So, you’re looking for fun Things to Do in Port St Lucie, Florida? You’ve come to the right place.
There are lots of things to do in Port St. Lucie, Florida. You’re guaranteed to have a wonderful vacation! You will not sit around bored, with nothing to do when you plan your vacation here. Below are 19 of the best things to do in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Some of these attractions are not in Port St. Lucie, but they’re not too far away, so you can easily drive there.
19 Best & Fun Things to Do in Port St. Lucie, Florida
Port St. Lucie, Florida is located along the Treasure Coast of Florida, which is on the southeast side. It is approximately halfway between Orlando and Miami.
The atmosphere here is much more relaxed than some of its larger neighbors. Port St. Lucie is a great place to vacation. If you’re planning a vacation to this gorgeous destination, you’ll want to know about some of the things to do when you get there.
1. St. Lucie Botanical Gardens
The St. Lucie Botanical gardens are gorgeous. As a general rule, botanical gardens are full of beauty. However, St. Lucie Botanical Gardens stands out above the crowd. You will find a wide variety of plant species, including roses, cacti, hibiscus, and more.
While they do request a $5 donation for the entry fee, you can visit the gardens for free if you don’t have the money. Therefore, St. Lucie Botanical Gardens is the perfect activity for those who are on a tight budget.
Be sure to check their website for event information before you visit. They have a variety of classes, performances, and more. You can be sure that you will not be bored when you visit this attraction.
2. Elliot Museum
If you are interested in history and cars, you’ll love Elliot Museum, which is named after the inventor, Sterling Elliot. This museum is located in Stuart, Florida, which is only about 10 miles from Port St. Lucie, which should take you about 20 minutes. The cost for entry is $16 for adults, $8 for children aged 6 to 12, free for children under 5, and $14 for senior citizens.
This museum is home to an array of interesting things, including local history, sports memorability, art gallery/art studio, historical cars and trucks, and more. You’re sure to learn a few things when you visit here.
Elliot Museum is most famous for its collection of historic Ford Model A and model AA commercial vehicles. Therefore, as mentioned, if you’re interested in history and cars, you should definitely visit this museum while you’re in Port St. Lucie.
3. River Lilly Cruises
If you love the water, you’ll want to check out River Lilly Cruises. They are known for their amazing tours of the St. Lucie Aquatic Preserve. The cruise lasts for an hour and a half and departs at 11 am from May 1 through July 31, and 1 PM from October 1 through April 31. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from August 1 through September 30, they offer an evening cruise that leaves at 5:30 PM.
For adults, admission is $25 and for children under the age of 12, the cost is $16. They do offer charter rates if you are interested.
You will have your own tour guide for the tour, and you’ll be able to see some of the wildlife that you wouldn’t typically see. One of these is the interesting-looking Florida soft shell turtle, which is beautiful- but funny looking.
This attraction will teach you a lot about the marine wildlife in South Florida, making it an excellent option for families.
4. Veterans Park
If you value those who have served our country, you should make sure to visit Veterans Park at Rivergate. This park is simple and quiet, but the memorials are beautiful and come from the heart.
The park is 21.5 acres with one large pavilion and three family pavilions. Bring a picnic lunch and then walk through and look at the memorials dedicated to the various branches of the military, including a Vietnam Veterans wall, WWII Memorial, Purple Heart Memorial, and Korean Memorial. There is also a Gold Star Family Memorial.
If you’re looking for something quiet to do- either to get some time alone or with your family, you should consider this. The Riverwalk Boardwalk is also here, which is a lighted, 2,000-foot boardwalk through the natural habitat. You can fish from the boardwalk if you wish. One of the best free things to do in Port St Lucie on a weekend with the family.
5. Walton Rocks Beach
If you are traveling with your furry friend, be sure to visit Walton Rocks Beach. This dog-friendly beach is located in Vero Beach, Florida- which is about 34 miles from Port St. Lucie. This is still in Port St. Lucie County but will take you about 45 minutes to get there.
Walton Rocks Beach is a 24-acre beach that allows you to let your dogs run off-leash, which means it’s ideal if your four-legged companion needs to run off some steam.
While the primary advantage of this each is that you can let your furry friend enjoy the sand, water, and sun- humans can also enjoy it as well.
6. Dolphin Watch Boat Tours
One of the major reasons that people travel to South Florida is to see the dolphins that the area is known for. After all, they are smart, playful, and absolutely adorable. If you are a dolphin-lover, consider booking a Dolphin Watch Boat Tour.
