Welcome to Fort Pierce, Florida – a hidden adventure destination on the Atlantic Coast that's just waiting to be discovered!
This charming town is a real diamond in the rough, with a fascinating history and a vibrant culture that's sure to captivate your heart.
From the sparkling blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the lush greenery of the nearby state parks, Fort Pierce is a tropical paradise like no other.
Did you know that Fort Pierce is home to one of the largest manatee populations in the world? That's right – these gentle giants love to hang out in the warm waters of the Indian River Lagoon, which runs right through the heart of town.
And if you're a fan of fresh seafood, you're in luck – Fort Pierce is known for its amazing seafood restaurants, where you can sample the catch of the day straight from the ocean.
In this article, we've compiled a list of 11 awesome things to do in Fort Pierce that will make your trip unforgettable.
If Disney isn't your scene, and you don't want to fight with the crowds at Cocoa Beach, Fort Pierce is the destination for you.
So grab your sunscreen, put on your flip-flops, and let's dive into the best that this tropical paradise has to offer!
Let's dive into some of the city's best attractions and see if we can't help you start building a vacation itinerary of your own.
12 Things To Do In Fort Pierce, Florida
Fort Pierce is the beating heart of St. Lucie County. The city hugs the eastern coast of Florida, giving you and your family unfettered access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Expect blistering summers and balmy winters when you come to visit, but know that there'll always be something for you to do in the area.
1. Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
If you're in Florida for a vacation, you're going to want to hit the beach.
The Fort Pierce Inlet State Park may not give you traditional access to a beachfront, but it will expose you to all of the natural beauty the Sunshine State has to offer.
Open from 8 AM until sundown, you can walk through the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park 365 days a year. It cost $6 to park your vehicle in the nearby parking lot, but the cost is well worth it.
Once you set foot on the park's half-mile of beach, you'll have a better understanding of why this location was the first on our list.
You can snorkel, swim, or just have a picnic in the area for the whole day and not feel as though you've missed a thing.
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park is also home to:
- Dynamite Point, a WWII Navy Training Center
- Birdwatching
- Scuba Diving
- Beachcombing
- Indian River Observation Tower
For more information about this Fort Pierce attraction, you can visit its website.
2. Navy SEAL Museum
For the more military-minded members of your family, Fort Pierce offers its Navy SEAL Museum. This museum is one-of-a-kind. Nowhere else in the United States will you be able to develop a better understanding of the Navy SEALs' history.
Nowadays, the museum is just a museum. Back in the day, though, it used to be used by Navy combat divers, known as Frogmen.
When touring through the museum, you'll see how the base evolved and how the Navy SEALs have changed the tides of combat around the world.
The Navy SEAL Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. You can also visit the museum on Sunday between the hours of noon and 4 PM.
Admission breaks down as follows:
- Adults: $15.00
- Children (6 to 12): $7.00
- Children (5 and younger): Free
- Seniors (65+), Veterans, and First Responders: $12.00
For more information about this Fort Pierce attraction, you can visit its website.
3. Manatee Observation and Education Center
While manatees are no longer on the endangered species list, they're still fascinating creatures to learn about.
If you want to learn more about the mermaid's predecessor, or if you want to indulge the animal lover on your trip, you'll need to visit the Manatee Observation and Education Center.
At this center, you'll be able to look out over the Indian River Lagoon, a saltwater estuary that serves as a natural habitat for manatees.
You'll find a similar breed of a manatee floating in the nearby Moore's Creek, a freshwater, Atlantic tributary. Manatees love the warm water in the area and will enthusiastically gather at all times of the year.
Admission to the Manatee Observation and Education Center costs $1 for all adults over the age of 5. Children and members may access the center for free.
The center's hours range as follows:
- Tuesday through Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM to 4 PM
- Monday: Closed
Note that these hours differ between July and September.
For more information about this Fort Pierce attraction, you can visit its website.
4. Heathcote Botanical Gardens
Fort Pierce is a haven for naturalists and anyone wanting to enjoy Florida's beauty.
The Heathcote Botanical Gardens bring all of that beauty right to your fingertips. Here, you'll be able to make your way through a litany of floral displays, including:
- The Japanese Garden
- The Reflection Garden
- The Herb Garden
- The Rainforest Display
- The Native Plants Garden
- The Palm & Cycad Walk
If you're a bonsai lover, then you're in for a treat! The garden has multiple displays of bonsai trees that you wouldn't want to miss.
The Heathcote Botanical Garden is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
Hours open are between Tuesday to Saturday are from 10 AM to 4 PM. The Gardens are currently closed on Sundays from May to October but will reopen its Sunday operations starting November 6th. They are closed on Mondays and all major holidays.
Admission varies as follows:
- Adults: $8.00
- Children (12 to 6): $3.00
- Children (6 and younger): Free
- Members and veterans with ID are free
For more information about this Fort Pierce attraction, you can visit its website.
5. Jetty Park
Jetty Pier serves as a marina and park for tourists and locals alike to visit. Here, you'll be able to explore 35 acres of land, renting pavilions for picnics or walking along the beach. You can even camp here year-round.
The park itself is open from 5 AM until 11 PM on a daily basis, as it the nearby pier. The campground's store hours will vary based on what time of year it is.
For more information about this Fort Pierce attraction, you can visit its website.
6. St. Lucie County Aquarium
If you want a break from the heat of the day, you can make your way over to the St. Lucie County Aquarium. Here you'll find exhibits elaborating on the beauty of Fort Pierce's wildlife.
Spend some time watching the fish swim, or take a break out of your day to watch a trained keeper play with penguins.
