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Beaches and pickleball courts will soon be packed across Florida, but it’s not just Miami and the cluster of sunny paradises around Tampa that have become vacation hotspots.
Small towns are becoming famous as more vacationers hope to grab a front-row seat with waves crashing at their feet, their favorite cocktail in hand and a new book you may never open, but hey, at least you’ve set a goal to be productive.
The truth is, finding a haven without a crowd is a tough task these days, but travelers have taken note of a little-known coastal town that you can safely say is Florida’s. trendiest seaside resort.
Long before airlines began establishing bases here, this laid-back retreat was a tight-lipped secret Florida’s other Disney destination that’s immeasurably more peaceful than the soundtrack of screaming children in the “happiest place” in the world.
Now Disney’s allure has been amplified, but it’s a full-fledged vacation destination that still feels “local,” with beautiful blue-green waters and vast expanses of coastline for those who prefer to avoid breakneck big cities and spring break shenanigans.
Vero Beach: Disney magic without the Hoopla theme park
Believe it or not, Orlando doesn’t have a monopoly on Disney adventures in Florida.
Vero Beach, located on the Atlantic coast, near other relatively unknown barrier islands and neighboring coastal charmers, is state-owned other Disney destination.
Home to Disney’s Vero Beach Resortan official Disney Vacation Club resort, the magic only increases as the full glow nears completion, with the lounge the last of the major upgrades set to reopen in August 2026.
Located about 2 hours south of world-famous Disney World, this quieter Treasure Coast retreat may not have staggering teacups, but it does offer Disney lovers a quieter coastal retreat with spacious beaches and no need for a Fast pass.
But you can still take your favorite character home with you by purchasing a souvenir from the on-site Island Grove Packing Company.
If you’re in the area in the summer, the biggest draw is the resort sea turtle conservation efforts claimed they were “the most important turtle nesting habitats in the Western Hemisphere.”
Vero Beach is growing, but still feels local
We get it: anyone who has planted their proverbial flag in their beloved hometown doesn’t want it to become too touristy.
So far, things are going well for Vero Beach.
While Disney’s resort and critically acclaimed Kimpton are outliers, the rest of the city is still bustling with local eateries, small inns and boat owners mingling in the marina.
Vero Beach is home to two bodies of water to enjoy: the Atlantic Ocean, of course, as well as the Indian River.
If you love the outdoors but aren’t the type to spend the day getting lost in the abyss of the Atlantic Ocean from a lounge chair on the beach, you can first explore the Indian River by kayak or paddleboard.
With no other major destination nearby, Vero Beach is still a world away from much of the craziness of Florida, although it is slightly more expensive with expensive spas and trendy wine bars, even earning it the nickname “the Hamptons of Florida.”
Overall, you’ll find a slower, fun town, yet it still offers Florida must-dos like tiki bars and endless sun-drenched beach days.
Rough vacationers tend to skip Vero in favor of the likes of Cocoa Beach. Therefore, there really is no bad time to visit.
But from July through September, temperatures often drop to 90 degrees, while spring averages more tolerable highs of 79 to 86 degrees.
Best of all, while Vero Beach is fun, it’s not a boring retreat for retirees. Data shows that most tourists are between 25 and 47 years old.
New flights put Vero Beach on travelers’ radar
Just a few years ago, Vero Beach was off the beaten path for most because the airport’s commercial services were non-existent.
That all changed in 2023 when Breeze Airways took over. Since then, two more major airlines have joined the ranks:
- US airlines
- JetBlue
In total, travelers can now fly non-stop to Vero Beach from 10 US cities with the fairly recent JetBlue launch from Boston and the upcoming Breeze route from Raleigh (launching May 6, 2026).
