Downtown Fort Pierce

Downtown Fort Pierce is a charming waterfront community with a rich history. Downtown is walkable, along with being the go-to place in Fort Pierce for dining, the arts, and more.

Fort Pierce, Florida, is the St. Lucie County county seat. It’s part of the Treasure Coast area of Florida’s Atlantic Coast, named after the Fort Pierce Army Post built-in 1838. Downtown Fort Pierce is the central area of town, with historic architecture, art, dining, and shopping. The waterfront downtown district has been voted the “Best Small Town Main Street in America” and also the “Most Idyllic and Historic Main Street.”

Seven places in the Fort Pierce downtown are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old City Hall is one of the historic buildings that you can still visit. It was initially built in 1925 and remodeled in 1995. Now, the Old City Hall can be rented for events. The P.P. Cobb Building is also a historic building that was the general store for the town until the end of the 1800s. Now, it’s a café and coffee shop.

The Buckhorn Building is one of the most recognizable landmarks in downtown Fort Pierce. Its history began as a drinking establishment, and it was the first building in town constructed of more fire-safe block materials. The Buckhorn Saloon closed during the prohibition years, but the building itself has survived over 100 years. It is located at the corner of Second and Orange Streets.

As well as the architecture, the Fort Pierce downtown area is known for shopping and art. There are boutiques and galleries, and you’ll find work for sale from local artists in particular. In the historic Arcade Building is the Art Connection, which sells works from dozens of area artists. Located along 2nd Street is the restored Sunrise Theatre, originally opened in 1902. Today, the venue hosts traveling Broadway shows, concerts, and comedic performances.

The A.E. Backus Museum anchors downtown Fort Pierce, named after the artist who heavily influenced landscape artists who were known as The Highwaymen. The Highwaymen were a group of African-American artists who sold their art along highways in Martin County from the 1950s through the 1970s.

One Friday every month, Fort Pierce hosts Art Walks, and on Saturday mornings throughout the year is the Fort Pierce Farmers Market. The downtown farmers market has around 70 vendors and is held along the waterfront close to the marina. You get views of the Indian River while shopping for local produce, artisan items, and more.

The dining scene offers many options in downtown Fort Pierce. There are breakfast and brunch eateries, as well as classic Florida seafood eateries and breweries, many of which offer views of the water and outdoor dining options.

Another attraction downtown is the Manatee Observation and Education Center. It’s a waterfront environment viewing and education center. The not-for-profit organization has almost 150 volunteers, and it’s just west of the Atlantic Ocean, on the Indian River Lagoon, and Moore’s Creek. It’s a historical area of congregation for Florida manatees. The center offers informational displays and hands-on exhibits, and there’s an observation walkway and a second-story observation tower. Along with manatees, you might see the bottlenose dolphin, brown pelicans, or mullet.