Hobe Sound, the village of Tequesta, and the town of Jupiter, at the southern tip of the Treasure Coast are small communities, but full of recreational opportunities! Beaches, parks, museums, restaurants, eco tours, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, wildlife, and more provide ample fun!

http://www.hobesound.org
http://tequesta.org
http://www.jupiter.fl.us

Harry and the Natives, in Hobe Sound, is a great place to go. It’s fun and unpretentious, with delicious food, priced reasonably. Our lunch today was a gator burger, something new for us. The sandwich was tasty and tender. It comes with a choice of slaw, potato salad, fries, or cucumber salad. The salad was tasty! They have mimosas on the menu, so MaryJo had to try one. Greg had a beer. Total before tip was $28.25. This was originally a motel, café and gas station, back in the 1940s. The present owners, the McArthurs, have been here since 1952. There is patio dining area with a stage for live entertainment, and a gift shop. Funny sayings adorn the walls. The kitchen is open so customers can see food being prepared. Harry and the Natives is a local landmark. http://harryandthenatives.com

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is a treasure, definitely worth a look. There is a Visitor Center with live skunk, snakes, scorpion, seahorse, and other fascinating animals. We watched the skunk being fed live crickets, and we petted the baby gator! The nature trails are short, but interesting. One goes through scrub, the other down to the water. Allow at least 30 minutes. http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=41561

Blowing Rocks Preserve is Hobe Sound’s crown jewel. On Jupiter Island, Blowing Rocks has a rocky shoreline where waves crash and spray! It’s beautiful! At low tide, visitors can explore small caves and outcroppings. There are many gaps allowing the curious to watch the ocean ebbing and flowing below, or to look at the sky above. A dappled pathway through seagrapes leads to the beach, which was completely deserted the day we were there. Among the sandy Florida beaches, Blowing Rocks is unique! Swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving are fun activities here! So is just exploring! Across the street is the Hawley Education Center, with displays, butterfly garden, and nature trails along Indian River Lagoon. Allow at least an hour. Admission is $2. http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/preserves/art5522.html

Peck’s Lake Park encompasses a boardwalk trail through several habitats, including pine forest and mangrove swamp, waterfront, picnic areas, observation platform, and restrooms. Along the way, signs explain how local Indians and pioneers lived off the land. The Intercoastal has opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/docs/delineation/pecklake.pdf

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The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum is a good way to learn a little history and get a lower body workout at the same time. The Lighthouse was built in 1860, and never has missed a night to light the way! During the Civil War, blockade runners came through the inlet. In WWII the building now used as the museum was married office’s quarters. The Coast Guard operates a station on site today. The museum has exhibits on Seminoles; the pre-Columbian Ais, Jaegas, Hobe, and Tequesta; Fort Jupiter; and more. The Tyndall House shows how the early pioneer, the Tyndall Family, lived. There is a Seminole chickee and a pineapple patch. The Lighthouse tour allows visitors to tour the lighthouse and climb to the top. 105 steps up! The view is spectacular! We could see for miles and miles. The combination ticket is $7. http://www.jupiterlighthouse.org

Do you know who Burt Reynolds is? He is the famous resident of Jupiter who starred in movies, TV, and magazines. The Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum is in an old bank building. It’s not easy to find, but is an out of the ordinary place. Photos of Burt, his family, and friends; posters from his movies; artifacts from movies; items belonging to his father, the police chief of Riviera Beach, and many other exhibits provide for a detailed look at Jupiter’s favorite son. Donation is $5. The museum is only open on weekends. Allow at least 30 minutes. http://www.brift.org/brift-museum.phpThe

     DuBois House, in DuBois Park, is built on a midden. A midden is a huge pile of shells, animal bones, and other discarded material, that offers fascinating archeological studies. The DuBois House is on the National Register of Historic Homes, built in 1898. Currently closed, it depicts life of a century ago. A walk to the top of the midden to see the house and the many shells covering the ground is worthwhile. The park also has beaches and picnic facilities. http://www.pbcgov.com/parks/locations/dubois.htm

Coral Cove Park, in Tequesta, has a guarded beach, playground, restrooms, and showers. It’s a good place to snorkel, swim, or just enjoy the sun. http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/parks/locations/coralcove.htm

Guanabana’s is one of the most fun places we have eaten! The brightly colored Adirondack chairs in front, with the carved surfboards, flamingos, etc. invited us in. The plants, tiki bar, waterfall, bridges, wooden furniture, and water view affirmed our decision! We each had a snack of blue crab empanada, which was very tasty! An order was three empanadas, and at $9.95, it was a good deal. We weren’t hungry when we left! Lunch items include conch chowder, Cuban sandwiches, chicken tacos, and a variety of burgers, averaging between about $5 and $10. http://guanabanas.com

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