Last month, Scott and I did something we probably should have done a long time ago. We explored more of our own backyard. Since moving to Florida, we had never made it to Vero Beach, so we packed up and set off for a long weekend getaway. And honestly, it turned out to be exactly what I needed.
The Road Trip Across Florida
We left Fort Lauderdale on a Thursday and headed west across Alligator Alley on I75. Our first stop was Sun City Center where we had lunch with Scott’s uncle. It was a great way to break up the drive and ease into vacation mode.
After lunch, we took Highway 674 back across the state toward the east coast. That drive had a bit more adventure than we expected. We hit some intense Florida rain squalls that made visibility almost impossible at times. If you have driven across the state during storm season, you know exactly what I mean.
Eventually, we made it safely to Vero Beach and checked into Costa d’Este Beach Resort and Spa, owned by Gloria Estefan.
Where to Stay in Vero Beach
Costa d’Este is a beautiful oceanfront property with a relaxed luxury vibe. Our room overlooked the beach and the Atlantic Ocean, which immediately set the tone for the trip. You can tell the hotel has been around for a while, but it has been very well maintained and still feels upscale and inviting.
If you are looking for a beachfront hotel in Vero Beach, this is a fantastic option. We reserved a King Ocean View room and we ended up getting the corner unit on the top floor in the north building. I think our rate was around $300/night, so it was pretty affordable with all of the amenities you would expect from a 4 star resort.
First Night in Vero Beach
After checking in, we headed over to Waldo’s at the Driftwood Inn. This place is such a hidden gem. It is quirky, historic, and full of character. If you love old Florida charm, you will love it here.
Since we arrived late, we kept it simple with pub food, which was actually really good. You can also rent cottages at the Driftwood Inn, which would be such a fun stay for a future trip.
It was stormy that evening, so we skipped the beach and called it an early night.
A Slow Start with a Sunrise
The next morning, I made it a point to wake up for sunrise. There is something about the east coast of Florida that makes sunrise feel special. Quiet, peaceful, and completely worth the early wake up.
We had planned a kayaking tour with manatees on pedal kayaks, which sounded amazing, but the winds were still blowing over 30 knots, so it was canceled. Definitely something we will come back for.
Breakfast and Local Spots
We started our day at The Lemon Tree. Scott ordered the crab benedict and I had the homemade corned beef hash. Both were incredible. If you are looking for breakfast in Vero Beach, this is a must.
From there, we walked to the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Admission was ten dollars per adult, and for a smaller town, this museum really impressed me. It is thoughtfully curated and absolutely worth visiting.
Vero Beach Botanical Gardens Experience
Next, we took an Uber to the Vero Beach Botanical Gardens. Admission was twenty five dollars per adult, and we were expecting something similar to Flamingo Gardens in South Florida.
Instead, we were a bit surprised.
The gardens are part of McKee Botanical Garden, which actually has a long history dating back to the 1930s. It was originally developed as a tropical garden attraction and later restored and reopened to the public. Today, it focuses heavily on native plants, water features, and conservation.
That said, when we visited, it was mostly ferns and palms. We saw one actual flower. We walked the entire garden in about fifteen minutes. It is very possible we visited during an off season, but based on our expectations, it felt a bit underwhelming.
Beach Time and Poolside Drinks
Back at the hotel, we enjoyed our complimentary cocktails at the pool bar before heading down to the beach.
One thing that surprised us was how rocky the shoreline was. We even came across a man o war jellyfish struggling on the beach, which was a bit wild to see up close.
The water was very cold, and there were rip current warnings posted, yet plenty of people were still swimming. Definitely something to be cautious about if you visit.
Anniversary Dinner at The Wave
Since our actual anniversary dinner back home did not go as planned, we decided to celebrate properly in Vero Beach.
We made reservations at The Wave, the restaurant at Costa d’Este. We brought a bottle of our favorite Washington wine from Soos Creek Cellars, and the staff immediately made the night feel special.
They surprised us with a split of Moet Rose, and the service just kept getting better from there.
I ordered the paella, and Scott had a filet served on a sizzling hot stone. Everything was delicious. The lighting in the restaurant gave everything a blue glow, so our photos looked a little different, but the experience was incredible.
To top it off, they brought out a flourless chocolate cake with a happy 23rd anniversary message. It was one of those meals you will always remember.
A Magical Evening
We ended the night with a glass of wine on our balcony. The moon was shining over the ocean, and it honestly felt like one of those perfect travel moments you cannot plan.
Spa Morning and More Exploring
The next morning, I woke up for another sunrise. I have to say, it is a lot easier to enjoy sunrise when it is just steps from your room instead of walking all the way to the beach like we do in Fort Lauderdale.
I started the day with a CBD massage at the hotel spa. My therapist, Beth, was completely blind, and it was hands down one of the best massages I have ever had. And that is saying a lot because I get them regularly. You cannot miss out on the spa experience at this resort!
Casual Breakfast and the Farmer’s Market
We had breakfast at Cravings, which is right next to The Lemon Tree. It is more of a grab and go style place, but they have great food and even live music. Perfect for something quick and easy.
After that, we stumbled upon the Vero Beach Farmers Market. If I lived there, I would be there every Saturday. It runs from ten to two and had everything from fresh vegetables to honey, bread, spices, jerky, clothing, and art. What a fun surprise! This happened to us when we visited Mt Dora too.
More Food and Exploring
We took a long walk on the beach for some exercise, which was definitely needed because all you do in Vero Beach is eat and drink.
For lunch, we went to Citrus Grillhouse and sat outside. I had the tuna salad and Scott had a burger. Both were fantastic. It can get very crowded, especially for dinner. That’s why we decided to try it for lunch instead.
Later, we walked over to the Kimpton Hotel and checked out Cobalt Restaurant. It is a higher end steakhouse, and we made dinner reservations for that night. We couldn’t ask for a better last night in Vero Beach!
Another Anniversary Celebration
That evening, Cobalt completely surprised us again. We mentioned it was our anniversary, and they brought us complimentary champagne!
We leaned into a little nostalgia from our childhood and ordered potato chips with French onion dip as our appetizer, which was actually the perfect pairing with champagne.
For dinner, I had the braised short rib and Scott went with another steak. (I completely forgot to take photos – shocking I know!) Everything was excellent, and once again, we were treated to a complimentary dessert with a candle.
Final Thoughts on Vero Beach
This was such a great three day weekend. Vero Beach is quiet, charming, and perfect if you are looking to relax and unwind. It is not flashy or overly busy, which is exactly why we loved it.
If you need a break from the fast pace of South Florida, this is your spot.
As always, thank you so much for following along with our Boating Journey. We truly appreciate every one of you.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel (see full video below) because we have some incredible trips coming up this summer. We are heading back to Seattle in July, then Montreal and Quebec in August, and Newport Rhode Island in September.
Stay tuned. More adventures are on the way.
Cheers, Ally and Scott
