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Fun in the Sun: Best Things to Do and Places to Visit in Fort Pierce, Florida

Fort Pierce is a cheap week when compared with the rest of the coast. The beaches cost nothing and the state park asks a small gate fee. The Farmers Market feeds a whole family for far less than a restaurant. Both of the aquariums and the manatee center are the priced items here. Everything else here is walking, water and whatever you carry with you.

Welcome to Fort Pierce, the Sunrise City that has been the hub of St. Lucie County, Florida, for over a century. Situated on the Treasure Coast, Fort Pierce is one of the oldest communities on the east coast of Florida. With its beaches, its parks and the water running through the middle of it, Fort Pierce gives a family plenty to work with.

Are you looking for time out with the family or with friends? Fort Pierce is built for it. Whether the interest runs to the outdoors, the local culture or a morning of shopping, Fort Pierce carries all of it. From the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park and Pepper Park Beach to the Manatee Observation and Education Center, the list of places to take everybody in Fort Pierce is a long one.

Key Takeaways

• Fort Pierce is a perfect destination for a fun-filled vacation with your family or friends.
• There are plenty of places to visit and things to do in Fort Pierce, including exploring the great outdoors, discovering the local culture, and indulging in some retail therapy.
• From the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park and Pepper Park Beach to the Manatee Observation and Education Center, there’s something for everyone in Fort Pierce.

Savoring the Sunrise City

Fort Pierce, also known as the Sunrise City, is the hub of St. Lucie County, Florida. This city runs on its food and its water. Here are the ways to take the Sunrise City properly:

Downtown Delights

Downtown Fort Pierce is where the eating happens. There are plenty of restaurants, and the local favorites are the ones worth your time. Head to the Taco Dive for tacos or the Sunrise City Cafe for a full breakfast. If the children want something sweet afterwards, the Cake Lady Bakery is the stop.

While you are downtown, look through the local shops and galleries. You never know what turns up. From handmade jewelry to one-off art pieces, downtown Fort Pierce rewards a slow walk.

Beach Bumming Adventures

Fort Pierce holds some of the better beaches in Florida. Whether the plan is a slow day in the sun or a day of water sports, there is a beach here that fits.

Head to Pepper Park Beach for a quiet day of sunbathing, or take the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park for the surfing. If the family wants something more active, book a paddleboarding lesson or rent a kayak and work along the Indian River Lagoon.

No matter how the day runs, give the children an hour on the beaches of Fort Pierce. After all, that is what the Sunrise City is for.

Nature’s Playground

Are you ready to take the outdoors in Fort Pierce? You’re in the right county for it. From state parks to manatee spotting, the choice here is wide.

State Park Sojourn

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park is the one to give a whole morning if the family likes hiking, swimming or snorkeling. With nearly 350 acres of coastline, you can work the half-mile of Atlantic beach or sit in the calm water of Tucker Cove on the Indian River Lagoon. The park also has picnic areas and nature trails, which is what makes it work with children.

Manatee Mania

Are the children taken with these animals? Then head to the Manatee Observation and Education Center, where they can learn how manatees live and then watch them do it. The center runs guided tours, so somebody explains the behavior while you are looking at it.

Aquatic Adventures

If you want a more active way to take Fort Pierce’s water, kayaking or canoeing is the answer. There are several rental companies in the area, so a kayak or canoe is easy to get for the Indian River Lagoon or the St. Lucie River. And if the children are old enough, snorkeling works too. The water holds a run of colorful fish and marine life, which is what makes the masks worth packing.

Don’t forget the sunscreen and the water bottles, and give the day to Fort Pierce’s state parks and open water.

Cultural Cornucopia

Fort Pierce is a cultural cornucopia with a genuine range of artistic and historical attractions. Whether the interest is history or art, this city has the material. In this section, we will work through the cultural attractions Fort Pierce holds.

Artistic Attractions

If art is what brings you, Fort Pierce has the depth for it. The city carries a real artistic heritage and is home to many working artists. The Highwaymen, a group of African American artists who painted Florida landscapes in the 1950s and 1960s, are a significant part of Fort Pierce’s artistic legacy. You can see their work at the Highwaymen Heritage Trail Art Gallery.

In addition to the Highwaymen, Fort Pierce has other galleries and art museums showing local and national artists. The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery is one of them, built around the work of Florida’s leading landscape painter, A.E. Backus. The museum holds a collection of his paintings alongside work by other Florida artists.

