The Florida city of Palm Bay is located in Brevard County, on the east Central Florida coast. The city is situated just 10 miles southwest of Melbourne, about 65 miles southeast of Orlando, and 180 miles north of Miami. Major highways near the city include Interstate I-95 and U.S. Route 192.
Palm Bay's modern history traces back to 1959, when the Mackle brothers from Miami purchased land for a local residential project. Although the project had its stops and starts, it spurred the growth of industry and population in the area, leading to the incorporation of the city of Palm Bay in 1960. The city's first major industrial corporation, Radiation, Inc., later evolved into the Harris Corporation. Other industry soon followed, and the 1970's saw construction and expansion in the city. Palm Bay experienced enormous growth in the ensuing two decades, including the completion of a new municipal complex housing the city hall and police station. The city today continues to grow largely due to its proximity to the ocean and to other major areas of central and coastal Florida.
Things to See and Do in the Palm Bay Area
Palm Bay and the Brevard County area offer a choice of many sites for recreation, entertainment, and culture. The Wildlife Turkey Creek Sanctuary is home to many rare and endangered plants and animals. The Florida Tech Botanical Garden offers a 30-acre landscape of picturesque palms in numerous varieties. Anglers can find plenty of fishing at the Sebastian Inlet State Park, 20 minutes south of Palm Bay, where sport fishing can be done from private boats or on one of numerous charter fleets. A lively arts community thrives in Brevard County, home to an abundance of talented artists, musicians and actors. The Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts plays host to a variety of performing arts, including Broadway musicals, symphonies, opera, jazz, ballet, and comedy. Other area theatres include the Phoenix Theatre and the Melbourne Civic Theatre. The Brevard Museum of Art & Science offers interactive children's exhibits as well as art classes throughout the year. Also located in the Brevard County area are the Margaret Homes Nature Center, the Titusville Historic Museum, the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, and the Air Force Space Museum. Fifty miles to the north is the Kennedy Space Center and Astronaut Hall of Fame, and 65 miles to the northwest is the city of Orlando, home to world class attractions such as Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World.
Minor League Baseball is also a staple of Brevard County, home to the Brevard County Manatees, the Triple-A affiliate of the MLB's Milwaukee Brewers. The Manatees' home park (Space Coast Stadium in nearby Viera) also serves as the Spring Training site of Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals. More pro sports can be found in Orlando, home of the NBA's Orlando Magic and the Arena Football League's Orlando Predators.
