Home Care In Fort Pierce, FL

Sunset chasers are a dime a dozen, but true nature enthusiasts know that sunrises are far superior. Seeing the black night sky slowly fade to twilight, then erupt into a flood of golden yellow and burning orange—it doesn’t get any more awe-inspiring than that. If you’ve been lucky enough to see the sun rise over the Grand Canyon or a Hawaiian island, you’ll want to add another bucket list sunrise to your must-see lineup, and it’s in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Part of the Florida’s beloved Treasure Coast, Fort Pierce is nicknamed Sunrise City thanks to its otherworldly shows over the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean. Another great thing about being a sunrise seeker? You’ll not only wake up to a boatload of nature-induced serotonin, but you’ll have an automatic jumpstart on your day—which is especially important in Fort Pierce. The vibrant coastal town has several stunning public beaches, an active downtown, and plenty more chances to get in touch with nature on a wildlife boat tour or aquarium visit. Here are the best things to do on a trip to Fort Pierce, Florida’s sparkling Sunrise City.

The Best Things To Do In Fort Pierce, Florida

If you start your day with a sunrise—and in the Sunrise City, it’s practically illegal to not—consider spectating from one of Fort Pierce’s many beaches or the well-traveled Fort Pierce City Marina. After, spend the morning playing in the surf or building a sandcastle at any of the 10-plus beaches that are all part of the Treasure Coast’s 21 miles of white-sand sanctuary. Beaches to check out include Fort Pierce Inlet State Park and nearby Avalon State Park, as well as smaller access points at Pepper Beach Park or South Beach Park.

More water-focused fun can be had at the St. Lucie County Aquarium, a Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit that features six different living model marine and estuarine ecosystems. Admission is under $5, but if you want the most bang for your buck, time your visit to be there at either 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. for special “feeding frenzy” tours. Another enjoyable but educational attraction, head to The Manatee Observation and Education Center to learn more about the gentle giants and see them relaxing in Moore’s Creek. Once you’ve expanded your underwater knowledge, test your species recognition skills on a boat tour of the Indian River Lagoon with Captain Chop of Indian River Lagoon and Swampland Boat Tours.

When you’re ready to trade your sea legs for walking shoes, you’ll have plenty to explore in Fort Pierce’s historic waterfront downtown. The seaside streets are filled with great shopping, dining, and architecture just waiting to be discovered. Seven downtown buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including The P.P. Cobb Building, a late 1800s general store that’s now home to a coffee-and-crepe café called Old Florida Coffee Co. Other points of interest include Sunrise Theatre (a 100-year-old venue that hosts regular music performances, plays, and comedy shows), The Arcade Building (a 1926 retail building that’s been restored to its former glory), and the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery (an art gallery featuring gorgeous Florida landscapes by native son A.E. “Bean” Backus). To learn about another famous Fort Pierce local, travel the Zora Neale Hurston Dust Tracks Heritage Trail and visit locations like the acclaimed writer’s former home, gravesite, and the site of the newspaper where Hurston once worked.

If you find yourself a little worn out from all the walking around downtown, the city’s Freebee free shuttle service runs on Thursday through Sunday and is just a call or app request away. Unfortunately, you’ll have to jump in the car to visit Heathcote Botanical Gardens, which lies just outside of the shuttle’s range but is still a less-than-10-minute drive. The gorgeous blooms and lush landscaping are more than worth the quick commute.

To learn about another famous Fort Pierce local, travel the Zora Neale Hurston Dust Tracks Heritage Trail and visit locations like the acclaimed writer’s former home, gravesite, and the site of the newspaper where Hurston once worked.

The Best Places To Eat In Fort Pierce, Florida

Fort Pierce doesn’t mess around when it comes to great places to eat. Starting with Importico’s Bakery Café, a second location for the beloved Stuart establishment where the bread is baked fresh daily and the pastry case always overflows. Grab a stuffed croissant, slice of quiche, or irresistible sticky bun for breakfast. If you’re by for lunch, order a specialty sandwich and choose from an expanded array of desserts that includes everything from cannoli to fruit tarts.

For laidback lunch vibes, you can’t beat 12A Buoy or Archie’s Seabreeze for their convivial outdoor patios, cold drinks, and excellent food. Dinner at 12A Buoy is surprisingly upscale with entrees like Australian Rack of Lamb with demiglace and crispy fried onions and Yellowtail Snapper butterflied and pan-seared then roasted in basil oil, white wine, garlic, olives, capers, tomatoes, and spinach.

If you want dinner with a great view, there’s no shortage of great places to sit back, relax, and savor the sights, sounds, and flavors of the coast. Manatee Island Bar & Grill, On The Edge Bar & Grill, Crabby’s Dockside, and Cobb’s Landing are all worthy options to consider. For something a little more unexpected, 121 Tapas serves globally influenced small plates with a great wine selection and live music. Don’t leave Fort Pierce without stopping into Sailfish Brewing Company for a pint and maybe even a hand-tossed pizza.