The tour boat is a 25-foot pontoon boat that will accommodate up to 6 passengers. You can book a family tour, or if you have a special event such as a bachelor/bachelorette party, they do offer event packages.
The trek begins at Stan Blum Boat Ramp, located in Fort Pierce, Florida- only 1.5 miles from the UDT/NAVY SEAL MUSEUM and Pepper Park. The 12- to 15-mile trip takes approximately two hours. You will travel from the boat ramp toward Jack Island State Park, by going under Little Jim Bridge. At Jack Island, you’ll meander through the mangrove marshes.
After that, you will go into the Intracoastal Waterway, headed to the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. There, you will enjoy seeing some of the Islands. Next, you’ll travel under the North Causeway Bridge, which brings you to the Port of Fort Pierce.
After traveling past the port, you’ll ride past the St Lucie County Historical Museum, the U.S. Coast Guard Station at Fort Pierce, and the Smithsonian Museum & Research Facility.
Next up is Coon Island and the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. This will bring your excursion to a close as you return to the boat ramp.
These tours have been running for a long time and allow you to explore some of the most interesting areas of Fort Pierce while seeing dolphins, manatees, turtles, and other marine life.
7. Rush Jensen Beach Trampoline Park
If you need an indoor activity for your kids, Rush Jensen Beach Trampoline Park is a great option. Of course, you don’t have to have kids to visit this attraction. You may be a kid at heart who would enjoy it. It is located in Jensen Beach, which is only 10.5 miles from Port St. Lucie. This is approximately a 22-minute drive.
In case you’ve never been to a trampoline park before, you should know that it is basically a huge warehouse with linked trampolines.
8. Superplay USA
Another great option for an indoor activity when you’re vacationing in Port St. Lucie is Superplay USA. It is located in Port St. Lucie and is open Sunday through Thursday, 9 am to 11 pm and Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 1 am.
At Superplay, you’ll find a variety of activities, including an arcade, bowling, laser tag, and more. It will give you hours of fun and entertainment for all ages and is a great place to take shelter on those rare rainy days.
9. Splash Waterpark
When you visit South Florida, a waterpark is always a great idea. Sailfish Splash Waterpark is a fun attraction for families or groups with children. They are open every day from 10:30 am to 5 pm.
They offer a variety of passes. A single-day pass for adults is $17.45, for children and seniors is $15.45, and children under the age of 1 are free. If your child is under 3, they are required to wear a water diaper cover. If you do not have one, the park will provide one for you.
During the spring and fall seasons, they offer Family Fun Fridays, which allows you to take a break from the indoors from 10:30 am to 2 pm and play in the Interactive Splash Playground area for only $8.95 for all ages.
10. Jensen Beach
Jensen Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in South Florida. It is not actually in Port St. Lucie, but in Martin County, which is less than a 15-minute drive.
When you visit South Florida, you have to visit the beach- no matter who you are. You can spend all day or go for a walk at sunrise or sunset.
11. St. Lucie Aquatic Preserve
One of the reasons that people visit Port St. Lucie is to see the manatees. If you want to spot some, visit the North Fork, St. Lucie Aquatic Preserve, which spans nearly 3,000 acres.
This gives you plenty of room to explore and see the wildlife in their natural habitats. The thing that makes this attraction so special is how close you can get to the wildlife. You can rent a boat or kayak- or bring your own- to drift right out into the water. Don’t worry- it’s perfectly safe for you and the wildlife.
12. Bluefield Ranch Preserve
Bluefield Ranch Preserve is another way you can explore Mother Nature in Port. St. Lucie, Florida. While it might seem strange to visit if you’re vacationing, there are lots of amenities:
- Camping
- Biking trails
- Equestrian trails
- Birding
- Observation areas
- Hiking trails
There are acres upon acres of land to explore and more than 20 miles of trails, it’s one of the best things to do if you want to “unplug” for a while. You’re likely to see a variety of wildlife including alligators, bald eagles, and more. There are also plenty of plants and trees to explore.
13. Go Golfing
Golfing is another popular activity in Port St. Lucie- for the residents of this area and those who vacation here. You will find a wide variety of golf courses scattered throughout the area. Some of the more popular ones include:
- Savanna Club Golf Course
- The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club
- Gator Trace Golf & Country Club
- Eagle Marsh Country Club
- St. Lucie Trail Golf Club
- The Shores of North River Golf Club
Golf is one of the most popular activities in Port St. Lucie. This is likely because of the gorgeous weather and beautiful sights you can see.
