Top 14 Activities and Attractions in Fellsmere, FL

This tranquil city is located a short distance from the Atlantic coastline in Indian River County. For many, Fellsmere represents the finest blend of coastal accessibility and the serene inland rural atmosphere of the wetlands.

If you head west, you will encounter freshwater lakes, marshlands, and cypress groves, all teeming with diverse wildlife. Additionally, a few minutes to the east lies the highly biodiverse Indian River Lagoon, providing ample opportunities for nature enthusiasts.

Within a single day, visitors can paddle alongside manatees, observe remarkable wading birds, enjoy local delicacies such as frog legs and alligator tails, and indulge in retail therapy at the nearby Vero Beach Outlets.

I recommend allocating time for a cruise on Blue Cypress Lake, which is renowned as a nesting area for ospreys, coupled with an evening visit to Marsh Landing Restaurant for live Bluegrass music on Thursdays.

1. Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival

Source: Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival / Facebook

Scheduled for the third week of January, this festival celebrates a regional delicacy, particularly popular in the area.

Frog legs take center stage, but another signature dish, alligator tails, also features prominently.

The four-day festival provides numerous live music performances, carnival rides, and activities suitable for families. Additionally, I was impressed by the array of exhibitors showcasing handmade items at the entrance.

With over 30 years of tradition, the Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival is an important fundraising event for the community.

2. St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Situated on the southwestern edge of an expansive tract of open longleaf pine forest, the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park spans nearly 22,000 acres and is an exceptional location for hiking or kayaking along the Saint Sebastian River.

A few minutes from downtown Fellsmere provides access to a parking area and trailhead for the Red Trail, which is an excellent entry point for observing the Florida scrub jay, the state’s only endemic bird, in its natural habitat.

The C-54 Canal bisects the park from east to west and is home to the visitor center on its northern bank. In winter, this waterway serves as a refuge for manatees seeking warmer waters.

3. Blue Cypress Lake

Fellsmere is the closest city to Blue Cypress Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Indian River County, which occupies over 6,500 acres and is nourished by seven distinct creeks, with a canal draining it on the north side.

The picturesque scenery is mesmerizing, characterized by stately gnarled cypress trees emerging from the water, adorned with cascading Spanish moss.

This lake is an angler’s paradise, with regular catches of catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and chain pickerel.

Should you prefer leisure over fishing, Blue Cypress Lake Tours offers guided pontoon boat cruises, providing opportunities to observe alligators, turtles, and a myriad of bird species, including bald eagles and blue herons.

4. Fellsmere Trailhead Preserve & Welcome Center

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Conveniently located just off Interstate 95, this facility is ideal for newcomers seeking an overview of the region’s attractions.

The welcome center, positioned at the southern gateway to the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway, features historical exhibits along with numerous travel maps, brochures, and magazines.

The preserve component encompasses nearly 90 acres of natural land crisscrossed by trails accessible to both cyclists and hikers, with primitive camping sites available as well.

I particularly enjoyed the two-mile Trans-Florida Central Railroad Trail, a rail trail that extends east from this location to North County Regional Park, which is discussed further below.

5. Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway

Source: Sandi Cullifer / shutterstock

The Indian River Lagoon is considered one of eastern Florida’s most treasured natural attractions. Visitors can explore the numerous highlights along a 130-mile national scenic byway that traces both sides of the estuary.

Along the byway, travelers will encounter several significant stops, including national seashores, state parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.

For those who prefer not to spend an entire day in transit, there are abundant opportunities for fishing, bird watching, hiking, and kayaking throughout the route.

Fellsmere serves as the southern gateway to the byway, with nearby highlights including Sebastian Inlet State Park and Dale Wimbrow Park along the Saint Sebastian River.

6. Marsh Landing Restaurant

If I were to recommend one dining establishment in Fellsmere, it would undoubtedly be the exceptional Marsh Landing Restaurant. Housed within one of the city’s historic buildings, constructed in 1926 for the Fellsmere Estates Corporation, this venue has a storied past.

Originally serving various purposes, including that of the local police department, it transitioned into a restaurant in 2002. Culinary offerings at Marsh Landing Restaurant are centered on authentic Floridian cuisine.

Menu highlights include gator, frog legs, gator tails, fried catfish, swamp cabbage, fried green tomatoes, and collard greens. However, for those seeking less adventurous options, burgers, fried chicken, baby back ribs, and house-recipe meatloaf are also available.

For an enhanced experience, aim to visit on Thursday nights when live Bluegrass music fills the air. Reservations may be advisable, as the restaurant tends to be very lively on these evenings.

