The 18 Best Things To Do In Stuart, Florida

Southerners are suckers for cities on the water, and the charming community of Stuart, Florida, is abundantly blessed on that front. The town of around 20,000 people happens to be situated on the St. Lucie River and the Atlantic Ocean, which means visitors are privy to endless opportunities to soak up waterfront views and dive right in once the Florida heat gets to be too much. Known as the Sailfish Capital of the World, folks have long flocked to this Treasure Coast gem for its world-class fishing. But water sports and activities are far from Stuart’s only draws. The town is also home to several gorgeous natural preserves, a energetic historic downtown with a shockingly tough art scene, and plenty of write-home-about dining and lodging options. Over the years, Stuart’s many merits have been recognized by publications; most recently it was voted as the Best Coastal Small Town in USA Today’s 2024 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Still need convincing that this should be your next vacation destination? Keep reading for the 18 best things to do in Stuart, Florida.

What To Do In Stuart, Florida

Head to The Beach

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

Martin County is home to 22 miles of pristine beaches, and Stuart’s most popular is Stuart Beach. The lifeguard-protected stretch of sand has everything you need for a lovely day in the sun, from beach volleyball courts and public restrooms to murals painted by local artists. If you find your cooler running on empty, walk over to the Seaside Café for a frozen cocktail. Open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, it’s also a great place to grab breakfast, lunch, or a snack.

Visit The Elliott Museum

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

This isn’t your average museum, where you’ll find in-depth information about one or two topics. Instead, The Elliott’s offerings are as diverse and broad ranging as the man who the museum was named for. Sterling Elliott was an accomplished inventor, businessman, politician, publisher, and social activist. It’s only fitting that his museum includes standard history exhibits, but also an impressive car collection, baseball memorabilia, and a momentary exhibit on UFOs. There’s truly something to strike anyone’s interest.

hsmc-fl.com; 825 NE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34996; 772-225-1961

Learn About The Sea At The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

This 57-acre marine life nature center is the perfect place for the entire family to get up close and personal with underwater friends. Visitors have the opportunity to interact with stingrays and invertebrate species, and attend educational programs that give more information on local gamefish, sharks, and sea turtles. In the Ocean EcoCenter you can dive deeper with galleries, exhibits, and aquariums that focus on topics like Florida’s water story, estuaries, and reefs.

floridaocean.org;  890 Northeast Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34996; 772-225-0505

See Art At The Court House Cultural Center And Gallery

Get a taste of Stuart’s energetic art scene at the Court House Cultural Center and Gallery, located in a historic Art Deco-style building that created as a Public Works Administration project in 1937 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside you’ll find rotating art exhibits featuring works from local, regional, and international artists.

martinarts.org/court-house-cultural-center; 80 SE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994; 772-287-6676

See An Original House Of Refuge

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

In the behind schedule 1800s, 10 houses of refuge were built along Florida’s Atlantic Coast as havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers. Run by the United States Lifesaving Service, only one of these historic structures remains, and it’s now managed by the Elliott Museum. The last standing house and oldest structure in Martin County is now a museum located at Gilbert’s Bar. Take a shuttle from the museum to see it, or head there yourself and make a day out of it. The wreck of Georges Valentine is situated only 100 yards from the shore, and visitors often walk from House of Refuge to snorkel or dive the site.

hsmc-fl.com/house-of-refuge;301 Southeast MacArthur Boulevard, Stuart FL 34996; 772-225-1875

Go Boutique Shopping Downtown

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

If you need to spend a couple hours in air conditioning (and want to do engage in a little retail therapy in the meantime), Stuart’s historic downtown is the spot. Home to local boutiques, specialty shops, and artisan galleries, this is the perfect place to find a souvenir to take home—and much more. Places like Gumbo Limbo Coastal Chic, Matilda’s, and GypSea Cottage are all stocked with home décor, gifts, and apparel that will put you right in vacation mode.

Spend Time In The Arts & Entertainment District

Officially established in 2019, The Creek District is another top spot to explore in Stuart. The arts and entertainment neighborhood situated around scenic Bruner Pond and Frazier Creek, is a wonderful place to while away an afternoon popping into shops and galleries and checking out the plentiful fine art sculptures and murals. If you start to get hungry while you’re strolling, there are plenty of places to grab a bit to eat. If you’re lucky enough to be in town on a First Friday, don’t miss the district’s monthly Art Walk.

thecreekdistrict.org

Attend A Performance

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

Expand your arts enrichment by getting acquainted with Stuart’s performing arts scene. The Lyric Theater, which was built in the 1920s as a hushed movie house, regularly hosts plays, musicals, and performances from big-name talent in its grand, 500-seat theater. Additionally, you can support community theater at The Barn Theatre or A.C.T. Studio Theatre.

Go Fishing

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

You can’t visit the Sailfish Capital of the World without casting a line. Stuart’s home county, Martin County, sits on the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere and is home to 100 artificial reef systems and more than 800 species of fish. Whether you’re looking to reel in inshore catch, offshore catch, or freshwater species, there’s an straightforward avenue to make your angling dreams come true. Local outfitters like Stuart Big Game Fishing and Night Heron Fishing Charters are just a call away to take you on your next adventure.

