McLarty Treasure Museum, Vero Beach

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Stuart, FL
McLarty Treasure Museum, Vero Beach
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McLarty Treasure Museum on Orchid Island in Vero Beach has a gorgeous location with the intracoastal waterway on one side and the beach on the other. There is an observation deck with walkway that winds through sea grape trees and takes you to a view of the pretty coast. The deck is in the shape of a boat and points to where the Spanish shipwreck of 1715 took place. There are a few wooden information panels along the walkway that kids can lift to find out information about sea grape trees and sea oats. The museum itself is so dusty or moldy that you can hardly stand to be in it. It really is unbearable. There are some nice exhibits about Spanish coins, the lead plates they ate (!) on that survived the harsh conditions under the water, and glass and ceramic wares that survived the shipwreck. A diorama shows what times were like for the 1500 survivors of the shipwreck who were near starving to death in their makeshift camp on the beach and begging by letter for supplies. Hopefully this museum will be renovated or constructed over soon just as many other nature centers and museums in Florida have been recently, so that its true worth can be enjoyed. Head two miles up the coast to Sebastian Inlet and enjoy watching the surfers or mulling around in the rock pools under the high bridge. While in Vero Beach, don't miss out on McKee Botanical Garden, an absolute paradise of lush tropical trees, with art intermingled.
A fantastic place to stroll around and eat a meal is the Humiston Beach area with a beach, amazing playground, and cafes galore, many on the water. It is 22 minutes south along the coast.

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Glass bottles that survived the 1715 shipwreck.

Spanish coins. I love seeing these!

Wood and bone dice, brass buckles, silver dress brooch, counterfeit gold nugget, toy turtle, fruit knife, clay smoking pipe, navigation dividers, silver spoon.

Metal plate.

Wooden information panel kids can lift.

Wonderful rugged coastline.

The observation deck is shaped like a ship that points in the direction of the wreck.

The sweeping coastline.

Wooden walkway through sea grape forest to the observation deck.

Directions

McLarty Treasure Museum is located at 13180 Hwy A1A, Vero Beach FL 32963, call (772) 589-3247.From Highway 95, take exit 156. Follow Highway 512/ Fellsmere Rd toward the ocean. Turn right on Highway 510/ 90th Ave. Turn left on 85th St/ Hwy 510. Turn left on Hwy A1A. After five miles, the museum, which is part of Sebastian Inlet State Park, will be on your right. 
Admission is $2 per person. Children under six years old enter for free.Open 10-4 daily.

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Last Updated: Mon, 14 Sep 2020 21:46:53 GMT

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