# Melbourne (Florida)

Melbourne is on the 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.
* Melbourne City Council$^{[deadlink]}$ website

## Get in
### By plane

* 28.0977-80.631031 Melbourne-Orlando International Airport (MLB ), 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:
   * Avelo : (New Haven, CT (HVN); Raleigh-Durham (North Carolina) (RDU))
   * Allegiant: (Nashville, Pittsburgh, and seasonally from Allentown, PA)
   * PSA Airlines dba American Eagle (Charlotte (CLT))
   * Delta (Atlanta (ATL))
   * Sun Country (Seasonally from Minneapolis-St Paul (MSP))
   * TUI Fly$^{[deadlink]}$ from the UK cities of Birmingham (UK), Bristol, Doncaster/Sheffield, Edinburgh; Glasgow, London–Gatwick, Manchester (UK), Newcastle upon Tyne
There are taxis, rideshare and hotel shuttles to bring you into town locally. There are also car rentals available from the airport which is the preferred method for greater flexibility in getting around to the surrounding areas. See this Link$^{[deadlink]}$ for a list of taxi and shuttle providers. Bus routes 21, 29 and 30 serve the airport from the city. The #21 and 30 buses connect the airport to downtown. The 30 bus also go to Eau Gallie and Melbourne Beach from the airport while the #29 goes across the area between Viera (in the north) to Palm Bay West in the south. Other nearby airports include:
* Orlando International Airport (MCO) 64 mi (103 km) NW of Melbourne via I-95 and FL-528
* Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB) 84 mi (135 km) miles NW of Melbourne via I-95 and FL-46.
* Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) 91 mi (146 km) miles north of Melbourne via I-95

### By car

* Interstate 95 (I-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.
* Dixie Highway and Harbor City Blvd pass through town as NE Dixie Hwy, N Harbor City Blvd and S Harbor City Blvd.
* US-192 connects Melbourne to Walt Disney World 69 mi (111 km) through St Cloud, Kissimmee and Celebration. Going east of its junction with I-95 (Exit #180), US Hwy 192 enters into town as West New Haven Ave and ends in Indialantic (as 5th Ave) at SR A1A.
* Highway A1A/SR A1A is the coastal highway connects which Cape Canaveral in the north, through Melbourne Beach to Stuart Beach in Fort Pierce in the south. In town, it passes through Satellite Beach, Indian Harbor, Indiaatlantic and Melbourne Beach.
See By car under Get around in below for a more local description of the above.

### By bus

* 28.30641-80.742042 Greyhound, (bus stop) Mobile Gas Station @ 3210 S Fiske Blvd, Rockledge Fl (Off of Exit #195 of I-95.), ☏ +1 321 252-2011, toll-free: +1 800 231-2222. Travels primarily on Interstate 95 (Miami, Ft Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Port St Lucie, Ft Pierce, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Rockledge, Titusville, Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, Palm Coast, Jacksonville). Passengers transfer in Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, or Miami or Orlando to reach other cities. Greyhound no longer stops into Melbourne, nearest stop is in Rockledge. Check Schedules. (updated Dec 2020)
* Cocoa Beach Shuttle, Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal, ☏ +1 321-631-4144. By appointment for pick up/drop off at your door. Specializes in Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach Areas. Also serves entire Brevard County, Disney, Universal and I-Drive areas from Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal, Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Melbourne Orlando Airport (MLB). (updated Jan 2022)
* 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. (updated Jan 2022)
* Space Coast Area Transit operates intercity routes within Brevard County from Titusville with the following:
   * 1 Connects Titusville Government Center to Viera Government Center through Cocoa & Rockledge along US Hwy 1 and S Fisk Blvd (SR-519).
   * 29 Connects Melbourne Airport to Viera Government Center where passengers transfer to #1 bus to reach Titusville (via Cocoa and Rockledge). Likewise passengers can also transfer to the #7 bus at Walmart in Viera to get to Cocoa but it goes on a longer route than the #1 bus. The first/last stop is in the Taxi/Bus Lane, on the other side of the island, from the departures entrances. Passengers can transfer directly to #21 (to downtown) and 30 (to South Beach, Indialantic and Eau Gallie) from the same airport stop. Check schedules and maps for a list of stops and transfer points.

## 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. The #21, 29 and 30 buses go into town from the airport. $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:
* US 1 passes through town as Harbor City Boulevard which 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.
* US 192 is locally named New Haven Avenue and 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 (I-95) passes through the city limits as a 6-lane interstate highway, with 4 exit ramps in the Melbourne Vicinity. It serves as the main north-south route in the metropolitan area.
* This road runs along the beaches and provides easy access to other areas of Brevard County.
* (Wickham\Minton). Wickham serves as a second north to south route in the Melbourne area.

## See

* 28.0675-80.62241 The Botanical Gardens at FIT (on the campus of FIT). A 15-acre botanical garden, open to the public. Free. (updated Nov 2023)
* 28.07805-80.610252 Henegar Center for the Arts, 625 East New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321-723-8698. (updated Jan 2021)
* 28.08443-80.614743 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.

