Bok Tower (Lake Wales)

 

 

Bok Tower and Gardens is an interesting day trip from the Space Coast.  The tower itself is built on one of Florida's few high points called Iron Mountain.  The tower houses a 60 bell carillon and is known as the singing tower.  There is a reflecting pond near the tower with swans and beautiful flowers. 




The rest of the gardens is a constantly changing, blooming flower garden and bird sanctuary.  It is worth a nice walk around on any sunny day. 

Events are being held at the gardens year round.  Many involve musical concerts.  Some are for children to learn and explore.  Others involve learning gardening techniques.  Whatever your interest, you are likely to find an event at Bok Tower and Gardens.

It is also a beautiful venue for a wedding or other event.  The information for renting their facilities is available on their website.  There is also a café that caters and a gift shop on the property.

Along with hiking trails, gardens, and bird watching, there are several opportunities to geocache on the property.  Geocaching is a popular outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices (you can get an app for your smart phone to participate). Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.
The rules are very simple:

1. Take something from the cache.
2. Leave something in the cache.
3. Write about your find in the log book.
4. Log your experience at www.geocaching.com

I enjoy geocaching as it provides an opportunity to see a place I might have overlooked in just walking around an area, including in these gardens.

Tips:  Check the website events calendar before you go.  The gardens are open every day, but you might be able to see something extra special with a little planning.

Bring water to drink and pack a picnic lunch!  There are specified picnic areas on the grounds.

Pets are not allowed in the gardens; however, they do have a place for pets to stay during your visit.

Most areas of the park are accessible and a shuttle is available during specific times of year.

Website:  https://boktowergardens.org/

Kayaking

a double kayak

There are a lot of fantastic places to kayak on the Space Coast!  Any google search will show you all of the boat ramps in Brevard County.  The best kayaking will normally be at any ramp that is for non-motorized craft only, but there are exceptions to that rule. 



A manatee in the canal in Thousand Islands

One of my favorite places to kayak is in the thousand islands area in Cocoa Beach.  The boat ramp at the end of the aptly named Boat Ramp Road is a great place to drop your kayak in the water.  The area there is full off shallow lagoons and mangroves along with a deepwater canal for the bigger boats to use. 



I don't recommend getting this close, but sometimes it is
hard to get out of the way.

Wildlife viewing is great in this area as well.  Manatees are often present in the canals near the houses.  Dolphins skim by in the canals and even in the lagoons where the water is deep enough for fishing.  Birds are everywhere.  Some people even fish from kayaks out here.

Other nice areas to explore:  The Grand Canal south of Pineda Causeway.  Drop in at the causeway

I recommend a SUP if you want
to stand up

and cruise through the nice houses.

Further south off A1A is Honest John's Fish Camp.  http://honestjohnsfishcamp.com/  You can rent a kayak here and I think there is a small fee to use their ramp for your own boat.  There is a nice canal around some mangrove islands and a great opportunity to see dolphins and manatees.



sunset from paddling paradise

Want to try paddle boarding or kayaking for the first time?  Visit http://www.paddlingparadise.com/. They will rent you the equipment and show you how to use it.  They have scheduled tours and gatherings as well including sunset paddles that end with a nice fire by the river.  They are at off US1 at the Eau Gallie River.

You can also drop in a Ballard Park in the same area of the Eau Gallie River.  http://www.melbourneflorida.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/12/1539

I have heard that Turkey Creek in Palm Bay is a nice place to kayak, but I have not been there yet. http://www.brevardcounty.us/EELProgram/Areas/TurkeyCreek/Home There is also nice hiking in this park.

Sunset on Lake Washington

Lake Washington is a beautiful place to do a sunset paddle as well.  You won't see manatees or dolphins, but keep your eye out for alligator and perhaps don't get too near the shallow shorelines.

Further north there are several nice places on Merritt Island including the Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary.  This is another area that has nice hiking as well as kayaking. 

