Downtown Vero Beach, Florida, is on the mainland, featuring a revitalized historic area and some of the area’s oldest homes. It’s one of the most walkable areas of Vero Beach, with tree-lined streets, historic architecture, restaurants, live music, and nightlife.
Located along the Indian River Lagoon, there are views of the water, sailboats, and vegetation along the water from Downtown.
Downtown Vero Beach features art galleries and museums, parks and green spaces, and regular community events, including food festivals, art fairs, and live music. There are restaurants and cafes in downtown Vero Beach with outdoor waterfront seating and local, independent shops and boutiques.
Officially incorporated in 1919, Vero Beach’s development was closely linked with the 1903 arrival of the Florida East Coast Railway. Throughout the beginning of the 20th century, Vero Beach was a hub of citrus farming and agriculture.
Following a devastating hurricane in 1928, a stronger seawall was constructed along the Indian River Lagoon to provide future protection to Downtown. After the new seawall, Vero Beach started to rebuild and expand. The climate and natural beauty of the area started attracting tourists and seasonal residents, leading to hotel and resort development.
The Vero Beach downtown has art deco architecture and boutique shops that started as tourism grew. The Riverside Theatre opened Downtown in 1974 and cemented the Vero Beach downtown as a center of the arts and culture.
The First Friday Gallery Stroll is held the first Friday evening of every month. The Downtown Mural Trail is a relatively new addition, and Downtown Fridays are a street party with bands, food and street vendors, and more. It’s free to attend. Downtown Fridays are dog- and kid-friendly and are held on the last Friday of each month on 14th Avenue.
Vero Beach hosts a farmers’ market downtown featuring crafts, artisanal products, and fresh produce each week.
Yes. It’s a walkable historic district. The downtown area is on the Indian River Lagoon.
Yes. Some parts of Vero Beach are more walkable than others, including Downtown. There’s also Central Beach, which is centrally located and highly walkable. It’s considered one of the best neighborhoods close to Downtown.
Some of the reasons people visit the downtown area include shopping because the boutique stores sell unique and one-of-a-kind items, as well as the historic architecture and riverfront views. The cultural venues are popular, including historical sites, museums, and galleries, and it’s got many of what are considered Vero Beach’s restaurant options. The regular weekly and monthly community events are also a big draw, where locals and tourists unite.
Read on about more things to do, see, and enjoy on Florida’s Treasure Coast.
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