The Best Places To Stay In Fort Pierce, Florida

Whether you want to stay on the water or don’t mind being a little further inland, Fort Pierce has you covered. The comfortable Dockside Inn & Resort on the Fort Pierce Inlet has its own private beach and two outdoor pools. If you want something a little more luxe, The Lucie at nearby Jensen Beach on Hutchison Island might be up your alley. The boutique hotel offers oceanfront views, upscale amenities, and exceptional hospitality. If you prefer to have your own space, home rentals of all sizes are plentiful and easy to book for a long weekend or more.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Construction is officially set to begin on a long-awaited Fort Pierce development that WPTV has reported on multiple times.

King's Landing, set to be built on the seven acres of land between Second Street and Indian River Drive in downtown Fort Pierce, was first proposed in 2019 and then passed in 2022.

Now, chain link fences have been put up around the perimeter of the plot ahead of 500 tons of dump trucks set to arrive to begin building any day now, according to real estate agent Brooke Harris.

Harris, the Team Leader for the Beachfront Brooke Team, is partnering with Audubon Development to sell some of the homes being constructed.

According to Audobon, the project includes:

"The skyline's going to completely change," Leah Booth, a 20-year resident of the area, said. "It's cool we're getting more housing, but will that housing be accessible?"

"I know people say that, but it was a power plant before," Harris countered. "I think this is a lot prettier than a power plant."

Harris added that housing, which includes a variety of homes at a variety of costs, is something Fort Pierce and the surrounding area needs, not to mention the amenities, like restaurants and retail included for families.

"We don’t have a lot of options like that in downtown Fort Pierce," Harris said.

She added the style and architecture of the homes will fit the charm Fort Pierce currently touts.

"No one is trying to take that away," Harris said.

"I'm excited for it," barber Earl Demery, who works at Legit Cuts next door, said. "I'm looking forward to the business that's going to come and help out the economy, bringing jobs for the locals and stuff like that."

"It’s a lot going on," barber Roberto Barrera said. "There's too much to it."

There were mixed reactions to the construction starting when WPTV spoke to business owners and residents Friday.

Lyly Irizarry, a new business owner, was excited to have an influx of customers coming in.

"Tickled pink? I'm going to paint the whole town pink!" Irizarry said.

Barrera added that after four years of waiting, he's just ready to see the change finally set in motion, whether for better or for worse.

"We are so ready for it to happen," Barrera said. "We are just excited to see what the changes are."

Harris said the project will take several years in total for completion but said the first phase could be done in about 18 months.

However, this is not the only Audubon Development project in the works in Florida.

A WPTV report also shows the company's CEO, Dale Matteson, has plans for two potential developments in the West Palm Beach area.

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FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Banners reading “Brightline your next step is Fort Pierce,” up on the Treasure Coast have a lot of people talking.

Fort Pierce and Stuart are part of the conversation on where to place the private rail companynext station.

WPTV reached out to Brightline representatives who say these signs don’t mean this a done deal in Fort Pierce as applications from the two places are due Dec. 22.

Region Martin County

Still, the banners put up caught a lot of eyes like Protein Harbor Smoothie shop owner, Oswal Ortiz.

"Looking at it right now that’s so amazing man," Ortiz said.

Fort Pierce is looking at the old depot behind Sunrise Theater. Audobon Development President and CEO Dale Matteson has indicated his company intends to apply for a stop at King's Landing mixed-use project, TCPalm reported.

Fort Pierce will be allowed to include the county-owned courthouse parking garage on Second Street in its application.

The possibility struck a special chord with other local business owners like Staci Dunn over at The Cake Lady,” who said she wants more people to know about the hidden gem that is Fort Pierce.

"I do feel like Stuart is already on the map," Dunn said. "People know Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Stuart, Vero and Orlando. They skip right over Fort Pierce and it’s beautiful here. The fishing is amazing. We’ve got beautiful shops. The restaurants are delicious.”

The proposed Stuart location is near the intersection of Southeast Flagler Avenue and Southwest Stypmann Avenue.

Less than an hour away at the Gypsea Cottage in downtown Stuart, business owner Kristen Couperus is also excited about the possibility of a Brightline hub coming to the area.

"Why not make it easier to get here. You may have heard of Stuart. You can get off on the train right in cute little historic downtown Stuart," Couperus, said. "So I think making the city more accessible who want to see it who want to check us out, Martin County is awesome."

Locals are also excited that Stuart’s plans includes parking. Should the station come to Stuart, Martin County and city leaders reached an agreement stating Brightline and the county will split the cost of the station. Meanwhile the city will cover the cost of a garage and 54 additional spots.

Until the decision is made people in both cities have the same message, "Choose us."

Brightline said it hopes to open a Treasure Coast station by early 2028.

Brightline currently has stops in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando.

On Sept. 22, Brightline extended service past West Palm Beach to Orlando.

Last week, Brightline announced it has increased service between Orlando and Miami, running 32 trains daily with 16 daily departures from Miami and Orlando.

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FORT PIERCE, Fla. — It seems to be what everyone is talking about — the possibility of a Buc-ee's in Fort Pierce.

