Things to Do in St. Lucie County
Warm, sandy beaches for miles beneath blue, sunny skies allure visitors to St. Lucie year-round. With tropical palm trees and loads of Florida charm, it’s the perfect destination to explore with friends and family.
“St. Lucie is in the ideal spot to enjoy the tropical climate year-round, but just far enough to avoid the hustle and bustle of a crowded south Florida destination,” said Charlotte Bireley, St. Lucie County tourism & marketing director. “St. Lucie is the perfect place to relax and ‘get away.’”
Whether casting a line, strolling the beach or attending a Mets game, sports tourism is a vital part of what makes St. Lucie County a unique destination.
“The New York Mets draw thousands of fans from all of the country to St. Lucie, over 93,000 fans came out to First Data Field this year. Florida as whole, received an estimated economic impact of $687 million from the 2018 Spring Training games,” Bireley said. “The Mets heavily impact St. Lucie Tourism — a recent study showed that travel parties to Mets games spent $378 a day and $1,361 total on their trip to Mets Spring Training in St. Lucie.”
Other large sporting events such as Florida East Coast Spring Training, the Special Olympics and Babe Ruth Softball bring friends, teams and families to St. Lucie generating room nights and economic impact to the area.
In 2018, the first Treasure Coast Wine & Ale Trail Festival was hosted at Summer Crush Winery in Fort Pierce on November 18th, 2018. Since the trail launched last spring, locals and tourists alike have enjoyed taking part in the Treasure Coast Wine & Ale Trail. This event includes all participating breweries, winery & cidery on the Treasure Coast —as well as live music & food truck vendors.
In addition to outdoor activities, the area is chock full of attractions and events that cater to the interests of residents and visitors.
Airboat Tours
Get an up close look at alligators and birds in their natural habitats with Capt. Bob’s Airboat Adventure Tours, Florida Cracker Airboat Rides & Guide Service or Marsh Beast Airboat Tours. www.airboatadventuretours.com, www.floridacrackerairboatride.com and www.marshbeastairboattours.com
Downtown Fort Pierce
Looking for a great date night spot, shopping or entertainment? Head to downtown Fort Pierce for restaurants, shops and annual events. www.mainstreetfortpierce.org
Farms
Travel a little more inland for a dose of country life. Al’s Family Farms, Brown Family Farm and Nelson Family Farms offer some of the freshest goods around. www.alsfamilyfarms.com, www.brownfamily.farm and www.nelsonfamilyfarms.com
Fort Pierce Tours
Want to go an adventure of a lifetime? Fort Pierce Tours can arrange horseback riding, kayaking and airboat tours, boat rentals and fishing charters. www.fortpiercetours.com
Fort Pierce Lady Deep Sea Fishing Party Boat
Anglers can fish until their hearts are content on this 70-foot, deep-sea cruise. Those of all ages will enjoy complimentary gear, tackle and bait, as well as free fish cleaning and fileting. www.ladystuart.com
Botanical Gardens
Heathcote Botanical Gardens houses the largest public tropical bonsai collection in the nation, with more than 100 bonsai trees. Other exhibits include a reflection garden, a rainforest display, a Japanese garden and many other forms of flora. Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, nestled on the St. Lucie River, boasts a lake with a fountain, sidewalks, beautiful gardens, wetlands and mangroves. www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org and www.pslbg.org
The Highwaymen Trail
Delve into the past of 26 African-American landscape artists known as the Highwaymen, along the heritage trail throughout St. Lucie County. Points of interest include the Seven Gables House, the A.E. Backus Studio, Pine Grove Cemetery and Lincoln Park Academy, among others. www.thehighwaymentrail.com
Horseback Riding on the Beach
Traipse through the Treasure Coast on horseback along Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce. Both beach and preserve tours are available. www.beachtoursonhorseback.com
Ironhorse Scooters & Bike Shop
There is no need to worry about bringing your gear with you on vacation. Tourists can rent scooters, bicycles and strollers at Ironhorse Scooters & Bike Shop, which also offers tours of the area, as well repairs. www.ironhorsescooters.com
Manatee Observation and Education Center
Have fun and learn about wildlife at the Manatee Observation and Education Center. Enjoy boat tours along the Indian River Lagoon, and don’t miss the gardens, which are full of beautiful flowers. www.manateecenter.com
Motorized Kayak Adventures
Hop on a battery-powered kayak and enjoy up close views of stunning creatures in their natural habitat. The tours are an exploration of the spectacular ecosystems of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie River Estuary System. www.motorizedkayakadventures.com
Museums
Whether on a leisure trip or an educational, fun adventure with your child, museums along the Treasure Coast feature a wide variety of artwork, historical artifacts and military memorabilia. Stop by the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast and the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum for more information. www.backusmuseum.com, www.childrensmuseumtc.org and www.navysealmuseum.org
Oxbow Eco-Center
Observe wildlife from boardwalks, trails and observation towers along this 225-acre preserve. The trails are open from dawn to dusk. www.StLucieCo.gov/erd/oxbow
Performing Arts
Ovation-worthy performing arts venues include the Pineapple Playhouse and Sunrise Theatre. Come out and enjoy the region’s rich arts and culture scene. www.pineappleplayhouse.com and www.sunrisetheatre.com
River Lilly Cruises
Known as the original and longest-running eco-tour in St. Lucie County, this is the perfect opportunity to see alligators, turtles, otters and birds along the St. Lucie River. www.riverlillycruises.com
St. Lucie County Aquarium
The St. Lucie County Aquarium boasts spacious confines for the marine life. The aquarium also hosts the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit. www.sms.si.edu/SMEE
St. Lucie County Regional Historic Center
Find out more about the region’s past at the St. Lucie County Regional Historic Center. Find out how St. Lucie was supposed to be the “Pineapple Capital of the World,” and tour the Gardner House. www.stlucieco.org/history
Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery
Sip on delicious wines and take in the beautiful views at this quaint venue. Guests also enjoy live music in this tropical paradise each Saturday. www.summercrushwine.com
Wednesday/Saturday Markets
Rain or shine, find fresh produce, jams and jellies, as well as handmade soaps, on Wednesday afternoons at the Green Market and Saturday mornings at the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market. www.wednesdaygreenmarket.com and www.fortpiercefarmersmarket.com
The Zora Neale Hurston Dust Tracks Heritage Trail
Explore the life of the famous Harlem Renaissance storyteller, anthropologist and dramatist when she lived in Fort Pierce. Visit the trail kiosks and markers for a complete adventure. www.cityoffortpierce.com