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Centrally located between Jupiter and Stuart, Hobe Sound is home to some of the most beautiful nature spots in the state. Travelers from all around the world enjoy our pristine beaches, unspoiled parks, and championship golf courses. 

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Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau

From our incredible wildlife and nature trails to world class shopping and dinning there is truly something for everyone.

Things to See & Do

Annual Chamber Events

Arts, Theatres & Museums

Attractions

Beaches, Parks, Recreation

Bicycle, Canoe, Kayak Rentals

Casino

Tours Transportation & Travel  

Visitor Information

Centrally located between Jupiter and Stuart, Hobe Sound is home to some of the most beautiful nature spots in the state. Travelers from all around the world enjoy our pristine beaches, unspoiled parks, and championship golf courses. One of the best ways to experience our magnificent surroundings and wildlife is by taking a guided boat tour along the Intracoastal, Indian River, Loxahatchee River, or St. Lucie River. The
Island Princess and Manatee Queen offer many unique sightseeing cruises also enabling travelers to experience playful porpoises and gentle manatees. 

Downtown Hobe Sound offers an eclectic array of shops, boutiques and galleries. Throughout the year the downtown district hosts several community events such as the Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts, Hobe Sound Art Walk and Stroll, and Annual Christmas Parade.

Want to get away from it all? You can by visiting our crown jewel – Jonathan Dickinson State Park. With more than 11,000 acres, the park has something for everyone. Rental boats, cabins, bike trails, and tours of the Loxahatchee River aboard the 44-passenger Loxahatchee Queen II, are popular ways to enjoy the park. Wildlife found in the park includes deer, raccoons, foxes, bobcats, opossums, alligators, otters, and many more. Over 140 species of birds have been identified here, making Jonathan Dickinson an excellent birding destination.

Other popular Hobe Sound points of interest include the Hobe Sound Nature Center and Blowing Rocks Preserve.

Be sure to stop by our Chamber office for more ideas on things to see and do in the area and we hope you enjoy your visit.

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Golf

Hobe Sound is home to 2 super public golf courses – Heritage Ridge and Lost Lake Golf Club. Bring your favorite golf clubs – it’s golfing weather nearly year-round.  Below is a list of the public courses that are open year round. For a complete list and map of golf courses (public and private) in the tri-county area please stop by our office located at 8994 SE Bridge Road, Hobe Sound.

Golf Courses - Private (2)

Heritage Ridge Golf Club
6510 SE Heritage Ridge Blvd
Hobe Sound, FL
772-546-2800

Lost Lake Golf Club
8310 SE Fazio Drive
Hobe Sound, FL
772-220-6666

The Champions Club at Summerfield
3400 SE Summerfield Way
Stuart, FL
772-283-1500

Martin County Golf and Country Club
2000 SE St. Lucie Blvd.
Stuart, FL
772-287-3747

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Annual Chamber Events

All events are open to the public and are sponsored by members of the Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce.  Students in need of community service hours may volunteer for any of these events.

Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts - February 7 & 8, 2009
During the first weekend of February, Dixie Highway is transformed in to an outdoor fine arts gallery in preparation for the thousands of people that attend the Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts. This juried art festival also features a green market, Chamber member expo tent and children’s art exhibit.  With free transportation service and admission, the Festival of the Arts benefits local scholarships and elementary art education.  The Hobe Sound Chamber of Commence co-host the show with the GWFC Hobe Sound Women’s Club. For more information or to participate as an artist please visit www.artfestival.com

Scholarship Night
In April, The Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce Education Committee along with several other local organizations present scholarships to South Fork High students.

Adopt-A–Road   Saturday, May 10, 2008
In keeping with a commitment to “Keep Martin Beautiful”, the Chamber has scheduled this fun, family event that is held each May.  In less than two hours, a section of Gomez Avenue from Bridge Road north to Crossrip Street is picked clean.

Golf Tournament Saturday, May 24, 2008
Jupiter Island Club is the venue for this “don’t miss” May event.  Beginning with complimentary breakfast and a shotgun start at 9am, this sold out tournament attracts golfers from all over.  All golfers enjoy lunch during the awards ceremony presented at the end of this swinging good time.  

 

 

 

 

 

Fishing Tournament  Saturday, July 12, 2008
Anglers are hooked on the Summer Sizzler Fishing Tournament held in July. Wahoo, Dolphin, Kingfish, Snapper and Grouper should swim for their lives.  Cash prizes for largest and top three weights in each species of fish are also given at the Awards Dinner held at Blowing Rocks Marina.  

Hobe Sound Hoedown and Casino Night  Saturday, November 15, 2008
Bull riding, BBQ style dinning, country music, legal gambling, and a silent auction make for a rooting tooting good ole time.   A cowboy hat and bandana are expected at this November fundraiser held at the at the St. Christopher Church Parish Hall in Hobe Sound.  

