There is so much to see and experience in Martin and northern Palm Beach Counties. Listed below are just a few activities that visitors and residents enjoy. Be sure to see our Beaches, Parks and Recreation and Arts section for more points of interest.

Hobe Sound / Jupiter Island Area
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Jupiter Island is onboard the Island Princess or Manatee Queen sightseeing cruise. There are many waterway tours to choose from including the popular Jupiter Island Tour of homes.

Hobe Sound Nature Center and Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, at 13640 S.E. U.S. Highway 1, offer a wide variety of environmental and wildlife programs for all ages. Through its cooperative association with the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, the Nature Center, which was founded by the Jupiter Island Garden Club, shares its space with the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. Programs conducted throughout the year serve 20,000 people in some form of environmental education. The Nature Center is specially permitted by the state to conduct turtle walks during the turtle-nesting season in June and July. Lucky turtle watchers are rewarded when a loggerhead turtle lumbers onto shore and, with her flippers, digs the hole that will protect her precious cargo, lays her eggs, covers them, then slowly and with determination follows the moon’s reflection on the water to guide her back to her ocean home. The Nature Center has a summer day camp for children, winter programs and field trips, and an Interpretive Center for those who want to experience nature close-up. For more information call (772) 546-2067.

Hawley Education Center at Blowing Rocks Preserve is the Nature Conservancy’s first Florida educational facility. The Center, at 575 South Beach Road on Jupiter Island, has indoor and outdoor classrooms as well as a boardwalk to the Indian River Lagoon. The Center is open weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm. For more information call (561) 744-6668.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, at 11,500 acres, is the second largest State Park in Florida. Located at 16450 SE Federal Hwy in Hobe Sound, this vast wilderness is made up of many differing habitats such as low pine flat woods, sand pine scrub, mangrove forests, cypress swamps and more. The dark waters of the Loxahatchee River, Florida’s only representative in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, wind their beautiful way for eight miles through the park. Many of the park’s recreational opportunities, including canoeing, power boating and fishing, are centered around the river. The Loxahatchee Queen tour boat makes a stop at the restored home site of Trapper Nelson, the celebrated “Wildman of the Loxahatchee,” for a ranger-guided tour. Also found in the park are family campgrounds, rental cabins, a large picnic area with grills, tables and pavilions, nature trails, an observation tower, Hobe Sound’s highest peak, and many miles of hiking trails. The predecessor of the park, Camp Murphy, housed the Army’s Southern Signal Corps School during World War II. More than 6,000 soldiers lived and trained there. It was transferred to the state of Florida and opened as a park in 1950. The entrance to Jonathan Dickinson State Park is at 16450 S.E. Federal Highway in Hobe Sound. There is an entrance fee. For more information call (772) 546-2771.

Stuart / Hutchinson Island Area
The Island Princess allows you to relax and enjoy the splendid scenery from the comfort of the enclosed air-conditioned main salon or the open-air upper deck of their sleek ship. As you cruise the calm waters , watch for porpoises, manatees, pelicans, blue herons and egrets in their natural habitat. Scheduled sight-seeing and charter cruises on the St. Lucie River, on the Indian River, and on the Jupiter Sound. Departs from Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort and Marina at Indian River Plantation on Hutchinson Island. For more information call (772) 225-2100.

B&A Flea Market located at 2885 SE Federal Highway in Stuart is the Treasure Coast’s oldest and largest flea market. The market has a third world street bazaar feel and offers lots of great shopping, art, and food. Located on US 1 just off Indian Street, the market offers free admission and ample parking. Open Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am-3:00pm rain or shine.  For more information call (772) 288-4915.

Historic Downtown Stuart  allows you to step back in time amid the quaint shops, galleries and restaurants in the downtown area. Points of interest include the River Walk, Post Office Arcade Building, Lyric Theatre, Stuart Heritage Museum and much more. For more information call the Stuart Main Street Association at (772) 286-2848.

The Historical Society of Martin County is headquartered at the Elliot Museum in Stuart, (825 NE Ocean Blvd) was founded in 1956 and operates both the Elliot Museum and Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge, Martin County’s oldest building.  The Historical Society collects and preserves the American life in the context of the St. Lucie River region.  It is a private non-profit institution and relies on its 800-plus members to continue the mission of educating the community about the richness of our area.  For more information call (772) 225-1961.

Elliot Museum (825 NE Ocean Blvd on Hutchinson Island) the museum houses one of the finest collections of American antiques, decorative arts, baseball memorabilia and vintage automobiles that celebrate the Golden Age of American creativity, as well as local and Florida history.  The museum is also home to the Historical Society of Martin County and its archives, a repository of photos and documents on this area of Florida.  The museum is open from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM Monday thru Saturday, 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Sunday.  For more information call (772)225-1961.  Admission $6.00 adults, $2.00 children 6-12.

The House of Refuge at Gilberts Bar (301 SE McArthur Blvd. on Hutchinson Island), listed on the National Register of Historic Places, built in 1875, is Martin County’s oldest building and once served as refuge for shipwreck victims on our rocky coastline.  The House is now a museum operated by the Historical Society of Martin County.  Copies of shipwreck reports can be viewed at the house along with a pictorial history of its various incarnations. For more information call (772) 225-1961.

