The
southernmost section of Florida’s Treasure Coast is easy-paced
and naturally beautiful. Dubbed one of North America’s top
ten best family beach locations by Trip Advisor, Martin
County rocks! The area spans several communities including
Jensen Beach, Stuart and Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound each
offering a unique vacation base for a family adventure.
From the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway to the
eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee family vacation treasures
abound, no long lines, no timed entries.
Location,
location, location.
The South Treasure Coast (defined as Martin County
on the Florida map) is located at the southern tip of the
Indian River Lagoon, a 156-mile long estuary that stretches
from Ponce de Leon Inlet to Jupiter Inlet.
The area includes dramatic beauty, quiet places and best
of all the luxury of time, the real treasure in today’s
fast-paced world. For families the area is a secret bonus.
What could be better, a rich menu of interesting activities
and the luxury of time to enjoy them with the kids. Our
treasure list is diverse and includes one-of-a-kind experiences
unique to the area. Read on.
Snorkel
in a bathtub.
Located just east of Stuart, and a half-hour north of Palm
Beach is beautifully preserved Hutchinson Island, a narrow
barrier island bordered by the Intracoastal Waterway and
the Atlantic Ocean. At the southernmost tip of the enchanting
island is “Bathtub Beach,” named for the shallow, clear
lagoon created at low tide by a natural coral reef located
just offshore. Patrolled by pelicans and inspected by seagulls,
it offers a rendezvous point for beach lovers seeking to
enjoy an early morning walk or a lingering sunset. It is
a perfect setting for children’s enjoyment or snorkeling.
The park is bordered by protected undulating sand dunes.
It is free to the public and features lifeguards, free parking,
restrooms and showers. Bonus points: For the curious,
an environmental exhibit explains how Bathtub Reef was formed.
Need to know: TripAdvisor, the world’s largest
online travel community chose Bathtub Beach in Martin County,
Florida, as one of the 10 Best Beaches in the U.S. for families.
Chosen for its soft sand, and calm, temperate waters—Bathtub
Beach features a shallow ocean lagoon formed by an offshore
reef that creates a magnificent safe haven for children
and a perfect environment for snorkeling. Located on the
southern end of Hutchinson Island, Bathtub Beach has lifeguards,
picnic areas, free parking and other family friendly amenities.
Travel editors at TripAdvisor determined their list based
on a survey of more than 500 travelers with children younger
than the age of 18.
Watch
the rocks.
On
Jupiter Island, at
the edge of the sea, “blowing rocks,” provide a daily show.
In addition to the natural Anastasia limestone rocks,
Blowing
Rocks Preserve is also an island sanctuary. It provides
an ever-changing window on a variety of natural habitats.
Explore a boardwalk with interpretive signs along the Indian
River Lagoon, whisper in the butterfly garden, stroll the
beachside nature trail. Bonus points: For an escape
from the heat of the day, The Hawley Education Center has
displays and rotating exhibits that explain the value of
area. Discovery: Each Sunday a guided walk
is conducted through Blowing Rocks Preserve. It is a chance
to explore the geology, wildlife and native plant communities
with a trained naturalist.
Feed
stingrays. A
dreamland for the curious, Florida Oceanographic Coastal
Science Center on Hutchinson Island near Stuart showcases
the sea and shares insider information about marine life.
Even before heading to the stingray pool kids (and adults
as well) will be surprised at the numerous interactive learning
stations and the oodles of sea specimens to touch and examine.
Most thrilling is the chance to feed and pet stingrays in
the aquaculture pavilion. Beyond that there is a boardwalk
and nature trail with plenty of wildlife to be observed.
Bonus points:
Sunshine Wildlife Eco-Boat Tour of the Indian River Lagoon
departs
from Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center on Hutchinson
Island. Explore the most diverse estuary in North America
with Captain Nancy Beaver on the “Sunshine Lady”, a 35 ft.
pontoon boat. The boat’s shallow water design lets you get
up close to the wildlife. On the trip your family will have
an opportunity to see a wide range of wildlife. They also
provide discovery scopes to examine microscopic plankton
and examples of common lagoon animals. Passengers
receive first-hand information while searching for manatees,
spotting dolphins and counting varieties of sea grass. This
is an interactive version “Wild Kingdom” with narration.
Discovery: Innovative summer programs include turtle
walks, seining clinics and snorkeling adventures.
Go where
the wild things are. Hobe
Sound National Wildlife Refuge & Nature Center is a
1000-acre plus, wild place that includes three-and-a-half
miles of barrier island beach plus mainland pine scrub forest
habitat and a Nature Center. Remarkable for its natural
beauty year round, the refuge offers quiet spaces where
time almost stands still. Sand crabs scurry, scrub jays
call and manatees bask in the lagoon. Discovery:
Night action is the real story during the summer months
as the prehistoric sea turtle nesting ritual commences.
