Melbourne is on East Central Florida's Space Coast in Brevard County. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville Area, and was home to 83,000 people in 2019.
Understand
While most of Melbourne is on the mainland, a small portion is located on a barrier island. The Indian River Lagoon separates the mainland from the island. The island is a narrow strip of land that separates the Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean.
Spanning the Indian River Lagoon to connect the mainland to the barrier island are a pair of four-lane, high-rise bridges -- the Melbourne Causeway and the Eau Gallie Causeway.
Get in
By plane
- 1 Orlando-Melbourne International Airport (MLB IATA), 1 Air Terminal Pkwy (Terminal is at SE corner towards W Nasa Blvd & Dr MLK Jr Blvd.), ☏ +1 321 723-6227 (ext. 222). Serves Florida's Space and Treasure Coasts with domestic passenger and air freight service. Utilizing convenient, state-of-the-art facilities, the Melbourne International Airport is served by:
- Allegiant Air (Charlotte/Concord NC (USA), Nashville (BNA), Pittsburgh (PIT))
- PSA Airlines dba American Eagle (Charlotte (CLT), Washington (DCA))
- Delta Airlines (Atlanta (ATL))
- Elite Airways (Newark (EWR), Portland ME (PWM), White Plains NY (HPN))
- TUI UK cities of Birmingham (UK) (begins March 29, 2022), Bristol (begins May 4, 2022), Doncaster/Sheffield (begins May 5, 2022), Edinburgh (begins June 15, 2022), Glasgow (begins May 2, 2022), London–Gatwick (begins March 28, 2022), Manchester (UK) (begins March 27, 2022), Newcastle upon Tyne
The Airport also provides services including charter passenger flights, private aviation, and air freight flights.
Other nearby airports include:
- Orlando International Airport (MCO IATA) 64 mi (103 km) NW of Melbourne.
- Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB IATA) 84 mi (135 km) miles NW of Melbourne.
- Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB IATA) 90 mi (140 km) miles N of Melbourne.
By car
- Interstate 95 Melbourne is accessed from exits #176 ("Palm Bay Rd/Palm Bay") through #188 ("FL Hwy 404 Patrick AFB Satellite Beach") along I-95. There are five exits from I-95 into town. Downtown can be accessed from Exit #180 ("US Hwy 192 Melbourne West Melbourne") from both directions of I-95.
- US Hwy 1
- US Highway 192 Connects Melbourne to Orlando through Kissimmee. US Hwy 192 east of its junction with I-95 (Exit #180) into town as West New Haven Ave.
- FL A1A Coastal highway connecting Cape Canaveral in the north, through Melbourne Beach to Stuart Beach in Fort Pierce in the south.
See By car under Get around in below for a more local description of the above.
By bus
- 2 Greyhound, (bus stop) West New Haven Mobile Mart/Gas Station at 4520 W New Haven Ave (Off of Exit #180 of I-95.), ☏ +1 321 723-4323, toll-free: +1 800 231-2222. Travels primarily on Interstate 95 (Miami, Ft Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Ft Pierce, Titusville, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville). Another variation of this route connects West Palm Beach to Orlando through Ft Pierce, Titusville, Melbourne and points in between along I-95/FL Hwy 50. Passengers transfer in Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Miami or Orlando to reach other cities. Check Schedules.
- Cocoa Beach Shuttle, Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal, ☏ +1 321 631-4144. By appointment for pick up/drop off at your door. Specialize in Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach Areas. Also serve entire Brevard County, Disney, Universal and I-Drive areas from Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal, Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Melbourne Orlando Airport (MLB).
- Melbourne Airport Express, (office) 1 Air Terminal Pkwy, ☏ +1 321 724-1600, toll-free: 1 800 826-4544. (airport ticket counter) Daily 5AM-11PM; Call to arrange pick up at your door. Door to door connection to Melbourne-Orlando International Airport (MLB); Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Orlando and the Port Canaveral Cruise Line Terminal.
Get around
By bus
- Space Coast Area Transit is the name of the local Brevard County bus service. It is a cheap way to get around and is handicap accessible. The website provides maps and timetables. Buses travel to most sites and places of interest. $1.25 per ride, or $35 for a monthly pass.
