what is Melbourne, FL known for | what is Melbourne famous for
- By
- Aparna Patel
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- 7 Jun, 2023
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Welcome to Melbourne, Florida! Known as the “Harbor City,” Melbourne is a coastal city located on the Atlantic Ocean in Brevard County, Florida. This city is known as a popular tourist destination, with miles of coastline featuring some of the finest beaches in Florida.
Melbourne is also a historic city, founded in 1867 and named after Melbourne Beach across the bay, which was named for Melbourne, England. With its sunny skies, mild climate and vibrant art scene, Melbourne is a great place to live and visit. Here, we’ll explore what makes Melbourne so special and all the amazing things the city has to offer.
From the beaches and local attractions to the thriving business and dining scene, Melbourne has something for everyone.
Top 10 Best Things Melbourne, FL is known For
1. Beaches: Melbourne Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, and Satellite Beach are all popular spots.
2. Parks and Recreation: Crane Creek Reserve, Wickham Park, and Mammoth Park offer plenty of outdoor activities.
3. Restaurants: Enjoy classic southern cuisine at Squid Lips Grill, eclectic tapas at Intermezzo Cafe, or waterfront dining at The Sandbar.
4. Shopping: Renowned shopping centers like The Avenue Viera and The Avenue Palm Bay provide ample options for shoppers.
5. Brevard Zoo: This 75-acre zoo is home to over 800 animals from 500 species.
6. Space Coast: Visitors can check out The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and take part in various space-related activities.
7. Arts and Culture: From the Melbourne Art Festival to the Henegar Center for Arts, Melbourne is a great destination for cultural activities.
8. Historic Downtown Melbourne: Home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and recreational activities, this charming area is perfect for an afternoon stroll.
9. Surfing: With ideal waves and plenty of surf schools, Melbourne is a great destination for surfers of all levels.
10. 321 Oyster Bar: Not to be missed, this local seafood bar is known for its signature oysters, shrimp, and clams.
Interesting & Unknown Facts About Melbourne, FL
1. Melbourne, Florida is named after an Australian city of the same name. This isn’t a coincidence! In the late 1800s, two brothers – C.M. and F.H. Reed – moved from Melbourne, Australia to Melbourne, Florida, to open a pineapple plantation.
2. Melbourne, Florida has a unique claim to fame: It is the only city where surfing has taken place for more than 100 years. The area’s waves and offshore reefs create some of the best surfing conditions in the Atlantic!
3. In 1879, Melbourne was the first post office in all of Brevard County, making it one of the oldest towns on the Space Coast.
4. The city of Melbourne was named for its first postmaster, Cornthwaite John Hector, who was originally from Melbourne, Australia.
5. In 1891, the town of Melbourne was incorporated. It was the first incorporated municipality in all of Brevard County.
6. Melbourne is home to the world’s largest collection of Harris Airmail Covers at the Brevard County Historical Commission.
7. The largest festival in the city of Melbourne is the Space Coast State Fair. This fair is held every spring and is one of the biggest festivals in the entire Space Coast.
8. Melbourne Beach is one of the closest mainland beaches to the Kennedy Space Center and is often used to film space shuttle launches.
9. The city of Melbourne is home to many different species of wildlife and is an important habitat for rare and endangered species such as the manatee, sea turtles, and roseate spoonbills.
10. The city of Melbourne also has many outdoor sports complexes, making it the ideal city for sports enthusiasts! The city hosts USA Water Polo, rugby, tennis, and hockey tournaments among others.
History & Information of Melbourne, FL
The City of Melbourne, Florida is located in Brevard County on the Space Coast of Florida, between Cocoa Beach and Vero Beach. It is part of the Palm Bay- Melbourne-Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area and is the county seat of Brevard County. It is home to approximately 75,000 people.
Melbourne has a long history. The area was first surveyed in 1827, and William Henry Gleason soon established a homestead near the Old Eau Gallie River (an area known today as West Melbourne). The town was incorporated in 1880 and was named after Melbourne, Australia, after Margaret Wickham, the wife of postmaster Sidney Wickham, who was born