7. Wabasso Beach Park

In close proximity to Fellsmere, visitors can easily enjoy the Atlantic shoreline. The nearest public beach with lifeguard services is Wabasso Beach Park, located about 20 minutes away.

Situated just north of Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, this beautiful beach is bordered by dunes and modest residential development. A boardwalk situated atop the dunes leads visitors to breathtaking views, particularly at dawn.

Additional amenities include showers and restrooms, along with a sandwich shop conveniently located adjacent to the parking lot.

8. T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area

Comprising primarily expansive freshwater marshes, the T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area consists of two adjoining units totaling over 6,000 acres.

The T.M. Goodwin Unit and the Broadmoor Marsh Unit represent what was once agricultural land now returning to its natural wetland state.

Visitors can engage in various activities, whether it involves observing and photographing avian species, traversing trails along levees, fishing from the banks, or paddling and boating amidst the wetlands.

The diversity of bird species visible during a casual walk is astonishing, with opportunities to observe raptors, shorebirds, migratory waterfowl, and a wide array of indigenous Floridian wading birds.

9. Florida Tech Challenge Course

For those seeking a unique experience, the Florida Tech Challenge Course offers an outdoor obstacle complex, managed by Florida Tech and accessible to the public.

Reservations are necessary for the Florida Tech Challenge Course, with a two-week lead time recommended.

Visitors can choose from five distinctive challenge courses, each presenting either low or high obstacles, or a combination of both.

Options include the high ropes Tarzan Jungle Canopy, the demanding Semper Fi Marine Obstacle Course, the Skyscraper alpine tower, the nine-element Air Assault Obstacle Course, and the Field Leadership Reaction Low Ropes Course.

Regardless of the chosen course, the facility’s experienced instructors will provide guidance and support.

10. Garcia Plaza Bakery

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A notable feature of Fellsmere is its vibrant Latinx community, which significantly shapes the city’s identity.

In this context, Garcia Plaza Bakery combines a deli, restaurant, market, and grocery store. Since its inception in 1998, it has become the premier destination for authentic Mexican cuisine over a wide area.

Offering a variety of dishes, including tostadas, tortas, quesadillas, tamales, and a substantial selection of tacos (available in both flour and yellow corn), their menu caters to diverse palates. Additionally, the homemade salsa verde and rojo are delightful, and the generous pan dulce serves as an excellent treat.

11. Fran Adams North County Regional Park

Located on the southern edge of the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, this developed county facility is rich with recreational amenities.

The park’s highlight is the Olympic-sized swimming pool, which includes a zero-depth entry activity pool, diving area, along with showers and restrooms.

Furthermore, it serves as the eastern trailhead for the Trans-Florida Trail and features a playground and pavilions nearby. Other amenities include four multi-purpose baseball fields measuring 300 feet each, supplemented by a concession stand, press box, and restrooms.

12. Vero Beach Outlets

A short drive south along I-95 will lead you to one of the region’s significant shopping venues. True to its name, Vero Beach Outlets is an expansive outlet mall offering discounts of up to 75%.

Desirably designed in a Mediterranean Revival style, Vero Beach Outlets is home to numerous factory stores and outlets featuring premium brands. Notable retailers include Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Ann Taylor, Columbia, and Adidas.

While dining options are limited within the outlet, several chain restaurants can be found nearby along SR 60, including Wawa, McDonald’s, and IHOP.

13. Sebastian

Fellsmere is just a 15-minute drive from the captivating city of Sebastian, situated on the Indian River Lagoon. The lagoon contributes significantly to Sebastian’s allure, being one of the most biodiverse estuarine ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere.

In this regard, visitors can explore the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), which was established in 1903 as the first federal area designated for wildlife protection.

Located on the Treasure Coast, Sebastian holds historical significance as the site where various Spanish vessels from the 1715 Treasure Fleet were lost in a hurricane.

For those interested in exploring this history, Mel Fisher’s Treasures and the McLarty Treasure Museum on the barrier island, which was the original site of salvage efforts over three centuries ago, are highly recommended.

14. Fellsmere Day

Every April, Fellsmere commemorates its anniversary with a day filled with celebrations at the Old School grounds. This occasion is especially enjoyable for local families, with many activities designed for children.

The event includes a cake-cutting ceremony, a flag ceremony, a Little Miss & Mr. Fellsmere contest, a youth baseball game on the Little League Field, live music, and tree planting for Arbor Day. Personally, I found the K-9 demonstration by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office to be a highlight of the day.

Throughout the festivities, an assortment of booths will feature various offerings, ranging from arts and crafts to fair food.