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Vero Beach Museum of Art
With changing fine-art exhibitions and regular outdoor jazz concerts, this sleek, white museum in Riverside Park could easily hold its own against any big-city heavy hitter. Look for signs on Hwy A1A.
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Treasure Coast
The Treasure Coast gets its name for being the site of numerous treasure-laden shipwrecks over the years. Today the Treasure Coast is where you'll find Florida's true jewel: unspoiled paradise.
Industrialist billionaire and philanthropist John D MacArthur (1897–1978) once owned almost everything from Palm Beach Gardens to Stuart, and he kept it mostly pristine during his life. Over time he grew concerned that Florida's real-estate bonanza would compromise – or destroy – what he considered paradise. Therefore, in his will, he stated that thousands of acres would be kept wild, and the rest would be deeded out incrementally, in order to save the oceanfront property from Miami's fate. And you know what? His plan worked. Well, almost... In true American style, swaths of highway run north–south along the coast.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Treasure Coast.
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Jonathan Dickinson State Park
With almost 11,500 acres to explore, this is an excellent state park between US Hwy 1 and the Loxahatchee River. There's no ocean access in the park, but its attraction lies in its several habitats: pine flatwoods, cypress stands, swamp and increasingly endangered coastal sand-pine scrub. Ranger-led nature walks leave at 2pm on Fridays and Sundays from the Cypress Creek Pavilion, and campfire programs are offered Saturday at dusk next to the Pine Grove campground.
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Loggerhead Marinelife Center
View recovering sea turtle patients in specially designed outdoor tanks and watch through the window while surgeons treat the animals. Volunteers stand by turtle tanks with information on their charges: how they sustained their injuries, how they're healing and whether they're good or grumpy patients. It's a privilege to see and learn at such close quarters. All four species – greens, hawksbills, Kemp's ridleys and loggerheads – frequent the local waters.
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Elliott Museum
The eccentric Elliott collection has a focus on early 20th-century technology, and for good reason – the museum was founded by Harmon Elliott, the son of Sterling Elliott, who invented the kingpin and steering knuckle (which led to steerability for four-wheeled vehicles). Hence the spectacular collection of vintage vehicles, displayed in a $20 million gallery complete with robotic racking system, which ferries cars to the foreground and rotates them for viewing.
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Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1903 as a refuge for the endangered brown pelican, Pelican Island was America's first federal bird reservation, the forerunner of today's national wildlife-refuge system. The preserve now encompasses 500 acres along the Indian River Lagoon as well as the 2.2-acre Pelican Island, which can be seen from the observation tower at the end of the Centennial Trail. Two trails loop 2.5 miles along the shore and are perfect for bike rides and long hikes.
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Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
A 1091-acre federally protected nature sanctuary, Hobe Sound has two sections: a small slice on the mainland, opposite the Jonathan Dickinson State Park; and the refuge grounds at the northern end of Jupiter Island. The Jupiter Island section has 3.5 miles of beach (it's a favorite sea-turtle nesting ground), while the mainland section is a pine scrub forest. In June and July, nighttime turtle-watching walks take place twice a week (changing days; reservations necessary).
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John D MacArthur Beach State Park
While this state park is one of the smallest in the region (438 acres), it has some of the best turtle-watching programs around. Loggerhead, green and leatherback turtles nest along the beach between May and August. It's home to aquariums and a spectacular 1600ft boardwalk spanning the mangroves of Lake Worth Cove. The on-site nature center offers kayak rental (unguided; single kayak $12 per hour).
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Sebastian Inlet State Park
Stretching along a narrow strip of the barrier island, this busy park, popular with fishers, surfers, boaters and families, is divided into two sections by the inlet bridge. On the north side swimming is safe for children in the calm-water lagoon; on the south you'll find a marina with boat rental, a small fishing museum and an uninspiring campground ($31 per site).
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McKee Botanical Gardens
In Vero's early-1920s tourist heyday, Waldo Sexton (of the eponymous Waldo's) and Arthur McKee joined forces to open the 80-acre McKee Jungle Gardens, which delighted visitors for decades until Disney stole the show in the 1970s. Much of the land was sold off for development, but passionate locals managed to save 18 acres of tropical garden, which now grows thick with native plants, palms and lily ponds. Admission prices are subject to seasonal fluctuations.