Overview
Stuart, dubbed the "Sailfish Capital of the World", is a small city about 100 miles north of Miami, considered a hidden gem by its residents. With development restrictions and little tourism, Stuart has everything that you would expect for a Florida destination, just without all the tourists.
8 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Stuart
The House of Refuge
Stuart's house of refuge survived many hurricanes over its nearly 150 year history and is the last one standing on the east Floridian coast, and is quite a neat story. Inside the museum you can take a tour and learn abou…
The Lyric Theatre
This old historic theater hosts neat live plays.
Elliott Museum
On Hutchinson Island, this museum is home to an extensive gallery of cars and art, telling the history of Stuart and the Elliott inventors.
Sailfish Fountain
The Sailfish Fountain in the middle of the Sailfish Capital of the World's downtown is simply breathtaking, especially at night.
Memorial Park
Amazing park in the center of downtown and is the viewing area for many amazing parades held by the city. War museum close by as well as a playground, and you can take in the astounding views of the park.
Shepard Park
A boardwalk park.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 51°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jun. (climate data from nearby Port St. Lucie)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- VRB Vero Beach Regional Airport, Vero Beach — 33 mi away. Directions
- DJT President Donald J. Trump International Airport, West Palm Beach — 37 mi away (major hub). Directions
Get off I-95 at SW Martin Highway (FL-714/Co Rd 714) at Exit 101. Follow the road east into the city.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $66–$92 a night (typical $92), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$110, mid-range ~$170, comfortable ~$260.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The House of Refuge, Elliott Museum, Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
- Lunch Luna Italian Restaurant
- Afternoon Causeway Park, St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park
- Dinner Riverwalk Cafe
- Evening Gilbert's Coffee Bar
Day 2
- Morning Sailfish Fountain, The Lyric Theatre
- Afternoon Shepard Park, Memorial Park
Day 3
- Morning Sailfish Splash Waterpark
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Get off I-95 at SW Martin Highway (FL-714/Co Rd 714) at Exit 101. Follow the road east into the city.
US-1 runs directly through central Stuart, across the Roosevelt Bridge from Jensen Beach. It goes through the area as Federal Highway.
By plane
* Donald J TRump International (DJT) Closest commercial hub to Stuart and the Treasure Coast from within the U.S., Canada and the Bahamas. It is located 46 mi south of Stuart via I-95 and James L Turnage Blvd (Exit 69B of I-95). * Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Major hub airport with free Wi-Fi and area to observe the landing and take-off of planes. It is the operation center for Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United from within the U.S., Caribbean, Central America and South America. It is located 86 mi south of Stuart via I-95 and I-595. * Miami International Airport (MIA). Busiest airport in South Florida with an on-site hotel and wide art gallery with flights from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and Morocco. It serves as a hub for American Airlines and focus city for Frontier, Avianca and Latam.
By train
The closest railroad station is in West Palm Beach; this station serves two passenger lines: Amtrak and Tri-Rail.
There has been much controversy of the Treasure Coast getting passenger train stations; if these plans go through, they will be serving the Florida East Coast Railway on rails that have not been touched by the rumbling wheels of passenger trains since the mid-1900s. The FEC and Amtrak have been negotiating this issue since 2012, and plans include new and improved stations from Stuart to Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie may get served as well, Vero Beach, Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, and Daytona Beach.
Get around
On foot
Central Stuart is very compact and is easy to walk around. The Lyric Theatre and Memorial Park are easily within walking distance.
By car
Stuart is easy to navigate, and not very spread out. Streets in the downtown area tend to be compact, so it's best to stay alert while driving. The notorious Confusion Corner in Downtown lives up to its name, a junction of 8 roads, a roundabout and many angular spurs, as well as a railroad track running along side.
