Located in Florida’s well-known Brevard County, Harbor Island Beach Club in Melbourne, Florida, is situated in the middle of some of the state’s most fascinating and hidden gems. We all know about the white sandy beaches, the Indian River Lagoon, and the iconic and historic Kennedy Space Center, but have you ever heard of the Rossetter House Museum? What about the Eau Gallie Arts District? We invite you to read on to learn about these two hidden gems within 20 minutes of Harbor Island Beach Club, as well as a few more…
- Historic Rossetter House Museum and Gardens - This historic home is a project of the Florida Historical Society and The Rossetter House foundation. The museum consists of the James Wadsworth Rossetter House and gardens (1908), the William R. Roesch House (1901), and the Houston Family Memorial Cemetery (1865). The Rossetter Family is deeply rooted in Florida history and one of the first Florida pioneer families to make their livelihood along the St. Johns River. The family made their name in the fishing industry as well as an agent for the Standard Oil Company. After the death of their father, the eldest Rossetter daughter, Carrie, dedicated her life to ensuring the success of the family business. The Rossetter House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers guided tours Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Eau Gallie Arts District - The Eau Gallie Arts District (EGAD) is a vibrant community rich in history and includes an eclectic mix of art galleries, restaurants, shops, and year-round events. This arts district serves as the cultural hub of Eau Gallie, which is less than a ten-minute drive from Melbourne Beach. It’s one of the trendiest destinations in Brevard County and comes to life thanks to the colorful murals scattered throughout the area by local artists. Evenings and weekends are some of the most popular times of the year for people to visit and enjoy live entertainment, arts and craft shows, festivals, wine tastings, and more.
- The Ted Moorhead Lagoon House - Located in the City of Palm Bay, the Lagoon House serves as the welcome center for the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway. This historic site offers educational exhibits, a lagoon-species tank, a movie on the history of the lagoon, a library, and a gift shop, as well as a 100-foot boardwalk along the water. The Lagoon House has been open to the public since 2005 in order to share the history of the Indian River Lagoon as well as promote its preservation for future generations. It’s also available for event rental—what a unique spot to host a company retreat or holiday party.
- Foosaner Art Museum at Florida Institute of Technology - Okay, this museum is located in the Eau Gallie Arts District that we mentioned before, but it’s too good not to get it’s own little shoutout in our list of hidden gems. The Foosaner Art Museum is considered a gathering place, a catalyst for change, and a center of creativity. The museum collects, displays, and interprets all aspects of visual arts in ways that relate to the past, the present, and the future. Since first opening in 1928, the museum has curated a permanent collection that includes works by 20th-century Central Florida artists, Asian ceramics and metalwork, Modern and Contemporary works on paper, as well as the world’s largest collection of art from German Impressionist, Ernst Oppler. The museum also boasts its creative center, the Renee Foosaner Education Center, offering fine arts courses of all media to children and adults year-round.
Florida isn’t lacking when it comes to things to see or do in the Sunshine State, but what we really hope you’ve learned by now is that Melbourne Beach, Florida, has just as much to offer as the rest of the state… and really, what it has to offer is so unique that it will make a lasting impression on you and your guests and and the time spent at Harbor Island Beach Club.
