If you’re looking for a quaint and charming pit stop between Miami and Orlando, consider Martin County.
It’s much more than halfway between Mickey Mouse and South Beach. It’s a fisherman’s dream, a beach-lover’s bonanza and a great place to shop for unique treasures.
And now, a rebuilt Elliott Museum brings sleek sophistication to the area. Reopening on March 3, the modern 4,459-square-metre building blends art, history and technology into each exhibit, beginning with Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion. This acclaimed travelling exhibit features 40 full-size, hands-on machines, which were built based on da Vinci’s drawings and inventions. Climb into a full-size tank, play with levers and pulleys, or observe a flying apparatus imagined by da Vinci in the 1500s.
Afterward, poke around the area’s downtown shops. Check out Gumbo Limbo Coastal Chic in Stuart for home decor and artwork made from local materials, or visit Harbour Bay Gourmet in Sewall’s Point to pick up fine wines and food for a beach picnic.
To work up an appetite first, head west to Indiantown to “tromp the swamp” on a free, guided tour through Barley Barber Swamp. Or feed stingrays and touch sea stars at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center on Hutchinson Island.
Travel Planner
For more information, check out DiscoverMartin.com and elliottmuseumfl.org or call toll-free 1-877-585-0085.