Stuart

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. == 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 === 1 Witham Field (SUA IATA), 2011 Airport Road, ☏ +1 772 221-2374. Witham Field serves as a general aviation airport for private pilots. The nearest major airports for commercial airlines are: (updated Jun 2015) Donald J TRump International (DJT IATA) Closest commercial hub to Stuart and the Treasure Coast from within the U.S., Canada and the Bahamas. It is located 46 mi (74 km) south of Stuart via I-95 and James L Turnage Blvd (Exit 69B of I-95). Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL IATA). 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 (138 km) south of Stuart via I-95 and I-595. Miami International Airport (MIA IATA). 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 == 1 Sailfish Fountain. The Sailfish Fountain in the middle of the Sailfish Capital of the World's downtown is simply breathtaking, especially at night. 2 The House of Refuge (Ross Witham Beach), 301 SE MacArthur Blvd, ☏ +1 772 225-1875. Temporarily Closed. 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. It is free to visit the beach and view the house but for a tour you will need to pay. (updated Oct 2025) 3 The Lyric Theatre, 59 SW Flagler Street. This old historic theater hosts neat live plays. 4 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. 5 Elliott Museum, 825 NE Ocean Blvd, ☏ +1 772 225-1961, info@elliottmuseumfl.org. Daily 10am-5pm, Closed on major holidays.. On Hutchinson Island, this museum is home to an extensive gallery of cars and art, telling the history of Stuart and the Elliott inventors. $20 Adults, $10 Children, $18 Seniors. (updated Oct 2025) 6 Shepard Park. A boardwalk park. (updated Jul 2020) 7 Seabranch Preserve State Park, Trailhead - 6093 SE Dixie Highway, Stuart (The trailhead is on SE Dixie Highway near the VFW parking lot), ☏ +1-772 219-1880. 8AM to sundown. Free. 8 St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park, Accessible by boat, ☏ +1-772 219-1880. 8AM to sundown. $3/boat, $2/canoe or kayak. == 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. 1 Causeway Park (across the bridge). The park is a wonderful fishing place. It is fun, has a small playground and facilities. (updated Aug 2021) Deep Sea Fishing: A fun activity for true fishermen. Parasailing/Jet Skiing: A fun way to enjoy the St. Lucie Sound. 2 Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, 890 Northeast Ocean Blvd, ☏ +1 772 225-0505. W–Su 10AM–4PM. Walk around this rehabilitation center for sea creatures. It is the main place in Stuart to see wildlife. You will see sea turtles, sharks and mangroves. (updated Aug 2021) 3 Sailfish Splash Waterpark, 931 SE Ruhnke St (Intersection of SE Willoughby and Ruhnke), ☏ +1 772 320-3100. Opening for Spring Break in March; June 3 to August 23: 10:30AM-6PM. A small water park, Sailfish Splash ought to help you get in a fun day of play with a 1,000-foot lazy river, two four story water slides, a 7,326-square-foot "playground", and competitive style pools. Adult $12.95; senior/child $10.95. == 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. 1 Regency Square, 2440 SE Federal Highway (Outside of Downtown Stuart), ☏ +1 772 288-0700. Clothing stores and restaurants in a classic strip mall. (updated Jul 2015) 2 Pineapple Commons, 2415-2655 NW Federal Highway (Federal Highway (US 1) and NW Britt Rd). 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. (updated Jul 2015) == Eat == 1 Riverwalk Cafe, 201 SW St. Lucie Ave, ☏ +1 772 221-1511. Closed Sundays; M-Th 11:30AM-9PM; F Sa 11:30AM-10PM. 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. (updated Jul 2015) 2 Luna Italian Restaurant, 49 SW Flagler Avenue, ☏ +1 772 288-0550. M-Th 11AM-9PM; F Sa 11AM-9PM; Su 4-9PM. Claims to serve the best garlic knots on the Treasure Coast. (updated Dec 2016) == Drink == 1 Gilbert's Coffee Bar, 615 SW Anchorage Way (Sunset Bay Moorage and Anchorage Bldg.), ☏ +1 772 214-1522. M–W 7AM–6PM; Th–Sa 7AM-9PM; Su 9AM–3PM. Close to downtown in Sunset Bay Marina on the St Lucie River, serving coffee, tea, small plates, beer, and wine, using local ingredients. (updated Nov 2018) == Sleep == 1 Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & Marina, 555 NE Ocean Blvd, ☏ +1 772-225-370. 200-acre island resort. 2 Days Inn Stuart, 1200 SE Federal Hwy, ☏ +1 772 419-9064. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 3 Hampton Inn & Suites Stuart-North, 1150 NW Federal Hwy, ☏ +1 772 692-6922. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. On the border of Stuart and Jensen Beach, this Hilton branch hotel gives guests free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a free hot breakfast. $139/night ($92 online). (updated Jul 2015) 4 Quality Inn Stuart, 950 SE Federal Hwy, ☏ +1 772 287-3171. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Outdoor pool, free WiFi, free hot breakfast, and guest computer included in one's stay. $66. (updated Jul 2015) == Connect == == 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.