Whether it’s a lazy drive down A1A or a mad-dash on I-95 from a central or south Florida airport; what a gem you’ll miss if you don’t take a breath and stop in to visit the many attractions in St. Lucie County Florida.

Nature lovers will love our many environmentally protected lands available for nature viewing and hiking seven days a week. Some even offer cycling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. The Oxbow is but one example of our many gems. At the Oxbow you have two miles of trails, a canoe dock with available tours, boardwalks, a nature center and observation towers. Sometimes a wayward squirrel is all the nature you’ll need to entertain a child, imagine the possibilities of such pristine lands! For more information on these beautiful natural areas and preserves, please visit St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resource Division at http://www.stlucieco.gov/erd.

Horseback riding on our beaches as part of scenic tour of Frederick Douglass Memorial Park on South Hutchinson Island is another of our gems. Our area is one of the few in the state that allows for this spectacular experience.

Ride the Beach on Horseback operates the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sunday of every month at 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm, 2:30 pm and 4pm. A reservation for this activity is a must!

Experience our waterways with a nature cruise on the River Lilly River Cruise! This Eco Cruise explores the jungle-like backwaters of the “Real Florida” on the north fork of the St. Lucie River. Depending on the season, you may see nesting birds, river otters, or alligators. All of these sights perfect for the young and the young-at-heart!

If you can’t get enough of nature, but could do without the walking and hiking; how about stopping by our Manatee Observation and Education Center in Ft. Pierce? While a manatee can be seen any time of the year, the winter months improve your odds. Being true nature lovers, the center does not keep the manatees in captivity. Instead they are drawn to the area by the warm waters generated by the nearby plant. Even if you don’t get to see a manatee, you can learn more about them inside the center which offers visitors several exhibits and workshops for your enjoyment. Younger kids enjoy the hands on atmosphere at the center where they are encouraged to touch and feel. Older kids are engaged by the interactive displays and the wonderful museum staff.

The center also offers boat tours of the picturesque Indian River Lagoon. Aside from learning about the birds, fish, dolphins and manatees that you may see on your 1 ½ hour tour, you will also learn about the lagoon’s ecology and its history, both cultural and natural. The cruise a definite kid’s favorite!

You can also learn more about the Indian River Lagoon and its habitat at the St. Lucie County Marine Center which features the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit. The center opened in 2001. It boasts six living exhibits each featuring a unique marine ecosystem. Among the represented ecosystems are the Caribbean coral reef, Oculina coral reef, sea grass, mangroves, as well as the fish and organisms found in these habitats. Kids of all ages are invited to the touch tank where among a wide variety of creatures they can hold a sea cucumber or try to catch the elusive horseshoe crab for a little tickle!

History buffs will also find treasures. Located along the Indian River Lagoon, the St. Lucie County Historical Museum features silver and gold from a fleet of 11 Spanish ships that sank during a 1715 hurricane. That and other sunken treasure helped the area earn the reputation as Florida’s “Treasure Coast.” The museum also features equipment from turn-of-the-century industries that help shape St. Lucie County, such as fishing, pineapple farming, cattle and citrus. Also on site you can find a 1907 settler‘s home and a general store.

Additionally, St. Lucie County has a rich Native American history from Seminole and Ais Indian tribes, some of which are displayed at the Historical Museum including artifacts from the 1838 Seminole War and an encampment featuring a thatched chickee, hand-carved canoe and patchwork clothing. While you wouldn’t think of a local history museum as kid-friendly, this is an absolute exception! At this museum, staff really bring the displays to life!

So you want to know the tee times? It may be a hard decision given all your options. June’s issue of Golf Digest magazine ranked Ft. Pierce the eighth best place in Florida for golfers to live! The area boasts 12 public and semi-private courses. PGA Golf Club and Village in Port St. Lucie is the first PGA facility open to the public and is the most advance golf and practice center in the country. This facility alone features a learning center, educational center, historical center and golf club along with 72 holes of golf! The North and South Courses recently underwent multi-million dollar renovations and were renamed the Ryder Course and the Wanamaker Course.

The 35-acre learning center, which Golf World says, “might be the best practice facility in the world” has driving ranges, putting greens, chipping areas and nine different types of bunkers. Kids can participate in clinics designed just for them! Check out their website for more information and to make reservations, http://www.pgavillage.com.

Other courses nearby include Ballentrae, Fairwinds, Gator Trace, Club Med Resort, Indian Hills and the Saints of Port St. Lucie, just to name a few. All of this provides you ample opportunities to tee up in our tropical paradise.

Golf isn’t your thing? How about baseball? St. Lucie County is home to the Spring Training New York Mets! When spring training is over, you can catch the St. Lucie Mets battling other local teams at our spectacular recently renovated state of the art facility, Tradition Field. Kids will enjoy their day at the ballpark. Who knows, maybe they’ll even get a picture with Mr. Met!

If fishing is something your little one dreams of doing, the Ft. Pierce City Marina and other local marinas offer various opportunities for boat charters. Whether it’s fishing, diving for treasure - we actually have some - snorkeling or just sight seeing, there’s a charter for you!

Finally, if all of that activity is just more than you can handle, you can just relax at one of our over 20 miles of unspoiled beaches. Although, it’s nice to know there is so much to see and do; sometimes a little fun in the sun is all you need!

A local resort that will help you do just that is the Hutchinson Island Courtyard by Marriott. They offer family suites on their ground level with easy beach access.

There are also some seasonal activities for your enjoyment. During turtle nesting season - March through November, our county boasts over 5,000 nests. Watching these beautiful creatures in their natural environment come ashore lit by the light of the moon is an experience like no other.

The first Friday of the month you can find the locals enjoying - Friday Fest - in the Historic Downtown Ft. Pierce. Live entertainment, kids play areas, crafts and local food vendors tempt you while the waterfront draws you in to this magnificent event.

St. Lucie County is located 1 ½ hours south of Orlando’s International Airport and 1 hour north of Palm Beach International Airport on Florida’s east coast. . Best known as the Treasure Coast for the silver and gold from the Spanish wrecks of 1715 that adorn our coast, St. Lucie County is comprised of two major cities, Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie. To read more about some of our other treasures and how your family can make some treasured memories, please visit our website http://www.visitstluciefla.com or call us at (800) 344-TGIF.

LOCATION:
2300 Virginia Avenue
Ft. Pierce, FL 34982

CONTACT:
Phone: 800-344-TGIF
Email: victorio@stlucieco.gov
Web Site: www.visitstluciefla.com