Located just a bit north of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach is one of the most underrated destinations along Florida's Atlantic Coast. Known for outstanding golf, water sports, and fishing, this is the perfect community for active boomers that are looking to pack some adventure into their retirement years.
In addition to all kinds of activities for active adults, Vero Beach is also known for having a rich history of museums and art galleries, excellent boutique shopping, and some outstanding dining options for a wide range of budgets.
Vero Beach History
The history of Vero Beach dates all the way back to 1715 when a fleet of Spanish treasure ships ran into a hurricane that sunk 11 of 12 ships right off the coast. However, it wasn't until Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway began operating in 1893 that settlers began coming to what was then the town of Vero.
The town name was changed to “Vero Beach” in 1925, and the population then grew steadily throughout the rest of the century as various bridges made it easier and easier to get around the area.
Vero Beach Lifestyle
The Vero Beach lifestyle revolves around enjoying everything about the outdoors, and the best places to start doing just that are local parks like Riverside Park, Round Island Beach Park, and Jaycee Park.
Once you have explored those popular local spots, you'll definitely want to spend some time checking out some of the local airboat tour companies.
For more competitive boomers, fishing and golf are at the top of the lifestyle list. Vero Beach has dozens of options for private fishing charters, plus there are also some outstanding golf courses in the area.
On top of all of that, there are always options for new and exciting water sports like stand-up paddle boarding available for residents and guests to enjoy!
Vero Beach Culture
The beautiful surrounds of Vero Beach have acted as an inspiration for artists and musicians of all types for almost as long as the city has existed. Today, the focal point of the artist community is the Vero Beach Museum of Art, which offers a stunning permanent collection, outstanding traveling exhibits, and classes to help local artist hone their skills.
Between the Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, there is also a thriving theatre community in Vero Beach that is perfect for those who enjoys taking in a show. It is also a great opportunity to get involved if you would like to participate on stage!
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Vero Beach Shopping
Like most of the small town communities along the Treasure Coast, Vero Beach is home to dozens of locally owned shopping destinations that create a thrilling experience for anyone looking for a little retail therapy.
Shoppers tend to gravitate toward either the Beachfront Shopping District or Historic Downtown Vero Beach, and each of those destinations is packed full of boutique specialty shops, consignment and thrift stores, and antique dealers.
In addition to the locally owned operations, shoppers can also head to the Indian River Mall to locate all of their favorite mainstream stores to complete their adventure.
Vero Beach Dining
When you are looking for a casual bite to eat in Vero Beach, two places that will always make your shortlist are The Barefoot Cafe and Off the Rail. The Barefoot Cafe has a fantastic selection of grilled wraps, and Off the Rail is THE spot in town when you are craving a juicy burger.
Other casual options that should be in your regular rotation include all of the crab dishes from Crab Stop Vero Beach and the Brisket Fried Rice from Southern Social.
If you are in the mood for something a little fancier, the classic Vero Beach spot is Ocean Grill. This local icon sits right on the water and serves up some of the most delicious seafood you will find anywhere in the Sunshine State.
Vero Beach Area Communities
Just down the road in Port St. Lucie is where you'll find Valencia Walk at Riverland, the newest 55+ community on Florida’s East Coast.
Building on the resounding success of both Valencia Cay and Valencia Grove, which sold out at unprecedented rates, GL Homes is excited to introduce Valencia Walk – coming soon to Riverland! The third 55+ community to be built as a part of the overall 4,000-acre Riverland masterplan, Valencia Walk will offer the next generation of new home designs, incredible amenities and is located in very close proximity to Riverland’s 5-acre Arts & Culture Center, as well as the future City Parks and Town Center.
You can request more information here.
Between the excellent dining choices, the unique shopping destinations, and the local emphasis on arts and culture, it's easy to forget that the heart of Vero Beach is all about enjoying the water. But because this town offers a little bit of something for everyone, it ends up being the perfect destination for many different types of boomers.
Are you one of them?
I am Gen X and we just became snowbirds here from Michigan. Vero is a hidden gem for sure.