## Do

* 28.0544-80.6231 Andretti's Thrill Park, 3960 S. Babcock St, ☏ +1 321 956-6706, info@AndrettiThrillPark.com. Go-karts, mini-golf. (updated Jun 2020)
* 28.13113-80.627542 Brevard Symphony Orchestra, (office) 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. Inquire online or at the office for performance locations.
* 28.2251-80.7143 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. (updated Jan 2021)
* 28.1359-80.6444 Galaxy Skateway, 1488 Aurora Road, ☏ +1 321 242-0789. Roller skating rink.
* 28.17048-80.669415 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, ☏ +1 321-722-1964. April.
* 28.08325-80.611346 Melbourne Community Orchestra, 1924 Melody Ln, ☏ +1 321 285-6724.
* 28.07923-80.606857 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.
* Space Coast Art Festival, 2261 Town Center Avenue (The Avenues Viera). The Space Coast Art Festival, held every October at The Avenue Viera, showcases fine art and student art. Free. (updated May 2024)

## Buy

* 28.115-80.62141 Kite World, 424 N Harbor City Blvd, ☏ +1 321 725-8336. Kite flying and store.
* 28.0816-80.64982 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. (updated Jan 2022)

## Eat

* 28.1313-80.62541 Squid Lips, 1477 Pineapple Avenue (on the Indian River), ☏ +1 321 259-3101. Su-Th 11AM-9PM; F Sa 11AM-10PM. $5-15 per person.
* 28.09307-80.619222 Siam Orchid Thai & Japanese, 75 E Nasa Blvd, ☏ +1 321-729-6283. M-F 11AM-2:30PM, 4-9:30PM; F 11AM-2:30PM, 4-10PM; Sa 4-10PM. $8-23 (2021) per main. (updated Jul 2021)
* 28.09526-80.621143 Makotos Japanese Restaurant, 785 South Babcock St (NASA Plaza Mall at S Babcock & Nasa Blvd), ☏ +1 321 724-8751. M-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su noon-8PM.
* 28.1762-80.67374 Cedar's Cafe, 4100 N Wickham Rd, ☏ +1 321 751-0000. Tu–Sa 11AM–6PM. Lebanese cuisine. Tabouli.
* 28.1484-80.67275 The Wagon Wheel Pizza, 3082 Lake Washington Rd, ☏ +1 321-254-7411. Tu-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM, Su noon-9PM. In business for over 40 years, known for pizza and stromboli. (updated May 2015)
* 28.1127-80.67316 Friendly Toast Cafe II, 380 N Wickham Rd, ☏ +1 321-622-5950. 6AM–2:30PM. Diner-style restaurant. Great food at great prices. You can eat inside (usually crowded) or at a few tables outside.

## Drink

* 28.0786-80.60721 Meg O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 812 E New Haven Ave (downtown), ☏ +1 321-952-5510. Also offers catering and takeaway and a live music calendar.
* 28.0863-80.65182 Hemingway's Tavern, 1800 W Hibiscus Blvd #115, ☏ +1 321 802-9648. Also offering a cafecito for takeaway food. (updated May 2022)
* 28.079-80.64153 Twisted Rooster, 1220 W New Haven Ave #150, ☏ +1 321 345-5924, info@twistedroosterbar.com. 21+ only. (updated May 2022)

## Sleep
### Near airport

The airport locations are southeast of the airport terminal, southeast of the intersection of NASA Blvd & MLK along MLK Blvd:
* 28.09-80.625691 Hilton Melbourne (formerly Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place), 200 Rialto Pl (near the Melbourne International Airport), ☏ +1 321-768-0200. (updated Oct 2024)
* 28.09144-80.626172 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.
* 28.092791-80.6373993 Hyatt Place Melbourne Airport, 747 Air Terminal Pkwy, ☏ +1 321 372 1785, MCOZA-Guest.Service@hyatt.com. (updated Oct 2024)

### Jct I-95 and US Hwy 192 (W New Haven Ave)

There are several chain hotels & motels on W New Haven Ave (US Hwy 192) east of its intersection with I-95 (Exit #180):
* 28.07815-80.699844 America's Best Value Inn & Suites by Red Lion, 4431 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321-768-8439. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Jan 2021)
* 28.07844-80.701675 Budget Inn, 4505 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321-725-5450. (updated Jan 2021)
* 28.08-80.701886 Days Inn by Wyndham, 4500 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321-837-9023. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jan 2021)
* 28.08066-80.703077 Hampton's Inn, 194 Coastal Ln, ☏ +1 321-956-6200. (updated Jan 2021)
* 28.07675-80.701668 Holiday Inn Express, 2255 Coastal Ln, ☏ +1 321-345-4186. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Jan 2021)
* 28.07947-80.701919 La Quinta Inn & Suites, 4510 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321-724-2050. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Jan 2021)
* 28.077-80.7011510 Melbourne All Suites Inn, 4455 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321-724-5840. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Jan 2021)
* 28.08018-80.7043411 Woodspring Suites, 4650 W New Haven Ave, ☏ +1 321-312-3680. (updated Jan 2021)

### Bed & Breakfast

* 28.07651-80.6055512 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