Beach Clean Up  Saturday, November 8, 2008
Chamber members along with the Hobe Sound/Port Salerno Rotary Club and community volunteers join as a “collective” group to sift through shells and sand to keep our beach beautiful in November.

Christmas Parade  December 6, 2008
Families travel from miles away to attend this truly old fashion celebration of Christmas. Held during the first Saturday of December, the event features more than 1,200 entries including festive floats and marching bands. The parade route begins in Zeus Park and travels down Dixie Highway and Bridge Road. Santa arrives at the end of the parade on the Stuart News Float.   

Blood Drive
Get pumped up about giving to others for it is in giving that we receive.  Six times each year the Hobe Sound Chamber hosts a blood drive in the Winn Dixie Parking lot located at
US Highway 1 and Bridge Road. Donors may schedule appointments or just walk in.

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Arts
The Arts Council Inc has been a leader in the arts community for more than 20 years.  By providing services to visual and performing artists, arts organizations, students and the public, the Arts Council strives to instill a passion for and participation in the arts.  To find out more about the Arts Council’s many programs, visit www.martinarts.org and learn about our visual artists’ registry, arts education programs and the Court House Cultural Center.  Events produced by the Arts Council to draw attention to the meaningful role the arts have in our lives include the mARTies Awards and the Sailfish Arts festival of the arts. 

Programs coordinated by the Council include Sailfish Arts (aka ArtsFest), the Court House Cultural Center Gallery, arts education including Picture People and the Artist in Residence Program, and Martin County’s Art in Public Places Program.  To garner private support for the arts, individuals and corporations may become members or support one of the many events produced including Cruising for Culture, the Art is Everywhere Tour and the mARTies Awards.

Art Galleries
Hobe Sound boasts a proud cultural base, with several art galleries, all located within 2 miles of each other. The Midtown Payson Galleries at 11870 SE Dixie Highway (546-2999), the Artist Cottage at 11760 SE Dixie Highway, Suite 4 (546-0577, the Mars Gallery at 11760 SE Dixie Highway, Suite 7 (545-7432) and Elite Salon and Art Gallery at 9158 SE Bridge Road (546-0102) are located between Bridge Road and Olympus Street on Dixie Highway. Less than a mile south at 12330 SE Dixie Highway is the Garden of Goods (546-3499) - the newest, member of the art scene in Hobe Sound. In addition to showcasing local artists, the Garden of Goods also features orchids, fine jewelry and in the future, they plan to open a gourmet cafe with outdoor seating.

Traveling north east from the Garden of Goods to Bridge Road you will find art in the Winn Dixie Plaza. Both the Hobe Sound Fine Arts League at 8879 SE Bridge Road (546-2946) and Banbury Cross Bakery at 8953 SE Bridge Road (546-7473) feature a wide collection of art. You can also have a fabulous cup of coffee or lunch at Banbury while you browse.

The Lighthouse Center for the Arts is located nearby in Tequesta. The gallery features a wide variety of exhibits throughout the year as well as educational programs for all ages.

Theatres
Barn Theatre, Martin County’s oldest community theatre, is located at 2400 SE Ocean Blvd., in Stuart showcases local talent in well-presented and critically acclaimed productions. For more information call 772-287-4884.

Lyric Theatre located in downtown Stuart at 59 SW Flagler Ave seats 500 and has a 22'X30' stage and features whisper-perfect acoustics. It has a balcony, spacious lobby and entrances on two downtown streets. As of October 1997, over $1.5 million in state and local dollars have provided exciting enhancements to the historic theatre. Please their web site to view their full schedule of  events, ranging from classical theatre to rock and country bands, orchestra and jazz concerts, dance recital and school programs, as well as movies. For information call 772-220-1942

The 2,200-seat Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts at 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach presents well-known artists, talented musicians and outstanding productions. For more information call 561-832-7469.

In the mood for some live outdoor concerts? The Sound Advice Amphitheatre at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach hosts popular performers year-round. For schedule, tickets, and directions to the complex call 561-795-8883.

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.

Movie Theatres
Movie theatres in Jupiter and Stuart offer a variety of first-run films.

Cobb Jupiter 18  - 204 North US Highway 1, Jupiter, 561-747-7333

Regency 8 Cinema – 2448 SE Federal Highway, Stuart, 772-219-8805

Museums
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 Elliott Museum (825 NE Ocean Blvd) 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 10:00am until 4:00pm Monday thru Saturday, 1:00pm until 4:00pm on Sunday.  For more information call 225-1961.  Admission $6.00 adults, $2.00 children 6-12.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The House of Refuge at Gilberts Bar (301 SE McArthur Blvd.), 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.  It is open Monday thru Saturday from 10:00am until 4:00 PM, Sunday 1:00 until 4:00 PM. Admission is $4.00 adults, $2.00 children 6-12.

