A.E. Backus Gallery & Museum, 500 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. Features works of Florida landscape artist A.E. Backus and rotating exhibits of Treasure Coast artists. Open Wednesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Monday & Tuesday. Summer hours by appointment. Web site: www.backusgallery.com. Call 772.465.0630

Heathcote Botanical Gardens, 210 Savannah Road, Fort Pierce. Themed botanical gardens including a Japanese bonsai garden. Gift shop. Open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; open Sundays from Nov.-April, 1-5p.m. Closed for major holidays. Web site: www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org Call 772.464.4672

Hallstrom Planetarium at Indian River State College, 3209 Virginia Ave. at 35th Street, Fort Pierce. Planetarium offers several star shows each season on Fridays and Saturdays only. Excellent for children as well as adults. Web site: www.irsc.edu and use Quicklinks box. Tickets: 800.220.9915

Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, 3300 North A1A, Fort Pierce.
Museum featuring the “Frogmen” of World War II who trained on Fort Pierce beaches. Open Monday (January-April only) 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday noon-4 p.m. Web site: www.navysealmuseum.com Call 772.595.5845

St. Lucie County Historical Museum, 414 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce. The history of St. Lucie County in the museum, and the 1907 Gardner House, are there to enjoy wandering through. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Web site: www.stlucieco.gov/history

Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit Center, 420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce. Visitors can explore six marine habitats and learn about marine ecosystems. Behind-the-scenes tour every Saturday, 2-2:45 p.m. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Web site: www.sms.si.edu/SMEE/smeehome.htm Call 772.462.3474

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Discovery Center, 5600 N. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce. Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits, displays, aquariums, small theater. Learn about marine life, habitats and research. Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Nov. 27-28; Dec. 24-26; and Jan. 1, 2010. Web site: www.fau.edu/hboi Call 772.465.2400

Oxbow Eco-Center, 5400 N. E. St. James Drive, Port St. Lucie. Environmental learning center on 225 acres with winding walking trails, guided tours, programs, canoe launch; center built with “green” technology. Open Monday-Friday noon to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; trails open 365 days dawn to dusk. Web site: www.stlucieco.gov/erd/oxbow Call 772.785.5833

Manatee Observation and Education Center, 480 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. At the intersection of the Indian River and Moore’s Creek, the center offers viewing outdoors of wild manatees in their natural habitat, and indoor exhibits. Open January-June Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-4 p.m.; July-September Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; October-December Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-4 p.m. Web site: www.manateecenter.com Call 772.466.1600, Ext. 3333

Tradition Field Stadium, 525 N.W. Peacock Blvd, Port St. Lucie. Home of the New York Mets spring training, St. Lucie Mets games, community activities and events. Web site: www.stlucieco.gov/parks/trad_field.htm Call 772.871.5476