Grottos, manatees & top-secret history on the Treasure Coast

You could spend days exploring Jonathan Dickinson State Park, and still not fully experience everything this place has to offer. It's got so many fascinating things going for it: It was named for a Quaker who shipwrecked his vessel nearby all the way back in 1696; was home to Trapper Nelson, the "Wild Man of the Loxahatchee" who wrestled poisonous snakes and huge gators wearing only shorts and a pith helmet back in the 1930s; served as a top-secret military radar training school called Camp Murphy that prepped soldiers for jungle warfare during WWII; and finally, became a state park in the 1950s. Today, the park boasts fishing and boating on the Loxahatchee, Florida's first federally designated Wild and Scenic River; loads of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; the wonderfully curated Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center; and epic views from the Hobe Tower Observation Deck. Definitely make sure to rent canoes, kayaks, and/or motorboats, and take a ranger-led tour of Trapper Nelson's pioneer homestead.

Another Treasure Coast beach that stands out among the rest is Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. It's devoid of the touristy development and crowds that overwhelm most other beaches, so you can really take the time to reconnect with nature and appreciate the cool ocean breezes and spacious sandy shoreline. Hobe Sound and Blowing Rocks both feature awesome seashell-hunting, and Hobe Sound especially is great for long walks, either along the beach or the nature trails through the mangroves. It's kept so pristine because it's a habitat that supports about 40 species that are endangered or threatened. Learn more about these creatures at the Hobe Sound Nature Center before strolling along the nature trail to see them in their element.

Enjoy some kitschy Florida fun at Harry & The Natives, a joint beloved by locals and tourists alike. This little diner is chock full of funky decor touches and serves up down-home cookin' that'll fill you up. The menu is just as quirky as the atmosphere, featuring classics like coconut pancakes and burgers along with more adventurous offerings like gator hash and conch fritters. They have a full bar, so you can easily spend some time here, especially if there's live music going on.

Stretch your legs with a stroll through Historic Downtown Port Salerno. Make sure to venture around the boardwalk that's known as the Manatee Pocket Walk as you explore. The waterfront here was dredged and made more accessible to manatees, so if you're lucky, you might spot them relaxing in the water. The town of Port Salerno was once a commercial fishing stronghold, but today, people are drawn to the village for the walkable waterfront, lined with shops, restaurants, nightlife spots, and awesome views.

As you make your way up the Treasure Coast, stop into the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. It's the best place to get up close and personal with the marine life that makes Florida so unique. There's a game fish lagoon, a sea turtle pavilion, a tank where you can touch delicate sea stars, a tank that displays rays and coral, plus nature trails and plenty of interactive displays to keep kids entertained (or edu-tained, rather). Check the schedule to see when the staff are giving talks and doing feedings to get the most out of a trip here. The Center does a ton of great work educating humans and protecting animals and their habitats, and every visit helps support them.