The Palm Bay Community Center has some kind of attraction for people of all ages. Visit the center to get active indoors, in the full-size gym with multiple basketball courts. Sign up for fitness classes (for people of all ages and levels of fitness) or work out in the weight room or cardio room with treadmills. Locker rooms here feature saunas. The Palm Bay Community Center is home for the Palm Bay Youth Basketball League, a co-ed group of players 18 and younger. For kids ages 6 to 14, the community center offers a Summer Fun Camp day camp, which includes a variety of activities, from swimming to field trips to arts and crafts. Kids can also learn from guest speakers and other special events. For the older crowd, the community center holds a Pre-Teen Night for kids ages 8 through 14.
Recommended for Malabar's Best Attractions because: The Palm Bay Community Center has activities for people from children to seniors.
Aimee's expert tip: If you want to take group fitness classes here regularly, ask about a membership to save money.
Graffiti Skate Zone skateboard park is an outdoor skate park in Palm Bay, which is open for skateboarding, "aggressive inline skating" and freestyle BMX riding. What makes Graffiti Skate Zone stand out is it's the county's only skater-built and skater-run skate park. It's the home base for competitive skaters and some of the region's most talented shredders. Graffiti Skate Zone has been a locally run Space Coast staple for more than 12 years. Find an eight-foot halfpipe, a four-foot mini ramp and all kinds of ledges, boxes, bars, walls and handrails. The grounds are varied to challenge skaters on all levels. If you need skate supplies, check the on-site skate shop, too. If they don't have it there, they are willing to order it for you, without shipping costs. Ask about free weekly skate and bike lessons.
Recommended for Malabar's Best Attractions because: Graffiti Skate Zone is a skater-built, skater-run skate park that's been a local staple for more than 12 years.
Aimee's expert tip: Ask about the free weekly skate and bike lessons to improve your skills.
Ring a full-sized replica of the Liberty Bell at this museum dedicated to the national heritage of America. Catch a glimpse of over two dozen reproductions of important documents, such as the Mayflower Compact and the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence. Many historical periods in American history are brought to life through original exhibits here. In addition, check out the Brevard County Hall of Fame, featuring actors, athletes, coaches and an astronaut. (You have to go visit the museum to learn who; we're not telling!) Best of all: The Liberty Bell Museum is free and open to the public.
Recommended for Malabar's Best Attractions because: Just more than 10 minutes from Malabar is a fascinating historical museum with a replica Liberty Bell.
Aimee's expert tip: Don't miss the annex to the museum, the Freedom Hall, where you can see artifacts, photos, uniforms, weapons and models from past wars.
For free, family-friendly fun, with an educational and historical component, visit the Veterans Memorial Park in Palm Bay, Fla. This nearly three-acre county river park is location on the edge of Sykes Creek. Outside, visitors can stroll along a lighted boardwalk, rest on the waterfront benches, go fishing off the T-shaped pier or walk through the paths of the memorial garden. The Veterans Memorial Park is also home to the Veterans Memorial Museum, run by the Veterans Memorial Center Inc. Looking for somewhere to hold an event? The center rents out a large meeting room for special events. It's handicap-accessible and has parking on site.
Recommended for Malabar's Best Attractions because: The Veterans Memorial Park is a waterside park with a boardwalk, museum, fishing and memorial garden.
Aimee's expert tip: Educate yourself at the Veterans Memorial Museum and then reflect as you walk through the memorial garden.
If you're looking for wildlife and a chance to experience Florida's natural habitat, set aside a day to tour the swampland. You can find a variety of airboat and lagoon tours around the Space Coast, but one of our favorites is Camp Holly in Melbourne, along the St. Johns River. Camp Holly is also one of the longest standing — since 1923 — and with a reputation to go with that legacy. Book an airboat tour, led by knowledgeable staff who can teach you about the native flora, fauna, birds, fish, snakes, turtles and, of course, alligators. There's a good chance you'll see a gator — or many, right up close. But viewing wildlife isn't all Camp Holly offers. Go hunting or fishing on and around the St. Johns River, grab a cold drink and snack on site and even enjoy live entertainment on the deck.
Recommended for Malabar's Best Attractions because: Camp Holly is a long-standing airboat and lagoon tour company, located in Melbourne.
Aimee's expert tip: Don't forget to wear mosquito repellant! And if you want to see gators, ask about the best time of day to tour.