To witness the egg-laying is awesome. Volunteer “turtle
scouts” watch the breaking wave s for incoming female turtles.
Once a female turtle has been spotted turtle walk participants
move quietly to a safe observation spot.
Discover
American spirit. It’s
all about remember when? The
Elliott Museum showcases American creativity and
includes area history as a bonus. Displays feature an apothecary,
a barbershop, blacksmith forge and ice cream parlor. Visitors
may examine collections of dolls, clocks and watches, pipes
and tobacco, baseball memorabilia and vintage cars. A show
piece at the museum is an authentic hand-carved miniature
circus. Discovery: Listed on the National Register
of Historic Places, The House of Refuge Museum, built in
1875, is Martin County’s oldest building and was once a
refuge for shipwreck victims. Small but really cool inside
the stories are very intriguing. The breathtaking ocean
view from the museum alone makes the trip worthwhile. Bonus
Points: During the summer months they offer summer camps
activities.
Cruise
the Loxahatchee. Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a natural treasure. Covering almost 11,500
acres of land including the Loxahatchee River (named "lowchow"
turtle, "hatchee" river by the Seminole Indians);
the park offers campsites and cabins, kayaking and canoeing,
hiking and bicycling, as well as fresh and saltwater fishing.
Guided tours of the Loxahatchee River, Florida’s first “National
Wild & Scenic River,” provide rare opportunities to
view endangered and threaten species. Discovery:
There area is rich with legends from the shipwreck of the
Dickinson family to stories about the "Wildman of the
Loxahatchee." The 44-passenger Loxahatchee Queen
II cruises to the pioneer homesite of Trapper Nelson, the
famous “wild man.”
Fish
the big one.
Lake Okeechobee, the 730-square mile "liquid heart"
of Florida, is awesome just because of its size. For freshwater
fishing enthusiasts it is one of Florida’s crown jewels
where
pickerel, largemouth
bass, bluegill, or crappies await. A trip to the shore is
worth it even if angling is not on the day’s schedule and
Indiantown, an ice cream stop along the way, is only 10
miles from the edge of the lake. Discovery:
It is the second-largest freshwater lake in the
continental United States, second only to Lake Michigan.
Where
on the planet?
The South Treasure Coast (defined as Martin County
on the Florida map) is located at the southern tip of the
Indian River Lagoon, a 156-mile long estuary that stretches
from Ponce de Leon Inlet to Jupiter Inlet. Plan your own
beach getaway in Martin County, Florida’s Treasure Coast
call toll-free 1-877-585-0085 or go to
www.martincountyfla.com
Buy one, get one free. Summer just got easier. Located just north of Palm Beach
on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Martin County is the "Sailfish
Capital of the World" offering miles of beautiful beaches
on Hutchinson Island; deep-sea and inshore fishing; sailing
and all water sports; designer courses by golf greats Jack
Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, and Dick Gray; historic communities
with quaint shops & dining; family friendly Florida
Oceanographic Coastal Center; the dramatic House of Refuge
and the inspiring Elliott Museum. Here’s the deal:
Buy one hotel night and get the second night free! This
deal is valid until October 31, 2007. Call toll-free 1-877-585-0085
or go to the website, review the properties participating
in the program and plan your own beach getaway in Martin
County, on Florida’s Treasure Coast at www.martincountyfla.com
More
Martin County Family Vacation Ideas.
Florida: Stuart, Sails, Saddles and Sea Turtles.
What could be better, sun, sand, sea breezes, a rich menu
of interesting activities and the luxury of time to enjoy
them with your kids. Florida’s South Treasure Coast (a.k.a.
Martin County) includes glorious Atlantic blue beaches dotted
with tidal pools, miles of shaded trails for hiking or biking,
quiet places to regroup and best of all the luxury of time,
the real treasure in today’s fast-paced world. The family
adventure list is diverse and includes one-of-a-kind experiences
unique to the area.
More
Bathtub Reef Park 1585 S.E. MacArthur Blvd., Stuart 34996. 1(772) 221-1418.
Hobe
Sound National Wildlife Refuge.
Located in Martin County, the refuge headquarters is located
2 miles south of SR 708 (Bridge Road) on U.S. 1. The refuge
beach is located 1.5 miles north of Bridge Road on North
Beach Road, Jupiter Island. 1(772) 546-6141 or
http://hobesound.fws.gov
Hobe
Sound Nature Center.
13640 U.S. Highway 1, Hobe Sound, 33455. 1(772)
546-2067 or
www.hobesoundnaturecenter.org
The
Elliott Museum & The
House of Refuge.
825 NE Ocean Blvd. Stuart,34996.1(772)-225-1961 or
http://elliottmuseum.goodnature.org/infopage.asp
Florida Oceanographic Coastal Science Center.
89C NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart. 1(772) 225-0505 or
www.floridaoceanographic.org
Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
16450 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, 33455. 1(772) 546-2771
or
www.floridastateparks.org
|
