This secret Florida enclave has been ranked America’s best coastal town
Move over, Miami. The Sunshine State has a new star — and it’s not where you’d expect.
Stuart, the Treasure Coast’s best-kept secret, is making waves after being crowned the best coastal small town in America by USA Today.
Located north of Palm Beach on the Atlantic coast, Stuart has long been the go-to for anglers chasing the thrill of sailfish.
But this little town, with a population of just 18,000, is about to see a whole lot more foot traffic, as word gets out about its charm beyond the water.
“Most residents would say that living in Stuart, Florida, feels like a continuous vacation,” says Treasure Coast MLS Search. And why not? With eight stunning beaches and the Sailfish Splash Waterpark, this town is more than just a fishing hotspot — it’s a slice of paradise.
Back in the day, Stuart earned its stripes as the “Sailfish Capital of America” when more than 1,000 sailfish were hauled in during a legendary fishing trip in 1938.
“In the 1940s and ’50s, this was as prolific a spot for sailfish as there was in the world,” Captain VJ Bell told Florida Travel & Life. “And we still have days here that’ll rival fishing anywhere, with stretches where you might catch double digits of sailfish for days.”
But Stuart’s appeal isn’t just about what’s swimming in the water.
Named “America’s Happiest Seaside Town” by Visit Florida, Stuart rose to the top of the best coastal towns study, rising above Pismo Beach, California, and Newport, Rhode Island.
What’s the secret sauce? Stuart offers a “calm and charm that is hard to find in more heavily populated areas.”
Local realtor Maria Wells sums it up: “When I think of Stuart, the first thing that comes to mind is the abundance of water. Stuart offers breathtaking natural beauty with its pristine beaches, scenic waterways and lush vegetation.”
For those who prefer dry land, Stuart’s elevated river walk offers killer views of the beach, and culture vultures can get their fix at the Lyric Theatre, the Stuart Heritage Museum and the Elliott Museum.
Country singer Jason Aldean dropped $10.2 million on an oceanfront mansion in the swanky Galleon Bay neighborhood in 2022.
But don’t worry, most homes in Stuart won’t require a celebrity budget — yet. Zillow pegs the average home price at $406,128, up 1.5% over the past year.
But despite its growing popularity, Stuart hasn’t lost its small-town feel.
Locals love the place, too, and they’re not shy about saying so. Reviews on bestplaces.net sing Stuart’s praises: “This town still has that ‘small-town’ feel, low crime and good schools,” one wrote.
Another added, “Stuart is a place to visit when you want to relax and enjoy yourself without a horde of people to deal with. If that is what you are looking for, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”
And a third? “Sweet place to live. Most of our neighbors and us get together always informally to sit on each other’s patios and chat. The children all play together and are free to do so as long as they stay on our street. Its great.”
One resident concludes, “Too many odd bugs and scary poison frogs, but still is good.”