By car
The best way to get around Melbourne is by car. Major Roads include:
- U.S. Highway 1. Harbor City Boulevard is the local street name, and it runs parallel to the Indian River on the eastern side of the city. This road allows easy access to the beaches over 3 causeways: the Pineda Causeway (Florida State Road 404), Eau Gallie Causeway, and Melbourne Causeway.
- U.S. Highway 192. Locally named New Haven Avenue or Strawbridge Avenue (historic downtown), US 192 is one of the major commercial, entertainment, and retail areas of Melbourne. Many businesses, large and small, are located on this busy avenue. It serves as a route to Kissimmee and the tourist corridor of Orlando to the west, and the town of Indialantic to the east via the Melbourne Causeway.
- Interstate 95. This 6 lane interstate highway passes through the city limits, 4 exit ramps located in the Melbourne Vicinity. It serves as the main north-south route in the metropolitan area.
- Florida State Road A1A. This road runs along the beaches and provides easy access to other areas of Brevard County.
- County Road 509 (Wickham\Minton). Wickham serves as a second north to south route in the Melbourne area.
See
- 1 The Botanical Gardens at FIT. A 15-acre botanical garden on the campus of FIT which is free and open to the public.
- 2 Henegar Center for the Arts, 625 East New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321-723-8698.
- 3 Honor America's Liberty Bell Museum, 1601 Oak St (Oaks & E Hibicus Blvd next to Melbourne Military Memorial Park), ☏ +1 321-727-1776. M-F 10AM-4PM. Honor America, Inc. is a patriotic non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian organization who operates the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum and the Melbourne Military Memorial Park and hosts patriotic events throughout the year.
- 4 Maxwell C King Center for Performing Arts, 3865 N. Wickham Road (SE of the intersection of N Wickham Rd & E Post on the campus of Eastern Florida State College.), ☏ +1 321-242-2219.
- Melbourne Arts Festival, PO Box 611, Melbourne, FL 32902, ☏ +1 321 722-1964. April.
- 5 Melbourne Community Orchestra, 1924 Melody Ln, ☏ +1 321 285-6724.
- 6 Melbourne Civic Theatre, 817 Strawbridge Ave (Along Strawbridge Ave (US Hwy 192) between Municiapl Ln & Waverly Pl), ☏ +1 321-723-6935. Local stage since 1951 putting on a variety of classic & new plays in an intimate setting.
Do
- Andretti's Thrill Park, 3960 S. Babcock St, ☏ +1 321 956-6706, info@AndrettiThrillPark.com. Go-karts, mini-golf.
- Brevard Symphony Orchestra, 1500 Highland Ave (offices are in the historic Winchester Symphony House in the Eau Gallie Arts District), ☏ +1 321-242-2024. Founded in 1954, the orchestra-in-residence at the King Center for the performing arts. Brevard's only professional orchestra.
- 1 Brevard Zoo, 8225 N Wickham Rd (between Rockledge and Melbourne), ☏ +1 321-254-9453. Animals and exhibits of different habitats, along with a treetop trek.
- Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida (Zipline Safari), ☏ +1 407 957-9794, info@floridaecosafaris.com. Journey deep into Forever Florida, a 4700 acre eco-ranch and wildlife conservation area, preserved just as nature intended. This beautiful site boasts 9 distinct Florida ecosystems and an endless array of natural flora and fauna including alligators, black bears, nearly two hundred species of birds and the endangered Florida panther. Choose your own fully-guided adventure: Coach Safari, Horseback Safari, soar through the treetops on the NEW Zipline Safari. Reservations Required.
- 2 Galaxy Skateway, 1488 Aurora Road, ☏ +1 321 242-0789. Roller skating rink.
- Kite World, 109 S Mirimar Ave, FL-A1A, toll-free: +1-800-431-5170. Kite flying.
