A nice place to learn about manatees along the Fort Pierce waterfront…read more While visiting Fort Pierce, we decided to stop at the Manatee Observation and Education Center located near the A.E. Backus Museum and found it to be a very nice little attraction. Admission was only $3 per person, making it an inexpensive place to spend some time and learn about Florida's manatees and other local wildlife. The center is a stand-alone building with two main rooms and an observation area overlooking the water. Inside there are three tanks, including two with fish and another with starfish and anemones. There are a lot of interesting displays and activities that seem especially geared toward children, although we enjoyed looking through them as adults as well. One of the more unusual things I enjoyed was a small robotics display that I thought was very cool. The staff was wonderful and took the time to explain the different parts of the center and answer our questions. Outside, there is a covered walkway along the water with informational signs explaining the area and its wildlife. Across the water is a very nice mural painted along the seawall that adds some color to the view. Behind the center there is also a fun mural and photo opportunity where you can see how you "size up" compared with a manatee. Make sure you go up to the observation deck above the walkway, which gives you a nice view of the water and surrounding area and, if you're lucky, perhaps a chance to spot a manatee. Overall, this is a very nice and inexpensive stop in the Fort Pierce area. Between the displays, tanks, friendly staff, waterfront setting, and observation deck, it is a good place to learn a little more about manatees and the local environment. Enjoy!

We stopped in with our niece for some education and a break from the sun. We were pleasantly…read moresurprised by how knowledgeable and friendly the staff were. We learned so much! The scavenger hunt was an added bonus.

Katie, Lauren, and Dave were amazing. they gave good recommendations to some questions asked and…read moreoverall made the boat ride not just educational but also fun

The tour was amazing!!! Captain Lauren was the BEST! So interesting to see and hear under water.read more

Amazing museum and highly recommended. It has so much information, and the exhibition is…read moreincredible. There is a large collection of artifacts. Very educational information about the different operations, wars, missions, weapons, equipment, Navy Seals, Iran hostage crisis, 9/11, Korean War, operation Eagle Claw, Urgent Fury, NASA space program, the crisis in Cuba, Vietnam War, the attack on Pearl Harbor... just to name a few! A great way to learn and recognize the sacrifices made by our soldiers and understand the impact of their service.

Our visit to the Navy Seal Museum could not have been anything less than five stars. Wanting to…read moretake a break from the beach and pool, we decided to check out this museum. We were pretty much blown away the moment we arrived. The exhibits include films and virtually everything a Seal member uses to fulfill the mission they may be assigned. The museum was laid out in "reverse historical order" beginning with a 9/11 film recounting the tragedy. Truthfully I had hoped never again to see the planes crash into the World Trade Center but never forgetting is really part of the recovery. There was a mock up of Bin Laden's compound and a fascinating film of how he was killed. There were all types of weapons of the era, various Seal transport vehicles, helicopters on display-many allowing you to go inside. One display outlined the training regimen for Seals. (pictured below) Captioned, "The Only Easy Day was Yesterday" seems pretty accurate. There is a pretty substantial drop out rate as the trading is so difficult. When a prospective Seal drops out of training, he had to ring a bell three times. When one graduates, they ring the bell once. The exhibits continue with Viet Nam, Korea and World War II era history, weapons and things like Viet Nam patrol boats, high speed assault craft, Seal delivery vehicles, etc. Naval Seals were formed by President Kennedy in 1962 but they functioned as "wartime commando units" as far back as World War II. Once you visit all the indoor exhibits, there is quite a bit to see outside as well like the obstacle course used in training, a captured Iranian gun boat and other marine type vehicles that add to what you've already seen inside the museum. After a fascinating several hours, it was time for the beach!

My wife and I have been visiting the garden since it reopened. It's been amazing to watch what…read morethey've built since then. Also, the Garden Cafe has stellar food. Today I enjoyed the Golden Crab Cake sandwich. It wasn't just good for a park cafe, it was simply one of the best crab cakes I've had. Kudos to the chef. My wife also raved about her egg salad sandwich.

A botanical garden visit in early March can be a dicey proposition... unless that garden is McKee…read more The combination of a jungle, plenty of water features, and the whimsy of colorful art make this garden a great place to visit even before many of the plants are blooming. Last year's (2025) whimsy was florals made from Lego bricks. This year it's sculpture mimicking origami. They call it "florigami," and there are lots of imaginative examples throughout the gardens. If you are hungry or thirsty during your visit, the garden café is delightful. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit of about 2 hours. The admission price is a bit steep, but they do accept entry using the AHS reciprocal membership... so if you're a member of another botanical garden (that's far enough away) you will get in for free.

Needed a post-run dose of culture and decided to drop by the Vero Beach Museum of Art--and…read morehonestly? I'm glad I did. From the moment you walk past that fierce lion sculpture guarding the entrance, you already feel like you're stepping into something bold and inspiring. Inside, the "French Moderns" exhibit totally pulled me in. We're talking Monet, Matisse, Degas, Cézanne--all the greats flexing their brushstrokes. I loved seeing the timeline from 1850 to 1950, watching styles shift like gears in a Tour de France sprint. That Robert Delaunay garden scene? Looked like brunch with vibes. Shoutout to the Rodin sculptures--especially the marble one that looked like a dream trying to escape a rock. Dude's work is raw, real, and somehow emotional without saying a word. There were some wild surprises too. Like a hyper-detailed, slightly spooky modern portrait that made me feel like I was being watched by a ghost who shops at Hot Topic. And a worn-out baseball cap that had more character than some people I know. Bonus: The staff kept things flowing, it wasn't overly crowded, and there's plenty of space to walk and soak it all in without bumping elbows.

