The Best Sunday Drive on Indian River’s Scenic Highway
I vividly remember growing up, my Dad would announce on a Sunday afternoon. Does anyone want to take a drive? Sometimes it would involve a picnic, other times it would comprise going to pick up a specialty dish like smoked mullet or live blue crab. From time to time, we would all just pile in the car with the windows down and cruise a beautiful stretch of asphalt like the length of Indian River Drive from Stuart to Fort Pierce.
Today, let’s forget your SunPass at home and leave I-95 to the folks in a hurry to get to Orlando’s Mouse Maze because today we are going to take a leisurely ride on Indian River Drive from Stuart to Fort Pierce.
Along the way, we will see what life was like and still is in “Old Florida”. Let’s start our adventure at Sewalls Point Park. This is the perfect spot to get your first view of the beautiful Indian River.
The Indian River Lagoon is a unique, highly diverse, shallow-water estuary. It is home to more than 4,300 species of plants and animals.
Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House
If you want to start your drive with a meal, then the Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House might be a good option. This restaurant was built by the famous historic movie star and Martin County resident Frances Langford. With such an appropriate placement, it gives its customers the most spectacular panoramic views. The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House is a casual seafood restaurant with live entertainment. They are open for lunch and dinner and a fabulous breakfast bar on Sunday.
Indian Riverside Park
As you continue your drive north, you will see Indian Riverside Park located along the Indian River Lagoon. Indian Riverside Park offers an interactive play fountain, a butterfly garden, a fishing pier, a walking path, four picnic pavilions, and the two-story Frances Langford Center available for banquets and private rentals. As you enter the park, you will notice the sculpture fountain of mother and calf dolphins leaping. The statue is by Geoffrey C. Smith and is called Life’s Journey. Get here early, because this is a perfect spot to catch an amazing sunrise.
Jensen Beach
Winding its way through the heart of downtown Jensen Beach, the drive is perfect for any time of day. If you plan on spending some time in Jensen Beach, then this area is a perfect spot to find a place to stay. You won’t find any Hyatts, Hiltons, or Holiday Inns here. What you will find are small cottages, fish camps, and inns painted in tropical colors and looking like an old travel postcard from Florida.
Jensen Beach, the former Pineapple Capital of the World, is a popular destination because it gives you access to beautiful beaches, lagoons full of fish, great restaurants, and a laid-back vibe that draws you right in. There are many artist studios peppered throughout downtown Jensen. The Maple Street Art Cottages is a small community of tin-roofed structures that are now artists’ studios. You can stroll around these colorful cottages and watch them work, or purchase their art. Hang around and spend some time here in Downtown Jensen Beach. It’s one of the highlights of the cruise down Indian River Drive.
Getting Hungry Yet?
If you are starting to get hungry, then Jensen Beach is the perfect place to relax and get something to eat. You have many choices available including Jan’s Place for breakfast, and Crawdaddy’s or Lure’s for lunch or dinner. There are many other options as well.
If your taste buds are screaming for a good old-fashioned world-famous hot dog, then stop by Fredgie’s right on the Indian River lagoon. Grab a seat at an empty picnic table under the shade tree and eat a savory dog with a waterfront view.
A little further down the road, beautiful waterfront views await at Conchy Joe’s Seafood. Come and stay awhile at this laid-back waterfront hangout with quirky charm. They are dishing out Bahamian-style seafood, fresh fish, oak-grilled meats, and their famous clam chowder. The food is priced right and on a nice evening, you can sit outside by the water.
North to Fort Pierce
As you head north to Fort Pierce, you will start to see the Indian River change colors from brown to blue-green waters. Take your time driving as the speed limit is only 35 miles per hour. Enjoy this time to sit back with the windows down on a nice day as you cruise by some of the most beautiful houses on the river.
Across the river, you will see the St. Lucie County Nuclear Power Plant. Located on Hutchinson Island about eight miles southeast of Ft. Pierce, the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant has been powering more than a million homes in South Florida for more than 45 years.
Old Fort Park
As you near Fort Pierce on Indian River Drive, you will see a small park on the left called Old Fort Park. A burial mound here at Old Fort Park contains human remains and was the centerpiece of Ais Indian culture dating back 500 to 1,000 years. Old Fort Pierce Park is the site of Fort Pierce, a military installation constructed by the U.S. Army in Florida to be the main supply depot for the army during the Second Seminole War.
Fort Pierce
This section of Indian River Drive will land you in downtown Fort Pierce along the water. The marina is a great spot to do some sightseeing and grab a bite for lunch. There are many options available. So, take some time and explore the many things to do in Fort Pierce.
Hope you enjoyed the trip. What are some other interesting stretches of highway in Florida? Leave me a comment and give me some ideas for my next road trip to the Sunshine State.
