Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Fort Pierce
Fort Pierce has a sleepy feel to it, but includes top sport fishing and some great beaches.
Downtown, though newly renovated, often feels like a ghost town, with lots of vacancies
and few people. Orange Ave is the main drag, far more vibrant than adjoining blocks. For
sleeping options, Stuart and Jensen Beach are a better bet. For eating, there are a handful
of waterfront places on Seaway Dr, and more on downtown's Orange Ave.
Sights & Activities
UDT-SEAL Museum
MUSEUM
(
www.navysealmuseum.com
; 3300 Ocean Blvd; adult/child $8/4;
10am-4pm Mon Jan-Apr only, to
4pm Tue-Sat, noon-4pm Sun)
The world's only museum dedicated to the elite warriors of Naval Special Warfare, this
Hutchinson Island exhibit features once-top-secret tools and weapons used by the most
elite combat forces of the US.
Manatee Observation Center
NATURE CENTER
(
www.manateecenter.com
; 480 N Indian River Dr; admission $1;
10am-5pm Tue-Sat, noon-4pm Sun
Oct-Jun, 10am-5pm Thu-Sat Jul-Sep; )
A small center educating the public on the plight of the manatee. Videos and exhibits teach
boaters how to avoid hurting the creatures - and the rest of us how our lifestyle has indir-
ectly eradicated most of the manatee population. Manatee sightings are common-ish in
winter in waters along the museum's observation deck.
Dolphin Watch Boat Tours
TOURS
( 772-464-6673;
http://dolphinwatchboattours.com
; adult/child under 12 $40/30)
Wild dolphins are spotted routinely in the Indian River Lagoon, occasionally from the ri-
verbank. If you want to increase your chances of seeing them you need to get on the water.
Captain Adam Pozniak seems to know instinctively where to find them on these two-hour
dolphin-spotting tours on his 25ft pontoon. He's also extremely knowledgeable about the
lagoon, its flora and fauna, and offers ecotours in the Everglades as well.