By bus
Martin County, including Jensen and Stuart, has their own public transit system now, and its nickname among the residents is the "Marty". The Marty has one route partially served by the Treasure Coast Connector from the PSL Wal-Mart on US-1 to the Treasure Coast Connector Mall and further down south to local hospital and bank in Stuart. There are three routes:
- Route 1 takes you along US Highway 1 (Federal Highway) from the Port St Lucie WalMart to the Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital and Indian River State College, south of town in Port Salerno via Pineapple Commons, Regency Square, North Shore, Downtown Stuart, the other WalMart on US 1 and SE Market Pl. Passengers transfer to ART Route #1 at Port St Lucie WalMart to continue north into Port St Lucie and to 20X at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital to continue south towards the VA hospital in West Palm Beach.
- Route 3 serves as a local circulator route that takes you through Stuart through a loop from Kiwanis Park to Witham Field, Martin High School, Home Depot and the intersection of US-1 and Kanner Hwy.
- Route 4 goes from Wal-Mart on SE Market and US 1, south of town, to Hobe Sound along US 1.
See
See Sailfish Fountain
The Sailfish Fountain in the middle of the Sailfish Capital of the World's downtown is simply breathtaking, especially at night.
See The House of Refuge (Ross Witham Beach)
Stuart's house of refuge survived many hurricanes over its nearly 150 year history and is the last one standing on the east Floridian coast, and is quite a neat story. Inside the museum you can take a tour and learn about the history of Florida's house of refuge system and Stuart's coast while viewing displays in the basement. You will then be guided through the house to learn about life in 19th century Florida. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
See Memorial Park
Amazing park in the center of downtown and is the viewing area for many amazing parades held by the city. War museum close by as well as a playground, and you can take in the astounding views of the park.
Do
Stuart is a waterside town, with most of the fun being by the water. The Stuart, Bathtub, and Jensen beaches are very nice. Look for small sea life (espcially at Bathtub beach at low tide) and relax. Don't forget your boogie boards or surf boards. You will want them.
The downtown has shopping and restaurants, a treat for the whole family.
- Deep Sea Fishing: A fun activity for true fishermen.
- Parasailing/Jet Skiing: A fun way to enjoy the St. Lucie Sound.
Buy
There are many gift shops located around Downtown Stuart, mostly selling T-Shirts and other clothing suitable to help you endure the Florida heat. One shop sells skateboards, a common way for younger residents to get around on sidewalks, except where prohibited. Shoes are also able to be bought in the area from local stores and big-name stores.
Shop Pineapple Commons
Strip mall practically on the border of Jensen Beach and Stuart. Home to Ashley's, Best Buy, City Furniture, Leslie's, Marshall's, Pet Smart, Ross Dress for Less, UPS Store, etc. There's also another mall across the street (US 1) which consist of Target, Kirkland's Home, Bed Bath & Beyond, Chuck Cheese, at Vista Mall.
Eat
Eat Riverwalk Cafe
Restaurant in Downtown Stuart, close to the St. Lucie River; seafood is the specialty, but chicken and pork are available for those with fish allergies or do not like fish.
Eat Luna Italian Restaurant
Claims to serve the best garlic knots on the Treasure Coast.
Drink
Drink Gilbert's Coffee Bar
Close to downtown in Sunset Bay Marina on the St Lucie River, serving coffee, tea, small plates, beer, and wine, using local ingredients.
Sleep
Go next
Here are the cities nearest to Stuart:
- Jensen Beach - Across the bridge, downtown Jensen offers tons of fun in the hip, artsy little town. It's an old Martin County college town and is home to the local mall.
- Port St. Lucie - Home of the New York Mets, the largest city on the Treasure Coast; the City for All Ages.
- Fort Pierce - Largest county seat on the Treasure Coast, retains a small town feel like every town in the area.
- Vero Beach - Former home of the Dodgers with a vibrant downtown.
Nearby
Palm City
City / town · 4 listings · 2 mi away
Jensen Beach
City / town · 13 listings · 3 mi away
Port St. Lucie
City / town · 56 listings · 8 mi away
Hobe Sound
City / town · 1 listings · 11 mi away
Fort Pierce
City / town · 39 listings · 17 mi away
Indiantown
City / town · 10 listings · 19 mi away
Jupiter
City / town · 26 listings · 21 mi away
North Palm Beach
City / town · 4 listings · 29 mi away
My experience
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