Galleries, theatres, museums, even a sunken ship make it easy to treasure every moment
MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 2015 – Sandy beaches, crystal clear water, nature preserves and near-perfect year-round temperatures are all to be expected when visiting Martin County. Located on Florida’s Treasure Coast, just 45 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport, an hour from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, 90 minutes from Miami International Airport and two hours from Orlando International Airport – public art, regular cultural events, galleries, museums and more are unexpected gems that make this must-see (again and again!) destination shine.
Comprised of the communities of Port Salerno, Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Indiantown, Jupiter Island, Hobe Sound and Hutchinson Island, Martin County serves up 13 beaches and 70+ parks as well as a plethora of public art, including sculptures and murals donated by artists.
Get crafty
Browse Martin County’s more than 20 galleries in the historic downtowns of Stuart, Jensen Beach, Port Salerno and Hobe Sound and find local jewels and gifts for a souvenir worthy of the visit. Wind down the week with a glass of wine and a group of friends, and spend the afternoon perusing galleries. The Fish House Art Center and Gallery, located on the waterfront of Manatee Pocket in the Village of Port Salerno, five miles south of downtown Stuart, offers 3,000-square-feet of American fine art and crafts as well as 10 resident artists’ studios, including painters, glass artists and ceramic sculptors, who work in their studios year-round. It’s art with a story – watch as pieces come to life and then carry home your treasure.
Managed by the Arts Council and serving Stuart and Martin County, the Court House Cultural Center Gallery hosts fine art exhibitions. Designed in the art deco style and built in 1937 as a federal Public Works Administration project, the building was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1997.
The hunt is on
Hunt for treasure at Treasure Coast Square, where more than 120 shops, including Dillard’s, JCPenney, Macy’s, Sears, and a variety of specialty shops, mean there’s something in the bag for everyone. For a one-of-a-kind experience, head to B&A Flea Market, the Treasure Coast’s oldest and largest flea market with a 35-year history and over 400 vendors. Every Saturday and Sunday year-round, rain or shine, find hundreds of bargains and unique gift ideas.
Endless collections
Named after prolific inventor Sterling Elliott, the Elliott Museum hosts a dynamic and interactive collection of antique automobiles, vintage boats, an extensive baseball collection and a deep trove of Treasure Coast histories and stories. In addition, the museum displays an array of traveling exhibits designed to challenge and inspire families and children.
For an interactive experience involving all ages, families flock to The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast, located in the heart of Indian RiverSide Park in Jensen Beach. TIP: Pack clothes for water play and, after exploring the museum, picnic in the park where amenities include fishing access, a dockside pavilion and an interactive water play area.
The Stuart Heritage Museum is located in the oldest commercial building in Stuart and Martin County. Step back in time to learn about the unusual, the sometimes overlooked people, events and places from Martin County’s history. The countless relics housed by the museum define the history of the people, businesses, agriculture and community spirit of the City of Stuart and Martin County. A plus? Admission to the museum is always free.
History buffs meet their match in Martin County. The House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar is the only remaining House of Refuge on the east coast of the United States. Built as one of 10 along the east coast of Florida, it is the oldest structure in Martin County and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Houses of Refuge were designated as havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers along Florida’s sparsely-populated Atlantic coastline. Run by the United States Lifesaving Service, the Houses played a critical role in a time when sailing ships dominated world commerce. The historic structure has weathered many storms and provided needed shelter for shipwreck survivors, including those of the Georges Valentine, an Italian brigantine whose wreckage remains just 100 yards off the rocky shoreline. The House of Refuge continues to withstand the test of time, while offering a fascinating look at a bygone lifestyle along the sea. Want to delve deeper? Dive for treasure at the Georges Valentine Shipwreck Site off the coast of Hutchinson Island. On July 19, 2006, the Georges Valentine Shipwreck Site was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. On October 16, 2006, it became the eleventh Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve.
Stage performance
For the music lover, the historic Lyric Theatre offers a wide–array of first- class talent nearly 300 days a year. This acoustically amazing theatre features concerts from classical to rock and roll, and theatrical performances by local and national talent. Book a Friday or Saturday show and stay the weekend to savor all Martin County has to offer.
Looking for more? The Barn is a 169-seat community theatre presenting five main stage productions September through June, and a Showcase Series of one-act plays held between main stage productions.
If you go
Plan to visit during the annual Port Salerno Seafood Festival, Bookmania, ArtsFest, Pineapple Festival or one of the many other cultural events throughout the year. Expand your Martin County experience with a cruise aboard the 25-passenger Loxahatchee Queen II and travel up the Loxahatchee River to the pioneer home site of Trapper Nelson in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Need to refuel? The word fresh takes on new meaning with most Martin County restaurants utilizing locally-sourced produce and fresh caught fish, served alongside ingredients from local and organic farms within the county. At day’s end, rest easy at brand name chains like Courtyard by Marriott, Best Western, and Hampton Inn – even the Hutchinson Island Marriott offering a resort-style setting. Or choose from unique one-of-a-kind family-owned and -operated boutique properties such as the Old Colorado Inn, the Seminole Inn and Pirates Cove Resort and Marina. Smaller bed and breakfast properties and independently rented villages and cottages set the scene for romance while RV and camping facilities – even timeshares – spell family fun.
Sidebar:
What began in 1997 as Art in Public Places has evolved into a collection of sculptures, mobiles, stained glass windows, murals, mosaics, benches, photographs and quilts located in libraries, fire stations, community centers, administration buildings, parks and other county-owned properties throughout Martin County. Look for these pieces throughout the area during your stay:
Shell Games – Sculpture by Charlotte Lees at Hobe Sound Public Library, 10595 SE Federal Highway, Hobe Sound
Avian Muse – Mobile by Harry McDaniel at Robert Morgade Library, 5851 SE Community Drive, Stuart
Oasis – Tile bench by Glenn Schwaiger at Holt Law Enforcement Complex, 800 SE Monterey Road, Stuart
Antique Hose – Sculpture by Terry Thommes at Port Salerno Fire Station, 4725 SE Dixie Highway, Port Salerno
The Poet – Sculpture by Dam de Nogales at Hoke Library, 1150 NW Jack Williams Way, Jensen Beach
Stained Glass by Chris Dutch at Elisabeth Lahti Library, 15200 SW Adams Avenue, Indiantown
Photographic Exhibition by Amy Knootz Knippel at Martin County Administrative Center, 2401 SE Monterey Road, Stuart
Artistic Gate created by George Goddard at House of Refuge, 301 SE MacArthur Boulevard, Stuart
Save Our Coral Reefs mosaic mural at Stuart Beach, 889 NE Ocean Boulevard S.E.A. Project by students Taylor Komarra, Heather Ackers, artist Brenda Leigh, community artists, and Jensen Beach High School art students
Loggerhead Nesting 2011 S.E.A. Project partnership with AIPP, Jupiter Island Art Committee, Education Foundation, sculpture artist Mia Lindberg with Jensen Beach High School art students at Hobe Sound Beach, 1 Beach Road, Hobe Sound
Native landscape design with landscape architect Meg Whitmer and South Fork High School landscape design students at Dixie Highway and Salerno Road
Manatee Pocket Gateway – Artist Sue Lampert, AIPP and NAC Partnership at Sailfish Splash Waterpark, 931 SE Ruhnke Street, Stuart
Marine Life Murals – Artists Team: Carey Chen, Julie Beaumont, Nadia Utto, Shannon Wiley at Sailfish Splash Waterpark, 931 SE Ruhnke Street, Stuart