1616 Elizabeth St

With its pastel-painted, historic buildings, colorful murals, and sidewalks lined with palm trees, Downtown Melbourne combines a beachy vibe with locally-owned boutiques, restaurants, and bars. The atmosphere is fun-loving and carefree, but this is much more than a resort town. Downtown Melbourne is the business core of the Space Coast with major employers like the nearby Space Center, Rockwell Collins, Northrop Grumman, and Harris Corporation.

High-tech industries and charming shops aside, Downtown Melbourne is also minutes from the beaches along what's called the Space Coast -- cross the bridge over the Indian River and you'll discover a strand of white-sand beaches and crashing waves. After a day at the beach, residents of Downtown Melbourne can visit Meg O'Malley's Restaurant and Irish Pub, a local favorite, or they can catch a show at the Henegar Center for the Arts.