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Attractions

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 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 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 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 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. Please note that due to extensive hurricane damage the House of Refuge is closed at least until the end of 2005. 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 just 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 Marine Life 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

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Beaches, Parks & Recreation

The Martin County Parks and Recreation Department oversees and maintains our beautiful parks, beaches, and community centers. The department can be reached by calling 772-221-1326.

Hobe Sound Public Beach, where Bridge Road ends at the Atlantic Ocean, has over 300 feet of beach and a parking area for about 90 cars. The beach accommodates visitors with lifeguards, restrooms, showers, and covered picnic tables. During the height of season parking can sometimes be difficult. Visitors have a much better chance finding ample parking at the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge located approximately 2 miles north of the Hobe Sound Public Beach.

At the northern end of North Beach Road on Jupiter Island, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service operates the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. Open from sunrise to sunset, the refuge’s beach, sand dunes and mangroves provide a natural getaway just a short drive from town. Please note that there is no lifeguard at this beach. There is a fee for parking, and an annual pass can be purchased. Pedestrians have free access to the beach.

Obtaining an annual pass for the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach: Annual passes can be obtained directly at the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach guard shack.

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach Pass

Golden Age Pass $10.00
US citizens 62 and over pay a one time fee of $10.00 to obtain a lifetime pass for the beach. The pass is also good at all federal parks.

Refuge Pass $12.00
Citizens under 62 can purchase an annual pass for $12.00

Daily Pass $5.00

St. Lucie Inlet State Preserve, a 927-acre park at the northern part of Jupiter Island, is accessible by boat or by a long walk from the north end of the island. For information, call 744-7603.

Blowing Rocks Preserve is run by The Nature Conservancy. Blowing Rocks gets it name from the vision of ocean waves hitting the outcropping of Anastasia limestone that has formed at the edge of the beach. Fishing, swimming and snorkeling are permitted at the preserve, which is located at 575 South Beach Road on Jupiter Island. For information, call 575-2297.

Jimmy Graham Boat Ramp Park, Hobe Sound’s newest park,  opened in May 2000. It is located on 31 acres of county-owned land at 8555 S.E. Gomez Avenue, between Indian River Drive and Windjammer Way. Facilities include a two-lane boat ramp, access road, stormwater management, floating docks, staging area, boat trailer parking, lighting, restroom, sewer, water and fire protection systems.

Greenfield Park, where Cabot Street meets S.E. Indian River Drive, is a beautiful, tranquil little park complete with sheltered picnic tables and a small parking area. Whether they use fancy tackle or a cane pole, locals know that the fishing is always good off the dock.

J.V. Reed Park is the cornerstone of Hobe Sound’s organized sports activity. This well-lighted facility, with basketball, tennis and racquetball courts and baseball and soccer fields, is used year-round and just about around the clock. Concession stands and restrooms make spending the day at the park, located at 9004 Hercules Drive, comfortable and enjoyable.

On a 20-acre site, South County Park at A1A and Dharlys Street, provides much-needed fields for baseball and soccer, and has concession stands, restroom facilities, walking paths, state-of-the-art lighting, and adequate parking. Both J.V. Reed Park and South County Park are operated by the county.

Very close to J.V. Reed Park is Zeus Park, a smaller (five acre) neighborhood park with playground equipment and a butterfly garden. Zeus Park is located in the heart of Hobe Sound across from the Hobe Sound Community Presbyterian Church. The circular park was the hub of the community laid out by developers in the 1920s.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park, at 11,500 acres, is the second largest State Park in Florida. This vast wilderness is made up of many differing habitats such as low pine flatwoods, 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, powerboating and fishing, are centered around the river. The Loxahatchee Queen tour boat makes a stop at the restored Homesite 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 information, call 546-2771. Enter here to see a virtual tour of Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

Peck Lake Park is located off Gomez Avenue, north of Crossrip Street. Facilities include covered picnic tables, barbecue grills, and a one-half mile boardwalk through an upland hammock and a fresh water/salt water transition habitat leading to an open pavilion on the Intracoastal Waterway. Perhaps you can spot the ancient Indian middens as you explore this 78-acre nature park.

Pettway Park, at 8243 S.E. Pettway Street, provides a picnic shelter, basketball court and playground equipment for neighborhood residents. Eastridge and other developments provide their residents parks and recreational facilities within their boundaries, making fun in the sun available just about anywhere in Hobe Sound. Outdoor enthusiasts, swimmers, fishermen, boaters, shell collectors, walkers, bicyclists and surfers enjoy our beaches, parks, roadways and shaded walkways.

