Vero Beach
Stuart
Jensen Beach
Fort Pierce
Hutchinson Island
Hobe Sound
Port Saint Lucie
Sebastian
Barrier islands and their pristine, sandy beaches stretch along the coastline on this portion of the Treasure Coast. The individual cities have much to offer vacationers.
Unpretentiously elegant Vero Beach is one of Florida's most idyllic vacation destinations. Vero Beach has frequently been called the "Central Gemstone of the Treasure Coast." With an inherent natural beauty, preserved and protected by her residents, as well as strict building codes, Vero is a peaceful haven from the frenetic lifestyles of many of today's cities.
In addition to its beaches and waters for swimming, scuba diving, boating, fishing, and other water sports, Indian River County's parks offer countless opportunities for recreation and outdoor enjoyment. Eighteen golf courses allow for all levels of play, and tennis facilities are widely available. Add Holman Stadium, the 6,500 seat Spring Training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and a host of museums, theaters, restaurants, night spots, and shopping areas, and you have the makings for an incomparable vacation.
The modern 55,000 square foot Vero Beach Museum of Art is also the home to the Vero Beach Art Club that meets monthly in the museum; the 615-seat professional Riverside Theatre; the lovely Anne Morton Theatre, which houses the Riverside Children's Theatre; the 51-acre Environmental Learning Center; the 18-acre McKee Botanical Garden, the 312-seat community Vero Beach Theatre Guild ... just to name a few.
Vero Beach is the smallest city in the nation to have its own professional baseball team. The Vero Beach Dodgers have been an integral part of the community since they arrived here in 1948. This area is also recognized as the 'Citrus Capital of the World,' producing the finest Indian River citrus for the domestic market and worldwide export.
The city of Stuart is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World. It offers tremendous diving, boating and fishing along the St. Lucie and Indian rivers, beautiful homes (on and off the waterfront), and so much more. One of the city's greatest assets is downtown Stuart and its flourishing shopping district along the riverfront. The city's Main Street typifies the charm of a small town. Old-fashioned streetlights and cobblestone accents combine with unique shops, boutiques, and galleries that attract visitors and resident alike. People throng to downtown's great selection of restaurants and an active performing arts schedule at the Lyric Theater. Stuart's Riverwalk Park, which winds along the St. Lucie River, is just a few blocks away, offering a relaxing and spectacular way to appreciate the river's beauty.
Proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway, the short distance to Hutchinson Island and some of the most beautiful Atlantic beaches on the east coast of Florida quite naturally make Jensen Beach a favorite tourist spot.
Fort Pierce’s beautiful winter weather, lush tropical foliage and several miles of beaches attract thousands of "snowbirds" each year. Restaurants, clubs, and shops contribute to a thriving, colorful downtown, and fine old homes line scenic Indian River Drive. A series of colorful, vibrant murals depicting the city's rich heritage can be found throughout downtown Ft. Pierce.
Located on the north shore of Fort Pierce Inlet, Ft. Pierce Inlet Recreation Area is a 340-acre park providing visitors with many recreational opportunities on the beach, dunes and coastal hammock. Fishing, biking, swimming, diving, and picnicking are favorite activities; shower facilities and a youth camp area are available.
The adjacent Jack Island, on the Intracoastal Waterway, is a bird watcher's paradise, and hikers will enjoy Jack Island's trails. The recreation area is located 4 miles east of Fort Pierce, via North Causeway.
Sitting on the Indian River Lagoon, The A.E. "Bean" Backus Gallery, named for the preeminent Florida landscape artist, is a 4,000 square-foot art gallery. The gallery houses a permanent collection of A.E. Backus' paintings, along with exhibition areas for the works of Florida professional and student artists.
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is a coastal refuge with three basic and distinct plant communities: coastal sand dune, mangrove swamps, and sand pine-scrub oak forest. The 735-acre Jupiter Island beach tract provides some of the most productive sea turtle nesting beach in the United States. The 232-acre mainland tract is on the Atlantic coastal ridge.
Ideally located on the Indian River Lagoon, and home to the beautiful sandy beach at the Sebastian Inlet State Park, Sebastian is a water-lovers paradise. Enjoy fishing, boating, and a host of water sport activities, from kayak adventures to some of the best-known surfing along the East Coast.
Vestiges of 18th century Spanish culture can be revisited at the various historical and archaeological museums in the area. The Sebastian River area is also host to many nature-based activities. Bald eagles, one third of the manatees in the United States, and 200-300 pound loggerhead turtles can be viewed from the Indian River Lagoon.
On March 14, 1903, the dream of one man with a boat became reality. Sebastian resident Paul Kroegel had fought hard to protect the birds of Pelican Island from relentless "feather seekers." Through Paul's vision and the help of many friends, President Theodore Roosevelt declared Pelican Island to be America's First National Wildlife Refuge.
Riverside Theater
McKee Botanical Garden
The Vero Beach Dodgers
A.E. "Bean" Backus Gallery
PELICAN ISLAND
HIGH SEASON -- December through April
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