Playtime in the Panhandle
Florida’s Atlantic Coast has the A1A. The Gulf Coast has Tamiami Trail. And the Panhandle has the 30A - one of the most scenic highways you will ever travel. This two-lane road hugs the coastline and rubs shoulders with some of this area’s most iconic beaches. Stop and play in the sand, frolic in the Gulf waves, grab a frosty drink at a beach bar, or explore a quaint beach town. 30A culture is inspired by the area’s small town, laid back lifestyle - so get ready to reach ultimate relaxation!
The Road to Playtime
30A is so iconic that it even has its own lifestyle brand, offering apparel, gear, e-bikes, and more. They even support the ecosystem of the Florida coast with clothing made from recycled water bottles! Visit this brand’s website to discover local events, accommodations, and even beach cams to further entice you to visit this area.
30a.com
Welcome to a Classic Vacation Destination in Destin
The sun is out and the water is fine in Destin, one of the top destinations to visit in the summer months. This is the epitome of a waterfront vacation spot, featuring both the emerald waves of the Gulf of Mexico and the shimmering waters of the Destin Harbor. Boating, snorkeling, watersports and more are ready to keep you refreshed, and waterfront shops, dining, and entertainment keep you relaxed.
Destin Harbor, at the heart of the Emerald Coast, is home to the largest for-hire fishing fleet in the U.S. Depending on the season, charters will fill your boat with amberjack, red snapper, triggerfish, cobia, grouper and many other fish indigenous to the area. Perhaps this abundance of fish, combined with beautiful water and breathtaking views, is what has earned Destin the title of “World’s Luckies Fishing Village” - because you’ll certainly feel luck to be here!
Perhaps one of the most popular ways to spend your day on the water in Destin is to float in the warm Gulf waters while enjoying the sunshine. Crab Island is a popular spot for pontoon boats, due to its shallower and calm waters and beautiful backdrop of the city. There is even an inflatable waterpark that floats on water!
There are countless amazing accommodations, but a common favorite - especially for those planning an Emerald Coast wedding - is Emerald Grande at Harborwalk Village, for its incredible location, scenic views, and luxurious feel. Their location on the Destin Harbor offers expansive scenery, and their resort pool is probably where your family will be spending a lot of time. You could probably hang out in your room for a lot of time as well, as the Emerald Grande has beautiful and spacious suites that make it easy to relax. When you want to venture out, you can go shopping in the adjacent Harborwalk Village, a destination in and of itself that offers retail, dining, and entertainment choices. The Village also offers many aquatic rentals, outfitters, and dolphin tours! The best part of staying here is how easy it is to enjoy so many things as a family here and all in one place!
emeraldgrande.com
Discover true community in Seagrove Beach
Family businesses help make this a classic beach vacation destination. Seagrove’s collection of lush oak trees, magnolias, and laid back, yet luxurious lifestyles makes it a favorite of longtime South Walton visitors. The landscape is complemented by its diverse mix of boutiques, casual cafes and an altogether upbeat ambiance.
Dining at Café Thirty-A is a tradition. This South Walton favorite was one of the first to establish a foothold along Highway 30A. Not far to the west, on Highway 395, Seagrove Village Market is a must for succulent shrimp po boys and good old nostalgia, having been part of the Seagrove community since 1949. To the east (overlooking the appropriately named Eastern Lake), Old Florida Fish House is the perfect place for lunch or dinner. You don’t want to miss out on their renowned sushi and live music.
The proximity demands that visitors explore Deer Lake State Park and Eastern Lake, and biking along the Timpoochee Trail in Seagrove is the preferred way to get around. Seagrove is welcoming a new Regional Beach Access in 2021, making it even easier to dig your toes into the sugar-white sand.
A stay in Seagrove is full of adventure. WaterColor Inn is nestled on nearly 500 acres of sugar-white sand beach and surrounded by 1,400 linear feet of beachfront and pine forests alongside Western Lake, the state’s second-largest naturally occurring coastal dune lake. The 60-room inn offers deluxe accommodations designed by David Rockwell, each overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and donning a pair of Adirondack chairs on the patio (and on the first floor, a private outdoor cabana shower). Perfectly encapsulating the spirit of an intimate beach getaway—while providing the functionality necessary for a family vacation—the freshly redecorated beachfront rooms bring the outdoors in, mere footsteps from the sand. From the soft linens to the spa-inspired toiletries, every well-appointed room offers a relaxing and comfortable seaside oasis.
watercolorresort.com
Uncover Natural Beauty in Blue Mountain Beach
Natural beauty and relaxation go hand-in-hand in Blue Mountain Beach. Sugar-white sand and turquoise water perfectly complement stunning blue lupine flowers. This beach neighborhood draws its name from the blue lupine flowers that sway in the coastal breeze and the fact that the area is home to South Walton’s highest elevation (a mountainous 65 feet)! Hop on a bike at Big Daddy’s Bike Shop and make your way to the art gallery of South Walton’s 2005 Artist of the Year, Justin Gaffrey. Even before you enter, you’ll catch glimpses of his unique style on full display.
