Palm Bay

Palm Bay is the largest city in Brevard County, with a population of over 115,000 in 2019. It is the core of the Palm Bay Metropolitan Area. == Understand == Palm Bay has plenty of points of interest north of Malabar Road. However, areas south of Malabar Road contain very little to do. == Get in == === By plane === You can get into Palm Bay through Melbourne International Airport (MLB IATA), which is the closest commercial airport to Palm Bay located in the nearby city of Melbourne. === By car === From Melbourne follow I-95 south to the Malabar Road exit for Palm Bay. US-1 follows the coastal route, a few miles to the east. Both I-95 and US-1 are north-south routes, I-95 being the easternmost interstate in the country and US-1 being the easternmost U.S. route. == Get around == == See == 1 Bensen House (The Bensen House Museum), 5795 US-1 (go south on U.S.1, near Micco), ☏ +1 321 723-8543. Free. (updated Jul 2016) Castaway Point Park, 2990 Bay Blvd NE, ☏ +1 321 952-3400. Dawn to dusk. A beautiful place to watch the sunrise or go kayaking. Free. (updated Jul 2016) == Do == 1 Grant-Valkaria Park (Valkaria Park), 1401 Valkaria Road (from U.S. 1, turn west on Valkaria Road; just past Corey Road on left). Dawn to Dusk. A great place to unwind and fish, play on the sports court or on the playground or just hike along the trail. Free. (updated Aug 2016) == Buy == Grant Antique Mall, 5900 US-1 (from U.S.1. head south for about 1-2 miles; near Benson house on right), ☏ +1 321 726-6778. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Friendly little shop. == Eat == 1 Fired Up Pizzeria, 195 Malabar Rd (easily accessible from I-95; go west until the Shopping Plaza light just past Minton Rd; then turn right), ☏ +1 321 727-3473. 11AM-10PM everyday. Delicious pizzeria known locally for its large slices and great garlic knots. (updated Jun 2016) == Drink == The Broken Barrel Tavern (Broken Barrel Tavern), Palm Bay Center, 4700 S Babcock St (from I-95 take exits 173 or 176; just south of Palm Bay Road), ☏ +1 321-728-4755. Su-Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-2AM. Unfussy tavern offering home-style BBQ (including meats smoked on-site) and a vast beer selection. (updated Jul 2016) == Sleep == 1 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Palm Bay, 1206 Malabar Rd SE (from I-95, go east and turn right just past the Sunoco), ☏ +1 321 220-2003. A typical Holiday Inn Express with free breakfast and a pool. 4 stars. (updated Jun 2016) == Go next == Melbourne - a nearby neighboring and more developed city, just north of Palm Bay. Malabar southeast of Palm Bay is a small community on the shore of the Intracoastal Waterway.