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What Draws Visitors to This Hidden Florida Gem Between Orlando and Miami?

What Draws Visitors to This Hidden Florida Gem Between Orlando and Miami?

Date: May 31, 2024
Read time: 7 minutes

The Sunshine State has always been known for its big cities with big personalities. Orlando’s theme park mecca, Miami’s lively cultural scene, and Naples’ white-sand beaches have all attracted thousands of visitors annually. Amidst all this excitement, there are still a few hidden gem cities that have yet to lose their natural charm. Located halfway between Orlando and Miami, St. Lucie County embraces a unique way of life. The burgeoning region is not only recognized as one of Florida’s safest cities but also features a vibrant mix of natural wonders and one-of-a-kind experiences that have put the region on the map. Let’s explore what residents of Wylder, the region’s newest master-planned community, enjoy.

Port St Lucie Florida Beaches

Beaches, Boating, and Boundless Adventures

Port St. Lucie is a playground of natural wonders waiting to be explored. Its pristine beaches stretch for miles, offering soft sands and sparkling waters perfect for sun-soaked adventures. Hutchinson Island is also one of the few places in Florida where visitors can gallop along the shoreline on horseback. For those craving land-based escapades, nearby state parks like Savannas Preserve State Park and St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park beckon hikers, bikers, and kayakers with wild landscapes and vibrant ecosystems. Anglers will also find plenty of action in the St. Lucie County waters. Inshore fishing on the Indian River Lagoon yields snook, spotted sea trout, and flounder, while offshore waters are perfect for catching grouper and mahi-mahi. Fort Pierce also marks the northern point of Sailfish Alley, one of the world’s best spots for catching the elusive game fish.

aerial of popstroke in port st lucie

Innovative Experiences Tee-ing Up Fun For All Ages

It’s not just the vast natural wonders that are captivating people about St. Lucie County’s future. Golf enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that a new wave of cutting-edge facilities and championship courses are coming to the area. A standout option is Wylder’s newly announced golf course within Glynlea Country Club. Set to open this winter, the course will feature the inaugural signature design by 17-time PGA Tour champion Jim Furyk. This unique par 72 layout, spanning from 4,249 to 6,755 yards, will offer a tour-level experience while remaining accessible to beginners.

Families looking for a fun evening can enjoy PopStroke’s two mini-golf courses, golf simulator bays, on-course service for refreshments and cocktails, and more, creating an interactive and competitive atmosphere. But it’s not just golf that’s adding excitement. Koa Bay will soon be one of the world’s largest surf parks, featuring a 6.5-acre man-made surf pool capable of producing enough waves every hour for 100 surfers to enjoy simultaneously.

Keiser University exterior

Top St. Lucie County Schools

With one of the highest concentration of top-ranked public schools in Florida, the St. Lucie County School District ensures families can find the best fit for their child’s educational needs. The Mosaic Digital Academy offers personalized K-12 virtual education with 24/7 online access and a range of virtual and live experiences. Manatee Academy, Palme Pointe in Tradition, and St. Lucie West boast comprehensive K-8 curriculum with advanced placement courses and diverse extracurricular activities. Fort Pierce Central High School excels in sports and college prep, while St. Lucie West Centennial High School is known for its robust STEM program. Wylder also plans to build a new high school, providing convenient education within the neighborhood.

College-bound students have local chapters of Keiser University, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Florida to choose from. Additionally, Indian River State College has greatly enhanced access to a high-quality, low-cost college education in the region. In 2022, IRSC introduced the Promise Program, a scholarship opportunity that provides tuition-free associate degrees for qualifying high school graduates in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties.

aerial of popstroke in port st lucie

Big-League Sporting Fun

Sporting enthusiasts love coming to St. Lucie County during spring training season, as Clover Park is the spring training hub for the New York Mets, the summer home of the St. Lucie Mets, and the hub for all New York Mets minor league operations. Scoring tickets to the game provides an up-close and personal experience at the ballpark no bad seats in the house. When the players aren’t in town, the Sports Complex is used for a variety of events ranging from festivals and concerts to RV shows and baseball tournaments.

National Seal Museum Exterior

A Dash of St. Lucie County History

For those with a curious mind always hungry for knowledge, history is intricately woven into many of the area’s top attractions. Explore a variety of eclectic local museums, from the model trains at the Treasure Coast Model Railroad Club to the antique cars at the Elliott Museum or delve into the origins of Florida art at the A.E. Backus Museum. Immerse yourself in the region’s historical roots at the St. Lucie County Regional History Museum, take a self-guided tour along the heritage trail, or discover the beginnings of Navy SEAL training in Fort Pierce during WWII at the Navy SEAL Museum. For a more hands-on experience, the 225-acre Oxbow Eco-Center offers a dynamic learning environment focused on inspiring environmental stewardship of Florida’s marine life and coastal ecosystems.

Florida Day Trips Disney

The Gateway to Florida’s Best Day Trips

Port St. Lucie is more than just an entertainment hub. Its ideal location halfway between Orlando and Miami provides residents with easy access to major Florida cities. From the enchantment of Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando to the wonders of the Kennedy Space Center on the Space Coast, there are endless attractions for enjoyable day trips suitable for all ages. Florida residents also benefit from local discounts at many of these major attractions. Additionally, just a short drive away, cities like West Palm Beach and Miami offer vibrant atmospheres filled with dining, shopping, museums, and art exhibits. For travel beyond Florida, Palm Beach International Airport to the south and Orlando International Airport to the north offer a plethora of air travel options.

port st lucie florida home

Affordable New Homes on Port St. Lucie’s Wyld Side

Port St. Lucie’s rapidly expanding market has led the way for an exciting new master-planned community to emerge. Located between Glades Cut Off and Midway Road, Wylder fully embraces the beauty of its natural surroundings, with multiple unique neighborhoods designed for all stages of life. Brystol at Wylder, featuring single-family homes priced from the $300s to the $500s, is now offering move-in-ready homes and to-be-built homesites. An active adult neighborhood is also being offered. K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Wylder is now selling new floorplans, with nine ranch-style single-family home designs and one villa design priced from the $400s. Additionally, construction is underway for Glynlea Country Club, a new gated golf community. Glynlea will feature an 18-hole championship course designed by PGA Tour professional Jim Furyk. Homes are planned to begin selling this winter, priced from the $400s to over $1 million.

An exciting array of Wyld amenities are planned for each neighborhood and for the community at large, including lakefront recreation areas, pocket parks, and miles of interconnected sidewalks and multi-use paths that connect the community. As the community continues to grow, so will its impact on its surrounding St. Lucie County neighbors. Not only have GreenPointe Developers made it a priority to preserve hundreds of acres of wetlands, but they have also donated sections of Wylder’s land to build a public park, high school, and more in the future.

To stay updated on the latest news about Wylder’s progress, be sure to register your interest at LiveWylder.com. You can also follow along on Facebook or Instagram to ensure you don’t miss out on any fun.

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