Within the aviation community, Vero Beach, Florida, is most well known for being the site of Piper Aircraft’s manufacturing and business operations. While Vero Beach Regional Airport (KVRB) has been home for the well-regarded aircraft airframer for more than six decades, it also serves as the gateway for tourists from the U.S. and beyond who are looking for fun in the sun in a quieter locale than many other Florida vacation destinations.
There are many aspects that make Vero Beach unique and worthy of being atop any discerning pilot’s must-visit list. A leading reason people come to Indian River County, which Vero Beach is the seat of, is its 26 miles of pristine beaches.
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The city’s location at the northern end of South Florida has earned it the informal distinction of “Where the Tropics Begin.” Summertime temperatures tend to stay in the low 80s (Fahrenheit) with winter temperatures typically above
the 60s.
The water of the Atlantic Ocean is pleasantly warm throughout much of the year, with the typical swim season lasting March through November. However, it’s not out of the question to take a dip at any time of the year, as the water typically does not drop below the mid-60s.
Ocean activities are not the only noteworthy recreational options for visitors. With more than 100,000 acres of protected conservation land, Vero Beach is a fine choice for those looking to enjoy the solitude of nature. A diverse selection of animals can be seen at the handful of city parks and dedicated wildlife refuge areas.
Vero Beach, the largest city in the county, was originally incorporated in 1919 (then known as “The City of Vero”). Today, it boasts more than 30 historic sites and a strong arts-and-culture scene. Locals and tourists alike appreciate the variety of shops, galleries, museums, restaurants, and watering holes spread throughout town. Golfing opportunities are also plentiful in the area, with several public courses.
Flying In
Vero Beach sits roughly halfway between Melbourne and West Palm Beach on Florida’s east coast. The en route scenery is standard for a coastal Florida town, with undisturbed wetlands and bountiful greenfields occasionally punctuated by a residential or commercial building from most directions. Vero Beach Regional Airport is located toward the outermost northwestern boundary of town, and nearly all points of interest are within a 20-minute drive.
Situated on a 1,707-acre parcel about a mile east of the Indian River, which runs down nearly a fifth of the coastline, you travel across this north-south waterway when en route to enjoy a beach day—the sandy shores on North Hutchinson Island offer the closest options.
KVRB’s FAA-operated control tower is manned between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET, and there are three paved runways on the field, the longest of which is 7,314 feet long by 100 feet wide. The shortest runway is 3,505 feet long by 75 feet wide. Both ends of runways, 12R/30L and 4/22, have RNAV (GPS) approaches.
Vero Beach airport is a public-owned, public-use facility and was honored as the 2022 General Aviation Airport of the Year by the Florida Department of Transportation.
This coveted distinction is granted based on a variety of metrics, from aesthetics to safety, and is a point of significant pride for its regular users.
The airport has expanded significantly since its first days in the late 1920s, when it only covered around 100 acres. After a little more than a decade of operations, the site was selected by the U.S. Navy to be used as the site for airmanship training during World War II. Naval Air Station Vero Beach, as it was known during the war years and until 1947, hosted a handful of aircraft types, including Grumman F6F Hellcats and F7F Tigercats. Business was back to usual following the base’s closure, with a highlight being Piper Aircraft’s transition of company operations to the airport starting in 1957.
In 2015, the airport’s name was revised to its current iteration of Vero Beach Municipal Airport, signaling its larger importance to the greater region and not just the town. According to a 2022 report, the airport brings an economic impact of $933 million and ties to more than 5,900 jobs within the local economy. The airport is revising its master plan, with an eye toward sustainable operations over the next two decades, and there are many recently completed, ongoing, or future capital improvement projects. The county has a number of financial incentives in place to draw new aviation businesses to the field.
In addition to Piper’s headquarters, the airport is home to Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 99, several flight school operations, and is serviced by three FBOs. In 2023, there were 126,358 operations and 202 aircraft based at the airport. It has been reported that Corporate Air, one of the on-field FBOs, will be the site for a new U.S. Customs facility set to open in spring 2025.
There have been airshows at the airport in the past, including most recently in 2024. Next year’s event is planned for mid-May, and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels were announced as the headlining act.
