When you think of Florida, you probably think of the party capital Miami, or the family friendly Orlando and all its theme parks! However, what if you want to find somewhere a little more relaxed and off the beaten track? Well it might be worth considering a vacation to the lovely Martin County. It’s packed with outdoor adventures and fun for the whole family!
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 5 of the best activities you can do in Martin County. Hopefully, it’ll help you to plan your trip a little better and really make the most of this cool place!
Go hiking in the great outdoors
If you’re a nature lover, don’t miss a hiking excursion while you visit Martin County. The hiking trails are great for all ages and will be of particular interest if you’re a bird watcher. Grab your binoculars and head to the trails through Jonathan Dickinson Park. If you’re lucky, you might just catch a glimpse of birds like the endangered Florida scrubjay and the bald eagle.
You don’t have to be interested in birds or wildlife to enjoy hiking in Martin County though. There are several cool trails which will take you to hidden beaches like Blowing Rocks Preserve. It’s one of the rarest landscapes in Florida – and you’ll be able to pick out unusual flora like beach sunflowers and sea grapes!
There are a number of parks too where you can just have a leisurely stroll. Plenty of them have great BBQ spots so you can enjoy either a hot lunch or a cold picnic! Whatever you want from your hiking adventures, you’ll find it in Martin County!
Get out onto the water
Martin County has a whole lot of great beaches and some lovely lakes hidden away in state parks. Of course, you could just sit by them and while the day away or go for a light swim. But for the adrenaline junkies among you, you’ll want to take advantage of the awesome water sports on offer in Martin County, right?!
The Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort & Marina is a great place to head out and try your hand at sailing or riding a jet ski – even if you’re a first timer. Alternatively, head to Stuart and try have a go at a number of more unusual things to do on the water. These include wakeboarding, tubing, kiteboarding, and even hydrofoiling!
No matter how wild or chill you want your water-based activities to be, Martin County can offer you something suitable. And we haven’t even had a chance to mention surfing, kayaking, or the Schooner Lily!
Retail therapy and a bite to eat
No matter your style when it comes to shopping, you won’t be disappointed in Martin County. From quaint and charming antique stores, to cool boutiques, to huge malls, you’ll be able to pick up clothes, food, souvenir, and anything else you might desire round here.
Stuart is packed with independent stores selling quality products, while Jensen Beach is the perfect place to pick up anything you might need for surfing. Want some jewelry or creative gifts? Then it’s Hobe Sound for you. Of course, after all this shopping, you’ll probably fancy filling up on food too.
You’re in luck. For an artisan coffee in between boutique shops, you’re covered. If you’re looking for a gourmet dining experience with an ocean view, that’s no problem either. And it’s not just traditional Florida cuisine you can get here. Oh no, Italian, French, and a number of other international tastes are on offer here. Any dietary requirements will be catered to as well – check out Fruits & Roots the cool vegan café in Stuart!
Check out Old Florida Indiantown
Indiantown was originally a Seminole trading post, and nowadays it’s a favourite of Martin County locals and tourists alike. There are a lot of great attractions on offer here. One such is Kai Kai Farm – and it’s a must do in Martin County for foodies. As well as supplying fine fruit and veg to chefs and locals, it regularly hosts events like costume parties! Other cool things to check out in Indiantown are the wading birds and white-tailed deer of the Allapattah Flats, while Payton Park should be at the top of your itinerary if you love horses. If all that isn’t enough, then Dupuis Reserve is on the edge of the Everglades and boasts one of the oldest trees in the US!
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay (or even get married), check out the Seminole Inn. Renovated in 2018, this historic hotel dates back to 1926 and it’s one of the best places to stay in Florida – it has even hosted royalty!
Take in some of the area’s unique attractions
As much as you may feel excited by restaurants, walking trails, and hiking, you can do that anywhere really (although your really should do it in Martin County). It’s lucky that the area can show off some completely unique attractions too! The Elliott Museum will tell you everything you could have ever wanted to know about pirates and more! Take a guided tour on a Wednesday or a Thursday to see this and all the other exhibits relating to art, culture, and local interest.
If you’re travelling with younger ones, the Children’s Museum has a lot of activities which are fun for all ages. There’s also Florida’s only remaining House of Refuge and Museum at Gilbert’s Bar. It’s an interesting way to step back in time and get to know the oldest structure in the area. It’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Places! Other cool and unusual attractions are Florida Oceanographic and the Stuart Heritage Museum.
So, now that you know the best things to do in Martin County…
It’s time to book your trip. If you feel you need any assistance finding more things to do, or the best places to stay, check out Discover Martin. Contact their friendly travel experts who will be able to help you with all aspects of your trip. Alternatively, you can download a free travel guide!
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