The Sunshine State has no shortage of alluring destinations, but one small town has been quietly racking up accolades while remaining firmly under the radar.
But the Treasure Coast gem is starting to shine brighter after being named America’s best small coastal town.
Stuart, Martin County, has long been known to sea fishermen for the abundance of sailfish in the rich waters of the St. Lucie River.
But the town’s 18,000 residents are likely to see their numbers rise as word of its natural attractions spreads.
“Most residents would say that living in Stuart, Florida, feels like one continuous vacation,” noted Treasure Coast MLS Search.
The city is the oldest and perhaps the best known, and its claim to fame is that it has been the “Sailfish Capital of the United States” since 1938 and acts as a magnet for generations of sea fishermen.
But its long-ignored attractions are finally beginning to emerge.
The oldest and perhaps best-known town is known as the “Sailfish Capital of the United States” and dates back to 1938, when a group of sportswriters were invited on a fishing trip where over 1,000 of the creatures were caught.
“In the 1940s and 1950s, this was as prolific a place for sailfish as any in the world,” Capt. VJ Bell told Florida Travel & Life.
“And we still have days here that rival fishing anywhere else, with stretches where double-digit numbers of sailfish can be caught for days.”
More recently, Visit Florida dubbed it “America’s Happiest Beach Town,” but it was its designation as America’s Best Small Beach Town earlier this year by USA Today that has put it in the spotlight.
Stuart beat out competition from places like Pismo Beach, California, Saugatuck in Michigan and Newport, Rhode Island, by offering a “calmness and charm that is hard to find in more populated areas.”
“When I think of Stuart, the first thing that comes to mind is the abundance of water,” said local real estate agent Maria Wells.
‘Stuart offers stunning natural beauty with its pristine beaches, picturesque canals and lush greenery.’
Eight separate beaches and Sailfish Splash water park add to the appeal along with what Discover Martin County boasts as “the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere.”
The Banyan Tree Tunnel on St Lucie Blvd offers an unparalleled commute for some
The Stuart Heritage Museum illustrates the town’s history dating back to Spanish pirate ships.
The city has fewer than 20,000 residents, but home buyers are increasingly interested.
The city’s riverfront promenade offers views of the beach for those who prefer to keep their feet dry.
One hundred artificial reefs create a habitat for more than 800 species of fish so that sailfish don’t have to do anything on their own.
And the abundance of aquatic wildlife makes the city a fitting home for the Florida Coastal Oceanographic Center, which has been educating visitors about the riches of the reefs since 1964.
The city’s elevated river walk offers beach views for those who prefer to keep their feet dry, and the Lyric Theatre, Stuart Heritage Museum and Elliott Museum are part of a thriving cultural scene.
Country music star Jason Aldean made headlines when he paid $10.2 million for a waterfront mansion in the Galleon Bay neighborhood in 2022.
But most homes remain a bit more affordable, with a median price of $406,128, according to Zillow, up 1.5 percent over the past year.
And reviews on the website bestplaces.net seem to back up the praise.
“This city still has that ‘small town’ feel, low crime and good schools,” one wrote.
“A great place for kids to grow up. Taxes are low and property values are finally recovering.”
“Stuart is a place to visit when you want to relax and enjoy yourself without having to deal with a crowd of people,” wrote another. “If that’s what you’re looking for, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”
Sailfish Splash Waterpark is one of the city’s top family attractions.
The city’s St Lucie River is hailed as “the most biodiverse estuary in the Northern Hemisphere.”
The median home price is now $406,128, according to Zillow, up 1.5% over the past year.
“It’s a nice place to live,” concluded a third.
‘Most of our neighbors and we always get together informally to sit in each other’s yards and chat.
‘All the children play together and are free to do so as long as they stay on our street. It’s great.
‘Too many weird bugs and scary poisonous frogs, but still good.’
