Summer vacation is your chance to escape your day-to-day responsibilities and create lasting memories with the ones you love. While many may travel abroad this summer, some may not be able to get away for a major trip. This summer, SpaceCoast Living will be exploring some of the cities that make up the beautiful Space Coast. Check back weekly for your staycation guides and let Brevard County surprise you all over again.
Viera and Suntree Area
Viera: Meticulously developed as a master-planned community, Viera is a family oriented town that reaches east and west of Interstate 95. Its approximately 21,000 residents live in carefully maintained subdivisions, each with their own features and amenities. Not merely residential, it is home to Space Coast Stadium; the Brevard Zoo; various golf courses and The Avenue Viera, an open-air shopping and dining destination.
Suntree: One of the earliest of the region’s planned communities continues to thrive, with about 20,000 residents that live in homes ranging from cozy townhomes to multi-million-dollar mansions. It has a full-service country club, Suntree Country Club, and access to some of the area’s better restaurants and shopping, not to mention an easy ride to the beach over the Pineda Causeway.
Visit
The Avenue Viera
This open-air shopping destination represents a new wave of shopping venues, with over 415,000 square feet of open-air shopping space. The Avenue Viera has over 70 stores, including Belk and World Market, and recent additions like HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx, and Ulta. Restaurants include places like the Melting Pot and Bonefish Grill. Join the Avenue Viera every Friday for live music in the park starting at 6 p.m. Viera.ShoptheAvenue.com
Art Gallery of Viera
The Art Gallery of Viera is at the Avenue Viera and has become one of the go to place to see works by area artists. This family friendly venue features various mediums including sculptures, watercolors, glass painting, prints and much more. In addition, the gallery hosts art shows and offers art classes for both children and adults. ArtGalleryofViera.com
Attractions
More than 450 animals representing 126 species from Florida, Central and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia reside in five habitats that loop out from the main visitor area of the zoo. One such loop, Paws On Play, offers water play, an aquarium and a petting zone area that is popular with youngsters. In 2011, Brevard Zoo introduced Treetop Trek Aerial Adventures, an exciting obstacle course and zip-line attraction (with separate admission.) This summer, Brevard Zoo offers Summer Saturday Nights with extended hours and discounted admission after 5:30 p.m. BrevardZoo.org
Brevard County Manatees
The Brevard County Manatees are a minor league baseball team of the Florida State League and are the A-Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Watch them play against other minor league baseball teams through August 31. Prices vary. (321) 633-9200 or ManateesBaseball.com
Getting Physical
Get active at Suntree Country Club with a Summer Social Membership
Golf at Duran Golf Club
Play Tennis at the Viera Regional Park
Take ballroom dance lessons at Melbourne Ballroom
Upcoming Events
June 14: Celebrate Brevard Art Show
July 2: Taste of River Rocks
July 5: Viera’s 20th Annual Great American Celebration
July 15: Arctic Blast
July 26: Strike Out Cancer at Space Coast Stadium
August 9: I Run for Pizza Football Kickoff 5k
Taste of This Town
Red Ginger Chinese Cuisine & Lounge
One of the few upscale Chinese restaurants in the area offers elegance in the dining room and on the plate, with original cuisine like Grace’s Chicken (chicken sauteed with shiitake mushrooms, asparagus and carrots in white wine sauce.) The Chef selections are top-notch, too. RedGingerMelbourne.com
Long Doggers Grill & Brew
Enjoy great food and great fun in a totally casual environment. Eat inside and experience the surf shop atmosphere or eat outside to enjoy the great Florida weather. Long Doggers has all sorts of appetizers and snacks, salads and entrees, as well as frankfurters in various forms. LongDoggers.com
To see our Staycation Guide for Cocoa/Rockledge, click here.