Indian River Lagoon Tour

Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway - (Florida)

Departure:	Canaveral National Seashore, Florida
Destination:	Environmental Learning Center, Florida
Time to allow:	2 days

Follow the quiet beaches of the Indian River Lagoon on this tour of the eastern coast of Florida.

Day 1

• Start: Canaveral National Seashore

  Located just outside of Titusville, Florida, Canaveral National Seashore is situated on a barrier island and includes ocean, beach, dune, hammock, lagoon, salt marsh, and pine flatland habitats.

• Stop 1: Enchanted Forest Sanctuary

  From previous stop:	15 minutes / 10 mi (16.0 km)
  Directions:	Follow Highway 1 south into Titusville. Merge onto FL-405 Westbound or Columbia Boulevard, and continue along Columbia Boulevard to 44 Columbia Boulevard. The sanctuary will be on the north side of the street.
  Suggested time at this stop:	30 minutes

  The sanctuary contains a nature trail through a hammock of ancient oaks. Part of this trail is a remnant of the historic Hernandez-Capron trail built by Brigadier General Joseph M. Hernandez of the US Army in 1837.

• Stop 2: Kennedy Space Center

  

  From previous stop:	15 minutes / 6 mi (9.6 km)
  Directions:	From the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, turn right onto Columbia Boulevard. Make a U-turn at the next available intersection, and continue east down Columbia Boulevard for 6 miles, crossing the Indian River Lagoon over the Nasa Parkway. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center will be on the right.
  Suggested time at this stop:	4 hours

  The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex provides an exhilarating and educational experience of the space program. Whether touring the Rocket Garden, or boarding a full-scale replica of the Space Shuttle Explorer, visitors are guaranteed an adventure.

• End: Titusville

  From previous stop:	15 minutes / 6 mi (9.6 km)
  Directions:	Return across the Nasa Parkway to Titusville and your lodging accommodations.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled:	22 miles / 35.2 km
Total Travel Time:	45 minutes
Total Stopping Time:	4 hours 30 minutes

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Day 2

• Stop 1: Brevard Zoo

  From previous stop:	45 minutes / 31 mi (49.6 km)
  Directions:	From your lodgings in Titusville: Navigate to Hopkins Avenue, a part of the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway, and turn south. Hopkins Avenue becomes US-1. Continue to follow US-1 for 28 miles into Melbourne. Turn right onto Suntree Boulevard. Turn right onto Wickham Road and continue for 2.3 miles. Make a U-turn at Sheriff Drive to access the other side of Wickham Road. The Brevard Zoo is located at 8225 N Wickham Road.
  Suggested time at this stop:	3 hours

  The Brevard Zoo is home to over 460 animals, representing 119 species from Latin America, Florida, Asia and Australia. The zoo also has exhibits on the wetland and estuarine ecology of east central Florida. Not only can you enjoy the animals from the walkway, but you can also sign up at the entrance for a kayaking tour among giraffes and lemurs.

• Stop 2: Lagoon House

  

  From previous stop:	30 minutes / 17 mi (27.2 km)
  Directions:	From the Brevard Zoo: Head east on Wickham Boulevard. Turn left on Suntree Boulevard. Turn right onto Highway 1, or the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway, and continue for nearly 15 miles into Palm Bay. The Lagoon House is located on the left side of the byway, on Ais Lookout Point.
  Suggested time at this stop:	45 minutes

  The Lagoon House is a two story building which showcases turn-of-the-century Florida vernacular style architecture. The building houses a visitors center, historical center, and an environmental learning center for the Indian River Lagoon. Stretch your legs in a walk down by the beach, or recline for a moment in a rocking chair on the porch.

• Stop 3: Sebastian Inlet State Park, Sebastian Fishing Museum, and McLarty Treasure Museum

  

  From previous stop:	35 minutes / 22.5 mi (36.0 km)
  Directions:	From the Lagoon House: Turn right onto US-1. Continue for 3.3 miles. Turn right onto Strawbridge Avenue and continue for 2.3 miles across the Indian River Lagoon. Turn right onto Miramar Avenue, or FL-A1A, and continue for 1.6 miles. Turn left onto Ocean Avenue to continue along FL-A1A. Follow Ocean Avenue for 15.4 miles into Sebastian Inlet State Park. The McLarty Treasure Museum is located at the opposite end of the park.
  Suggested time at this stop:	2 hours 30 minutes

  The Sebastian Inlet State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Florida and features several amenities, including campgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, and several different types of beaches. You can surf across high, long waves, or splash with the kids in the calm waters of the Cove.

  After enjoying the Florida coast, visit Sebastian State Park's two museums. The Sebastian Fishing Museum contains exhibits about the fishing industry's ties to the region, along with presentations on Indian River Lagoon Wildlife. The McLarty Treasure Museum chronicles the fate of the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet, which washed up along this coast after a hurricane destroyed their ships. To this day, salvage crews are recovering treasure from where it rests at the bottom of the ocean.

• End: Environmental Learning Center

  

  From previous stop:	15 minutes / 10 mi (16.0 km)
  Directions:	From Sebastian Inlet State Park: Continue down Florida A1A for 7.4 miles towards Wabasso. Turn right onto Wabasso Road and continue for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Wabasso Island Lane. Turn right onto Live Oak Drive and continue for .4 miles. Turn left to access the parking lot of the Environmental Learning Center, located at 255 Live Oak Drive.

  Our tour ends at the Environmental Learning Center, a not-for-profit activity center dedicated to discovery of the limitless wonders of nature. Follow boardwalks over 51 acres of Florida's native habitat, and see if you can't spot a dolphin at the docks or an otter in the marsh.

Totals for Day 2

Total Distance Traveled:	80.5 miles / 128.8 km
Total Travel Time:	2 hours 5 minutes
Total Stopping Time:	6 hours 15 minutes