St. Lucie Florida
Helen Hatzis
Helen Hatzis
October 5, 2022 ·  4 min read

St. Lucie Guide: From Tides to Trails

Home to the historic city of Fort Pierce, the vibrant city of Port St. Lucie and the stunning beaches of Hutchinson Island…St. Lucie provides a long list of unique experiences can be done on your own pace. Trace your path through miles of pristine beaches, float down diverse waterways, explore heritage trails or simply drift away into vacation bliss. Immerse yourself in warm south Florida sunshine, blue skies and a vacation of serenity or adventure. From tides to trails…Plan your coastal escape today in St. Lucie, Florida, the jewel of the Treasure Coast.

St. Lucie Florida
Beautiful St. Lucie coastline

EAT

Historic Downtown Fort Pierce, what was once an old fishing village now stands with beautifully restored facades, a charming gazebo, thriving farmer’s market and of course, the stunning waterfront. Speckled within the historic streets are some fantastic mom-and pop restaurants to choose from. Discover great places like Crabby’s Dockside2nd Street Bistro, Pickled, the beloved Pot Belli Deli, the trendy Taco Dive, the renowned 12A BuoyCobb’s Landing or an upscale experience at The Fort Steakhouse. Just over the South Causeway Bridge diners will discover great casual spots, with most offering a stunning waterfront views, such as On the Edge Bar & GrillChuck’s SeafoodArchie’s Seabreeze and Square Grouper Tiki Bar.

St. Lucie Florida

In beautiful St. Lucie West in Port St. Lucie, a myriad of restaurants and mom-and-pop owned food establishments are ready to take your order. Hungry visitors will discover many eateries to choose from, including Spiro’s Taverna, the popular West End GrilleLola’s Seafood EateryKyle G’s Oyster & Wine BarTaplow Pub and more. Head a bit more south on I-95 and exit at Tradition — home to several yummy restaurants with more on the way. Enjoy pasta at Pastaio, dine on deluxe steak and seafood at Meating Street, or enjoy some Asian cuisine at Sake Japanese and Thai.

PLAY

Toss a line in from a pier, a kayak, or a deep-sea charter boat and enjoy St. Lucie’s multifaceted fishing. If you’re more of an explorer, enjoy snorkeling and SCUBA diving on reefs just offshore. Launch your boat or go aboard a chartered vessel from one of our many marinas to explore reefs farther offshore for an up-close view of the ocean-life. Thrill seekers will enjoy an abundance of opportunities; surfing at Fort Piece Inlet State Park, rent jet skis and race your friends, or take a special SUP tour through wild mangroves. Along the uncrowded beaches of St. Lucie, read a book, play with your family and friends, reflect on your incredible vacation, or enjoy the warm waves.

St. Lucie Florida

On land, become immersed in adventure in nature. Hike through lush woodlands, wander through unique botanical gardens or ride through pristine nature preserves by horseback. When you’re ready to hit the greens, check out fantastic golf courses suitable for all levels of play and budgets.

[Looking for a taste of the St. Lucie culture? St. Lucie is teeming with festivals and celebrations throughout the year! Get to know the creative scene by exploring the museums, galleries and performing arts around town. Looking for a shopping fix? Check out one-of-a-kind finds that make the perfect souvenirs at Shell Bazaar or the weekly arts and crafts festival every Saturday morning in downtown Fort Pierce.

CHILL

Discover St. Lucie’s 21 miles of uncrowded and pristine beaches where nearly half the coastline is public preservation — a rare characteristic for a South Florida beach destination. What’s more, is that visitors enjoy more public beach access points per square mile than any other coastal community in Florida. With exception of the Florida State Park beaches, all beaches in St. Lucie are free admission and free parking and many are equipped with amenities such as bathrooms, pavilions, dune walkovers, and more.

St. Lucie Florida
Peace and calm at a beach in St. Lucie, Florida

STAY

Whether you’re staying for a weekend or a few months, visitors to St. Lucie will find accommodations to fit their needs and their budget. Choose from a variety of accommodations on the waterfront or the mainland near thoroughfares such as Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike. Stay close to our best attractions such as golf courses, the beaches, or camp on one of our nature preserves.

St. Lucie Florida
Dockside in St. Lucie, Florida

TIPS

Top Five Things To Do in St. Lucie

  1. Visit the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum – the only museum in the world dedicated to the history of the elite Navy SEALs. The museum is filled with real artifacts, interactive exhibits and an outdoor obstacle course.
  • Catch a New York Mets Spring Training Game – enjoy America’s favorite pastime and cheer on your favorite team at the impressive Clover Park stadium in Port St. Lucie every March. 
  • Ride a Horse on the Beach – Reserve your spot and experience the only place in South Florida to enjoy a coastline view and ocean breeze from the back of a horse. Guided tours are available.
  • Kayak through Mangrove Tunnels – Get close to nature and discover flourishing eco-systems and turquoise waters while floating under a canopy of stunning mangrove trees.
  • Nothing. Just relax on uncrowded beaches. 

Trip Jaunt’s Helen Hatzis had the pleasure of being hosted by the tourism team of St. Lucie post-IPW travel conference 2022.