Set up for Bioluminescent Tour

Merritt Island Wildlife Sanctuary has several canoe drops worth exploring.  The one near Haulover Canal is likely to have some manatees in the area.  There is also bioluminescent kayaking in this area at night in the summer.  Go when there is no moon!

Water sports are abundant on the space coast, but few ways let you get closer to the wildlife than kayaking or paddleboarding. 

Tips:  Assume you will get wet.  Plan accordingly.

Waterproof camera and/or Go Pro.

Dry bag for anything that can't get wet, but be careful they aren't fool proof. 

If you are able to paddle yourself, I recommend it.  Two person kayaks are fun, but a little hard to coordinate if you don't know what you are doing.

Mckee Gardens (Vero Beach)

McKee Gardens is a short drive from Brevard County, but worth the trip.  Take Highway A1A and enjoy the scenery.  Maybe stop by Sebastian Inlet. 

McKee Gardens is a flower lover/photographer's paradise.  Beautiful paths run between reflecting ponds with stone bridges.  Butterflies flit between the flowers.  Giant ancient looking species of ferns  huddle together in shady spots.  Clumps of bamboo reach over the walking path, many with messages carved into the stalks by visitors over the years. 

There is a hall and a Spanish kitchen with beautiful antiques.  There is also a hidden pavilion in the bamboo garden. These areas can be rented for events.  The place would make a beautiful wedding venue.

From time to time there are special events, so it would be a good idea to check the website prior to planning a visit.  There are varying costs for admission.

Here is the link:  http://www.mckeegarden.org/index.php

Tips:  Bring a camera, but remember that professional photo shoots must be prearranged.

There is a very nice gift shop.

Bring water to drink.

No pets are allowed.

Schedule about an hour to tour the gardens.  Longer if you want to take pictures or just sit and enjoy the peacefulness.

Kennedy Space Center (Titusville)

Everyone knows that Kennedy Space Center is here.  That is why we call it the Space Coast, right?

The visitor's center is a neat place to go.  Tours of the center as very cool.  The Astronaut Training experience seems to appeal to the younger crowd.

And now, of course, the Space Shuttle Atlantis is on display.  That is the newest and latest attraction, but don't let that be the only thing you see.  The space program has a long and interesting history.  It may not appeal to everyone, but I have found that my out of town guests who experienced the space race back in the 1960s are particularly interested in the Apollo/Saturn V tour.

I've never seen anyone who didn't enjoy walking around the rocket garden, but that is just the beginning of the experience.



General Admission to the complex includes: 

Space Shuttle Atlantis℠	Twin IMAX® Theater 3D Films
Shuttle Launch Experience®	Special Viewing for Rocket Launches
Meet an astronaut	Numerous Shows and Exhibits

Cedar's Cafe (Melbourne)

Cedar's Café is a small Mediterranean style restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and super friendly service.  It is located in the Publix Shopping Center at Post Commons, hidden back in the corner between Panera and Stein Mart. 



Gyro Salad with Lamb and baba ghanaouj
 

The food is exceptional.  Shawarma, Gyro, Falafel, Kafta...everything I have tried there has been excellent. 

An interesting option is the "walking wine list."  The idea is that you tell them what kind of wine you normally like (white, red, sweet, dry, Chardonnay, Cabernet, etc) and they will match your tastes with what they have.  You get to taste a sample and if you like it, order a glass.  If not, they will try again to make sure you enjoy your wine as much as your food.  They also have a nice selection of beers.

Because it is a small restaurant they request reservations on weekends, nights there is a show at the King Center, and for larger parties.  I have not had a problem getting a seat for 2-4 on a week night without a reservation; however, be cautioned that they do occasionally close down for private events, so it is wise to call ahead. 

They have both indoor and outdoor seating.  When we stopped in last night, we grabbed a booth outside and were very comfortable, but shortly after we sat down the place was full.  It was fun to watch people arrive as so many were regulars who knew the staff by name and were willing to wait or talk a smaller table than their party size because "the food is just that good."