The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is located across the street from the Elliott Museum at 890 NE Ocean Blvd on Hutchinson Island.  The Center features aquariums, touch tanks, exhibits, nature walks, an opportunity to feed and pet stingrays, and so much more. Fun and a learning experience for the whole family. There are also 40 acres of marine and nature adventures. They are open from 10:00am to 5:00pm and are closed on Sundays. They can be reached by calling (772)225-0505.

FP&L Energy Encounter  offers a wide variety of activities for all ages. From displays that show how electricity is made and hot it travels to your home; to a unique nature walk that showcases the native species and beautiful surroundings of Hutchinson Island. Admission is FREE. Located at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant on Hutchinson Island. Hours are Monday – Friday and Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Closed Saturdays and holidays. For more information call (772) 468-4111. 

Palm City Area
The Treasure Coast Wildlife Hospital (TCWH) has recently relocated to Palm City and is currently closed to the public; however, they are able to accept sick and injured wildlife. They are currently raising funds to build a new center and hope to reopen in the near future. TCWH is dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and the conservation of natural habitats. Educational programs designed to increase public knowledge and appreciation of the unique and fascinating wild places and wild animals found here are provided in number of ways. For more information call (772) 286-6200.

Jupiter / Juno Beach / West Palm Beach Area
The Manatee Queen located at the Crab House in Jupiter offers a great selection of boat tours including: Jupiter Island Tour, Sunset Cruises, Special Moonlight Cruises, Private Group Charters, Historical Lectures, and more. For schedules call (561) 744-2191. 

Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum at 100 North US Highway 1 in Jupiter houses Mr. Reynolds lifetime collection celebrating the historical impact he has had on the film industry and the Town of Jupiter. The museum contains an extensive collection of gifts and autographed pictures from Hollywood’s most famous celebrities and the world’s greatest sports figures. For more information call (561) 743-9955.

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre at 1001 East Indiantown Road has opened its doors to a 28,000 square foot historic theatre to a comfortable 550 seat regional theatre producing dramas, comedies, musicals, classics, and world premieres with internationally renowned stars. For more information call: Office (561) 743-2666, Box Office (561) 575-2223, or 1-800-445-1666.

Roger Dean Stadium Florida’s only two-team spring training facility is home to the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. The stadium located at 4751 Main Street in Jupiter, features a main diamond with seating for 7,000 fans plus practice fields. . For more information call (561)775-1818.

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary located at 2500 Jupiter Park Drive offers visitors an opportunity to learn about Florida’s wildlife and natural environment. The concept of this facility was not to simply build a “zoo” exhibiting caged animals, but to create a unique refuge that combines a community nature center with a wildlife rehabilitation. Nature trails at the Sanctuary lead visitors through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, and cypress wetlands. Along these trails are wildlife habitats exhibiting a variety of native animals from bald eagles to Florida panthers. To complement Busch Wildlife Sanctuary’s outdoor exhibits, visitors can enjoy a hands-on discovery center where they may explore nature through a variety of interactive displays; the center also includes a classroom, library, gift shop, and amphitheater. This unique facility offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn about nature while providing a sanctuary for wildlife and people. Bring the whole family for a real experience! For more information call (561) 575-3399.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a non-profit education, research and rehabilitation facility for endangered and protected sea turtles. The Center monitors one of the most active sea turtle nesting beaches in the world. Located in the Loggerhead Park at 14200 US Highway 1, it’s within walking distance of beautiful Juno Beach, the Center welcomes more than be 50,000 visitors each year, including school children and college students who come to learn more about marine life and sea turtles. For more information call (561) 627-8280.

Palm Beach Princess Casino Cruise which sails twice daily from the new Port of Palm Beach delivers more stability, style, activities, amenities and winning excitement! They offer attractive all-inclusive pricing, exclusive, convenient, secure on-site parking, panoramic views of the Palm Beach shoreline, full casino with 400 modern Slots, Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, Three Card Poker, Let-It-Ride™, Poker & Bingo, lavish buffet, gourmet a la carte menu, high energy revue show, live musical and theatrical entertainment featuring two bands, Sports Book featuring 9 satellite televisions, deli, 5 Lounges, skeet shooting, therapeutic facial and massage treatments,  swimming pool, promenade and sun decks, weekend champagne brunch, party planning for group outings and daytime children's activities.

Lake Okeechobee Area
Big O Air Boat Tours provides the ultimate Florida experience? Take an airboat ride on Big O Boat Tours. Your tour will start out of Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina located in Clewiston Florida on beautiful lake Okeechobee, the beginning and headwaters for the Everglades.  The tour will start with a brief outline on the history of Lake Okeechobee.  It is a very exciting airboat tour that will show you the many creatures and native plants on the Big O.  The wildlife is abundant with many species of birds and other indigenous animals to view.  It is best to make reservations and don't forget your cameras.  The tour last 1 hour covering about 10 miles. For more information call (863) 983-2037 or 1-800-473-6766

Other Nearby Popular Attractions
Lion Country Safari, West Palm Beach, (561) 793-1084

Loxahatchee Everglades Tours, Inc., Boca Raton, 800-683-5873

Moroso Motor Sports Park, Jupiter, (561) 622-1400

Mounts Botanical Garden, West Palm Beach,  (561) 233-1749

Palm Beach Zoo, West Palm Beach, (561) 747-9453

Rapids Water Park, West Palm Beach, (561) 842-8756