Small-town feel, big-time fun
About 100 miles north of Miami in Martin County, the pace is laidback and natural beauty surrounds you at every turn. That beauty isn’t spoiled by high-rise buildings, either, because there’s a four-story limit, and you’ll never experience a traffic jam here. This is a different side of Florida.
SEE AND DO
In Stuart, the largest town in the county, the downtown area has been restored to the early 1900s. It’s the site of the beloved Lyric Theatre. Built in 1926 as a silent-movie house, the venue was a casualty of the Depression, and over the years, was bought and sold several times. In recent years, however, it’s been revived to its original glory. And now, you can enjoy world-class entertainers and acts for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere.
Martin County is filled with family attractions, too. The Road to Victory Military Museum tells the story of America’s role in World War II and of the thousands of servicemen who trained on nearby beaches for the Normandy Invasion. The Elliott Museum, on beautiful Hutchinson Island, will have kids gasping in wonder as they’re taken on a wonderful journey through the past and into the future. Step back to a different time at the House of Refuge, erected on the beach in 1876 to serve as a shelter for shipwrecked sailors.
Winter and spring are perfect times to visit because of the numerous events happening throughout Martin County. Every Sunday, the Stuart Green Market fills downtown Stuart with the colors, aromas and textures of local fruits, vegetables, jams, spices and baked goods, along with works by local artists and craftspeople. And, on any day of the week, there are unique treasures to be found at trendy local shops, some of which have been in the family for generations.
DINE AND STAY
Restaurants here often serve farm-to-table cuisine because, in Martin County, the farms are never very far away. Of course, you can always reel in your own dinner on freshwater lakes, the beautiful Indian River Lagoon or the Atlantic. Outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy superb golf courses, as well as scenic canoeing, kayaking and nature trails.
Here, too, you’ll find a variety of accommodation, ranging from budgetfriendly to lap-of-luxury properties, such as the upscale Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa, which recently opened right on the beach.
The fun never ends in Martin County.