Finding great things to do in downtown Fort Pierce takes locals and tourists on an adventure of delicious food, unique shopping, and sightseeing. Fort Pierce, Florida, is a beautiful city with tons of history and local culture to explore. The downtown area has a vibrant social scene, making it a great place to spend the day or the night out. Below are 10 things to do in Downtown Fort Pierce.
Grab a Bite
Fort Pierce has dozens of excellent restaurants that can cater to every pallet. Diners who want to try some Florida southern cuisine in a beautiful restaurant should try Pickled. The restaurant is relatively new and was established in downtown Fort Pierce in 2021. Pickled offers a unique dining experience, serving delicious brunch and dishes like shrimp and grits, short rib tacos, and fried green tomatoes.
Diners in the mood for Treasure Coast seafood can stop at Cobb’s Landing. The waterfront tropical-themed seafood restaurant has a great menu and is a perfect place for seafood tacos and pasta, blackened mahi, and coconut shrimp. It even has a Mojito bar. Downtown Fort Pierce has many fantastic restaurants that offer an extensive range of delicious cuisine.
Stop By a Cafe or Bakery
Freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries are the perfect treats, and a few places in Downtown Fort Pierce serve the perfect cup of coffee and cake. The Old Florida Coffee Company on Avenue A is one of the top local coffee shops to go to for a cold brew or a strawberries and cream crêpe. The Old Florida Coffee Company also allows visitors to experience Fort Pierce’s history.
The shop is in the historic PP Cobb Building, built in 1882. Before becoming a general store, the building served as a trading post, eventually transforming into the best spots in Downtown Fort Pierce for specialty coffees and street crêpes among other things.
People who want to skip the coffee and have a sweet treat can stop by Importico’s Bakery Café on Indian River Drive. Importico’s Bakery Café smells fantastic due to its fresh homemade bread, cakes, and croissants, created using French and Italian techniques. The bakery is perfect for trying a stuffed croissant, picking up a brownie, or eating cake.
Get Some Shopping Done
Downtown Fort Pierce is home to many eclectic and traditional stores and boutiques. For clothes, Rosslow’s specializes in unique women’s clothes and is also a great store to shop for pretty jewelry. For home goods, Chic and Shore Things has a lot of unique items with friendly and helpful staff. A little further down on 2nd Street, Madison Home Decor & Boutique sells a great mix of antiques and vintage items with contemporary pieces. It’s a store for the perfect home accents.
Have Drinks at a Brewery or Bar
Fort Pierce has excellent breweries and bars that provide the perfect place to grab a drink and listen to live music. Two popular places downtown include Pierced Ciderworks and Sailfish Brewing Company. Both are located in the historic part of downtown, formerly known as the Fishing Village and now known as Edgartown.
Pierce Ciderworks and Sailfish Brewing Company are local favorites and the perfect place to wind down in the evening. Pierced Ciderworks’ open patio is the ideal place to grab a delicious cider and offers a must-stop experience to see live music in Fort Pierce or just enjoy a laid-back day or night out.
Explore an Art Gallery
Downtown Fort Pierce is home to two fantastic art galleries, 2nd Street Art and Lisa Jill Allison Art Gallery. Both spaces are perfect for people who want to enjoy the Fort Pierce art scene. 2nd Street Art is a small and pretty gallery filled with an eclectic and interesting mix of art and crafts. It’s a great place to buy original prints, greeting cards, and other gifts. The open-space gallery displays the work of many talented local artists and sells unique pieces at reasonable prices.
Lisa Jill Allison Art Gallery on Orange Avenue has excellent reviews from locals and tourists who love the beautiful, evocative pieces in the gallery. The artwork is bright and enchanting. 2nd Street A and Lisa Jill Allison Art Gallery offer an inspirational place to visit in downtown Fort Pierce.
Explore the Manatee Center
The Manatee Center is an educational and fun observation center in the heart of Downtown Fort Pierce. It’s a popular tourist attraction and has a range of exciting exhibits. The Center has fresh and saltwater aquariums, a touch tank, and numerous interactive displays and exhibits that help visitors learn about local native species.
The Manatee Center is family-friendly and great for people of all ages. A Kids Corner with puzzles, a coloring table, and a game provides extra fun for little ones. Outside the Center is an Observation Walkway and a two-story Observation Tower that allow visitors to look for manatees that may have migrated to the Treasure Coast for the winter. The best time to visit the Manatee Center is between November and March, although it’s a great spot to spend the day in downtown Fort Pierce year-round.
Spend the Day at the A. E. Backus Museum and Gallery
The A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery offers a unique way to see the artwork of famous artist A. E. Backus and other local Florida artists. The museum has Backus’s most extensive collection of public paintings. A. E. Backus spent his life creating beautiful Florida landscapes and inspiring many artists with his incredible work.
Visitors will learn about A. E. Backus and get a dose of cultural and historical information. The exhibits are impressive, and the atmosphere is inspiring, with jazz music playing in the background. The gallery is small but nostalgic and charming, and it’s a great place to spend the day learning about the pioneers of Florida landscape art. Admission to the museum is $5, and a discount is available for veterans and those over 65.
See a Show at the Sunrise Theatre
Sunrise Theatre is a great place to attend concerts, comedy shows, and ballet performances. The quaint theater has new shows throughout the year and is an excellent venue for reasonably priced entertainment in Fort Pierce. The Sunrise Theatre is one of the most fun things to do in downtown Fort Pierce.
The Sunrise Theater is a small but lovely venue. The Black Box Theater holds around 200 people, and the main theater can seat more than 1,000. The Sunrise Theater offers a comfortable atmosphere with friendly staff and is a great way to spend the day or evening in downtown Fort Pierce, Florida.
Visit the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market
Fort Pierce has one of the best farmers’ markets on the Treasure Coast. The market is a big hit and attracts people from across the region. The Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market has delicious local food, artisanal products, and fun live music. It’s a great place to purchase unique items like handmade crafts and jewelry. Vendors at the market sell many creative items, and the impressive food selection is worth the visit. Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market is open from 8 AM to 12 PM on Saturdays.
Cast a Line at Melody Lane Fishing Pier
Source: Wine Food Travel
Fort Pierce, Florida, is an angler’s paradise. Plenty of excellent beaches and piers are perfect for fishing, and fortunately, downtown has one of the loveliest fishing piers in the city. Melody Lane Fishing Pier is a great place to fish and spend the day with friends or family.
Locals and tourists visit the spot to catch snapper, black drum, stone crab, catfish, and many other species. Some anglers have even caught small sharks off the pier. The pier is usually filled with fishermen but never overcrowded. The clean blue water and quiet pier are a hidden treasure and offer the perfect place to take a pleasant stroll. The Melody Lane Fishing Pier also offers a beautiful and peaceful view of the Indian River Lagoon, and a historical cannon is on display, offering a piece of Fort Pierce history.
