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    Smithsonian Marine Station

    4.5 (6 reviews)

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    The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum - Boats on display

    The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum

    4.8(96 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    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!

    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.

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    The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum
    The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum
    The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum - Medal of Honor recipient sculpture

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    Medal of Honor recipient sculpture

    A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery - Special Event set-up.

    A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery

    4.4(13 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $

    Great small museum. We learned a lot about Bean Backus and The Highwaymen. We also learned about…read morethe impact he had on the local area and beyond with his art and his open door policy with anyone and everyone. We spent a solid two hours there and it was enough to see everything this time of year. The only thing is they didn't have a "special"/rotating art exhibit so that may have shortened our time there some. If you're in the area then I recommend coming here. It's worth the money and the stop.

    This gallery is named for A. E. Backus (1906-1990). He was a self taught artist who was well known…read morefor his Florida landscape paintings. Later on he went on to teach art and a student of his and 25 other African American male artists and one woman influenced by his style became known as the highwaymen. They were a group of artists around the Fort Pierce area who quickly created Florida folk art featuring landscapes from oil paints on Uppson board used as roof sheeting. From 1950-1980 they would anonymously sell the art out of the trunks of their cars on A1A and US 1 from Daytona to Miami. The museum and gallery was established by Backus in 1960. In addition to housing the art of A.E. Backus the gallery contains the only permanent multi media exhibition of Highwaymen art. Art by Backus and the Highwaymen are available for purchase in the gallery. The museum also has four wings that display charging artist exhibits. During the year the museum hosts many events like lectures, brunch, and bingo. The outside of the building is covered in murals inspired by the Highway Men landscapes. Behind the the museum are sculptures in the park that runs along the Indian River Lagoon. Admission is $5. Students and service members with ID are free, and the first Sunday of the month is family day and it's free. A Highwaymen painting in 1950 sold for $25, now they are in demand by collectors and can command $5,000. If you can't afford to purchase one coming here to view the museums collection is the next best thing.

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    A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery - Members enjoying a special event.

    Members enjoying a special event.

    A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery
    A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery

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    St. Lucie County Regional History Center - The hours

    St. Lucie County Regional History Center

    4.6(7 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    I did not know what it expect from this local history museum. I was so wonderfully surprised. The…read moreexhibits in the main building tell the history of the region from early Spanish shipwrecks, to the people (Seminole, cow catchers, etc), a walk through the old shops, and introductions to many of the families in the community. There is also the neighboring house the shows how people lived in the early 20th century and the barn filled with agricultural material. Give yourself the time to wander the grounds, see the placards, and the mosaic bench. The staff was very welcoming.

    The museum is located next to the Indian River in Museum Pointe Park. The St. Lucie Aquarium is…read morelocated next door. The St. Lucie County Regional History Center was formerly known as the St. Lucie County Historical Museum and it opened in 1968. The Museum is currently owned by St. Lucie County and run by the volunteers of the St. Lucie Historical Society. There is an admission fee. The museum provides a nice overview of the history of St Lucie County, including the days of the Seminole Indians. The museum includes a lot of artifacts, displays of historic significance and some recreations. The ladies working in the museum would very knowledgeable and very willing to answer any questions. This is NOT a large museum but it includes a LOT of history and historical artifacts. Well worth a visit - allow 1-2 hours minimum.

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    St. Lucie County Regional History Center - Love these benches

    Love these benches

    St. Lucie County Regional History Center - To the entrance

    To the entrance

    St. Lucie County Regional History Center - One of the signs

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    One of the signs

    Hallstrom House

    Hallstrom House

    5.0(1 review)
    8.6 mi

    The Hallstrom House was built by Axel Hallstrom for his wife Emilia. After immigrating from Sweden…read moreto Minneapolis and making money with the railroad his wife Emily fell ill with tuberculosis. The doctor recommended a warm climate so the family headed to Florida in 1904. Emily died a few years later in 1908 when they began construction on the house Axel designed on a 40 acre pineapple plantation. Axel was left a single parent with a four year old daughter named Ruth. Axel went on to be a successful pineapple and citrus farmer. He made a fortune when he was the president of the St. Lucie bank. He loved to take Ruth on trips to Europe and he filled his home with treasures they found making his home the envy of everyone in Indian River County. The house was completed in 1918 and both Axel and Ruth lived in it until their deaths. In later years Ruth cared for her father and an aunt and never married. When she passed away in 1999 she left the house to the Indian River Historical Society where she was a charter member. An interesting fact about this house is that it may be the only Florida house to have a basement. The house was built on the Atlantic Ridge which is a hill which allowed for a basement to be dug underneath the house. The bricks that cover the exterior of the house are from Georgia. Other features of the house are a wide front porch with ceramic pineapples which Axel grew on his property. Upstairs is a widows peak overlooking Dixie Hwy which for many years was the only road in town. Inside the home are five paintings of Florida scenes done by Alfred Hair of the Florida Highwaymen. Today you can pay the Hallstrom House a visit and see how wealthy Floridians lived at the turn of the century. The house is open weekdays 1 to 4 and on the last Saturday of the month. Admission is a suggested donation of $5.

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    Hallstrom House
    Hallstrom House
    Hallstrom House

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    Smithsonian Marine Station - museums - Updated May 2026

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