Why Florida's Stuart City Is Known As America's Best Small Coastal Town
By Amanda Finn
VACATIONS
Stuart, Florida was recently named the Best Coastal Small Town in America by USA Today. It is also known as "America's Happiest Seaside Town," per Visit Florida.
Visitors can relax at one of the city's eight beaches or take up the thrills at Sailfish Splash Waterpark. The town is particularly known for its sport fishing opportunities.
Stuart named itself Sailfish Capital of the World back in 1938, and decades later, the city is still a big fishing destination. You can catch over 800 other species of fish here.
If you’re not much for fishing, you can explore downtown for a day, shop or eat at dozens of locally owned places, or visit the Stuart Heritage Museum or the Elliott Museum.
Stuart also has a city riverwalk, which hosts a Rock 'N Riverwalk event every Sunday. Lovers of nature can visit the impressive Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center.