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Off the Beach-Beaten Path: East Central Florida

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By Dawn Henthorn, About.com

Cocoa Village

Cocoa Village

© 2001 Visit Florida
Nestled along the banks of Crane Creek, historic downtown Melbourne features galleries, boutiques and theaters housed in stunning turn-of-the-century buildings. Nearby, visitors will catch sight of a strange phenomenon — a 100-foot-long, concrete and steel dragon and its four hatchlings perched on the southern tip of Merritt Island. There’s lots of dragon lore in the area, so stop a local resident for the colorful story behind the statues.

Florida’s Treasure Coast, comprised of Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties, is named for the treasure-laden Spanish galleons that lie sunken off its shores. But the bad luck of long-ago merchants affords dazzling displays to modern-day travelers. At Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum in Sebastian, see treasures excavated from the sunken galleons, including gold coins, bars and other Spanish artifacts. And among St. Lucie County Historical Museum’s many exhibits, visitors will find a room dedicated to the Spanish Treasure Fleet. Pay homage to another famous gold sphere at the Indian River Citrus Museum in Vero Beach. The Treasure Coast leads the state in citrus production, and this museum chronicles the industry’s history, from the late 1800s to today. For one last unconventional sidetrip, visit the Underwater Demolition Team — SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, where the equipment, weapons and demolition apparatuses used by these clandestine divers are on display.

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