travel and day-trip ideas

Get some friends or the family together and hit the road to see some of Florida's best holiday lights!

Just a short 2-3 hours away from our county, 

St. Augustine Nights of Lights features over 3 million lights in the picturesque historic district.

Our recommendation is to book a carriage ride.  You wind through some of the prettiest streets and will learn a bit about the history of the city.

Once you're done you can stroll to a restaurant (we like Casa Reina), listen to live music and do some Christmas shopping.

This is a free event, but be prepared to pay for parking or an uber if you are staying at a hotel that isn't within walking distance.

There are lots of hotels in the area.  If you don't mind a little drive over the bridge of Lions,  St. Augustine Beach has some too.  And there are lots of AirBNB's too.  

Pro-tips:  Book early and go during the week. Or on an off weekend.  If you go on a holiday weekend (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve) Be prepared to rub elbows with some strangers as the sidewalks and roads can get very crowded.

And it can be much chillier there than down here in Brevard so be sure and check the forecast before you go!

Here's a fun idea for the family-

Take a little drive down US1 to Mel Fisher's Treasures in Sebastian.

Giant emeralds, gold and silver bars and more await!

We visited during June week and it was worth the trip! There's a movie about the expedition then you can tour the treasures, learn some history and even hold a 5 pound gold bar!  It's only $8 for adults, $6 for Seniors, $4 for kids 5-12 and 4 and under are FREE!  Add in lunch at one of the local spots or a picnic at Riverview park and you've got a great little, budget-friendly outing.

Summer adventure idea from Brevard Buzz:

It's scallop season in Florida!

If you're a family of water lovers, it's worth a trip to Crystal River.  It's only about a 3 hour drive from Brevard depending on time of day.  So you could do a weekend trip easily.

We checked and there's still dates available at hotels for about $200-$400/night and Airbnb's for about $200-$700/night depending on property size.  And more importantly there are boat rentals available.  Try checking Twin Rivers Marina for boat rentals or Pete's Pier Marina for scallop trips/tours.

*There are some specific rules and regulations surrounding scalloping so make sure you check myfwc.com for details.

While you're there be sure and visit Three Sisters Springs.  It's only accessible by water craft and it's beautiful!

Make sure you pack lots of sunscreen, snorkel gear and pool noodles are great to float on while you're snorkeling or visiting the spring.

There are grocery stores and some quaint old Florida style restaurants in the area.

If you've been, share your pics below and if you go this season be sure and tag us on Insta.  We'd love to see your smiling faces