Discover Fort Pierce

In Fort Pierce, a range of interests come together for a stay: the history of the Navy SEALs, local art, theater, and experiences on the water. If you're looking for a hotel in Fort Pierce, you can start by considering whether culture and history, nature watching, or beach activities will shape your stay. The city's sights and offerings each have their own focus.

History, Art and Theater

The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum is the only museum dedicated exclusively to preserving the history of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their predecessors. It is located in Fort Pierce on the training grounds of the original Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDU) and Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT), known as the Frogmen. Interactive exhibits let visitors explore the history of the Navy SEALs. This makes the museum a clearly defined destination for visitors with an interest in military history.

The self-guided Highwaymen Heritage Trail highlights another chapter in the city's history and offers an educational and cultural experience in Fort Pierce. It honors 26 internationally renowned landscape painters from Fort Pierce. The trail focuses on art and the artists' legacy, while the museum covers the history of the Navy SEALs and their predecessors.

The historic Sunrise Theatre is located in the heart of downtown Fort Pierce's historic district. Its Mainstage seats 1,200, while the Black Box Theatre seats 210. These figures show the difference in capacity between the two venues. The theater presents touring music and Broadway shows, as well as comedy, ballet, and opera performances. Check the schedule before your visit if you want to plan around a particular show.

Beach, Nature and History on the Water

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park has an 800-meter-long beach for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and scuba diving. Its offerings range from time at the beach to a variety of water activities. Which activities are suitable for your visit depends on the conditions, so check them before your trip.

Dynamite Point is also located in Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. Today, the site is a popular spot for birdwatching; during World War II, it served as a training ground for Navy Frogmen. The contrast between its wartime use and its present-day importance for birdwatching highlights both aspects of the site's history.

At the St. Lucie County Aquarium, visitors can explore live models of six of Florida's marine and estuarine ecosystems. A touch tank offers close encounters with local marine life. While the state park offers beach activities, the aquarium focuses on the ecosystems on display and their inhabitants. At Jetty Park, four historic kiosks share information about Fort Pierce's history connected to World War II, the Navy SEALs, and the Vietnam War era. The park also has stations for cleaning catches.

Downtown Fort Pierce and Recurring Events

Downtown Fort Pierce is a walkable waterfront district with historic buildings and a marina. This gives the district its own distinctive combination of a waterside setting and historic surroundings. Every Saturday, local vendors sell their goods at the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market; Art Walk events are held monthly. If you'd like to include one of these events in your stay, check the current dates in advance.

Fort Pierce's offerings range from naval history and landscape painting to beach activities, nature watching, and events downtown. Use these differences to guide your trip planning: they can help you choose the experiences that match your interests without reducing the city to a single focus.

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