The Driftwood Inn, Where Stories Run Wild — Because Waldo Would Rather Be a Liar Than a Bore

If you live in Vero Beach, you know the Driftwood Inn. If you're newer to Vero, maybe you’ve wandered past its weathered gray boards or heard someone say, “That place? Yeah, it’s like an oddball museum and storybook in one that got swept up by a hurricane."

Either way, The Driftwood is a living legend, built by the famously quirky Waldo E. Sexton, the man who declared, “I’d rather be a liar than boring.”

 Step inside and it’s easy to see why this spot is a local legend. Crooked balconies lean like a ship at sea, the porch looks set to turn into a wave, and what Waldo called his “menagerie of monstrosities” pops up around every corner: nearly 250 bells from churches and ships, a heavy wooden carving of Miguel Cervantes hauled from Spain, Teddy Roosevelt’s doorknob, an ancient Italian painting, and rusty cannons straight out of a shipwreck fantasy. Every piece comes with a wild tale—or at least, someone’s version of one. We were treated to a tour by Jim Wilson, one of Vero's most passionate historians who staycations regularly there.

The creaks, quirks, and legends of the Driftwood are kept alive by Lynn Acor, the front desk’s longtime guide and unofficial historian. Whether you’re a curious local or a first-timer, don’t be shy—ask her about ghost stories or what’s hidden in the next hallway, and you’re in for a treat.

But you don’t have to stay overnight to let the Driftwood wow you. Grab a seat at Waldo’s restaurant—it’s open to everyone and offers unbeatable ocean views. Then, take some time to wander through the grounds, discover a few oddities for yourself, and see why the Driftwood remains Vero’s most unforgettable spot.

Experience it. Explore it. Every visit is a new adventure—because at the Driftwood, the stories are just getting started.