Sebastian combines trails along the Indian River with festivals, cultural history, and recreational activities on the water and on land. To plan your trip, you can first choose a focus: events, historic sites, nature, or sports activities. The offerings vary considerably in form—from a walking trail and museum visit to a boat trip or swimming.
Riverside Trails and Events
Riverview Park is located on the banks of the Indian River. Scenic trails along the waterfront of the Riverfront District start here. The park also hosts major annual events and concerts. Examples include the Clam Bake Festival, the Sebastian Fine Arts and Music Event, the 4th of July Freedom Festival, Shrimpfest, and Craft Brew Hullabaloo. The seasonal concert series Rhythm on the River adds to the events calendar. If you want to plan your trip around a particular festival or concert, check the dates for your planned travel period.
Water and Outdoor Activities
Pontoon eco-cruises are offered at Sebastian Riverfront, where you can observe wildlife in the Indian River Lagoon. The trips pass over seagrass beds. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are also available there. The options differ in form: wildlife viewing is the focus of the cruise, while kayaks and paddleboards are listed as rental offerings.
Another sporting option is Sebastian Municipal Golf Course, an 18-hole championship golf course. The range therefore extends from activities on the water to a clearly defined round on the golf course, without implying any particular order for your stay.
At nearby Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the easy Âľ-mile Centennial Trail leads to a 500-foot-high, ADA-accessible observation tower and boardwalk. From there, you can view Pelican Island, located in the middle of the Indian River Lagoon; along the way, there are views of Centennial Pond. The trail thus combines a manageable, specifically described hiking distance with several distinct viewpoints.
History, Museum, and Art
The Sebastian Area Historical Museum is housed in the historic 1927 Sebastian Public School at 1235 Main Street. Its exhibits cover local fishing and agriculture, as well as early businesses and trades. The topics therefore range from work on the water and the land to commerce and crafts. If you plan to visit the museum, check the current opening hours beforehand.
The Old Town Sebastian Historic District East is located in the city of Sebastian on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, opposite Sebastian Inlet State Park on the west shore of the Indian River Lagoon. At the local level, the district is significant under Criterion A in the area of community planning. For another connection to the arts, the Sebastian River Art Club operates its own gallery in its Art Center, where members exhibit their work. If you plan to visit the gallery, check the current opening hours beforehand as well.
Swimming and Skating
North County Aquatic Center is in Sebastian on County Road 512, about 2 miles east of Interstate 95. It has a competition pool, a diving pool, and an activity pool. The competition pool has 18 lanes, each 25 yards long, for lap swimming; the activity pool has slides, water jets, and a water-play structure. This distinguishes lap and diving activities from the play features of the activity pool. Check current operating details before heading there.
Sebastian Skate Park offers a different kind of physical activity: its features include three ramps, a Jersey barrier, boxes, and a fully concrete skating area. If you plan to visit, check the current opening hours beforehand.
The Wider Regional Setting
Beyond Sebastian, the southern corridor of the 233-mile Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway includes the entire Sebastian River Area, including Fellsmere.
Discover more destinations: Vero Beach.
View the main travel overview: Indian River.