14. Spruce Bluff Preserve
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Port St. Lucie, Spruce Bluff Preserve is the place to visit. It is located in the Southbend Lakes District.
At Spruce Bluff Preserve, you will find the remains of an 1800s pioneer settlement. There is still an Indian Mound measuring up to 18 feet tall. Research shows that it dates back about 2,000 years.
You will also see some of the local wildlife, including raccoons, alligators, squirrels, and more.
15. Civic Center Art Gallery
If you love art and beautiful buildings, the Civic Center Art Gallery will become one of your favorite places to visit. Here, you will quickly discover that the art community is alive and well in Port. St. Lucie. You will find a variety of art, from paintings to jewelry to sculptures, and so much more. Plus, you’ll learn a bit of the history of the area as well.
This is one of the best things places you can visit while you’re visiting Port St. Lucie because they often display new artists that you won’t see elsewhere. Their exhibit cycle is 8 weeks, so if there’s a certain artist you find yourself interested in, you’ll have to be quick.
If you attend the opening night of an exhibit, try to take the time to meet the artist and grab some refreshments. Opening night at the Civic Center Art Gallery is one of the most amazing things you can do while visiting Port St. Lucie.
16. Oxbow Eco-Center
The Oxbow Eco-Center is another one of the ecological wonders you’ll find in Port St. Lucie. It is a 225-acre nature preserve and is one of the best activities for anyone that enjoys spotting wildlife, conservation, and hiking. If you enjoy getting out into nature and exploring trails, Oxbow Eco-Center is for you.
There are 7 hiking trails here and you should visit and explore at least one of them before heading back home. Since none of them are very long, they are perfect for everyone, even families with young children. Simply pack a snack or two to keep them happy and go exploring.
You may also want to check out the exhibit hall while you’re here if you’re interested in learning more about the ecology of the area. If you want to visit the hall, you’ll need to make a reservation, but it’s worth it if you want to learn more about the animals and their lives in the area.
No matter how you spend your time at the Oxbow Eco-Center, it’s worth the visit.
17. Clover Park
Clover Park has also been known as Tradition Field, First Data Field, and many others.
This stadium can hold over 7,000 people and holds a variety of sporting events throughout the year. If you and your traveling companions enjoy sports, this is a great place to visit.
The stadium is well-maintained and is the New York Mets training grounds. In addition to sporting events, there are other live entertainment shows. Plus, it’s close to a variety of restaurants, shopping destinations, and other attractions, such as beaches.
Depending on when you visit, you may be able to watch the Mets train, see major, minor, or college sports events, and so much more!
18. Treasure Coast Model Railroad
If you love model trains, you’ll appreciate the Treasure Coast Model Railroad. This attraction was founded in the late 1900s and features an array of intricate model trains.
If it happens to be raining or if you are visiting in the off-season when it’s cold, you should consider visiting this unique museum. You will find a variety of amazing displays with railroad scenes.
You will need to spend an hour or two in order to soak it all in. There are so many displays, it can’t be an “in-and-out” type of visit. You will find historical coal mines, nature backdrops such as deserts, mountains, and lakes, quaint towns, and so much more.
19. Hop Life Brewing Company
Hop Life Brewing Company was founded in 2011 and offers an array of the most delicious hand-crafted local beers.
If you’re looking for something to do at night or to chill with your adult friends, this is a great option. The design is aesthetically pleasing and there is outdoor seating when the weather is nice. Hop Life Brewing Company features an impressive menu with mouth-watering dishes, alcoholic beverages, and more. In addition, they offer a variety of interactive programs and live entertainment from time to time.
Try their beers, wines, and cocktails along with a tasty snack, including juicy burgers, flatbreads, pretzels, and more. Depending on your other plans, you may want to stick around and engage in bingo night, listen to live music, and so much more.
Conclusion
Port St. Lucie is located in south Florida, between Orlando and Miami- along the Treasure Coast. As you can see, the emphasis on most of the attractions is wildlife. The weather is gorgeous most of the time and there are plenty of beautiful places to explore.
Bring your family or just bring yourself and you’ll see why everyone is coming here to vacation- and many are even moving here! This increase in popularity is going to cause the housing market to explode and prices to increase.
Theresa
Sunday 3rd of July 2022
Great Information for a new resident of Port St. Lucie, thank you for compiling all this great information