downtown-yoga-melbourne

Not many people in the U.S. get to experience holiday fun in the sun as we do here in Brevard. Since the holidays are right around the corner, many visitors in the form of friends and family are heading to the Space Coast to visit with the hopes of leaving with merry memories, and a tan. Take them to these six places guaranteed to show them a good time and make them feel like a local.

1. Dining Out: Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar

When choosing a restaurant to bring guests, let them dine as the locals dine at Grills Riverside in Melbourne where customers enjoy live music, beautiful scenery and scrumptious seafood. Grills came in on top as the place to bring out-of-town guests, and it isn’t hard to see why. On top of delicious menu items, such as their Snow Crab Clusters and Grilled Shark Kabobs, guests are surrounded with a view like no other. With Grills, non-residents of the sunshine state get to see some pristine Florida wildlife such as dolphins, alligators, manatees, colorful birds, and lush tropical trees and plants, both at their tables and on scenic tours that depart daily from the restaurant docks. A gorgeous sunset cruise also departs on Friday nights, ensuring a romantic venture for guests who are coupled up.

Grills is located at 6075 N. U.S.1 in Melbourne. For more information visit GrillsSeafood.com

2. Holiday Shopping: Downtown Melbourne Candlelight Shopping

When the locals do their holiday gift shopping, they head to Main Street in Downtown Melbourne for their annual Candlelight Shopping. The décor this time of year engulfs you in the holiday spirit, with festive window displays, enchanting musicians, choirs and carolers, white candles and twinkle lights illuminating the streets and shops. Additionally, carriage ride tours will be available and Father Christmas will be strolling through the area. It gives you the jovial and cheery feel of the season, minus the heavy wool coats and cold snowflakes on your nose, just the way the locals like it. Shops remain open late during Candlelight Shopping which takes place each Saturday night between Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information visit DowntownMelbourne.com 

Main Street is located in Downtown Melbourne on E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne.

3. Workout Away from Home: Downtown Yoga

Though many guests will be excited for their vacation to the Space Coast, some don’t want to interrupt their diet and workout regimes (especially with all the holiday calories forthcoming.) Downtown Yoga offers an array of different yoga class options; all at affordable prices that can come in single sessions. They now also offer spin classes, which is great for those looking to get an intense workout as well. They offer regular yoga classes, prenatal and kids yoga and meditation yoga, all of which have single sessions that start at $16 (or $9 for kids.) Spin classes single session price starts at $20. They even have donation yoga, where you pay what you like in person at the studio. The more fun aerial yoga single session begins at $30, and would be an exciting course to experience with your visitors. 

Downtown Yoga has two locations, 532 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne and 7640 N. Wickham Road, Viera. For more information call (321) 676-4600 or visit YogaDowntownMelbourne.com

james-and-barry4. Fun Night Out: Lucky Friday the 13th at Off The Traxx

If you have guests 21 and up brave enough to head out on Friday the 13th, Off the Traxx is the place they can remain lucky by enjoying great “Freaky Friday” drink specials, an incredible pizza menu and fantastic live entertainment that often leads the whole crowd to the dance floor. Favorite local band Barry and James is set to perform their famous jams with comical cocktail attitude that the crowd loves to laugh, sing and drink along to. Listen to their covers of classics by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Pearl Jam, Van Morrison and many more while socializing with old friends and making new ones. A freaky yet fun Friday indeed, your out of town visitors will no longer be superstitious of all the entertainment we have to offer here on the Space Coast.

Off The Traxx is located at 918 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne. (321) 327-2919 or OffTheTraxx.com. For more information on Barry and James, go to Facebook.com and search Barry & James Musician/Band. 

5. Enjoy a Theatrical Spectacle: The Historical Cocoa Village Playhouse

Gather the troops visiting and take them to the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse to see one of their exquisite plays being performed this holiday season. Around Thanksgiving viewers can enjoy “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” and for those visiting in December, favorite classic “The American Nutcracker,” among others. Locals love this gem of a theater, which never ceases to amaze audiences with elaborate set designs, enchanting selection of performances and amazing actors and stage crews.

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse is located at 300 Brevard Ave., Cocoa. (321) 636-5050 or visit CocoaVillagePlayhouse.com

6. Make Them Leave with Shells and a Tan: Sebastian Inlet State Park

When your guests head back home (especially if they are from up north) friends and neighbors will be jealous of their new seashell collection and glowing skin. Grab the sunscreen, towels, cooler and a gathering bag and take them to Sebastian Inlet State Park. Sebastian Inlet offers Florida style fun for the whole family. It’s an ideal spot for anglers as its favored nationwide by fishermen who go to catch snook, red fish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel from the jetties. Take them surfing where the locals surf (just make sure they know not to “drop in” on a local’s wave.) The tidal pool is perfect for adults and children alike, and snorkeling and swimming can be done at either the tidal pool or the ocean a short walk away. The beautiful beach is ideal for snorkeling, sunbathing and “shelling,” where collectors oftentimes find colorful sea glass and sharks’ teeth. It may be not the “traditional” way they spend the holidays up north, but it sure is the way we like to here on the Space Coast!

Sebastian Inlet State Park is located on 9700 S. Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach. For more information, visit FloridaStateParks.org or call (321) 984-4852. 


This article appears in the November 2015 issue of SpaceCoast Living.
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