If you take an hour’s drive along the 192 to the Space Coast you will arrive at Melbourne. Visitors to Orlando often drive here for a day at the beach but there is more to do in Melbourne than sunbathe.
Brevard zoo is a good place to visit particularly if you have younger children. This zoo opened in 1994 after 20, 000 local volunteers participated in the world' s largest community build. Volunteer builds have helped the zoo grow even more in the past 9 years.
Admission for adults is $7 seniors $6 children 2- 12 years of age$5 and under 2 are admitted free. The zoo is open 10am to 5pm with last admission being at 4:15pm daily. It is only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
The zoo has nearly 500 animals with many different species smaller children love it but it is more like a park in size.
Family entertainment can be had at Andretti Thrill Park where you can get three hours of unlimited attractions for $25. 95; four hours will cost $29. 95. Opening hours are Mon to Thu 11am-10pm; Fri 11am-1am; Sat 10am-1am; Sun 12noon-10pm
There are 4 go-kart tracks as well as wave rave boats and paddle boats with water pumpers. Younger children are catered for with specially-sized rides and a train. Here they regularly update with new karts on all the tracks, new games in their arcade and also have a laser tag arena. There is entertainment for all members of the family from toddlers to teenagers as well as the adults.
If you have a driver’s license, and are looking for really exciting, professional go-karting take the Andretti Challenge. This has a European-style road course track, speeds up to 40 miles per hour, and computerized precision lap timing, you will enjoy it.
For those who like to shop visit Square Mall which has some of my favourite department stores like Macy' s, Dillard' s North and South, and JCPenney as well as more than 125 additional specialty stores.
There are quite a few golf clubs for golfing enthusiasts and the Baytree National Golf Links offers good afternoon rates. It is an 18-hole regulation length golf course and although it is a somewhat flat course there are many mounds that will cause uneven lies. The fairways are tree lined and bordered by a standard cut of rough.
Last time we went to Melbourne we stayed until quite late in the evening and as we have always had difficulty finding a good Indian restaurant in Orlando decided to dine at the one we found in Melbourne. We chose the Taste of India and were impressed with the authentic Indian dishes prepared with a variety of spices and ingredients, they were very good. I believe they also open at lunchtimes.
If you go to Melbourne for the day enjoy it.