The South Walton sun can be warm, so be sure to cool down at Blue Mountain Creamery where handmade ice cream is a local favorite. Live music, a great happy hour and fresh Gulf seafood will greet you at Red Fish Taco, a casual restaurant across Hwy 30A in Redfish Village. From the authentic street tacos and pork carnitas to the grilled avocado and blackened shrimp tacos, your taste buds will come alive.
Enjoy all this natural beauty with a stay at one of the properties offered by Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals and Real Estate. Their star property in Blue Mountain Beach is Thirty Blu, a condo building with deluxe accommodations and a private rooftop deck. Stroll about in your beach attire in this laid back community, whether you’re heading to the beach that is just steps away, or the local restaurants and shops.
oceanreefresorts.com
Uncover History and Adventure in Pensacola
The Pensacola Bay Area is famous for its natural beauty and historic culture - yet it never stops accommodating the latest attractions and events. A unique destination where locals and tourists alike find themselves enjoying a vast array of adventures and experiences. From the hustle and bustle of the Uptown area to the brick paved sidewalks of Downtown to miles and miles of shoreline...museums, outdoor activities, fine dining, festivals, concerts, and award-winning sugar-white beaches are only a glimpse of what Pensacola has in store for you.
While the beaches are popular spots for visitors, don't miss out on visiting one of the many diverse museums that boast of Pensacola history and culture. Step back in time downtown at Historic Pensacola's flagship museum T. T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum and the Voices of Pensacola multicultural center. Satisfy any art lover with a stroll through The Pensacola Museum of Art’s permanent collection, featuring works by Picasso, Warhol, Dali and more.
When you're looking for a creative way to keep your whole family entertained, have no fear! Pensacola boasts plenty of fun-filled attractions that offer everything from go-karts to goofy golf; from outrageous water slides to ziplining adventures; from indoor skate parks to indoor trampoline parks.
This colonial-era seaport has been welcoming visitors since Spanish explorer Don Tristan de Luna first encamped here in 1559. These days, thankfully, the accommodations are much more inviting. New World Inn brings together the charm of old-world Southern hospitality in a quiet atmosphere just moments from the bustling cultural scene of Palafox Street. One of Pensacola's legendary restaurants, Skopelos at New World, is located on site offering a menu of coastal cuisine and an award winning wine list.
newworldlanding.com
Soak in the Sun in Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach, named one of the top three beach in the United States by TripAdvisor, has 27 miles of beautiful beaches to choose from - and you'll find a different experience at each stop along the way. feel free to kick back under an umbrella with a good book, while your family frolics in the waves. Start a game of beach volleyball, or gather everyone for a bike ride along the beach. Stop by Barley’s Bike Rental, so you can explore the beach on two wheels, where you will be surrounded by the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast.
Adrenaline junkies love it here, too. Enjoy a day on the water with an unguided Jet Ski tour. Feel the Gulf spray and the warm sun as you sail across the waves on a Yamaha Vx110. Cruise to nearby Shell Island, where dolphins frolic close to the shore in the famous emerald green waters. Book a parasailing excursion through Adventures at Sea. Once you strap in and leave the earth behind, gravity becomes a suggestion rather than a rule. Let the noise of the world and all its cares recede below you. Book a airboat tour through Airboats Gone Wild and explore a labyrinth of creeks, islands, and marshes inaccessible to other modes of transportation. They’ll take you off the beaten path where the wildest of wildlife dwells.
You can’t visit Panama City without staying at a beach resort. Known as the "FUN Place!" to stay, the Sandpiper Beacon is a Panama City Beach resort located directly on the beach. With a special emphasis on providing so many activities, and so much entertainment, many guests never leave during their vacation! Have fun at the indoor and outdoor heated pools, lazy river ride, water slides, mini golf, live entertainment, a beachfront Tiki Bar, beach chair & sailboat rentals, hot tub, shuffleboard, arcade game room, on-site deli and restaurant, gift shop, ice cream & frozen yogurt shop, and more!
sandpiperbeacon.com
Wherever 30A takes you in Florida’s Panhandle, you’re going to have a good time! So, grab your sunglasses, suitcase, and sunscreen, and hit the road.
