A Local Guide
Things to Do in Stuart, Florida
A curated guide to the historic downtown, the water, the culture, and the day trips that shape a visit to Stuart — from the team behind The Pelican House.
The Sailfish Capital, Slowly Understood
Stuart sits on Florida's Treasure Coast where the St. Lucie River meets the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic. It is small — walkably so — but it rewards visitors who slow down: a morning on the water, a long lunch downtown, an afternoon at a nearby preserve, sunset back at the marina. This guide is organized the way we recommend friends spend a first weekend here.
Walk Osceola Street First
Historic Downtown Stuart
Brick-paved streets, restored early-20th-century storefronts, independent boutiques, and the ever-present sound of halyards on the marina — the walkable heart of the city.
Stuart Riverwalk
A boardwalk along the St. Lucie River connecting the marina, Flagler Park, and downtown restaurants — the classic first stroll for anyone new to town.
Sunday Green Market at the Gazebo
Weekly waterfront market with Florida growers, bakers, and makers — a local ritual since the 1990s.
The Lyric Theatre
A restored 1926 vaudeville house that anchors downtown's evening calendar with music, comedy, and film.
The Reason Stuart Exists
Boating the St. Lucie & Indian River Lagoon
Stuart earned its 'Sailfish Capital of the World' nickname for a reason. Charter a half-day out of Sunset Bay Marina or Sailfish Marina for offshore fishing, or drift the lagoon for tarpon and snook.
Bathtub Reef Beach
A shallow, worm-rock reef just offshore of Hutchinson Island — calm, family-friendly water for snorkeling on a windless morning.
Stuart Beach & Jensen Beach
Wide Atlantic sand, gentle dunes, lifeguarded swim zones, and a slower rhythm than the beaches an hour north or south.
Paddleboard the Manatee Pocket
Rent a board in Port Salerno and paddle a protected cove famous for its resident manatees in the cooler months.
Small Museums, Real Stories
House of Refuge at Gilbert's Bar
The last surviving 1876 U.S. Life-Saving Service station in Florida — a small, singular museum perched directly on the reef.
Elliott Museum
A quirky Hutchinson Island museum of Americana, vintage automobiles, and local history — much better than it sounds on paper.
Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
A working marine research campus with a stingray lagoon, mangrove boardwalk, and daily feedings — a good rainy-morning stop.
A Short List of Stuart Tables
Sailor's Return
Waterfront seafood at Sunset Bay Marina — arguably Stuart's best sunset table.
Stuart Boathouse
Casual dockside dining directly on the river, boats tying up at the rail.
Ground Floor Farm
Farm-to-table plates, natural wine, and an urban garden a block off Colorado Avenue.
Osceola Street Cafe
A downtown classic for a long lunch under the oaks.
Within 30 Minutes of Downtown
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
20 minutes south — kayak the Loxahatchee, Florida's only federally designated Wild & Scenic River.
Blowing Rocks Preserve
Anastasia limestone shoreline on Jupiter Island where winter swells shoot spray 50 feet into the air.
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
Undeveloped Atlantic beach and sea-turtle nesting habitat — bring water, leave the crowds behind.
A Base for Exploring Stuart
The Pelican House Stuart is a proposed luxury heritage boutique hotel envisioned as a walkable base for the historic downtown, the marinas, and the beaches of Hutchinson Island. Learn more about the vision, or get in touch to be notified as the project progresses.