Located right in the heart of Florida’s “Treasure Coast,” Port St. Lucie is best known for being the Spring Training home of the New York Mets. It is also a popular golf destination thanks to the world-class PGA Village Resort.
But there is much more to Port St. Lucie than golf and baseball. This small-town community has the authentic “Old Florida” look and feel that many retirees are looking for. It also offers up a wide range of outdoor activities and some truly outstanding dining options.
If you are thinking about spending a few days in Port St. Lucie, we have put together the perfect itinerary to let you experience all that this Treasure Coast paradise has to offer.
Day One – Cubans, Sailing, Pork Alentejana, and Craft Beer
One of the first things that everyone should do upon arrival in Port St. Lucie is head straight over to Babalu’s Cuban Cafe for a quick bite to eat. The Cuban sandwiches are outstanding here, but you’ll also want to get a box of croquettes and some cafe con leche to enjoy throughout the rest of your day.
Following lunch, we’re heading out on the St. Lucie River with Treasure Coast Sailing Adventures. Their afternoon tour will have you hoisting the sails on “Lily” and taking in the sights of Port St. Lucie from out on the water.
For dinner on our first night in town, we are going to Fernando’s Dockside Grille. This Mediterranean and Portuguese restaurant offers authentic dishes like Pork Alentejana, but they also serve up classics like Shrimp Scampi and Chicken Marsala for diners that aren’t feeling adventurous.
After dinner, we’re taking a quick Uber ride over to Side Door Brewing Company Taproom for a quick nightcap. There are usually somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 different craft beers on tap here, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding something that is right for your palate.
Day Two – Golf, Tacos, Gardens, and Peruvian Cuisine
Our second day in Port St. Lucie is going to kick off with a choice between hitting the links and checking out the beautiful Savannah’s Reserve State Park. Golfers will want to schedule early tee times at the PGA Village Resort while non-golfers will be heading over to see one of the most beautiful state parks in all of Florida.
Lunch today is going to be served at Taco Dive, which bills itself as “Not Your Average Hole in the Wall.” After seeing some of the creative tacos on the menu here, you will most certainly agree.
Our next stop on day two will be the stunningly beautiful Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. With ten different themed gardens on the property, it won’t take long for you to see why this is one of the most popular attractions in all of Port St. Lucie.
We’re going to step outside the box and try something a little more adventurous for dinner on our second night in town. Machu Picchu Restaurant is a tiny little place that is a local favorite known for their delicious Peruvian food. Everything on the menu is outstanding, but make sure that you get the ceviche!
Following a delicious dinner at Machu Picchu, we are going to take a ride down to Stuart for drinks at Vine and Barley Stuart. This elegant wine and craft beer bar is one of the best places to enjoy either type of beverage along the Treasure Coast.
Day Three – Beaches, Breakfast, and Shopping
It wouldn’t feel like a trip to Port St. Lucie without a casual stroll on the beach, so we are going to start our last day in town with a trip to one of the many public beaches along the 21-mile stretch of coastline. Surfside Park, Waveland Beach, and Walton Rocks Beach are all great options for a relaxing morning at the beach.
Once we are finished enjoying the sand and the sun, we’re heading over to Keke’s Breakfast Cafe for one of the best diner-style brunches in town. Whether you are in the mood for waffles, pancakes, stuffed French toast, or omelets, Keke’s is the perfect place for breakfast.
Before heading out of town, you might want to pick up some souvenirs to remember your time in Port St. Lucie. The best place to do that is either St. Lucie West or Tradition. Both locations have a great selection of big box and boutique stores to choose from.
Where to Stay in Port St. Lucie
There is no shortage of choices for lodging in Port St. Lucie, but two of the most popular hotels are the Hilton Garden Inn at PGA Village and the Residence Inn Port St. Lucie. Both of these options offer an excellent combination of value and amenities.
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly hotel, the Best Western Port St. Lucie has some of the cheapest rooms in town and is still very highly rated.
Another option that might actually be the best way to experience Port St. Lucie is to find a rental that meets your exact preferences through Airbnb or VRBO. You can find everything from golf condos to beachfront villas, so don’t stop looking until you find the perfect spot to call home for a few days!
If you want to stay a while longer…
Looking to make Port St. Lucie a more permanent home? You’ve got some options.
First up is Vitalia at Tradition. As soon as you enter Vitalia at Tradition, you’ll know you have found the ultimate active adult lifestyle in Port St. Lucie. From the welcoming palm-lush and Mediterranean-inspired entrance to the passionate attention to detail in every resident home, Vitalia at Tradition has taken the art and science of resident-centered community planning to new levels.
With bicycles and golf carts as the preferred method of transportation, active adult residents can join friends within the neighborhood or explore the vast 8,300 acres of Tradition. While the scale may be large, the feel is still small town America with a Town Hall, boutique restaurants and shops, spas and salons, along with the town center, Tradition Square. It’s the lively hub where residents gather for year-round events, entertainment, and concerts.
For those who want to stay in to enjoy the quaintness of their own neighborhood, Vitalia unveiled an outstanding 24,000-square-foot clubhouse encompassing everything from tennis and bocce courts to great lawn with fire pits and a putting green to a ballroom, fitness rooms and more! The Captiva Club is a private lakefront facility offering year-round recreation and social activities for Vitalia residents, complementing an active lifestyle.
You can request more information about Vitalia at Tradition here.
Another great options to consider is Valencia Cay at Riverland, which is the newest 55+ community on Florida’s East Coast. Located in Port St. Lucie, Valencia Cay brings together GL Homes’ famous 55+ resort-style living with an amazing master site plan to create a Florida lifestyle that’s second-to-none! At this new community, you’ll find a million ways to have fun. Walk to nearby shops and restaurants, spend the day at the beach or simply enjoy all the amenities right within your own neighborhood.
Get in on the ground floor of Florida’s next top master planned community with prices starting in just the $200s.
You can request more information about Valencia Cay at Riverland here.
Port St. Lucie is known for embracing that “Old Florida” feel, and everything about the lifestyle here is relaxing. If you are looking for a great place to enjoy the beach and the water with a little bit of golf and some excellent dining, don’t hesitate to book your 48 hours in Port St. Lucie today!
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