwaymen artists. These painters weren't gallery darlings. They were out there creating beautiful Florida landscapes and selling them straight off the side of the road. Pure talent, hustle, and survival rolled into one. It adds real depth to the museum. You don't just see the art, you understand why it existed and what it took to be seen at all.

A botanical garden visit in early March can be a dicey proposition... unless that garden is McKee…read more The combination of a jungle, plenty of water features, and the whimsy of colorful art make this garden a great place to visit even before many of the plants are blooming. Last year's (2025) whimsy was florals made from Lego bricks. This year it's sculpture mimicking origami. They call it "florigami," and there are lots of imaginative examples throughout the gardens. If you are hungry or thirsty during your visit, the garden café is delightful. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit of about 2 hours. The admission price is a bit steep, but they do accept entry using the AHS reciprocal membership... so if you're a member of another botanical garden (that's far enough away) you will get in for free.

The botanical garden at night feels less like a stroll and more like wandering into a living…read morestorybook. Lights tucked into trees, glowing sculptures appearing out of the darkness, reflections in the water that look too intentional to be accidental. At one point I genuinely felt like I walked through a portal, took a few photos as proof, and got politely sent back to reality. The installations were the highlight for me. Birds glowing in the dark like forest guardians, glassy light columns that felt more spell than sculpture, and paths that made you slow down without realizing it. Even the massive tree stump felt ancient, like it had seen some things and wasn't in the mood to explain. It's worth noting this is a separate seasonal event, not standard daytime admission. Tickets are priced higher than regular entry, which makes sense given the lighting, installations, and overall production. Just something to be aware of when planning your visit. It does get crowded, especially in popular spots, so patience is required. This isn't a rush-through kind of experience anyway. It rewards wandering, pausing, and letting your eyes adjust. Also worth noting, this is prime territory for phone photography. Low light, rich colors, and reflections everywhere. If you like capturing atmosphere, you'll leave happy. If you're looking for something peaceful, immersive, and just a little bit magical, this is absolutely worth it. Just don't be surprised if you lose track of where you are for a moment. That might be the point.

What an unsuspecting gem The Rowe Gallery is! Beautiful and thoughtful art. The only thing more…read moreappealing than the art was the conversation I had with the people who worked there. They were friendly, delightful and interesting. And the coffee was delicious. My experience at The Rowe Gallery was one of the highlights of my trip that day.

Gorgeous pottery and art. The owner, Lori, is the painter. She's friendly, helpful, and the art is…read moregorgeous. Centrally located in the mall so very convenient for shopping and eating generally.

Gallery 14 has been a notable presence in the downtown Arts District of Vero Beach for 18 years. A…read moreleader in the development of the District, the Gallery offers a selection of fine art by 8 established artist owners, 10 esteemed represented artists and a popular guest artist each month.

This place is small, quiet, and absolutely stacked with real history. The Indian River Historical…read moreSociety doesn't try to entertain you, it educates you. You'll find Vero Beach before it was condos and brunch. Railroad maps that explain how the coast was built, citrus groves and train lines in miniature, WWII Naval Air Station artifacts that don't sugarcoat the cost of training, and Dodgers history that proves this town once mattered on a national stage. The class photos alone feel like flipping through the town's original family album. No flash, no gimmicks. Just well-preserved stories, artifacts, and context. If you care even a little about how this place became what it is, this is worth your time.

The Indian River Historical Society is a non profit 501c founded in 1983. Their mission is to…read more"save, preserve, and restore the historical and environmental resources of Indian River County." The Historical Society owns two properties. The Halstrom House was built in 1909 by Swedish immigrant Axel Hallstrom, who farmed pineapples on this farmstead. The house is a museum and the surrounding 100 acres is being restored as a conservation area. The Historical Society also owns the Vero Beach Railroad Station & Exhibit Center. In 1984 they purchased the 1903 railroad station from the Florida East Coast railway for $1, moved it, and embarked on their first restoration project. There are only 8 of Henry Flaglers railway depots left in existence. There is one in Sawfish park in Jupiter and another one in the St. Lucie County Regional History Center in Fort Pierce. The stations are easy to spot because of their bright yellow color. The Vero Beach Railroad Station and grounds opened in 1987 and serves as the office of the Indian River County Historical Society and as the Exhibit Center. The Vero Beach Railroad Station was the first building in Indian River County to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in January of 1987. The Historical Society hosts events throughout the year including movie nights, high tea, ghost hunts, and a Swedish Christmas at the Halstrom House. I recently caught up with them at the Tangelo House in Vero Beach where they were running a tour of the historic 1920's Tangelo apartments that were recently restored. They gave me a great map of the different historical sites in Indian River County. Staffed by volunteers I appreciate everything they are doing to keep history alive for future generations.

My son really enjoyed all the tanks and different eco systems with different fish. They have a…read moresmall gift shop, and getting in is super affordable $5 per person kids under 3 get in free. They have a small touch tank area with lots of cute sea snails, sea cucumbers, sea slugs, and hermit crabs.

This is a small aquarium that specializes in educational content. Perfect for elementary school…read moreage children. There is a touch tank habitated by a number of different sea creature and a very enthusiastic guide. Not expensive and not overcrowded. Very enjoyable.

The Port St. Lucie Museum and History Center opened to the public yesterday. It is part of the…read morebrand new Port District which has a new playground in Pioneer Park, and will soon have an outdoor stage and event space, tiki bar, beer house. pizzeria, taqueria, cafe, fire pit, waterfront restaurant, hiking trails through the conservation tract in the southern portion of The Port District , and the boardwalk along the St. Lucie River will extend under the Port St. Lucie Blvd. bridge adding 3,300 feet of pedestrian walkway along the river. The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens are next door. The Port St. Lucie Historical Society is now operating out of two historic houses have been moved to the property, the Peacock House, built in 1917, and the Peacock Lodge, built in 1952. The Peacock House was owned by Oliver L. Peacock Sr. and his namesake son, known as Sonny. They are among the founding fathers credited with the creation of Port St. Lucie. The Peacock family owned a 4,614-acre ranch in St. Lucie West. In 1968 the house was moved to the family's ranch on Glades Cut Off Road in Port St. Lucie and placed next to the hunting lodge that was built on the property in 1952. By 2006 the Peacock house was abandoned and in 2015 the Hunting Lodge was being used for storage. The city was about to demolish the buildings when the historical society stepped in and had them moved to their current location. In 2019 both buildings were given new foundations, roofs, and fresh coats of paint. In 2022 the Port St. Lucie Historical Society began renovations on the hunting lodge to turn it into a town museum. The Peacock Lodge has two rooms of exhibits on the history of Port St. Lucie, a meeting room, and a kitchen. I have been watching the restoration progress on these buildings over the past 5 years and it was wonderful to step inside the hunting lodge and see how beautifully it has been restored. There is no admission fee to visit but there is a donation box if you can contribute. I was even gifted a copy of "Port St. Lucie at 50: A City for All People" History Book written by by Nina Baranski and produced by the Port St. Lucie Historical Society. The PSL is hosting a dinner on October 16 at the Santa Lucia River Club. Tickets are available online. If you visit Pioneer Park or the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens stop by the new museum and support the Port St. Lucie Historical Society.