Could be unlucky as this beautiful building to be knocked down late 2026 and replaced with two…read morestory space with two floors. Until 2028 do not consider a visit. People very friendly but nothing there to see. Limited galleries. Mostly meeting spaces for fund raises and talks? Very little on display. Special current exhibit shows wonderful water colors of "trout" and grasses but other than that really nothing except one or two impressionist pictures. Outside garden closed " in preparation for Hurricane season"

Probably one of the smallest festivals I have ever been to however they did have all the key…read moreelements. Held at a great location this small festival is held durring the spear fishing tournament for Lionfish at the end of the day, divers bring in their catch to weigh. Lionfish are an invasive species and this is a tournament to help control the population to give native species a better chance of survival. While waiting for the fisherman there is live music, a small booth selling lionfish tacos etc. An educational booth where you can learn about the lionfish and why it is important to remove them and a few other vendors. It is all held at the Ft Pierce Marina which has a few restaurants and a gift shop. We arrived about noon to try and beat the rain but walked though the festival in about 10 minutes. We sat and listened to music for a few minutes which was the best part of the festival. Next time we will wait to go until closer to the end of the day to watch the fisherman bring in their catch. There is not enough to do to make it an all day affair.

Went yesterday for a breast cancer function..2 Mets game against the Mussels ..great time, loved…read morethe $2 items ..it was a great day at the park honoring so many survivors.

We went to the St. Lucie Mets game last night. This is the Short Season Single A affiliate of the…read moreNew York Mets. The Stadium is beautiful, the parking is easy and the tickets are fairly cheap. $14 for General Admission and we sat very close to Home Plate. They had a Non Alcoholic Beer (NAB) for me! Two seasons ago they didn't. Ultra Zero. Very cold and very good. We split Chicken Fingers, French Fries and a Pretzel. All good. The fries (which I've been avoiding in 2026) were awesome! The Staff is very friendly. The usher pointed me to a section he thought would be comfortable for me. I was using my cane so the row he pointed out was only 1 step down. The seat was also very wide (remember - I'm a big boy), so I was very comfortable. The downside. The people. The woman behind us - sitting in the handicap seats - kept spraying something that had a chemically citrus smell. My wife thinks it was hand sanitizer. She kept spraying every half inning or so! Awful!!! Plus, she had a wet-sounding cough and wasn't making any effort to cover. We moved. The section we hit had much narrower seats. Too tight. We moved. Finally, decided to sit in 2 empty handicap seats. Perfect. Right? No. The kids in our section were out of control and of course the parents were oblivious. Part is to blame on the lack of parenting, but part on the team itself. They are constantly throwing balls to the kids. It became a feeding frenzy!!! Kids running, jumping, climbing, tackling one another to get a ball. Then kids who didn't get a ball start crying. Then they're throwing the balls, and their gloves, and hats - everywhere. At one point, we're surrounded by kids, practically sitting on top of us. Sitting on the handrail in front of me blocking my view. Ugh. It was so out of control it was actually funny. After the game, the SLM had a ceremony to honor kids with brain cancer. They brought out families and showed a touching video about a poor young girl who lost her battle to cancer. It was touching and the intention was good, but it was done so poorly. They had lanterns and were going to "light up the sky." No, it was just poorly lit balls the size of cantaloupe that just sat on the outfield. I'm a two time cancer survivor myself, but I found the ceremony poorly planned and poorly executed. And way too long! Then they had fireworks - the reason we stayed. They were awesome!!!!! That's it. We'll go back (I love baseball) but on a weeknight with hopefully less kiddies.

This place is small, quiet, and absolutely stacked with real history. The Indian River Historical…read moreSociety doesn't try to entertain you, it educates you. You'll find Vero Beach before it was condos and brunch. Railroad maps that explain how the coast was built, citrus groves and train lines in miniature, WWII Naval Air Station artifacts that don't sugarcoat the cost of training, and Dodgers history that proves this town once mattered on a national stage. The class photos alone feel like flipping through the town's original family album. No flash, no gimmicks. Just well-preserved stories, artifacts, and context. If you care even a little about how this place became what it is, this is worth your time.

The Indian River Historical Society is a non profit 501c founded in 1983. Their mission is to…read more"save, preserve, and restore the historical and environmental resources of Indian River County." The Historical Society owns two properties. The Halstrom House was built in 1909 by Swedish immigrant Axel Hallstrom, who farmed pineapples on this farmstead. The house is a museum and the surrounding 100 acres is being restored as a conservation area. The Historical Society also owns the Vero Beach Railroad Station & Exhibit Center. In 1984 they purchased the 1903 railroad station from the Florida East Coast railway for $1, moved it, and embarked on their first restoration project. There are only 8 of Henry Flaglers railway depots left in existence. There is one in Sawfish park in Jupiter and another one in the St. Lucie County Regional History Center in Fort Pierce. The stations are easy to spot because of their bright yellow color. The Vero Beach Railroad Station and grounds opened in 1987 and serves as the office of the Indian River County Historical Society and as the Exhibit Center. The Vero Beach Railroad Station was the first building in Indian River County to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in January of 1987. The Historical Society hosts events throughout the year including movie nights, high tea, ghost hunts, and a Swedish Christmas at the Halstrom House. I recently caught up with them at the Tangelo House in Vero Beach where they were running a tour of the historic 1920's Tangelo apartments that were recently restored. They gave me a great map of the different historical sites in Indian River County. Staffed by volunteers I appreciate everything they are doing to keep history alive for future generations.