Things to Do in Stuart FL: A Local's Guide to the Sailfish Capital

Looking for things to do in Stuart FL? You have more options than the town's size suggests. Stuart is the county seat of Martin County, a small riverfront city of brick sidewalks and boat traffic, with Hutchinson Island and the Atlantic a short drive over the causeway. It calls itself the Sailfish Capital of the World, and most good days here involve water in some form.

This guide covers the places locals actually use, sorted by type, with the practical details that matter: what is open, what costs money, and where to park the kids for an afternoon. If you are weighing a move to the Treasure Coast, it doubles as a look at what daily life in Stuart feels like.

Key takeaways

• Hutchinson Island holds the big three: Stuart Beach, the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center and the Elliott Museum, all on the same stretch of Ocean Blvd.
• The House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar, built in 1876, reopened in 2026 after an 11-month restoration and marks its 150th year.
• Downtown Stuart runs on the Riverwalk, the Lyric Theatre (opened 1926) and the Sunday Market on Main at Flagler Park.
• Nature is close in every direction: Jonathan Dickinson State Park, St. Lucie Inlet Preserve (boat access only), Halpatiokee and Indian RiverSide Park.

Things to do in Stuart FL on Hutchinson Island

Cross the Ernest Lyons Bridge from Sewall's Point and you land on Hutchinson Island, where three of Stuart's best stops sit within a few hundred yards of each other. Plan a full day here and you will not run out of things to do.

Stuart Beach

Stuart Beach is the town's main public beach. It has lifeguards, restrooms and showers, covered picnic areas, volleyball and basketball courts, and a small food stand. The water is open Atlantic, so surf conditions change day to day. It is the easy choice for families because everything else on this list is across the street.

Bathtub Reef Beach

Bathtub Reef Beach sits at the southern tip of the island's public shoreline. A worm reef, built by tiny tube worms, breaks the waves and leaves a calm, shallow pool that young swimmers love. Please stay off the reef itself, since it is alive and fragile. The beach reopened in early 2025 after an 18-month, $5.4 million restoration. Erosion during king tides has been a recurring problem, so check Martin County's beach page before you go.

Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center

The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is a hands-on marine science center with a gamefish lagoon, a stingray touch tank, resident sea turtles and a nature trail. It is open Tuesday through Sunday. Adult admission is $20 and kids ages 3 to 12 are $10. The scheduled feedings are the highlight, so time your visit around them.

Elliott Museum

Next door, the Elliott Museum was founded in 1961 by Harmon Elliott in honor of his father, the inventor Sterling Elliott. The current building opened in 2013. Car fans come for the collection of more than 90 vintage cars and trucks, many stored in a robotic racking system you can watch in action. There are also rotating art and history exhibits, so it works on a rainy day.

Historic things to do in Stuart FL

House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar. The House of Refuge was built in 1876 by the U.S. Life-Saving Service to shelter shipwrecked sailors. The Historical Society of Martin County calls it the oldest structure in the county, and it is the last surviving House of Refuge in Florida. After an 11-month restoration it reopened in 2026, its 150th year. It sits on rocky shoreline south of Bathtub Reef, and the setting alone makes the trip worth it. Details are on the Historical Society's site.

The Lyric Theatre. Downtown, the Lyric Theatre opened in 1926 and still runs a full season of concerts, comedy, film and touring shows. The nonprofit Friends of the Lyric operate it. Even if nothing on the schedule grabs you, the building is worth a look as you walk Flagler Avenue.

Stuart Heritage Museum. The Stuart Heritage Museum fills the 1901 Stuart Feed Store with thousands of local artifacts, from pioneer tools to fishing memorabilia. Admission has traditionally been free. It is a good 30-minute stop between lunch and the waterfront.

Downtown Stuart, the river and the market

Downtown Stuart is compact and walkable. Restaurants, galleries and boutiques line Osceola Street and Flagler Avenue, and the Riverwalk boardwalk runs along the St. Lucie River with views of the Roosevelt Bridge. Locals know the roundabout by the railroad tracks as Confusion Corner, where several roads meet at once. Park once and walk.

On Sundays, the Market on Main (formerly the Downtown Stuart Green Market) sets up at Flagler Park, rain or shine. Hours run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from October through March and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the warmer months. Expect local produce, baked goods, plants and prepared food. Then the Riverwalk is a natural place to finish the morning.

