"Ft. Pierce - jumping off point" Fort Pierce by grandmaR

Fort Pierce Travel Guide: 43 reviews and 112 photos

Municipal Marina - exotic bird - Fort Pierce
Municipal Marina - exotic bird

I do not feel that I know Ft. Pierce at all, although I've been here many times in the last ten years. We've anchored once, stayed at marinas 5 times, and come in the inlet three times and gone out twice. We've walked up into town and done some shopping and gone to some local restaurants and gotten lost into an industrial section of town. We've even stayed here overnight once. But most of the time we've spent in the marinas.

Harbortown Marina - local bird - Fort Pierce

Harbortown Marina - local bird

So I looked up Ft. Pierce on the internet

Fort Pierce turned 100 years old on Feb. 2, 2001. It was originally an Army post established in 1838 when Lt. Col. Benjamin Pierce, the brother of Franklin Pierce, the 14th U.S. president, built a U.S. Army fort here during the Second Seminole War.

Boats in the marina - Fort Pierce

Boats in the marina

Early settlers depended on the river for trade and travel until the Florida East Coast Railway arrived in the late 19th century. The town grew slowly and had just under 2,000 residents by 1915.

World War II ended Fort Pierce’s solitude. From 1943-46 the city was the site of a Navy base that brought thousands of trainees to town.

Today, there is the new Manatee Observation and Education Center, the restored Old City Hall, and a brick-paved traffic circle that provides a new entrance to the city’s riverfront and marina. Restaurants, clubs and shops contribute to a thriving, colorful downtown.

Held the first Friday of each month in downtown Fort Pierce, Friday Fest never fails to draw a crowd. Nevertheless, Fort Pierce retains much of its old-Florida charm. Citrus packing houses abound and fine old homes line scenic Indian River Drive. Beautiful winter weather, lush tropical foliage and several miles of beaches attract thousands of "snowbirds" each year. Motorists crossing the bridge to South Beach get a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian River Lagoon and the Fort Pierce Inlet.

Fort Pierce is the county seat of St. Lucie County and is the home of the main campus of Indian River Community College. Located 120 miles north of Miami, Fort Pierce is served by U.S. 1, Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike. The city’s current population is about 36,500.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Lots of art and music
  • Cons:Small city a bit off the beaten track
  • Last visit to Fort Pierce: Mar 2002
  • Intro Updated Mar 20, 2011
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Reviews (15)

Fountain in the lobby - Fort Pierce Half Way Down Hotels (1)

I wanted to book a hotel about half way between St. Mary's Georgia and Miami. Fort Pierce appeared to be it. We had... more travel advice

What is left of Ft. Pierce's Municipal Marina - Fort Pierce Hurricane Damage Warnings and Dangers (2)

We went past Ft. Pierce on our way to Titusville by car this past January (2005) to see what a toll the two hurricanes... more travel advice

Bob walking by Original Tiki - Fort Pierce On The Water Restaurants (8)

There are two tiki places right next to each other and right next to the Ft. Pierce Municipal Marana. A review of this... more travel advice

Road over the Ft. Pierce north bridge - Fort Pierce Floridian's Warning Warnings and Dangers (2)

killingzoe of Jensen Beach writes: " are you a subway rep or somethin? nice info on, uh, subway. ft. pierceis a filthy... more travel advice

Comments (2)

  • Reply
    Jul 4, 2008 at 1:29 AM

    no longer open...changed names a few times...still a nice place to eat

  • Reply
    BuickMackane's Profile Photo
    Feb 1, 2005 at 9:08 AM

    I almost moved to Fort Pierce, but there isn't a day that passes when I thank God I didn't -- I would have been living at the landfall point for two hurricanes last year. Your pages are great!

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