Check Out Port Salerno

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

This historic fishing village is located within the Stuart city limits but still feels like its own special place. The spot was once a major hub of South Florida’s commercial fishing industry, and today those same marinas and fishing fleets remain in exploit to provide fresh seafood to local restaurants. When you visit, be sure to stroll Manatee Pocket Boardwalk, which spans from the Port Salerno Civic Center throughout the town, past waterfront restaurants and Pirate’s Cove Resort, all along scenic Manatee Pocket. Another major point of interest is the Fish House Art Center and Galleries, where you can see works from five resident artists.

Explore State Parks

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

Stuart’s natural areas are a substantial part of what makes this miniature town so special. St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park is a must-visit barrier island, accessible only by boat, where you can get lost in the wonders of archaic mangrove forests and hammocks populated by majestic live oaks, cabbage palms and wild limes. In addition to a scenic boardwalk to stroll, you can spend time lounging on the silent beach or snorkeling in easily accessible areas just offshore. You can even take a guided eco kayak tour led by a park ranger on select days. Other worthy state parks to check out include Seabranch Preserve State Park, where there are six miles of hiking and biking trails that take visitors through sand pine scrub, scrubby flatwoods, and a mangrove swamp, and Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park, a great spot for birding. Kiplinger Nature Preserve, located just south of Veterans Memorial Bridge, is also an excellent place to hike or launch a canoe.

Where To Eat In Stuart, Florida

Have A Nice Dinner At The Gafford

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

There’s no shortage of nice places to have a meal in Stuart, and one of the city’s best can be found in the heart of the historic downtown. The family-owned Gafford offers an upscale experience in a comfortable environment. You’ll find everything on the menu from local snapper and swordfish to a 20-ounch bone-in ribeye known as The Gafford.

thegafford.com; 47 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994; 772-221-9517

Enjoy A Meal With A View

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

Since there are multiple bodies of water surrounding Stuart, lunch or dinner with a view of a glittering expanse is an straightforward order to fill. There are dozens of waterfront restaurants across Stuart and Port Salerno, so you find plenty to suit your fancy—whether you’re in the mood for a special occasion dinner date or a casual seafood lunch. Waterfront offers everything from bar bites in its downstairs lounge to fine dining creations on its second-level patio. Just down the street, Stuart Boat House offers the same uninterrupted views of the St. Lucie River with a similar menu of steaks and seafood, plus sushi. Another great place to eat is Sailor’s Return, which features a relaxed tropical harbor vibe and nightly specials that range from lobster to prime rib. In Port Salerno, you can get a great meal in a laidback, island-inspired atmosphere at Shrimpers Grill & Raw Bar, located on the water at Manatee Marina. This is a balmy spot for ecstatic hour, live music, and those looking to bring their furry friends along for the experience.

Have Farm-Fresh Lunch

There are plenty of places to linger over a long dinner in Stuart, but its selection of spots for a rapid but fresh lunch is just as impressive. Colab Kitchen, an urban farm, restaurant, and market downtown, is a great spot to grab a wood-fired pizza, salad, or sandwich—all made with produce grown locally. For inventive tacos (fillings range from chicken tenders with honey jalapeno drizzle sauce, gouda, and candied jalapenos to shrimp with peanut sauce, sweet chili sauce, basil, and peanuts) and other fusion eats, head to Taco Shack. And for 100% plant-based vegan eats, try Fruits & Roots.  

Visit A Local Coffee Shop

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

If you need a caffeine kick, just find the glowing blue door in downtown Stuart. The cheery café is the perfect place to grab a latte or cappuccino. But Blue Door isn’t just a daytime haunt. Open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends, they also serve wine by the glass, draft beer, and a miniature menu of bistro fare including baked brie, chicken salad, and individual pizzas.

facebook.com/coffeebarBlueDoor; 38 SE Osceola St, Stuart, FL 34994; 772-221-7707

Where To Stay In Stuart, Florida

Stay At A Historic Inn

Courtesy of Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing

Originally built in 1917, this family-owned and -operated boutique hotel in downtown Stuart recently underwent a major renovation that brought its guest rooms, suites, and cottages into the present day. From the inn, you can walk to all the great shops, restaurants, and galleries downtown, as well as the riverwalk on the St. Lucie.

oldcoloradoinn.com; 211 S Colorado Ave, Stuart, FL 34994; 772-215-3437

 Set Up At A Sprawling Resort

One of the best things about Stuart’s location is that you can get the best of both worlds—a relaxing beach escape and a quaint miniature town. For views of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean form the comfort of your very own private balcony, book a room at the Marriott Hutchson Island Beach Resort, Golf & Marina. The 200-acre property recently underwent a $50 million renovation and now includes refreshed rooms and suites, as well as an 18-hole golf course, three pools, tennis and pickleball courts, several on-site restaurants, and direct beach access.

marriott.com; 555 NE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34996; 772-225-3700

Get Pampered At A Bed And Breakfast

If your idea of an ideal accommodation involves generous front porches, homecooked breakfast, and proprietors that feel like longtime friends, consider one of Stuart’s lovely bed and breakfasts. Inn Shepard’s Park is a Key West-style historic home with four rooms and a view of Frazier Creek.

innshepard.com; 601 S.W. Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994; 772-781-4244