Outdoor things to do in Stuart FL

Jonathan Dickinson State Park. South of town in Hobe Sound, Jonathan Dickinson State Park covers more than 10,000 acres. The Loxahatchee River, the first river in Florida named a National Wild and Scenic River, runs through it. You can paddle, bike, camp, climb Hobe Mountain (an ancient sand dune with an observation tower) or take the ranger-led boat to Trapper Nelson's old homestead upriver.

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park. This one takes a boat. The preserve sits on the northern tip of Jupiter Island, reachable only by water, and a long boardwalk crosses mangroves and hammock to more than two miles of quiet beach. If you own a boat or rent one in Port Salerno, it is one of the least crowded beaches in South Florida.

Halpatiokee Regional Park. Halpatiokee is a 65-acre active park set inside a much larger preserve along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. Expect hiking, biking and paddling trails plus ball fields. It is a weekday-after-work kind of park for people living in western Stuart and Palm City.

Indian RiverSide Park in Jensen Beach. Just north in Jensen Beach, Indian RiverSide Park offers 63 acres on the Indian River Lagoon, a 780-foot fishing pier, a mangrove boardwalk and a free splash fountain. The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast and the Mansion at Tuckahoe are on the same grounds. Jensen Sea Turtle Beach, where loggerheads, greens and leatherbacks nest, is a few minutes east.

Things to do in Stuart FL on the water

The sailfish nickname dates to 1938, when a Miami Herald outdoors column used it after a fishing trip hosted by a Stuart News editor. Offshore charters still run out of Stuart and Port Salerno for sailfish, kingfish and mahi. Inshore, the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon hold snook, redfish and trout.

Sandsprit Park on Manatee Pocket in Port Salerno is the closest public boat ramp to the St. Lucie Inlet, which makes it the launch of choice for many locals. If you do not own a boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals operate along the river and lagoon.

Things to do in Stuart FL with kids

• Sailfish Splash Waterpark: A county-run waterpark with a 1,000-foot lazy river, a four-story slide and a 50-meter competition pool. Summer hours are seasonal.
• Bathtub Reef Beach: The calmest ocean water in the area for small swimmers.
• Florida Oceanographic: Touch tanks and feedings that hold kids' attention for hours.
• Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast: Indoor play, good for hot afternoons.
• Indian RiverSide Park: Free splash fountain and a pier for first fishing trips.

What this means if you are thinking about living in Stuart

Visitors see a pleasant day trip. Residents see a routine: a beach that takes 15 minutes to reach, a downtown you can walk on a Friday night, and a river at the end of many backyards. That lifestyle shapes the housing market. Waterfront homes on the St. Lucie River and in Sewall's Point carry a clear premium, while older neighborhoods west of US-1 and newer communities in Palm City give buyers more room for the money.

Before you buy, think through flood zones near the river, boat access (some canals have fixed bridges), and how often you will really drive to the beach versus the river. If the area appeals but the prices do not, Port St. Lucie to the north offers newer construction at lower price points. Our guide to things to do in Port St. Lucie and our look at golf courses in Port St. Lucie cover that side of the Treasure Coast.

You can browse current listings and market stats on our Stuart homes for sale page and the wider Martin County overview.

Frequently asked questions

What is Stuart FL known for?

Stuart is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World. It is also known for its walkable historic downtown, the St. Lucie River and quick access to Hutchinson Island beaches.

Is Stuart FL worth visiting for a day?

Yes. One day covers Stuart Beach, Florida Oceanographic and the Elliott Museum on the island, then dinner downtown. Add a second day for Jonathan Dickinson State Park or the House of Refuge.

What are free things to do in Stuart FL?

The public beaches, the Riverwalk, browsing the Sunday Market on Main, Indian RiverSide Park's splash fountain and pier, and Halpatiokee's trails are all free. The Stuart Heritage Museum has traditionally charged no admission.

Is Stuart a good place to live?

For buyers who want a small-town feel with boating and beach access, many find it a strong fit. Trade-offs include higher prices near the water, flood-zone considerations and a quieter nightlife than Palm Beach County.

Thinking about a home in Stuart or Martin County? Pure Equity Realty helps buyers compare riverfront, island and inland neighborhoods across the Treasure Coast. Talk with our team and we will send you listings that fit how you actually want to live.

Sources

• Florida Oceanographic Society: Coastal Center
• Historical Society of Martin County: House of Refuge
• Historical Society of Martin County: Elliott Museum
• The Lyric Theatre: History
• Discover Martin: Beaches
• Martin County: Indian RiverSide Park
• Martin County: Halpatiokee Regional Park
• Martin County: Sailfish Splash Waterpark
• Florida State Parks: Jonathan Dickinson State Park
• Discover Martin: Sailfish Capital of the World