If it ever comes, it will be built near Interstate 95 and Indrio Road, making it the fourth Buc-ee's location in Florida.

Benjamin Balcer, the director of St. Lucie County's Planning and Development Services, told WPTV on Tuesday that the pre-application proposal for a "travel center/fueling station" was discussed in late July.

Although those submitting the request didn't specify whether it was for a Buc-ee's, based on the size of the project and the writing on the concept plan's bottom right corner that reads "Buc-ee's – Fort Pierce, FL," Balcer said it's safe to say that's what it's intended to be.

The Sunshine State, however, isn't the only place Buc-ee's has extended its reach. Since its launch in 1982, the chain now has dozens of locations in Texas and has expanded to at least five other states, even reaching as far north as South Carolina; bringing with it a devout following.

From Buc-ee-themed hats to t-shirts, party supplies and pool floaties with the famed beaver face plastered on it, it seems people can't get enough of the chain and its iconic mascot.

"I love Buc-ee's," Alexia Gilliam said. "I've driven to Alabama from Texas just to go to Buc-ee's," she added, chuckling. "Yeah. I've done that."

"It's better than Disney to me," Quintin Chong said.

"One of my friends just had a birthday party and it was Buc-ee's themed," Rehannon Miller added.

So what's the hype behind the mega gas station chain? WPTV asked around to find out.

"Really good beef jerky, and they have really, really good barbecue pulled pork sandwiches," Gilliam said. "I get extra pickles. That's the secret."

"I don't eat gas station food, but it was actually really good," Chong added.

"All the things they have!" Miller said.

Nicholas Pell, CEO of Gas Station Management, helps fuel stations across Florida attract customers. Pell said Buc-ee's success comes from all of the above.

"The shift in the gas station industry has combined a QSR, or quick serve restaurant-style dining with the traditional convenience store — a one-stop-shop experience," Pell said. "[Buc-ee's] kind of takes it to the next level where, you know, it's a dizzying effect when you walk into a Buc-ee's, and that's part of why they have such a cult following."

Pell said many gas stations now follow that one-stop-shop model but said Buc-ee's award-winning bathrooms flush out the competition.

"It's a fact that the cleaner the bathrooms, the more people will stop," Pell said.

Food

"The bathrooms were super-clean," Chong added. "I've never seen a bathroom that clean before."

Pell also said the chain's iconic smiling beaver mascot advertises for itself.

"Buc-ee the mascot is what maybe I had growing up, similar to Ronald McDonald," Pell said. "The mascot draws families in. It draws kids in."

"My kids love Buc-ee's," Gilliam said.

So, is it worth the hype to people in South Florida and on the Treasure Coast?

"It's worth the hype," Chong said.

Maybe you agree, and maybe you don't, but if the chain ever does come to Fort Pierce, I guess we'll all find out.

"Yeah, and it's a good conversation starter," Gilliam said.

Balcer told WPTV it's just a pre-application proposal, meaning that to be considered, Buc-ee's still has to make a formal application, at which point the county and its Planning and Development Services would consider the pros and cons.

So for now, no plans for a Buc-ee's location are set in stone.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Could another Buc-ee’s location be in the works for Florida?

TCPalm is reporting that a site plan have been submitted to St. Lucie County for a potential location for the mega gas station and convenience store at Interstate 95 and Indrio Road in Fort Pierce.

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CBS12 reports that the proposal calls for about 73,000 square feet of retail space, 733 parking stalls, 11 bus parking stalls, 120 fueling stations, and 20 electric vehicle charging stations on the 33-acre site.

The plan obtained by TCPalm shows “Buc-ee’s — Fort Pierce, FL” and “Buc-ee’s, Ltd,” written on it.

Buc-ee’s: Love the mega-convenience store? Here’s where the new ones are being built

While a pre-application meeting was held on July 27, St. Lucie County Commission Chair Cathy Townsend told CBS12 in West Palm Beach that Buc-ee’s has not submitted an application yet.

A Buc-ee’s official declined to give comment to TCPalm on Monday.

Townsend told CBS12 that the next step would be approval by the St. Lucie County Commission.

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A Fort Pierce location would be the fourth in Florida for the Texas-based chain.

Locals have had the chance to experience the cult like following that comes along with the beaver nuggets, brisket and homemade fudge: the first Buc-ee’s in Florida opened in St. Augustine at I-95 and International Golf Parkway in February 2021.

The following month, the second Buc-ee’s in Florida opened just about an hour south off I-95 and LPGA Boulevard in Daytona Beach.

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A location set to be built in Ocala will feature an 80,000-square-foot travel center, 120 fueling stations, and a 750-spot parking lot, complete with 28 electric vehicle spaces.

Also in Southeast Georgia, a Buc-ee’s is in the works in Brunswick.

In addition to Florida and Texas, Buc-ee’s also has locations in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Locations are planned for Colorado, Mississippi, and Missouri.

Photos: First Florida Buc-ee’s opens to fanfare in St. Augustine

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