Things to do in Stuart Florida

Published September 2023 | Updated April 2024

Stuart is a great location to travel! This is a coastal town that is rich in history, and full of boutique shops and restaurants.

And, there’s rarely a chain store or eatery in sight, which is part of the charm! Here is my ultimate guide on fun and must-do activities in Stuart, Florida.

Visit a Museum in Stuart

The Elliot Museum

825 NE Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, FL 34996

This is a great place; part of the Historical Society of Martin County, that has over 100 old-fashioned cars, historical exhibits, like an old general store, and a classroom setup from decades ago. We love to explore the past at this museum and learn about the history of Stuart, Florida, and America.

Get a discount at the admissions desk when you purchase your ticket to the museum mentioned below. Also, within a couple of hundred-feet from the museum, is a volleyball court, park, beach and Seaside Cafe.

The House of Refuge

301 Southeast MacArthur Boulevard, Stuart FL 34996

Just a block or two away from the Elliot Museum, is the House of Refuge- the oldest structure in Martin County. Why is it called the House of Refuge? This was a safe-haven for shipwrecked sailors and travelers during the years when sailing was the main
source of commerce.

This is a small museum and unlike the Elliot Museum, it’s less interactive for kids, but still worth seeing. It’s also on the beach so you can enjoy taking a stroll in the sand after.

The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast

1707 NE Indian River Drive
Jensen Beach, FL 34957

This is just a few miles outside of Stuart, in Jensen Beach. This museum is full of fun activities, play exhibits, and a giant pirate ship to explore. This is a must-do if you need to get out of the sun for a while.

Indian Riverside Park

Directly behind the Children’s Museum, is a local favorite spot

This park is popular because it features a splash pad, and beach access to the Indian River Lagoon. The water is shallow for kids to play, and the sand is white and soft. Check out my post on The Best Family Beaches on the Treasure Coast for a full list.

You could make a whole day out of the museum and the park, without having to leave your parking spot!

Explore Nature and Animals in Stuart

The Florida Oceanographic Society

890 Northeast Ocean Blvd.
Stuart, FL 34996

This is very kid-friendly. Here, you will learn about the ecosystems in Florida and the importance of preserving them. Try to attend when they are feeding the sea-turtles, and gamefish. You can also touch sting-rays and star fish in the interactive tanks. This is a must-see experience in Stuart with kids.

Explore Jonathon Dickinson State Park

This park has so many amenities, which you can read about by clicking above. Some of the post is about our experience with camping at this state park, but there is a nice amount of information on activities to do in the park itself. You can bring a picnic, scooters or bikes, and/or just take a walk on one of the many trails. Check out all you need to know about Glamping at this state park.

Kid- Friendly Restaurants in Stuart

Related Post: Date Night Ideas in Martin County Florida

CoLab Kitchen

100 South Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

Stuart, FL 34994

We used to dread going out to eat with our kids because of how chaotic it was, with our toddler not sitting through the meal. We’d have to take turns eating so one of us could walk him around. Then, we found CoLab which has been a dream! The food is farm-to-table cuisine and the backyard is equipped with turf, games, shaded areas. There’s a stage for some jam-bands as well!

When you walk into this gem, you’ll be greeted into the “grocery” part where they sell home-made jams, pastries, breads, and fresh, organic produce.

 All of the produce comes from CoLab Farms.

This kid-friendly place just keeps getting better as you are making your way past the market,  heading through to the backyard.

 I added this to my post on the Ultimate Date Night Guide on the Treasure Coast, so read more on unique date night ideas!

Berry Fresh Cafe

This is a non-chain, unconventional menu for breakfast/brunch and lunch or in Stuart. Most of their items are organic, from a local farm.

You can taste the authenticity in their recipes. If you love a light breakfast, the quiche is so good, but they’re famous for their cinnamon buns!

They have their own twist and each of their meals. This is a picture of the Bananas Foster French toast, that was irresistible.

(I think I had already taken a bite, ha! )

It gets busy on the weekends, but they turn tables quick, and the food comes out very quick.Which works out for us because you only have so-long for the kids to behave.

We’ve eaten here a handful of times, and we have nothing but good things to say about the food and the service.

Hudson’s On the River

Love this place for kids! The food is great- and the ambiance is so nice. They have a little play space with some nice turf, and a game of corn hole. Plus, it’s on the St. Lucie River with nice views of the water, and a huge boardwalk/fishing pier. I like coming here because the kids can get some energy out by taking a stroll. Within a few hundred feet is a playground as well.

Shopping in Stuart

Gumbo Limbo Coastal Kids boutique

Historic Downtown Stuart
37 SW Osceola Street
Stuart, FL 34994

One of my favorite boutique stores is Gumbo Limbo Coastal Kids in Downtown. It’s an enchanted and whimsical place with precious and unique kid finds. It feels like everything was hand-selected for this store. We love popping in and grabbing a new toy off the shelf. One side is an adorable kids boutique, and the other is a gift shop with soft-cotton clothing, “beachy” and seasonal home decor, jewelry, and quality gifts.

Stuart Green Market

Check out this vibrant market on Sundays, from 9-2. This is a great waterside market in the heart of downtown. You are in the midst of all the fun as you shop, with restaurants and vendors on either side.

For a full list of markets, check out my post- Farmers Markets on the Treasure Coast 

Right after the Green Market, you can enjoy the Rock’n Riverwalk Series every Sunday from 1pm-4pm.

You’ll be able to hop on the tram that takes you around downtown Stuart and goes over the main attractions of the area.

Check out the Waterparks and Splash Pads in Stuart

931 SE Ruhnke Street
Stuart, FL 34994

Sailfish Splash Waterpark is a major attraction in the area for kids. Some of their attractions are

1000-foot lazy river

Two four-story tall water slides including  a 253 foot closed flume “Speed Slide.”

Zero depth entry, 7,326-square foot interactive splash playground with jets, sprays, slides & 317 gallon “Dump Bucket”

“Wiggly Waters” cargo net walk-across

Shaded Picnic Area

700 lounge and deck chairs

Private cabanas available for rent

Gift Shop

Competitive Lap Pool Area

Check out my full list of Splash pads on the Treasure Coast. 

Visit a Playground

Sewall’s Point Park

I am torn between sharing this and keeping it to ourselves! It’s such a quaint park with beautiful views of the lagoon (shallow water for kids to play) and a large sandbox with a very nice playground and swing set. It’s so nice because there are tons of beautiful oak trees providing shade, and palm trees to tie up a hammock and make a day out of it. There are no bathrooms, just a port-a-potty, and parking is very limited.

Check out my post for a full list of the Best Playgrounds on the Treasure Coast. 

Where to Stay in Stuart

The Old Colorado Inn

If you want to be in the heart of downtown, you should look into the Old Colorado Inn historical hotel and cottages. This is within walking distance to all of the great shops and restaurants downtown. They have an on-site restaurant, and you’ll be steps from the river.

Check out my post for more detail on why I love this hotel and recommend it to friends and family!

Boutique Hotel in Stuart : the Old Colorado Inn 

To reserve your room,  Book here

Thank you for reading the best things to do in Stuart. Check back soon as I add to this list, and if you’re traveling here soon, check out my Airports Close to Stuart Guide with transportation tips!