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