🏛️ Vero Beach Museum launches $126M expansion

If you own a pool in Florida, you already know it’s basically a part-time job especially in the summer. As a bit of a pool DIYer myself, having a good, reliable local pool store matters, and one of my go-to spots is Pool Mart on US 1 in Stuart. I love the vibe there because it is family-owned and local, not corporate or overly complicated. They’re always helpful without making you feel like you need a chemistry degree just to take care of your pool. I stop in regularly for the free water testing during the summer, and they keep the process simple and straightforward, which is probably why I keep going back.

In Florida, pools are part of the lifestyle, but the heat, rain, pollen, and summer storms can turn pool maintenance into chaos pretty quickly. Having a local place you trust makes a huge difference, especially when they treat you more like a regular than a transaction. It’s just another one of those longtime Stuart-area businesses that makes living here feel a little more connected and a lot less complicated.

The Gist: Construction is officially underway on a brand-new building that will double the size of the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Deputy Director Suzanne Seldes announced the $126 million project at a recent community event, calling it one of the largest private funding campaigns in Treasure Coast history. The current museum stays open throughout next season, with the new building set to open in 2028.

Why It Matters: Every dollar of the $126 million was raised privately from individual donors in our community, which is a staggering vote of confidence in the museum's mission to make art and art education accessible to everyone. Mark June 7 on the calendar for the unveiling of a special exhibit celebrating 250 years of American Art.

The Gist: Stuart and Martin County kicked off Historic Preservation Month with a series of community events celebrating the people and places that shape the area’s character. The month began with tours of the 1901 Stuart Feed Store, followed by an open house at the 1936 Log Cabin in Jensen Beach.

Why It Matters: Stuart’s historic charm is a big part of what makes it feel like home. Preserving places like the 1924 Apollo School and the 1934 Stuart Training School helps protect the community’s character, support property values, and keep downtown connected to the stories that built it.

Ocean Grill is a Vero Beach classic with history, ocean views, and plenty of old Florida charm. Set inside a historic oceanfront building, the dining room looks right out over the Atlantic and makes the whole meal feel special.

The menu leans steak and seafood, with favorites like filet mignon, roast duckling, red snapper, crab au gratin, and jumbo lump crabcakes. Add in a great cocktail and that oceanfront setting, and it’s easy to see why locals keep coming back.

Sunrise City Adventures is a fun way to get on the water at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. Run by locals Justin Buzzi and Charlie Lumpkin, they offer clear-kayak tours through mangrove tunnels where you might spot starfish, conch, or even a manatee below.

You can rent kayaks or paddleboards by the hour, half day, or full day, but the 2-hour guided tour is a great place to start. Add in the park’s quiet beaches, trails, and wildlife, and it makes for an easy Treasure Coast outing.

🛩️ 2026 Vero Beach Air Show | Vero Beach Regional Airport | Vero Beach | 5/15–5/17 | More
Aviation weekend with high-speed jet demos, static displays, and a kids' fun zone.

🚗 Kids to Park Car Show | Museum Point Park | Fort Pierce | 05/16 | More
Volkswagen club display at the park supporting local youth outdoor activities.

🌊 Waterworks Exploration Zone Grand Opening | Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center | Stuart | 5/16 | More
Be among the very first to test out the brand-new hands-on water exhibit.

🥖 Vero Beach Farmers Market Oceanside | Humiston Park | Vero Beach | 5/16 | More
Saturday morning produce, pastries, plants, and live music a block from the beach.

🧸 Port St. Lucie Collectorfest 2026 | Polish American Social Club | Port St. Lucie | 05/17 | More
Browse retro games, Pokémon cards, and artwork from vendors across Florida.

🎨 Kids Market | Market on Main | Stuart | 05/17 | More
Local youth entrepreneur market with handmade goods, live music, and face painting.

🍹 Moms and Mimosas | Albany Aesthetics | Stuart | 05/14 | More
Boutique shopping event with tropical drinks, flower bar, and raffles.

🤠 Country Line Dancing and Open Dance | Hop Life Brewing Company | Port St. Lucie | 05/15 | More
Energetic night at the brewery with guided line dancing lessons and open floor time.

🏍️ Treasure Coast Bike Night | 8401 SE Federal Hwy | Hobe Sound | 05/15 | More
High-energy gathering for motorcycle enthusiasts and the local riding community.

🎸 More Better Band | Terra Fermata | Stuart | 05/15 | More
High-energy ska and rock performance by local battle of the bands winners.

🌿 Heathcote’s Bonsai Bash | 210 Savannah Rd | Fort Pierce | 05/16 | More
40th-anniversary garden celebration with auctions, music, and cocktails.

🎶 Live Music with Riptide | Walking Tree Brewery | Vero Beach | 05/16 | More
Vero Beach Air Show after-party with food, dancing, and the Riptide Party Band.

Thanks for reading! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

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