Fishing licenses are required for fresh and saltwater fishing.  Information is available
online or from the Tax Collector’s Office (546-1305), where information on current regulations also can be obtained. Local waters – both fresh and salt – have some of the best fishing found anywhere. Popular catches include mutton, mangrove and vermillion snapper. Dolphin are numerous and tasty. Kingfish, yellowtail, cobia, wahoo, snook and the ever-popular sailfish provide a variety that appeals to dedicated fishermen.

Fresh water enthusiasts frequently travel to
Lake Okeechobee, on Martin County’s western border, where bass are plentiful. Also in the big lake, which is about 30 miles from Hobe Sound, are bluegills, specs, crappies and channel catfish. Some fish species have strict quantity and seasonal regulations. Be sure to obtain current information.

Our coastal waters also attract snorkelers, scuba divers, surfers, wind-surfers and lobster hunters. Lobstering, whether during the two-day mini-season or the full season (August 6 through March 31) requires a saltwater fishing license and a crawfish stamp, unless the diving is being done from a commercial vessel. Other rules of the hunt involve safety measures for the diver, size of the lobster and how lobsters can be taken. A lot of preparation and planning must precede a lobster dive, but the lucky diver who is rewarded with a “bug” quickly forgets the effort.

The County Recreation Center, which operates out of the Hobe Sound Community Center on Olympus Street, hosts a variety of recreational opportunities for residents. For information call 546-0312.

For those who prefer spectator sports, to our north and south are sports complexes used for spring training by major league baseball teams. The Florida Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, and Jupiter Hammerheads entertain baseball fans at
Roger Dean Stadium at Abacoa in Jupiter. For information, call (561) 775-1818. In Port St. Lucie, Tradition Field is the spring home of the New York Mets. For ticket information, call 772-871-2115.

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Transportation & Travel

Airports

Palm Beach International Airport
"Palm Beach International Airport voted third-best in the U.S. and sixth-best in the world"
Conde Nast Traveler Magazine -- March 2003 issue
561-471-7400
www.pbia.org
I 95 to Exit 69, West Palm Beach

Martin County Airport
Airport Directors Office
1871 SE Airport Rd.
Stuart, Florida 34996
Witham Field
772-221-2374

Bus Service
Greyhound
1308 US Highway One, Stuart
772-287-7777

Community Transportation

Community Coach
A transportation service of the Council on Aging and Martin County. Curbside service from your home to many Martin County destinations.
772-283-1814

Private Transportation

Diamond Transfer & Garage
Bridge Road and A1A, Hobe Sound
772-546-3471

Executive Services
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
561-718-2393

Seaports

Port of Palm Beach
Home of the Palm Beach Princess Casino Day Cruise
One East 11th Street, Riviera Beach, FL
561-842-4201
www.portofpalmbeach.com
From I-95 take Exit 74, 45th Street, and proceed east to US Highway 1 (Broadway).Turn left onto US Highway 1. Proceed north over the Skypass Bridge to East 11th Street (located at the north end of the bridge) and turn right.
Proceed to the parking area located on the right.

Port Everglades
More than 5,400 ships call at Port Everglades in a year forming the basis of a diverse maritime operation that includes a thriving cruise industry and a reputation as the "world's premier cruise port".
1850 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tel: (954) 523-3404
www.broward.org/port
I-95 to I-595 East – Follow signs

Port of Miami
Miami is the world's busiest cruise port, with a fleet of more than 14 ships, including the newest megaships.
1015 N. America Way, Miami, Florida
(305) 371-7678
http://www.metro-dade.com/portofmiami/
Take I-95 north or south to I-395. Follow the directional signs to the Biscayne Boulevard exit. When you get to Biscayne Blvd., make a right. Go to 5th Street which converts to Port Blvd. (landmark: American Airlines Basketball Arena) Make a left and go over the Port bridge. Follow directional signs to designated terminal.  

Train Service
Amtrak
201 S. Tamarind Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL
1800-872-7245
www.amtrak.com
1-95 to Okeechobee Blvd, Exit East on Okeechoobee Blvd. to Tamarind Ave. Turn left on Tamarind Ave and station will be on the west side.

Tri-Rail Commuter Service
Runs north to south from West Palm Beach to Miami
1415 45th Street, Mangonia Park
1-800-TRI-RAIL or 1-800-874-7245
www.tri-rail.com
1-95 to 45th Street, Exit 74. East on 45th Street. After 3rd stoplight, turn north into Jai-Alai’s east entrance. Watch for signs.

Miles to (From County Seat)
Tallahassee 334
Jacksonville 231
Tampa 149
Orlando 115
Miami 98

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