Barbara Firman-McManus

Rainy Day in Vero Beach: Art, Great Food, and a Brewery Favorite

For this week’s adventure, we had to switch to Plan B. Our original outdoor excursion was washed out by rain, so we traded sunshine for a quiet afternoon indoors at the Vero Beach Museum of Art (VBMA). Since we visit Vero Beach several times a year, this adventure felt less like exploring somewhere new and more like catching up with an old friend.

But First, Lunch

Because we’re in Vero Beach so often, finding a restaurant we haven’t already tried can be a challenge. To keep things simple, we picked the restaurant that topped one of the local “Best Of” lists and headed to Riverside Café (www.riversidecafe.com).

Finding Riverside Café can be a little confusing because another business sits in front of it. As we pulled into the parking lot, we were greeted by Vero Tackle & Watersports and Paddles by the Sea. Tucked behind those businesses is the restaurant we were looking for.

Although Riverside Café was moderately busy, we were seated quickly. We ordered our usual drinks,an Arnold Palmer (half lemonade, half sweet tea) for me and an ice water for Bob, and took our time looking over the menu. While seafood is the star, there are plenty of other tempting choices.

I ordered the Grouper Reuben, while Bob chose the crab sandwich. Both were excellent, and we’d happily recommend either one. After lunch, take a few minutes to wander outside and enjoy the laid-back views of the Indian River. Between the food and the setting, Riverside Café is well worth a visit.

Vero Beach Museum of Art

The Vero Beach Museum of Art is less than a five-minute drive from Riverside Café.

Our visit was even better because admission was free. We’re members of the Detroit Institute of Arts, which participates in a reciprocal membership program with hundreds of museums across the country. One of the perks is complimentary admission to participating museums like the VBMA.

Before exploring the galleries, we spent time in the Art Zone, an interactive space designed for younger visitors, but it’s just as much fun for adults who don’t mind acting like kids. We had the room entirely to ourselves.

Using colored pencils, we decorated fish outlines and then scanned our finished artwork into a digital display. Seconds later, our colorful fish appeared swimming through an animated underwater scene on the wall. We spent a good thirty minutes laughing and watching our creations come to life.

Eventually, it was time to get serious and visit the featured exhibition, James Prosek at Work.

Prosek is an artist, naturalist, and former taxidermist. Having his subjects literally in hand gave him an extraordinary understanding of anatomy and detail, and it shows throughout his work.

One piece that immediately caught my attention was Bird Spectrum. At first glance, I assumed I was looking at a colorful arrangement of fish. Only after taking a closer look did I realize the subjects were taxidermied birds arranged to create a stunning spectrum of color. Had I read the gallery label first, I probably would have made that connection much sooner.

Another memorable piece was Abstract Nature No. 8. Rather than painting the image, Prosek created it by pressing freshwater eels against paper, which is a technique known as fish rubbing.

What made this artwork memorable wasn’t what I saw, but what I heard.

Giggling.

It was Bob.

When I asked what was so funny, he pointed to Abstract Nature No. 8 and said it reminded him of an old Gary Larson The Far Side cartoon about using dachshunds to create art. Once he said it, I couldn’t unsee the resemblance. I’ve included both photos, and I’ll let you decide.

A Museum About to Change

Although the VBMA opened in the 1980s, that’s considered old by Florida standards. Years of wear have led to roof leaks and foundation issues, making major renovations unavoidable.

Rather than simply repairing the building, the museum’s board chose to think bigger. They’ve raised funds and developed plans for an entirely new two-story museum featuring expanded gallery space, additional educational areas, and an updated Art Zone for visitors of all ages.

Construction is scheduled to begin next year, with the museum closing in February and reopening in mid-2028.

So, should you visit now?

If you’re within about an hour of Vero Beach, absolutely. It’s worth seeing both the current exhibits and the existing building before it closes. If you’re traveling from farther away, I’d probably wait until the new museum opens in 2028.

Afterwards: Walking Tree Brewery

After leaving the museum, we headed to one of our longtime favorites: Walking Tree Brewery (www.walkingtreebrewery.com).

Even though our hometown of Melbourne has Intracoastal Brewing Company, Walking Tree has always felt like home turf for us. The brewery takes its name from Florida’s mangrove trees, whose exposed roots make them appear to be walking through the water.

Housed inside a former naval supply warehouse, Walking Tree has a spacious, open atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing. You can play cornhole or darts, catch live music on the small stage, or simply settle into a chair and watch the afternoon drift by.

Before you leave, take a look at their merchandise. Their shirts, hats, and other wearables make great souvenirs, or gifts for friends back home. And if you enjoy what you’re drinking, keep an eye out at grocery stores throughout much of Florida, where Walking Tree beers are now widely available.

Since this is Florida, chances are it’ll be hot outside. If you’re looking for something light and refreshing, I’d recommend Pool Day American Pale Ale, Sandy Feet Florida Wheat, or Straw Hat Blonde Ale. Bob usually gravitates toward the IPAs, but they’re a little too hoppy for my taste.

Whatever you order, try to grab a seat beneath the Big Ass Fans. Yes, that’s really the company’s name (see photo), and the steady breeze makes an already enjoyable brewery even more comfortable.

One welcome addition to Walking Tree is Salvador Deli, which serves sandwiches, salads, and other food for pickup. We’ve only sampled their giant pretzel so far, but it’s become one of our favorites. Since Walking Tree itself doesn’t have a kitchen, unless you count bags of chips, the deli is the perfect solution if you arrive hungry.

Final Thoughts

Riverside Café, the Vero Beach Museum of Art, and Walking Tree Brewery make for a wonderfully relaxed afternoon in Vero Beach.

If you’re planning to visit the museum in its current form, don’t wait too long. It closes next February before construction begins on the new facility. Even if you miss that deadline, Riverside Café and Walking Tree Brewery are destinations worth visiting on their own.

To follow the museum’s construction progress, visit www.vbmuseum.org. One interesting feature of the new museum is that the entire first floor will be free to the public. Access to the second-floor galleries will require either daily admission or a museum membership.

And really, that’s not a bad thing. You’ll get to enjoy some great art while supporting a community institution at the same time.