The service was quick and friendly.  The staff, all of them, stopped by the table at some point during our meal to ensure everything was just right and seemed honestly pleased that we were quite happy. 

If you have never had Mediterranean food and are up for trying something new, I highly recommend this option to ensure you get the best possible experience first time out.

Tips:  Come hungry. 

Website:  www.cedarscafe.com



Brevard Renaissance Fair (Melbourne)

Wickham Park, right in the middle of Melbourne, is a great park with a lot of different events happening all the time.  http://www.brevardcounty.us/ParksRecreation/South/Wickham/Home

One of the neatest things they have there is the Brevard Renaissance (am I the only one who has trouble spelling that word?) Fair. 

For the adults there were shows including comedy, music and dancing.  A little raunchy fun with the Washing Well Women and the Splatter show should not be missed.  The gypsy area was made up of local performers who put on a great musical show. 

For the children there was a pirate ship play ground, a fairy area, and a little tykes theater.  A mermaid tank, a unicorn to pet and brush, and pony rides all made sure the kids had plenty to do. Face painting and hair braiding were also popular.

There was a joust and many games for the gentlemen to show their strength and manliness (lol).  And of course lots of food and drink.  Shops to wander and bridges to cross (beware the troll). 

The best part of the event is people watching.  Many of the attendees dress up as elves and fairies, witches and wenches, knights and pirates...the costumes are terrific and so are the bosoms. 

Tips:  Buy your ticket online in advance to avoid lines.

Bring lots of singles for tips, somebody has to feed that unicorn.

Take a look at the show schedule before you go.  Some of the best shows only happen a couple times a day.

Website:  http://brevardrenaissancefair.com/

Melbourne Civic Theater (Downtown Melbourne)

This place is such an unknown gem in Melbourne!  Maybe I shouldn't even post about it because sometimes secret places should remain secret.  But I can't not share this with you.  I have been going to this tiny little theater for three years or so.  They put on the VERY best shows I have seen in Melbourne.  The sets are well done, the acting is extraordinary, the musical talent is exceptional, and the directing is perfect.  So why is it so unknown?

Set for Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol

It could be that it is housed in a building that one would never think of as a theater, right in the heart of downtown Melbourne.  It is near shops, restaurants, and bars, not big parking lots and theater type accoutrements (the Melbourne city parking lot is across the street).  They have an agreement with Meg O'Malley's that includes a coupon for food with your ticket. 

It could be that the theater only seats 105.  Such a tiny place can't put on good shows, right?  Wrong!  I have been to exactly one show there that I didn't enjoy.  I have been to at least 25 shows here.  Some of the shows have been so amazing that I can't even imagine how they did it. 

Regardless of how little known it is, the shows sell out all the time.  They sell what is called flex pass tickets in advance.  If you are a flex pass holder, you pay in advance for a ticket to every show of the season, but not on a specific date.  Flex pass holders call a few days before general admission and reserve seats for the day they want to see each show. 



Set for the Curious Savage (not a cast member)

On the night of the show, they usually have a waiting list.  If you are late, they will call you to be sure you are coming.  If you are running a little late, they will hold the show for you.  If you can't make it, they will try to sell your seats to someone on the wait list (and let you reschedule).  Where besides a small theater in Melbourne could you get service like that? 

Once you are seated in your soft theater style seats with a pillow for back support (or however you want to use it), you are practically on the small stage with the actors.  There is no yelling actors or squinting to see the action.  There is nothing but good acting and singing, because there is no place for hiding on the stage. 

Set for the Underpants (also not a cast member)

The people who run the theater are unfailingly friendly.  The concession has (bad) wine, beer, coffee and snacks for donation.  There is a 50/50 drawing every night, which I have never won, but my friend has won several times. 

Tips:  Park at the city parking garage across the street.  There are lots of very good restaurants in walking distance.  Bring cash for concessions and the 50/50 drawing. 

website:  http://www.mymct.org/