Vero Beach and Sebastian

Tranquil and picturesque, these Indian River County towns have a strong commitment to the environment and the arts, particularly the upscale yet low-key Vero Beach, which is home to the prestigious Riverside Theater, tons of galleries, and a fantastic art museum. Sebastian, a coastal fishing village that feels as remote as possible between Jacksonville and Miami Beach, has plenty of outdoor activities—including those at the Sebastian Inlet State Park, one of Florida's biggest and best recreation areas (and a paradise for surfers). It's actually within the boundaries of the federal government's massive protected Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses several smaller parks within its boundaries. Downtown Vero is centered on the historic district on 14th Avenue, but much of the fun takes place across the Indian River (aka the Intracoastal Waterway) around Orchid Island's beaches.