But regardless of the day, pilots can experience an impromptu aerial display from the comfort of their seats at the airport’s beloved restaurant, C.J. Cannon’s. The pilot-friendly spot has been a local favorite for more than four decades and serves a variety of American fare during breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours. As the eatery highlights, “the only thing we overlook…is the runway.” Diners are entertained with aircraft takeoffs and landings, as well as carefully curated aviation-themed decor.
Things to Do
Jackie Robinson Training Complex
The closest point of interest to the airport is the Jackie Robinson Training Complex. Formerly known as Dodgertown, for the town’s roots in spring training, the Major League Baseball-operated facility pays homage to one of the game’s most notable difference-makers. The Brooklyn Dodgers were leaders in pro baseball’s integration movement, as Dodgertown was the South’s first integrated major league spring training site.
Since the now Los Angeles Dodgers moved their spring training to Glendale, Arizona, in 2008, their former Vero facility has begun catering to a wider focus on the sport’s development. Four of its fields are full size, and the facility’s hallmark is a 6,500-seat stadium. There are also four half-size fields suitable for softball and youth baseball.
This year calls for an onslaught of notable matchups from youth through the professional levels that will play on the complex’s eight diamonds. Some key upcoming games include the Jackie Robinson Celebration Game on April 15 and the National Championship Sports Florida World Series starting July 6.
The game day spaces are augmented by ample practice areas for players to warm up and improve their pitching, batting, and more. The complex’s facilities are used for more than just bat sports as they also host various football (including NFL teams), soccer, lacrosse, rowing, swimming, rugby, and other events. There are also on-site dining, lodging, and meeting rooms.
Vero Beach Museum of Art
The Vero Beach Museum of Art draws crowds from near and far for its permanent collection, as well as its assortment of traveling exhibits. The facility’s 900-plus piece collection is housed both inside and outside, with grounds just steps away from the Indian River within the Riverside Park complex.
Some of the notable pieces housed at the museum include a variety of sculptures, paintings, mixed media works, and more. There are three temporary exhibits that can be seen at the museum into the summer. Of most note is the “French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850-1950” showcase that highlights nearly 60 French works. The exhibition, open through June 22, celebrates a century of significant cultural change.
In addition to showcasing locally and internationally produced art, the museum also enables visitors to act on their own creativity through educational programming. Workshops designed specifically for adults and kids are available throughout the year with classes that include drawing, ceramics, and photography.
Admission to the museum is complimentary each second Saturday of the month, when there are food trucks and special events planned. The April 12 rendition is scheduled to host the Children’s Art Festival.
McKee Botanical Garden
The lush gardens of McKee Botanical Garden have been around for nearly as long as Vero Beach. Its original owners (one of whom is its namesake, industrialist and land developer Arthur McKee) initially intended for the property to be a citrus orchard, but its natural beauty persuaded them to leave the land undisturbed.
The site’s natural flora has been continually bolstered with tropical plants from around the world, serving as a significant draw for many years. As the region expanded, the garden’s land increased in value and was eyed for real estate development, but volunteers rallied to protect the 18 untouched acres.
The site was dedicated in 2001 and hosts over 10,000 plants, as well as one of the country’s largest water lily collections. On June 14, the 20th annual Water Lily Festival will take place, which celebrates more than 80 varieties. It’s the premier event to attend as a novice or seasoned Nymphaeaceae enthusiast.
Another event worthy of adding to your calendar is Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! exhibit, made with Lego bricks, which runs through May 4. The exhibition consists of 40-plus sculptures made out of more than 800,000 of the famed plastic play bricks. Each sculpture features an element one may find in an untouched natural setting, like a dragonfly or woodpecker, juxtaposed against the picturesque setting of the garden.
One of McKee Botanical Garden’s newest and highly anticipated additions is the Children’s Garden unveiled in 2020. As the organization’s website explains, “the mission of the Children’s Garden is to create a fun and whimsical outdoor destination that inspires imagination and curiosity in children through interaction, education and exploration, nurturing a powerful bond between families and children and nature.”
Piper Aircraft Factory Tour
Piper Aircraft moved its manufacturing operations from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, to Vero Beach in the late 1950s. Tens of thousands of aircraft have since rolled through the facility’s doors over the years. Today, the Piper line includes the venerable Archer models, Seminole, and M-Class series, headed by the latest M700 Fury—all built by trained artisans at the factory.
