Best Things to Do in Martin County

Bathtub Beach is one of the signature stops in Martin County for a reason. On the southern end of Hutchinson Island, the reef and rock formations help create calmer water at low tide, giving the beach its “bathtub” effect. That makes it especially appealing for families, casual swimmers, and first-time snorkelers who want gentler conditions than an open-surf beach usually offers.

For a broader beach trip, Martin County also has guarded stretches at places like Jensen Beach, Stuart Beach, and Hobe Sound Beach, plus accessible amenities such as free rolling beach wheelchairs at guarded beach locations. In practical terms, that means Martin County works well for everyone from small kids to multigenerational groups.

The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is one of the best all-around attractions in Martin County because it turns the area’s marine environment into something visitors can actually understand and experience. The center offers interactive exhibits and aquariums, plus opportunities to see local marine life up close and attend programs focused on sea turtles, sharks, gamefish, stingrays, and local coastal ecosystems.

This is an especially strong stop for families, but it is just as useful for adults who want context before heading out to the beach, lagoon, or offshore waters. In other words, it is not only entertaining; it makes the rest of your Martin County trip richer because you start recognizing the wildlife and habitats around you.

Historic downtown Stuart gives Martin County its most walkable urban core. Official destination information highlights more than 50 locally owned shops, restaurants, and galleries clustered near the St. Lucie River, with the Riverwalk boardwalk adding scenic waterfront views to the experience. That combination is a big part of why Stuart works so well for couples, weekend visitors, and anyone who wants something more local than a strip of chain businesses.

This is also the best place in Martin County to leave room for spontaneity. You can browse boutiques, stop for coffee, linger over dinner, and then walk down to the water for sunset. Travel-wise, downtown Stuart functions like a good hub in a small city: even when you do not have a rigid plan, you are still likely to have a good afternoon.

If you want an evening activity beyond dining and drinks, the Lyric Theatre is one of the most worthwhile things to do in Martin County. Located right in downtown Stuart, it is a longstanding performing arts venue with a steady lineup of concerts, touring acts, and community programming.

The real advantage is convenience. You can build an easy night around it: dinner downtown, a walk on the Riverwalk, then a show. For travelers who want their beach trip to include at least one cultural stop, the Lyric is the cleanest fit.

The Elliott Museum is one of Martin County’s best indoor attractions, especially on a hot afternoon or a rainy day. The museum features local history, temporary exhibits, and collections that include vintage cars, baseball memorabilia, art, Americana, and other rotating displays.

What makes the Elliott Museum valuable in an itinerary is contrast. Martin County is heavily defined by beaches and nature, so a museum stop adds range without feeling off-theme. It still ties back to place, history, and regional culture, but it gives your trip a different pace for a few hours.

Blowing Rocks Preserve is one of the most distinctive natural attractions anywhere on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The Nature Conservancy describes it as a barrier island preserve with the largest Anastasia limestone outcropping on the U.S. Atlantic Coast, and during high tide the wave action can push spray dramatically through the rock formations.

For visitors, this is the kind of stop that feels visually different from the rest of a Florida beach vacation. It is less about lounging and more about timing, observation, and landscape. Go for the geology, the shoreline scenery, and the feeling that you found something many Florida travelers miss.

Martin County is not just a beach destination; it is also a paddling destination. The county’s designated paddling trails span about 37.7 miles across the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie River, with multiple launch points and linked waterways for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.

This is one of the best ways to experience Martin County at water level. Instead of only seeing the coast from shore, you move through mangroves, estuary habitat, and quieter channels where birdlife and other wildlife become the main event. It is a strong choice for active travelers and one of the best free-or-low-cost ways to feel the county’s natural character.

Fishing is central to Martin County’s identity, and Stuart is widely branded as the Sailfish Capital of the World. Official tourism materials also point to more than 100 artificial reef systems and more than 800 species of fish in the area, which helps explain why the destination draws everyone from serious offshore anglers to families looking for a memorable half-day on the water.

Even if you are not a hardcore angler, a charter or guided outing is still worth considering because it puts you directly into the environment that shapes so much of the county’s culture. In many coastal places, fishing is an add-on. In Martin County, it is one of the defining experiences.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is one of the region’s biggest outdoor draws and a smart add-on for anyone staying in or near Hobe Sound. Florida State Parks describes it as the largest state park in Southeast Florida, with rentals, interpretive boat tours on the Loxahatchee River, and a wide range of outdoor recreation options.

This is where to go when you want more than a short boardwalk stroll. Hiking, paddling, biking, camping, and river tours all give the park enough variety that different travelers can use it in different ways. Think of it as Martin County’s “full adventure day” option.

Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is one of Martin County’s strongest stops for travelers who care about wildlife and conservation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service describes it as containing the largest contiguous section of undeveloped beach in southeastern Florida and one of the most productive sea turtle nesting areas in the southeastern United States.

This is the kind of place that rewards slower travel. Bring binoculars, expect a quieter pace, and let the landscape do the work. If your idea of a great trip includes fewer crowds and more habitat, this refuge is a must.

A high-value Martin County itinerary should also leave space for the county’s Explore Natural Martin program. The official tourism site says these guided ecotourism experiences are free, offered year-round, and focused on education, stewardship, and sustainable recreation. That is an unusually strong value-add for visitors because it gives you local interpretation without an added ticket cost.

The House of Refuge is one of Martin County’s best-known historic landmarks and the oldest structure in the county, but the Historical Society of Martin County currently lists it as closed for renovation until further notice. It is worth checking the current status before building it into your plans.