Admission to the St. Lucie County Aquarium breaks down as follows:
- Adults: $4.25
- Children and seniors: $3.25
- Children (4 and younger): Free
Admission is free to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month. You can visit the aquarium between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM every day of the week save for Monday and Sunday. The aquarium is closed on Mondays and opens at noon on Sundays.
For more information about this Fort Pierce attraction, you can visit its website.
7. Downtown Fort Pierce
For nightlife and shopping, there's Downtown Fort Pierce. The downtown area doesn't have any set hours, but you'll be able to tour boutiques and restaurants to your heart's desire.
You can also explore Main Street Fort Pierce, a not-for-profit organization that aims to bring more excitement to the area.
For more information about this Fort Pierce attraction, you can visit its website.
8. Fort Pierce Farmers' Market
Whether you're looking for fresh produce or a souvenir to bring home with you, you'll want to visit the Fort Pierce Farmers' Market. Located in the picturesque downtown, you can roll up to the market every Saturday between 8 AM and noon.
You'll be able to purchase anything, from seafood to homemade sauces to produce grown nearby.
The farmers' market will be open every Saturday, regardless of the weather.
For more information about this Fort Pierce attraction, you can visit its website.
9. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
If you want to learn more about Fort Pierce's ocean wildlife, schedule some time in your day to visit the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
While this isn't a traditional tourist destination, the employees at work here will still make time to help you learn a little more about the area.
For more information about this Fort Pierce attraction, you can visit its website.
10. The Beaches
There's more than one beach near Fort Pierce, and they're all worth visiting. You only have so much time on your vacation, though. If you're looking for a place to soak up the sun, you're going to have to be selective.
Blind Creek Beach
Blind Creek Beach is one of the best in the area. You'll find it on a barrier island just to the south of Fort Pierce. The beach is relatively untouched by human hands, so don't expect to find restrooms or restaurants nearby. If you're looking for an eight-mile stretch of near-perfection, though, this is the place to go.
Pepper Park Beach
For a more accessible beach, try out Pepper Park Beach. Located on 52-acres of land, you'll be able to snorkel and dive here with ease.
The water is fairly shallow, making this beach ideal for kiddos just learning how to swim or parents looking to soak their feet after a long day.
For the history buffs on vacation with you, Pepper Park Beach is also home to one of Florida's first underwater archaeological preserves.
The curious snorkeler will be able to swim past the remains of the Urca de Lima, which rests 20 feet below the waterline.
For more information, you can visit the Blind Creek Beach website and the Pepper Park Beach website.
11. Visiting a Brewery or Winery
If you're looking for something to drink, never fear. There are several breweries and wineries in the Fort Pierce area that you can visit to get a taste of the local spirits.
Wine connoisseurs will want to visit the Summer Crush Winery. This family-owned winery does more than offer you wine tastings.
When you visit, you'll be able to tour the history of old-world Fort Pierce, including owner, Gary Roberts', collection of surfboards from the 1970s.
If beer is more your speed, you should make a point to visit the Sailfish Brewery. Founded in 2013, the Sailfish Brewery was the first of its kind to grace Fort Pierce.
Nowadays, it serves bright beers designed to cater to the area's need for sunshine and relaxation. Try the Sunrise City IPA for a real taste of Fort Pierce.
For more information about this Fort Pierce attraction, you can visit the Summer Crush Winery website and the Sailfish Brewery website.
Where To Stay In Fort Pierce, Florida
Have we convinced you to make the trip? If you're looking for places to stay in Fort Pierce, you're in luck.
The area is filled to the brim with great spots to make your home away from home. Take a look at our top three and see if you can't start planning your next vacation.
Seahorse Beach Bungalows
If you're looking for a less-than-traditional stay in Fort Pierce, try the Seahorse Beach Bungalows.
These bungalows are a mere ten-minute walk away from the Fort Pierce Inlet Park. After your morning walk, you can drive the four miles into downtown or to any of the local museums.
Seahorse Beach Bungalows simultaneously offer you great access to Fort Pierce while also ensuring your privacy.
Royal Beach Inn, Hutchinson Island
For a beach-side stay, you'll want to stay at the Royal Beach Inn.
This luxurious island boutique is only a three-minute walk for the Jetty Boardwalk, and you'll be able to trek all the way there on warm, sandy beaches.
Each room available that this inn comes with free Wi-Fi, a small refrigerator, and tiki-style furniture.
You can readily take advantage of the inn's free breakfast and free-to-rent kayaks, fishing gear, and bikes.
Days Inn by Wyndham Fort Pierce Midtown
For a more traditional stay, head over to the Days Inn by Wyndham Fort Pierce Midtown. Three miles from downtown Fort Pierce, you'll be able to easily drive to some of the city's biggest attractions.
It's also a short walk from the hotel to the beach, even though the hotel itself isn't beach-side.
Each room at the Days Inn by Wyndham Fort Pierce Midtown comes with air conditioning and access to Cafe Luna, the hotel's on-site restaurant.
You can go swimming all day and exploring all night, confident that you'll be able to return to a comfortable room once everyone's tuckered out.
As you can see, there's quite a lot to do in Fort Pierce. We were able to keep our days full and active by taking advantage of these places:
- Ft Pierce Inlet State Park
- Navy SEAL Museum
- Manatee Observation and Education Center
- Heathcote Botanical Gardens
- Jetty Park
- St. Lucie County Aquarium
- Downtown Fort Pierce
- Fort Pierce Farmers Market
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
- The beaches
- Visiting a brewery or winery
With its beautiful beaches, fascinating history, and delicious seafood, Fort Pierce is the perfect destination for anyone looking for an unforgettable vacation.
So pack your bags, head down to this tropical paradise, and experience the 11 awesome things to do in Fort Pierce that we've compiled in this article – you won't regret it!
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