Here at Ridge Landing’s residential airpark, we want our residents to get the most out of their private planes.  After all, half the fun is flying, but the other half is the destination. Take your affinity for aviation to the next level and enjoy a day out in a new destination.

Only 77 miles away you will land there in a jiffy, use the airport trip calculator to get there from 4FL5.

The Treasure Coast International Airport and Business Park (formerly known as the St. Lucie County International Airport) in Fort Pierce, Florida, is only a half hour southeast from Ridge Landing’s convenient location in Central Florida. So when you’ve got a free day to spare and want to do something special or you simply crave new scenery, look no further than Florida’s Treasure Coast.

A wealth of activities awaits; whether you’re a sports fan or you revel in calm relaxation, there’s something for everyone in St. Lucie County. Here are two possible itineraries for different persuasions of pilot and passenger:

Appetite for Adventure

8:30am – Breakfast at Airport Tiki: Once you fly into the airport, grab a breakfast bite at the airport’s restaurant, Airport Tiki, to get an early start to your day. Airport Tiki is well-known for their delectable dining options, available just steps away from the hangar.

Airport Tiki is open 7 days a week from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. (772) 489-2285.

10:00am – Horseback Riding Along the Beach: Explore the Treasure Coast’s 21 miles of unspoiled, beautiful beaches from a different point of view. This is a perfect activity if you brought your significant other along for the day; book a one-hour tour to check out the region’s habitats in a whole new way.

For more information, visit Beach Tours on Horseback, or call (772) 468-0101 to book a reservation.

aviation destinations

11:30am – Fuel Up at 12A Buoy: As long as you’re not here on a Tuesday, you can stop into this #1 Trip Adviser-rated seafood restaurant beginning at 11:00 am. Located at the Fisherman’s Wharf in Fort Pierce, 12A Buoy serves up homestyle seafood dishes in a delightfully authentic and rustic environment with ocean views.

– Call (772) 672-4524 for more info.

1:00pm – A Day at Sea: Life in St. Lucie County is all about the ocean; situated on the sparkling waters of the Atlantic, Fort Pierce offers boat rental options for you to spend four or eight hours out on the water. Trade in your wings for a captain’s hat and live like a local for the day. You can even rent fishing poles, bait and tackle, too.

Treasure Coast Boat Rentals at the Fisherman’s Wharf Marina can be reached at (772) 466-4680.

6:00pm – Bites at 121 Tapas On The Water: After an action-packed day, grab a few small bites at 121 Tapas On The Water located on the Indian River. Offering great tapas dishes of Italian, European, Mediterranean and American cuisines, you’ll be able to try all kinds of flavors before firing up the plane and heading back home to Ridge Landing.

– 121 Tapas On The Water can be reached at (772) 781-0943.

Sports Fanatic

9:00 am – Tee Time at PGA Village: Enjoy being on ground level the best way you know how – on fairways and putting greens. St. Lucie has over 20 beautifully kept golf courses, each with an array of amenities and ranging to each end of the price scale. But perhaps you might want to take a swing at famous PGA Village in Port St. Lucie. With a 35-acre practice facility, two Tom Fazio-designed courses and the third by Pete Dye, you can practice your drive, play the back 9 or the full 18 like a pro; the choice is yours.

– Visit St. Lucie’s Tourism Page to check out a full list of golf courses open to the public.

fun flying destinationsPGA Village; photo via http://leslieandrewsgolf.com

~1:30 pm – Scope Out The NY Mets At Spring Training: Head over to St. Lucie in March and you can catch the New York Mets in Spring Training at Tradition Field. Whether you’re a Mets fan or not, Spring Training games are always a good time because they’re a unique insider’s look at the upcoming season. Plus, Tradition Field has delicious ballpark food. Offering the obvious – Nathan’s hot dogs and your expected domestic brews – the ballpark also has Ulti-Met Grill behind home plate when you can score a Brooklyn Lager and a burger.

– Check Spring Training Connection for the schedule once it is released.

6:30 pm – Dinner at Tail-Gators Brews & Grill: To finish out your sports-filled day, end with a meal at local Port St. Lucie sports bar, Tail-Gators Brews & Grill. You’ll enjoy American fare food and catch the game you wanted to see on one of their many TV’s around the restaurant.

– Call the sports bar at (772) 879-2700 with any questions.

Looking for Leisure? 

florida aviation destinations

Photo: “Pau Hana” sailboat / www.pineappleprincessllc.com

Still not sure what to do for a day in St. Lucie? If you’re a leisure lover, why not pack a beach bag and hang out on the glimmering shoreline or schedule a calm sailing trip. With a host of shopping and dining destinations within the area, you’re sure to find an activity best suited for your day well spent in St. Lucie.

No matter your idea of fun, you can find it just a few miles from the airport when you take the short 30-minute trip from Ridge Landing. So what are you waiting for?

Have you been to St. Lucie? Tell us your favorite part in the comments!