To celebrate its legacy and provide the general public a glimpse into its operations, Piper hosts a guided factory tour on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The midday walking tours, which were paused for a few years during the COVID-19 pandemic, take several hours to complete.
Each tour is led by company representatives familiar with the company’s storied history and current product line. Typical highlights include the fabrication, fuselage build, model lines, control surface, subassembly, and avionics areas. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime view into what is required to build an aircraft from start to finish.
These tours are complimentary, although they are only available to those 16 and older, with spots typically booked at least a month in advance. More details, including instructions to make a reservation, can be found on Piper’s website (piper.com). The company recommends those flying in to visit Sun Aviation, which is the FBO located in the closest proximity to the factory.
Nautical Activities
As you would expect with a seaside location, there are numerous nautical activities to choose from in Vero Beach. The city has long operated a municipal dock that provides fuel and slips, welcoming local and transient vessels alike. Loggerhead Marinas also has a site along the Treasure Coast with 161 wet slips and accommodates watercraft as large as 120 feet long.
For those who need to borrow (rent) a boat, several providers offer powerboat rentals for river and sea use, as well as kayaks and paddleboards. A local organization, the Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, offers lessons for those ready to learn a new skill.
One especially exhilarating and unique water activity is riding aboard an airboat, with around a half dozen operators serving the region. An airboat ride is sure to be a unique adventure cruising through natural marshlands. Aided by the captain’s well-informed narration through your headset, you scan the brush and water below looking for birds, alligators, turtles, and other native creatures. Most of the tours last about an hour and are fun for the whole family.
If you are tempted to change your plan from “borrow to buy,” the 42nd annual Vero Beach Spring Boat Show April 12-13 this year at Riverside Park, is a great first step in the journey toward boat ownership. The well-organized, casual event showcases a cadre of boat dealers and other nautical vendors. In years past there has also been a fall event, typically in November.
Shopping and Dining
There are plentiful shopping opportunities in Vero Beach. You can find well-known brands at the Indian River Mall and the Vero Beach Outlets. The Miracle Mile Plaza sports a variety of chain stores, in addition to several restaurants. There are also a handful of separate areas with local boutiques and shops.
Historic downtown Vero Beach, with distinct beach town architecture, has an acclaimed antique district, as well as shops that sell cigars, home goods, toys, apparel, and more. The popular beachside shopping along Ocean Drive is a must visit. Some of the notable local seaside restaurants to keep an eye out for include Ocean Grill, Citrus Grillhouse, Waldo’s, Seaside Grill, and Countryside Citrus.
The Vero Beach Farmers Market is a great place to grab a nutritious preflight or postflight snack, or some locally sourced ingredients for dinner if lingering in town. The weekly event is held each Saturday adjacent to the Humiston Park Boardwalk.
Indian River County Beaches
Most of Indian River County’s 12 beaches are located on or closely off of Highway A1A, which last year was named the “Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway” after the late musician and aviator. The official visitor’s guide for the county provides an overview for each beach, which generally are uncrowded and uncommercialized.
Each spot has its own special appeal, with some being better suited for kicking back in a chair with a book and relaxing, while others are tailor-made for swimming and even surfing. Want to soak up some Vitamin D in a tranquil setting? Or take a long beach stroll? Seagrape Trail, Turtle Trail Beach Access, Jaycee Park, Tracking Station Park, and Treasure Shores Park are great options to consider.
If you are interested in seeing sea turtles, Ambersands Beach Park, Sebastian Inlet State Park, Seagrape Trail, and Golden Sands Park are all places where these unique critters frequently nest. Manatees can typically be seen at Round Island Park, and the endangered southeastern beach mouse sometimes is sighted at Treasure Shores Park.
Humiston Park, South Beach Park, and Round Island Park are great places to enjoy a family beach day, with wide spaces for running around, building sandcastles, and lounging. Wabasso Beach Park is an attractive spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. It is also the best place to bust out your metal detector and look for treasure–literally. Gold coins (valued at $4.5 million) from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck were found just feet from the pristine sand only 10 years ago.
This column first appeared in the April Issue 957 of the FLYING print edition.
