Blowing Rocks Preserve
Named for its rocky Anastasia limestone shoreline, the largest on the U.S. Atlantic coast, this magnificently restored sanctuary offers a rare window into Florida’s natural history. The restored preserve reflects what South Florida barrier islands looked like a century ago. Visitors can get a glimpse one of our state’s rarest surviving landscapes – an intact Florida dune habitat with beach sunflower, bay cedar, sea grape and sea oats.
Visitors may enjoy a restful, native plant demonstration garden. Interpretative signs are featured along three hiking trails and boardwalks, each up to 1/3 mile long. A photo-worthy sea grape path winds from hardwood hammock, through coastal strands, and into the beach dune before arriving at the “Blowing Rocks.” Swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving are allowed from the beach during listed hours. The Hawley Education Center provides tourists and the local community an opportunity to learn about The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to protect native habitats, plants and animals in Florida and around the world. It also hosts exhibits and a winter lecture series. The Nature Conservancy considers Blowing Rocks Preserve a top success story.
Blowing Rocks Preserve
574 South Beach Road
Hobe Sound, FL 33455-2804
561- 744-6668
Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast
The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast (TCM) is located in the heart of Indian RiverSide Park in Jensen Beach. Their mission is to offer children and families a place to explore and learn through hands-on, interactive activities. Special program days are offered by the Museum and are extremely popular with the adults and children who visit the Museum. Admission is free for members, $6 for ages 3+ and $2 for ages 12 months to 2 years.
1707 N.E. Indian River Drive
Jensen Beach FL 34957
772-225-7575
http://www.childrensmuseumtc.org
Dive and Explore our Amazing Natural or Artificial Reef system
With numerous thriving natural and artificial reefs along Martin County’s shores, the area truly lives up to its reputation as the “Treasure Coast.” Each reef offers a bounty of rich aquatic life, creating ideal locales for saltwater anglers and recreational divers. Offshore, the prevailing north current allows boaters to begin at the southern end of a 1-mile long series of 14 artificial reefs that provide excellent fishing opportunities.
Martin County’s Artificial Reef Program offers over ninety-five outstanding sites for fishing and dive exploration – and the number continues to grow. There is no better way to appreciate our area’s natural treasures than to fish and explore these waters. We invite you to dive in!
http://www.martinreefs.com/
Eat on the Beach at the Sand Dune Café
Located in Jensen Beach on Hutchinson Island , this public access beach is officially called Jensen Sea Turtle Beach but locals simply refer to it is as Jensen Beach. It is a beautiful, wide sandy stretch of beach on the Atlantic Ocean. The Sand Dune Café is open 7 Days a Week serving breakfast, lunch and snacks from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (weather permitting).
Martin County’s numerous Atlantic beaches span nearly 22 miles along the coast. The variety of beach includes both individual access strips for more private spots to enjoy the surf and sand or larger, guard-protected areas like Stuart Beach, Hobe Sound Beach and Sea Turtle / Jensen Beach.
4191 N.E. Ocean Boulevard
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
Elliott Museum
The Elliott Museum’s mission is to inspire creativity through exhibitions and programs about art, history, and technology for the people who live in and visit the Treasure Coast of Florida. Named after prolific inventor Sterling Elliott, it hosts a dynamic and interactive collection of antique automobiles, vintage boats, and an impressive baseball collection. . The Elliott Museum is open year-round, Monday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and is closed on five holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter and July 4th. This treasure coast gem includes a deep trove of Treasure Coast histories and stories sure to delight all ages Located on the southernmost point of Hutchinson Island in Stuart Florida at the entrance to Stuart Beach. Admission is free for members, $12 for adults, $6 for children 6-12 and $10 for seniors.
825 N.E. Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, Florida 34996
772- 225-1961
https://elliottmuseum.org/
Florida Oceanographic Society
Whether you’re 2 or 92, there’s something extraordinary about touching a stingray, seeing a sea turtle up close, or witnessing a feeding frenzy in a 750,000-gallon Game Fish Lagoon. Visit Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center for a family-friendly day of fun and learning – with aquariums, nature trails, butterfly garden, children’s pavilion, visitor center, gift shop and more! Open daily: Mon-Sat 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sun from noon to 4:00 pm. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children between 3-12 years.
890 N.E. Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, Florida 34996
772-225-0505
http://www.floridaocean.org/
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is a coastal refuge bisected by the Indian River Lagoon into two separate tracts of land totaling over 1000 acres. The 735- acre Jupiter Island portion provides some of the most productive sea turtle nesting habitat in the United States.
Hobe Sound Nature Center is on-site and offers both on and off-site native wildlife presentations and field experiences to local natural areas. Nature trails on-site allow for hikes on estuaries, barrier islands, and sand pine scrub. A highly popular event is the sea turtle walk program, held on warm, summer nights from the end of May through mid-July. The center is one of only a few organizations in the state specially permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to conduct these nighttime walks. Reservations are required, and the Center begins taking them as early as April 1 each year.
13640 U.S. Highway One
Hobe Sound, Florida 33455
772-546-2067
http://hobesoundnaturecenter.com
House of Refuge
Step back in time to the turn of the century with a visit to the House of Refuge Museum at Gilbert’s Bar. The House of Refuge, Martin County’s oldest building, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. The House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar is the only remaining House of Refuge. Built as one of ten along the east coast of Florida, it is the oldest structure in Martin County and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission is free for members, adults are $8, seniors/group rates are $6 and children 2-12 are $3. Combination tickets the House of Refuge and Elliot Museum are available.
301 Southeast MacArthur Boulevard,
Stuart, FL 34996
772- 225-1875
http://www.houseofrefugefl.org/
Shopping
You are sure to have unique and full-filled shopping experience when you visit. With something for everyone: delightful shops, charming antique stores, art galleries, quaint sidewalk cafes and restaurants, plus major brand name stores. Martin County boasts everything from trendy shops at the Treasure Coast Square Mall and upscale boutiques at Harbour Bay Plaza, to the eclectic shops of the historic downtowns of Stuart and Jensen Beach. Shopping in Martin County is sure to delight you with a mix of unpretentious charm and sophistication.
Bonus: A must do experience! Take the time to shop in Historic Downtown Stuart home to over 50 locally- owned shops, all in a charming old Florida atmosphere.
Experience the culture and indulge your creative side
The legacy of old Florida lives on in Martin County, where the arts and cultural attractions embody the natural beauty of original Florida. Dance, music, theater, visual arts and historical preservation are an integral part of the community with exciting, dynamic arts, and cultural events held year-round. A great place to start is by catching a show at downtown Stuart’s historic Lyric Theatre, once a silent movie house in the 1920s.
Admire the creativity of local artists at one of the many galleries or arts festivals throughout the county. Don’t forget to visit one of the various historical landmarks which make Martin County a truly one of a kind destination!
Bonus: Beat the Summer Heat at Sailfish Splash Waterpark
Imagine floating down a lazy river or launching yourself down two four-story water slides. Children of all ages will enjoy the interactive water playground, where little ones can splash around in sprays and slides. For those with athletic interests, the competitive pool is host to numerous swimming and diving meets, as well as water polo competitions.
931 SE Ruhnke Street
Stuart, FL 34994
772-320-3100
www.sailfishsplash.com