Historical Highlights

If history is your interest, Fort Pierce has enough to fill a day. St. Lucie County Regional History Center is the place to start. The center holds exhibits covering the history of St. Lucie County and the Treasure Coast. You can read about the early settlers, the Seminole Wars and the citrus industry.

Another historical stop in Fort Pierce is the Navy SEAL Museum. The museum covers the history and heritage of the Navy SEALs, with exhibits on their training, equipment and missions. The museum sits on the original training grounds of the Navy SEALs, which is the reason to go if military history is your subject.

Finally, Fort Pierce has several buildings and sites on the National Register of Historic Places. One of them is the Sunrise Theatre for the Performing Arts, built in 1923 and since restored properly. The building puts on plays, concerts and movies.

In conclusion, Fort Pierce is a cultural cornucopia with real range. Whether the interest is art or history, you will find enough to fill the days. So plan the trip to Fort Pierce and take the city’s cultural heritage at your own pace.

Foodie’s Paradise

If food is what moves you, Fort Pierce is going to keep you busy. From fresh produce to seafood, the range here is wide. Here are the places to start eating:

Farmers Market Finds

You can find the freshest produce in Fort Pierce at the Farmers Market. You’ll see fruit and vegetables grown by local farmers. You can also pick up homemade jams, jellies and baked goods. Don’t leave without trying the key lime pie, which is a local specialty.

Seafood Sensations

Fresh seafood is the thing to order in Fort Pierce. You can get local fish including snapper, grouper and mahi-mahi. Try it grilled, blackened or fried at one of the seafood restaurants in town. Don’t forget a glass of wine alongside it.

Wine and Dine

Speaking of wine, Fort Pierce has wineries worth the visit. Take a tour and taste what the area produces. You can also eat at one of the fine dining restaurants in town. From Italian to seafood, the range covers most palates.

Whether the interest is wine or seafood, Fort Pierce will feed you well. So order the local dishes and let the town show you what it grows and catches.

A lot of people assume the Treasure Coast is a smaller version of Miami. It is not that at all, and the water here is the reason why. This is lagoon country, with seagrass, mangrove and manatees living in it. The ocean is one half-mile strip of beach inside a state park. Come here for the lagoon and the whole town makes sense at once.

Retail Therapy

Sometimes the way to fill an afternoon is a slow walk through the shops. Luckily, Fort Pierce has enough of them to scratch that itch. Whether the taste runs to small boutiques or busy marketplaces, there is a version here that fits.

Boutique Browsing

If you want the one-off finds, Fort Pierce has a good run of boutiques. Check the following spots:

Boutique	Description
Aphrodite Style	This chic boutique offers a carefully curated selection of clothing, accessories, and gifts. Whether you’re in the market for a new statement piece or a thoughtful present, Aphrodite Style has got you covered.
The Tin Fish	This eclectic shop features a mix of vintage and new clothing, accessories, and home goods. With an ever-changing inventory, you never know what treasures you’ll find at The Tin Fish.
Marketplace at Harbor Bay	This charming marketplace features a variety of vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to artisanal soaps. Spend an afternoon browsing the stalls and chatting with the friendly vendors.

Marketplace Magic

If you prefer your shopping loud and quick, Fort Pierce has busy marketplaces as well. Check the following spots:

Marketplace	Description
Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market	This vibrant farmers’ market is held every Saturday and features a variety of vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, and artisanal crafts. Grab a coffee and a pastry and spend a leisurely morning perusing the stalls.
Treasure Coast Square	This indoor mall features a variety of popular retailers, including Macy’s, Dillard’s, and H&M. Whether you’re in the market for a new outfit or just want to window shop, Treasure Coast Square has something for everyone.
Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market	Held on Saturdays, this lively farmers’ market features a variety of vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts, and more. With live music and a bustling atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to spend a Saturday morning.

So there you have it: boutique browsing or marketplace magic, and Fort Pierce covers both. So go ahead and treat yourself, because you have earned it.

Garden Glory

If you want somewhere quiet after a run of loud days in Fort Pierce, the city’s botanical gardens are the answer. With their winding paths, flowers and heavy greenery, these gardens are where a family slows down and looks at things properly.

Botanical Beauty

One of the better-known attractions in Fort Pierce is the Heathcote Botanical Gardens. This garden holds a wide run of plants and flowers, including a herb garden, a Japanese garden and a rainforest display. Whether you garden yourself or simply want somewhere peaceful to walk, the place holds up.