Buy
- 1 Melbourne Square Mall, 1700 W New Haven Ave (W New Haven Ave & Evans southwest of airport grounds), ☏ +1 321 727-2000. Su noon-6PM; M-Th 11AM-7PM; F Sa 10AM-8PM. Melbourne Square Mall hosts Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods and numerous other hotels, shops & restaurants in the mall and in the immediate surrounding area not part of the mall (Best Buy, Burlington Coat Factory, Pet Smart, Ross Dress for Less, Extended Stay America, Marriott Courtyard, among others). There are other smaller strip malls & free standing establishments across the street along W New Haven Ave.
Eat
- 1 Squid Lips, 1477 Pineapple Avenue (on the Indian River). "Where the locals eat & drink.". $5-$15 per person.
- Siam Orchid, 75 E Nasa Blvd. $8-23 (2021) per entree.
- Makotos, 785 South Babcock St, ☏ +1 321 724-8751.
- 2 Cedar's Cafe, 4100 N Wickham Rd, ☏ +1 321 751-0000. Tu–Sa 11AM–6PM. Lebanese cuisine. Tabouli.
- 3 The Wagon Wheel, 3082 Lake Washington Rd, ☏ +1 321-254-7411. In business for over 40 years, known for Pizza and Stromboli.
- 4 Friendly Toast Cafe II (formerly known as "Friendly Toast"), 380 N Wickham Rd, ☏ +1 321 622-5950. 6AM–2:30PM. Diner-style restaurant. Brilliant breakfasts. A favorite of locals. Great food at great prices. You can eat inside (usually crowded) or at a few tables outside.
Historic Downtown Dining
- 5 Meg O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 810 E New Haven Av, ☏ +1 321 952-5510.
Drink
- Coasters Pub, ☏ +1 321 779-2739. 971A E Eau Gallie Blvd (Wal-Mart Plaza). 100+ Awesome Beers and Full Liquor License
Sleep
Near Airport
The airport locations are located southeast of the airport terminal, southeast of the intersection of NASA Blvd & MLK along MLK Blvd:
- 1 Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, 200 Rialto Pl (Is located within minutes of the Melbourne International Airport.), ☏ +1 321 768-0200.
- 2 Suburban Extended Stay, 1125 Airport Blvd., ☏ +1 321 768-9777, fax: +1 321 541-8985. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. This hotel offers free wireless high-speed Internet access in all rooms and an on-site fitness room.
Jct I-95 and US Hwy 192 (W New Haven Ave)
There are several chain hotels & motels located on W New Haven Ave (US Hwy 192) east of its intersection with I-95 (Exit #180). Ideal for travelers passing through along I-95 by car or by Greyhound bus and need a break from a long drive or bus ride:
- 3 America's Best Value Inn & Suites by Red Lion, 4431 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321 768-8439. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- 4 Budget Inn, 4505 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321 725-5450.
- 5 Days Inn by Wyndham, 4500 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321 837-9023. Check-in: 3 PM, check-out: noon.
- 6 Hampton's Inn, 194 Coastal Ln, ☏ +1 321 956-6200.
- 7 Holiday Inn Express, 2255 Coastal Ln, ☏ +1 321 345-4186. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- 8 La Quinta Inn & Suites, 4510 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321 724-2050. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- 9 Melbourne All Suites Inn, 4455 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321 724-5840. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- 10 Woodspring Suites, 4650 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321 312-3680.
Bed & Breakfast
- 11 Crane Creek Inn Waterfront Bed & Breakfast, 907 E Melbourne, ☏ +1 321 768-6416. Located in Historic Downtown Melbourne.
Go next
- Kennedy Space Center is about an hour's drive north, in Cape Canaveral.
- Disney World is 1-1½ hours by car due west in Lake Buena Vista.
- The beaches at Melbourne Beach and Indialantic
Routes through Melbourne |
Daytona Beach ← Rockledge ← | N S | → Palm Bay → Fort Pierce |
Daytona Beach ← Rockledge ← | N S | → Palm Bay → Vero Beach |
Orlando ← Kissimmee ← | W E | → Jct → End |
Cape Canaveral ← Satellite Beach ← | N S | → Indialantic → Vero Beach |