Stuart, Florida Travel Guide: My Perfect Adult Spring Break
Where to Enjoy Relaxing Beaches, Delicious Dining, Shopping, and More!
"Adult Spring Break" might conjure images of wild parties, but let me clarify—my version is a lot more laid-back. It involves generous beach time (preferably from the comfort of a lounge chair), delicious meals that someone else cooks, a refreshing cocktail or two, and bedtime at a blissfully reasonable hour. Yes, my age might be showing, but honestly, I couldn’t care less!
I've been vacationing in Stuart, Florida, for as long as I can remember, and it's still one of my favorite spots to relax and recharge. Admittedly, I sometimes find myself nostalgic for the small-town, old-Florida charm Stuart had before the old drawbridges to Hutchinson Island were replaced with modern causeways about two decades ago. Those quaint bridges had kept the island a bit more secluded and its beaches delightfully uncrowded.
But let's face it—there are definite perks to Stuart’s growing popularity. The restaurant scene has significantly stepped up its game, shopping has become even more enticing, and modern conveniences are easier to find. Most importantly, the beaches remain stunningly beautiful, and there are plenty of public and private access points ensuring that your ideal beach day is always within easy reach.
For information about beaches on Hutchinson Island, I recommend visiting this website to scope out the location and all of the particulars of the area beaches. There are tons of public access beaches with parking, and some of the larger beaches offer bathrooms and snack bars (Jensen Beach and Stuart Beach). A favorite for families with small children is Bathtub Beach near Sailfish Point. It is close to The House of Refuge if you want to sneak in a little Treasure Coast History.
While we are on the subject of learning and sightseeing, the Eliot Museum and the Oceanographic Coastal Museum are both crowd pleasers for kids (in case you are having a more family-oriented spring break)and adults (if you are like me and did not take an interest in museums etc., until I was older). The Oceanographic Museum has a fun exhibit where you can feed the stingrays, and the Eliot has a great antique car collection. Both are great activities to escape the sun for a bit or to enjoy a rainy day.
On to my favorite part of Adult Spring Break: eating. After all these years, I have some favorites. I am always on the lookout for new places to try, but I love my old haunts.
The Blue Door is my favorite coffee shop. It has a great terrace to enjoy your morning brew, and in the evening, they often have live music, wine, and other fun beverages. The vibe is laid-back, and the coffee is great. They also have food options if you are feeling peckish.
The Riverwalk Cafe is my go-to spot for a quick dinner at the bar or a plate of oysters. They do a bustling table service as well, and local fish is often on the daily special list. If you are in town during the ‘season,’ it is a good idea to make a reservation. This is in the historic downtown area of Stuart, close to the river (as the name suggests) - a fun spot for a bit of shopping and or a stop at the ice cream shop down the street.
CoLab Kitchen has a great vibe (also in downtown Stuart, but a bit off the beaten path). Before entering the restaurant, you will pass through their market where you can always find produce grown locally at their own farm, homemade baked goods, jams, chutney, and other seasonal delights. I will often stop in to buy a bag of lettuce and some tomatoes - amazing! The restaurant menu changes frequently, depending on the season. If I am honest, I have loved it and also been meh about it from time to time - but I always love a drink around the fire pit in their backyard. They often have live music too. They have a sister restaurant, The District Table and Bar, on the other side of town. Again, I love the vibe. The bar is fun and it’s lively. The food is not especially creative, but it is a bit heavy for my taste. However, it's a fun night and a popular spot for locals and visitors.
If you are looking for a place to stay, I recommend renting on Hutchinson Island (the Martin County end of the island) through Airbnb or VRBO. There are also two hotels on the island in Martin County - Indian River Plantation by Marriott and Hutchinson Shores at Jensen Beach. Another spot I've found for fun rentals is a bit further north on the island in Fort Pierce.
Ft Pierce is home to a very fun Farmers Market every Saturday morning. Lots of food and a local craft market in the field next door. Not on the bathing suit diet, but worth the splurge, are the Palm Beach Donuts and the breakfast tacos at the next stand over (I am not sure it has a name other than Tacos). They also have live music, and everyone dances! I go almost every Saturday, when I am in town, just for fun and people watching. Also worth mentioning are the $5 Bloody Marys at Cobb’s Landing (never mind the food - you can fill up at the Farmer’s Market).
One more Ft Pierce mention - because we drive 30 minutes to go to this restaurant - is the Thai Pepper Restaurant. A friend who owns a beach house in Ft Pierce turned us on to it, and now we are addicted!
Lastly, I have done some of my best vintage shopping while in Stuart, Jensen Beach, and Fort Pierce. I don’t have any specific recommendations because the inventory changes so fast and frequently. Google thrift, vintage, and antiques stores in whatever town inspires you, take a couple of hours, and hit a few highlights. I have found some fantastic vintage barware, artwork, and even furniture when the need arises. If vintage is your thing, there is no shortage of fabulous finds in this area. If you are feeling especially adventurous and have a few extra bucks in your pocket, West Palm Beach can also be a gold mine for vintage finds. Not to get too gruesome, but people go to Florida as their…last stop, and they sometimes leave behind some great stuff!
I hope this helps you enjoy a visit to The Treasure Coast! Drop me a note if you have any additions or suggestions.