Melbourne is home to Brevard County's biggest indoor family fun center, Fun Town, where kids of all ages and their families can take a break from the Florida sun but stay active. Fun Town has it all: roller skating, mini bowling, an arcade, playground, a bounce house and even a cafe on site, where you can order everything from pizza to chicken wings. Skating is a popular activity at Fun Town — what with a large 10,000-square-foot wooden rink. Of course, younger kids go crazy for bouncy houses and indoor playgrounds. Older kids and teens can test their aim in the laser tag room. Fun Town can be rented for private parties and events, and is also hosts theme nights, like a "throwback night," with old-school tunes and costume contests.
Recommended for Malabar's Best Attractions because: A 20-minute drive from Malabar will bring you to Brevard County's biggest indoor family fun center.
Aimee's expert tip: Rent Fun Town for special events, like kid birthday parties.
The only zoo in the U.S. to offer onsite kayaking tours, Brevard Zoo features over 900 animals from around the world. Get up close and personal with a white rhino during a Rhino Encounter from noon to 1 p.m., ride the Cape to Cairo express train, feed cockatiels and lorikeets in a free flight aviary, visit with the residents at the petting zoo and splash around in the Paws On Play lagoon. Free parking, on-site cafe and gift shop, educational programs, overnight adventures, camps and the option to rent the Nyami Nyami River Lodge for special events are all offered. So if you've never seen a meerkat, tapir, siamang, jaguar or come face-to-face with a giraffe, check out Brevard Zoo open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission is 3:30 p.m.
Recommended for Malabar's Best Attractions because: The zoo is about 20 minutes away from Malabar, but a must-see on any Space Coast vacation.
Aimee's expert tip: Sign up for a private group guided night hike or safari through the zoo. Night hikes come with food, drinks, special presentations, games and more. A great idea for families.
The Rossetter House Museum, in the Eau Gallie Arts District in Melbourne, Fla., is a history-lover's paradise. The Rossetter House and Gardens dates back to 1908, and other historical properties on site stretch back even farther. The cemetery dates to 1865. Tour the Rossetter House, named after its former inhabitants, as well as the beautiful gardens, the cemetery and a vintage car — all for free. More in-depth tours of additional historical points of interest are available for a fee. The Rossetter mansion itself gives a peek into the region's pioneer history. Before you leave, make sure you swing by Ella's Closet, the on-site gift shop.
Recommended for Malabar's Best Attractions because: This museum in Melbourne is a history-lover's paradise. Don't miss the beautiful gardens.
Aimee's expert tip: Don't miss Ella's Closet, the on-site gift shop.
The Andretti Thrill Park is where you go in Melbourne for the thrills. This family park features a long list of attractions: five different Go-Kart tracks, a mini golf course, paddle boats, train rides, laser tag, a playground, a spinning coaster, various other kid rides and the Space Coast's biggest arcade. The arcade is more than 7,000 square feet big, with some of the most exciting arcade games available today. The Andretti Challenge is one of the most popular rides, a Euro-style course where you can drive as fast as 40 miles per hour. The 15-year-old park seems to always have something new to appeal to guests of all ages — even toddlers. Food and drinks are on site, so no need to plan lunch. The park can host private events, too.
Recommended for Malabar's Best Attractions because: The Andretti Thrill Park in Melbourne is where to go for an adrenaline rush.
Aimee's expert tip: Try the Andretti Challenge, where you can drive up to 40 miles per hour.
The beaches on the Space Coast are incredible, but with warm weather year-round, the Palm Bay Aquatic Center is another popular water destination that's great for families. A highlight of the center is its zero-depth entry swimming pool, ideal for young children who may be intimidated by the ocean's waves. The pool is stocked with toys, a slide and diving boards. The pool is also handicap-accessible. If you're arriving with kids, look for designated family swim times. Want to get some exercise? Try a water exercise class, or sign your children up for swimming lessons. You can also rent the aquatic center for special events and birthday parties. After swimming when you get hungry, pack a lunch to enjoy on the picnic tables or grab a bite from the snack bar. The center also has on-site showers and restrooms, to save you a trip back to the hotel.
Recommended for Malabar's Best Attractions because: The Palm Bay Aquatic Center is a fun water park for families.
Aimee's expert tip: Pack a lunch to enjoy on the picnic tables after a day of swimming.