Bonsai Bonanza

If bonsai is your thing, the collection at the Heathcote Botanical Gardens is worth the detour. This collection runs to dozens of trees, each one pruned and shaped over years. Whether you keep bonsai yourself or simply admire it, the skill on display is obvious.

So if you want a little quiet in the middle of everything else Fort Pierce offers, take the city’s botanical gardens. With their calm and their planting, they are where the day slows down and the children stop running.

Aquarium Antics

If you want something that is both fun and educational in Fort Pierce, the aquariums are it. With the range of marine life on display, the children will not be bored.

Marine Marvels

At the St. Lucie County Aquarium, you get the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean laid out side by side. The aquarium holds a living seagrass bed, a mangrove forest and a Caribbean coral reef, home to over 20 species of live corals. You can also handle live marine animals at the touch tank, which has horseshoe crabs, sea stars and peppermint shrimp that will clean your fingernails if you let them.

Sealife Spectacle

Another aquarium worth the time is the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit. This aquarium gives you the marine life of the Indian River Lagoon, with exhibits running from seahorses to jellyfish. You can watch the animals being fed on the Feeding Frenzy tours each morning and afternoon.

Whether marine life is your subject or you simply want a good hour with the family, the aquariums in Fort Pierce deliver. So take the children in and let them see the underwater half of St. Lucie County.

Conclusion

Congratulations. You’ve reached the end of our list of the Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Fort Pierce, Florida. We hope this guide has given you a clear idea of what the city holds. Whether you come for the outdoors, the history or simply a good day out, Fort Pierce has the material.

So what are you waiting for? Grab the sunscreen, put the sunglasses on and take everything Fort Pierce has. From the beaches and state parks to the downtown area and the cultural stops, the days fill themselves here.

Don’t leave without eating the local food while you are here. Fresh seafood is the thing to order, and the range of restaurants and cafes across the city will not let you down.

And if you want more of Florida, Fort Pierce works as a base. With its central position, day trips to Miami, Orlando and the Everglades are all within reach.

So pack the bags and give the week to Fort Pierce, Florida. We think the family will thank you for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most unique thing to do in Fort Pierce?

If you want the one thing people remember from Fort Pierce, take the clear-kayak tour. You catch sea life underneath you and see Fort Pierce from the water instead of the road. It’s the kind of hour the children describe for years afterwards.

Where can I find the best seafood in Fort Pierce?

If seafood is the plan, 12A Buoy is where to go. They keep a good selection of fresh fish and the room is comfortable with children. You can also take the ShrimpFest at the Fort Pierce Marina. It’s a full afternoon for anyone who eats seafood.

What’s the wildest event happening in Downtown Fort Pierce this month?

If you want the town at its loudest, check the Friday Fest in Downtown Fort Pierce. It’s a monthly event with live music, food and drinks. You’ll find the locals dancing and the children copying them.

What’s the best way to spend a sunny day in Fort Pierce?

When the sun is out, head to the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. You can sit on the beach, swim or walk the trails. It’s the easiest way to give everybody a full day in the Florida weather.

What’s the craziest attraction in Fort Pierce?

If you want the attraction nobody expects, check the Navy SEAL Museum. You can see real Navy SEAL equipment and read about the missions. It’s not a thing you find in many other towns.

What’s the best hidden gem in Fort Pierce that tourists often miss?

If you want the one place visitors walk past in Fort Pierce, take the Manatee Observation and Education Center. You can watch manatees from close range and learn how they live. It’s a good stop with the whole family, and everybody comes out knowing something new.

Frequently asked questions about Fort Pierce, Florida

Can small children handle the manatee center and the beach together?

Yes, they can. The center is built for watching rather than sitting, and the guided tours put an adult voice on whatever the children are already staring at. It works well for an hour rather than for a whole long morning. Put the beach in after it and the whole day balances itself out. You will want a camera ready, because the animals surface without any warning.

Does the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park work for a family day?

It genuinely does work. There are nearly 350 acres, a half-mile of Atlantic beach, the calm water of Tucker Cove and enough picnic areas that nobody has to carry lunch around all day. The cove side is where you put the smaller ones down first. The surf side is where the older ones will want to be. You get both in one place, which saves a great deal of arguing.

Is the Navy SEAL Museum worth taking children to see?

It is, yes indeed. The museum sits on the original training grounds and holds real equipment from the missions, which lands differently with children than a case of photographs would. The older ones get a good deal more out of it than the small ones. It runs to about an hour, which is roughly the right length. Pair it with the beach afterwards and then nobody complains at all.

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