"Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country."

The Zora Neale Hurston Dust Tracks Heritage Trail commemorates the life and times of a world-renown Harlem Renaissance author, anthropologist, storyteller, and dramatist, primarily when she lived in Fort Pierce, during the final years of her life. Three large kiosks, eight trail markers, and a recently-added exhibit and visitor information center capture Zora's memories in Fort Pierce and chronicle her travels through Florida and the Caribbean. Zora was a fascinating and complex figure in American history. While she is most often regarded as a seminal figure in African American culture, her achievements and experiences are more than worthy of study by all Americans and all people, everywhere.

The Dust Tracks Heritage Trail, named after Hurston's autobiography, "Dust Tracks on a Road," takes you to some of Zora's most important sites in Fort Pierce! These locations include the posthumously dedicated Zora Neale Hurston Branch Library, the school where she taught, her former home, her gravesite, the former headquarters of the newspaper that she wrote for, and more! It is so exciting to be able to follow in the footsteps of one of our nation's most important authors! Visit all eight locations and learn all there is to know about Ms. Zora Neale Hurston!

"People come in here and leave their hats for us to put up," said Elodie's son, Chuck. "We make them put their name and addresses on them so that other people can know where they came from. We have had several people come in, read the names ad recognize the owners of the hats." There are about 150 hats nailed to the ceiling. They range from a 1918 "Doughboy" hat to Bobby's helmet from Cardiff, Wales. "We had about 300 o them," said Elodie, "but when the roof was fixed, water and tar seeped down and ruined them, so we are starting over."

Stop in for lunch and enjoy their world-famous fried shrimp and some of the freshest catches you will find anywhere!

Next on your tour of the town, stop by the Sailfish Brewery & Taproom! The joy of creating new, better-tasting beer is what first drew three local Florida friends to try their hand at homebrewing. Together, they experimented and refined their product, and the beer they began brewing in a garage quickly gained followers. From their humble beginnings, they then took their passion to local festivals, offering other beer enthusiasts a taste of a beer they truly believed in; a beer born right in their neighborhood, by their hands, for their community. They used the positive feedback from the crowds to get ideas, tweak their recipes, and generate a series of craft ales. The popularity and excitement around their Sailfish beers quickly grew, thrusting the team to expand their adventure by creating the first craft brewery and brew pub in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Stop by for a pint, to-go cans, or some Sailfish gear for a day on the water. While you're there, grab an appetizer, a flatbread, or a pie from their scratch pizza kitchen.

Another staple of Fort Pierce is Big John's Western Wear, which is the only place in the county where you can get a new outfit and your pets' shots all in the same building! Spend some time shopping for your favorite cowboy clothes. They're known for their vast selection of designer boots, belt buckles, hats, and much, much more!

Stop in for all of your western wear/livestock feed needs, and support this local family business!

Since its founding in 1960 and the first day the doors opened in 1961, the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery has been a center and catalyst for creativity and culture in our region. The Museum houses the nation's largest public presentation of artwork by Florida's preeminent painter, A. E. "Bean" Backus, and is home to the state's only permanent multimedia exhibition on the Florida Highwaymen.

With a career spanning more than 70 years, A.E. "Bean" Backus was the first Florida-born artist to build his professional renown by painting the landscape and scenes from the daily life of his native state. He was fortunate to have known great success during his lifetime, with paintings hanging in the businesses and private collections of many of Florida's most prominent citizens. A renowned humanitarian who abhorred the racist attitudes and segregation that engulfed the region, Backus taught and mentored the group of entrepreneurial African American artists who became known as the Florida Highwaymen. Their inspiring story is part of the A. E. Backus legacy.

In addition to preserving and perpetuating the artistic and humanitarian legacy of Backus, the Museum organizes and hosts changing exhibitions from artists of regional, national, and international acclaim. The Backus Museum was recognized as the 2018 Best Museum and 2021 Best Tourist Attraction/Best of the Treasure Coast by the readers of Indian River Magazine.

The Museum is located on the shores of the Indian River in Veterans Memorial Park, in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce.

Enjoy dinner at one of Fort Pierce's hottest spots! 12 a Buoy is located right on the Intracoastal Waterway, and boasts that they have the best seafood in the county! The restaurant is best known for its lobster mac and cheese, oysters, and their renowned fresh catch of the day sandwich. In their own words, "it's a teeny, tiny kitchen. So, relax and have a drink, you'll get your food...eventually." Take your time and enjoy the rustic environment of this airy eatery.

End your perfect day in Fort Pierce with drinks at the Original Tiki Bar & Restaurant. Built in 1990 at the Fort Pierce City Marina, the bar soon became a favorite destination for those searching for great food and drinks, all served in a tropical setting. Enjoy live music and help yourself to some of the best appetizers around! The tiki bar has the perfect ambiance to end your night and reflect on the beauty and history of Fort Pierce!