East Coast Florida
Any time of year is good time to visit Port St. Lucie.
Year-round comfort brought in by the Gulf Stream makes it an ideal
destination for outdoor activities, and the opportunities for beach
combing, water sports, golf, fishing, hiking and a whole host of
activities abound.
This stretch of Florida is called the "Treasure Coast" both for
the shipwreck treasures that lie beneath the waves and the
treasures to be discovered above the water.
Hutchinson Island is one of Florida's best-kept
secrets. A barrier Island to Port St. Lucie, it boasts seven miles
of white sand beaches and a most welcome escape from typical
tourist-clogged beaches. Children love Bathtub Reef Park, a shallow
natural pool sheltered from the ocean by a protective reef. It's
also a great place to go snorkelling or diving in crystal blue
waters among Florida's vivid and varied sea life.
A night time turtle walk is a special treat for a summer trip.
Hundreds of loggerhead and green leatherback turtles make their
nests along the island's beaches each June and July, and
pre-arranged eco-tours offer the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
see these amazing creatures struggle to survive.
An afternoon along Route A1A, which runs along the barrier
islands, is a wonderful way to spend a day. Jaw-dropping upscale
neighbourhoods give way to rugged ocean scenery and quaint little
cafes and shops that will beckon you to stop and linger. Along the
way, discover the three parts of Fort Pierce. Laid back,
undeveloped North Beach serves as a surfing and fishing refuge.
Downtown Fort Pierce has been transformed into an attractive
harbour-front destination brimming with bistros and cafes, art
galleries and host to year-round street festivals. Lying just
across the South Bridge is Fort Pierce's historical hub, where
colourful area history waits to be explored at the St. Lucie County
Historical Museum. View artefacts from a 1715 Spanish treasure
fleet, a restored turn-of-the-century typical Florida house,
photographic collections and a memorial garden featuring Spanish
canons and anchors.
St. Lucie County Marine Center lets non-divers see a living
model of a coral reef system and the Manatee Observation and
Education Center allows guests to observe these endangered gentle
giants in their natural habitat.
Vero Beach has emerged as a cultural hotspot on the Florida
landscape. Rated one of "The 100 Best Art Towns in America," this
sophisticated locale offers up a wealth of artsy repasts, topped
off by the Vero Beach Museum of Art, the largest arts facility on
the Treasure Coast. Sprawling over seven acres of the 26-acre
Riverside Park, the museum boasts five art galleries, a sculpture
garden, an art library, an outdoor studio and foundry, a
state-of-the-art auditorium and exceptional public programmess.
After a long day filling your cultural cup, relax with a cocktail
outside a chic dining spot and then enjoy expertly prepared seafood
- caught fresh that morning - by candlelight.
The Cocoa Beach area stretches along many miles of
pristine Atlantic coastline. The sheer size of the region gives way
to diverse natural settings perfect for eco-tours by foot, boat or
kayak. Canaveral National Seashore spans a 24-mile beach perfect
for bird watching, wildlife adventures and fishing excursions.
Back-to-nature enthusiasts revel in backcountry camping within this
fascinating wildlife sanctuary. Nearby Merritt Island
National Wildlife Refuge, a 140,000-acre buffer zone for Kennedy
Space Station, provides a habitat for migratory birds and
endangered and threatened wildlife species. Hike through miles of
trails, climb up to the manatee observation deck, enjoy boating,
canoeing and fishing or attend one of the many nature programmes
held between November and March. Off the coast, boating tours take
you up close and personal with manatees, porpoises and enchanting
waterfowl. Don't be surprised if an alligator or two floats by.
Once you've satisfied your curiosity about regional wildlife,
take some time to stroll Cocoa Beach Pier, a historical landmark
bordered by locally owned lunch spots, boutiques and gift shops.
Feel free to throw a line over the side of the pier and test your
luck.
Most Cocoa Beach visitors find it hard to resist a trip to the
Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex on Cape Canaveral.
An awe-inspiring day at the complex may include a tour of NASA's
launch and landing facilities and massive rockets up close, a ride
in an interactive space flight simulator, live shows and the chance
to meet a member of NASA's current space corps. It's sure to be a
day not soon forgotten.
The end of your East Coast holiday visit is sure to find you
very busy - planning your next trip back.