Griswolds are heading to Melbourne Beach, FL

[griswold]

So the Griswolds are heading to Melbourne Beach, Florida soon!

Anything that I need to know about the local food, bars, cool sight-seeing spots?

I know Jason lives in Orlando and topchuckie lives down there as well.

If any Junkies are near Melbourne Beach stop by and say hi!

Thanks in advance for the info!

Hey, just my vacation plans!

Gris

[TopChuckie]

Hey Gris,

When are you coming? It's pretty hot down here right now.

There aren't a whole lot of activities in Melbourne, it's more of a place to come and just enjoy the beach. It doesn't really cater to tourists like Orlando or Daytona.

I would suggest one day to take a short ride south of Melb. Beach down A1A to Sebastian Inlet. It's where the ocean feeds the inter-coastal. There's always some pretty good waves there, for the East Coast, so lots of surfing and usually jetski jumping that's fun to watch. There's a pier that extends out into the waves and gets hit pretty hard with waves that shoot up through the grating of the pier getting everyone wet and there is good fishing from the pier. There's a park and some shallow protected areas for a picnic and swimming. There's a Publix, the local grocery store, on the way down A1A where they make some pretty good subs in the deli if you'd like to pick them up for your picnic lunch.

The best pizza on the beach is Bizzarros at the east end of 192 (the Melbourne Causeway). A little north of there, in Satellite Beach, is a little shack on the west side of A1A called Da Kine Diegos. Go there to sit outside and have Burritos and Barney Bowls, very "beachy" though not directly on the beach.

Capt. Hiram's on the mainland side of the inter-coastal is a good time if you want some live music and tropical drinks. I can't recommend it for the food.

There's a Chart House back over the causeway in Melbourne but it's a bit pricey, entrees around $30. I'd recommend the seared Ahi, just had it this past Saturday.

If you make it up to Cocoa Beach, go to Roberto's for Cuban food. I recommend the Chicharron De Pollo or Vaca Frita.

If you have any other specific questions, I'd be glad to try to help.

[griswold]

Awesome! Thanks TC! Actually we're leaving this Saturday morning and we'll be there through the 9th.

I just heard great news this morning that the last Shuttle launch is Friday, July 8th, so the family is very excited about that. Will we have a good view from Melbourne Beach or should we drive closer to Cape Canaveral?

There's a little New England style restaurant directly across the street from our house...any word on that one?

We're coming up to Universal one day to visit Harry Potter World.

Thanks again!

[Gregg]

Have a safe and great trip!

[griswold]

Have a safe and great trip!

Thanks bud! I'm looking forward to it.

[Moonlight J]

I'd stay in Melbourne and watch the shuttle...it's not worth the traffic hassle to get any closer

[griswold]

I'd stay in Melbourne and watch the shuttle...it's not worth the traffic hassle to get any closer

Thanks J!

That was kinda my plan anyways....

[johnnya24]

If you see Steve there ...

[TopChuckie]

Depending on the clouds, you should be able to get a decent view from your beach after liftoff, but since it just happened to work out for you, this is the last shuttle mission, and I assume you and your family's only chance to ever see a shuttle launch, I would suggest trying to get as close as possible, i.e. close enough to actually get a view of it on the pad prior to launch, at least with binoculars. However, that does require the commitment and risk of potentially wasting an entire day of your vacation because you have to get there fairly early to get a decent spot and you will have to deal with traffic before and especially after, and there's always a decent chance the launch will be scrubbed and it would all be for naught. To me it would be matter of just how into the space program my kids are. If you do decide to take that chance, let me know and I'll suggest a couple of the better viewing areas.

If the New England style restaurant you mention is The New England Eatery, I haven't personally eaten there, but I have heard good things.

Another place I have heard is good and I've been wanting to try is Cafe Coconut Cove, http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/219/1081...elbourne-Beach While you wouldn't guess it from the name, it's German style food.

If you like Mediterranean food, go to Skewers on 5th Ave, which is also 192, it's the main drag from mainland Melbourne through Indialantic to Melbourne Beach.

[griswold]

Depending on the clouds, you should be able to get a decent view from your beach after liftoff, but since it just happened to work out for you, this is the last shuttle mission, and I assume you and your family's only chance to ever see a shuttle launch, I would suggest trying to get as close as possible, i.e. close enough to actually get a view of it on the pad prior to launch, at least with binoculars. However, that does require the commitment and risk of potentially wasting an entire day of your vacation because you have to get there fairly early to get a decent spot and you will have to deal with traffic before and especially after, and there's always a decent chance the launch will be scrubbed and it would all be for naught. To me it would be matter of just how into the space program my kids are. If you do decide to take that chance, let me know and I'll suggest a couple of the better viewing areas.

If the New England style restaurant you mention is The New England Eatery, I haven't personally eaten there, but I have heard good things.

Another place I have heard is good and I've been wanting to try is Cafe Coconut Cove, http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/219/1081...elbourne-Beach While you wouldn't guess it from the name, it's German style food.

If you like Mediterranean food, go to Skewers on 5th Ave, which is also 192, it's the main drag from mainland Melbourne through Indialantic to Melbourne Beach.

Thanks again for the great advice TC!

My kids are excited to see the shuttle launch but I doubt that they're excited enough to waste the day waiting. And especially they're calling for lots of thunderstorms next week.

Yes, the New England Eatery is the one across the street from our house. We'll probably check it out.

If you or Jason happen to get down that way next week give me a holler thru RJ...it'll send an email to my phone and maybe we can have a beer or two together.

Thanks again!

[griswold]

So far, we're having an awesome time! We ate at Bizzaro's....great food! Thanks TC!

We're probably going to town to watch fireworks tonight or just sit on the beach and watch them.

We got lucky and saw a loggerhead turtle come onshore right in front of us and lay it's eggs.

[Steve]

So far, we're having an awesome time! We ate at Bizzaro's....great food! Thanks TC!

We're probably going to town to watch fireworks tonight or just sit on the beach and watch them.

We got lucky and saw a loggerhead turtle come onshore right in front of us and lay it's eggs.

I thought we already had a turtle porn thread.

http://forum.rotojunkiefix.com/showt...t-of-charge...

[TopChuckie]

Glad you liked the pizza, Gris. I was just told yesterday the lobster bisque at New England Eatery is excellent.

[griswold]

Hey TC....any cool indoor places to visit? It's supposed to rain today....so we were hoping to find some indoor spots to hang out.

Thanks!

[TopChuckie]

Sorry, just saw your rain post, not that I had any great indoor ideas.

I was just checking in to see if you got to see the shuttle. Certainly not the best viewing day, but I hope you got a glimpse.