Best of Indian River County
A visitor guide to Vero Beach, the Sebastian River towns and the open country around Fellsmere.
See things to do »Indian River County at a Glance
Indian River County is the northern end of Florida’s Treasure Coast, about halfway between Palm Beach and Cape Canaveral. The county takes its name from the Indian River Lagoon, the long, shallow estuary that separates the barrier island from the mainland, and its name is also stamped on the citrus grown here for more than a century. Indian River grapefruit and oranges were shipped north for generations, and groves still line some of the back roads west of town.
Vero Beach is the county seat and the center of most visits. The town is split in two by the lagoon. On the mainland side, a historic downtown along 14th Avenue has galleries, restaurants and a small citrus museum. On the barrier island, Ocean Drive leads to Humiston Park and a short, pleasant strip of shops, inns and restaurants facing the beach, with Riverside Park and its art museum and theater just over the bridge. Strict height limits keep the shoreline low, and much of it is lined with sea grape and dunes rather than towers.
The county also carries two large chapters of Florida history. In 1715 a Spanish treasure fleet sailing from Havana was wrecked by a hurricane off this coast, and coins and silver from those ships still wash up on the beaches; the find of their remains in the 1960s gave the Treasure Coast its name. And from 1948 to 2008, the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers held spring training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, where Jackie Robinson and generations of Dodgers played.
North of Vero Beach, Sebastian is a small fishing town on the lagoon with a famous inlet and the very first national wildlife refuge, Pelican Island, established in 1903. West of I-95, Fellsmere and the marshes of the upper St. Johns River feel far from the beach, with bass fishing, airboats and a winter frog leg festival.
The pace here is deliberately unhurried. Vero Beach has long been a winter home for retirees and families from the Northeast and Midwest, and the island side in particular has a polished, residential feel, with private clubs, gated communities and a quiet beachfront. That also means good public amenities: well-kept beach parks, a professional theater, an art museum and a busy volunteer arts scene. Visitors looking for nightlife or theme parks will find more of both an hour or two away in Orlando or Palm Beach, but people who want long walks on an uncrowded beach, a good dinner and an early night tend to keep coming back.
We split the county into Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere. Each area page lists the places we think are worth your time, with online tours where any are offered, and separate pages cover restaurants we confirmed are open and the festivals that return each year. Winter and early spring are the busy months; summer is hot and quiet, and it is sea turtle nesting season on the beaches.
Explore Indian River County by Area
Top-Rated Things to Do in Indian River County
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best of Indian River County may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Where to Eat in Indian River County
Two oceanfront dining rooms built by Vero pioneer Waldo Sexton, lagoon cafes, craft breweries, Sebastian river bars and catfish and frog legs in Fellsmere: our dining guide lists 15 restaurants we checked are operating.
Indian River County dining guide »
Festivals and Events in Indian River County
January brings the Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival, March fills Riverside Park with the Under the Oaks art show and the fairgrounds with the county fair, and November and December bring the Sebastian Clambake and lighted boats on the lagoon.
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Indian River County — FAQ
Is Vero Beach on the mainland or the island?
Both. Downtown Vero Beach and the airport are on the mainland, while the beaches, Ocean Drive and Riverside Park are across the lagoon on the barrier island, linked by the Merrill Barber and Alma Lee Loy bridges.
What is the nearest airport?
Vero Beach Regional Airport has scheduled flights on a few airlines, many of them seasonal. Melbourne Orlando International is about 40 minutes north, Palm Beach International about 90 minutes south and Orlando International about 90 minutes northwest.
When is the best time to visit?
January through April has the most comfortable weather and the full arts season. Summer is hot with afternoon storms and is hurricane season, but it is quieter and good for fishing and turtle watching.
Do I need a car?
Yes. GoLine buses link the main roads, but beaches, the refuge, the inlet and Fellsmere are far apart. Ocean Drive and downtown Vero Beach are both easy to walk.
Can you find treasure on the beaches?
Occasionally. Coins and artifacts from the 1715 fleet still turn up after storms, and searchers with metal detectors work the beaches near Sebastian and Vero. Florida law limits what can be kept from state lands and waters, so read the rules before you dig.
Is Indian River County good for families?
Yes. Calm lagoon beaches, McKee Botanical Garden, the Environmental Learning Center, the Sebastian Inlet jetty and a boat trip past Pelican Island all suit children.