11 Best Small Towns To Visit In Florida's Emerald Coast
The best small towns in Florida’s Emerald Coast stand out by offering an enchanting beach atmosphere that no other state can compete with, whether through classy resorts or a unique island setting. However, since all the charming small towns enjoy a similar natural atmosphere, the best of them compete for tourism by differentiating themselves with competitive advantages such as entertainment destinations, an abundance of outdoor activities, and vacation-focused offerings.
Seaside
Opening our list of the best small towns to visit in Florida’s Emerald Coast is the breathtaking Seaside that brims with pastel-colored homes and shops. Small businesses' architecture and local efforts differentiate this town from the rest of Florida's beach and island towns. Artistically designed beachfront pavilions and historic landmarks will highlight your visit to one of the gorgeous towns the sunshine state offers. Popular tourist attractions include the historic post office, the Modica community market, and the iconic seaside beach that boasts the artistic nine pavilions, adding a classy vibe to the white sandy shorelines.
Grayton Beach
Despite Florida’s Emerald Coast offering some of the best beaches, Grayton Beach takes things a few steps further with its vibrant, eclectic atmosphere. The town is famed for its art galleries, Grayton Beach State Park, and a world-class funky bar known as the Funky Dive Bar. Embrace the scenic gulf views, and indulge in a local dining experience at local freshly-caught seafood restaurants such as Hurricane Oyster Bar, Grayton Seafood Company, and Nambu Noodle Bar. Watersport fanatics can charter a boat and find local fishing trip tours on the pristine sunkissed beaches, then browse local businesses and galleries when back on land. Popular art galleries and tourist attractions in the area include The Zoo Gallery, Modus Art Gallery, and Destin History & Fishing Museum.
Miramar Beach
As one of Florida’s most sought-after swimming spots, this coastal gem offers endless opportunities to explore the coastline and indulge in thrilling water activities like jet skiing and kayaking. Prepare to be captivated by the surrounding natural wonders of sunkissed shores and palm tree-decorated streets. Aside from the breathtaking beach vibe, you can find a classy, welcoming ambiance at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, boasting a variety of small wooden shops, restaurants, and entertainment businesses. A few of the many unique small-businesses to visit include Another Broken Egg Cafe, Drunken Goat Saloon, Hammer Heads Bar & Grill, Roberto’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar, and Slick Lips Seafood. For family fun, check out Rainforest Black Light Golf & Arcade for ageless entertainment, including mini golf, laser tag, and more.
Destin
Nicknamed the world’s luckiest fishing village, Destin is home to the calming atmosphere of state-significant landmarks, entertainment districts of adventure parks and boardwalks, and secluded luxurious dining experiences. The isolated Crab Island Bar will be one of the highlights of your visits to Destin, along with the quaint Destin Harbor Boardwalk and community events like the Wednesday Night Concert Series and the Destin Fishing Rodeo. A range of golf courses, such as the Kelly Plantation Golf Club and Sandestin Golf Resort, are havens for enthusiasts seeking to zone out into a piece of mind. At the same time, cotton candy sunsets will be the cherry on top of the experience, following you wherever you go.
Fort Walton
If the beach escape and watersport experience is not your prominent motive for visiting Florida’s emerald coast, look no further than the entertainment-centric town of Fort Walton, from international restaurants like Givoni’s One89 Italian restaurant to educational destinations like the Emerald Coast Science Center and Native Indian Temple Mound Museum. Find family fun at Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone, from rollercoasters to 4D movie theaters and activities such as the 60-foot rope course and bungee trampoline. Fort Walton is also located just a hop away from other charming towns on this list like Niceville, Destin and Seaside, which are acessible by waters, and make for a perfect small-town hopping trip.
Crestview
Located in Okaloosa County, Crestview is known to be the coldest town in the Sunshine State, nicknamed “The Icebox of Florida.” The closest you’ll get to the typical American small-town stereotype of welcoming locals, small family-owned businesses, and a strong sense of local community, Crestview balances greenery like no other Emerald Coast town on this list. Twin Hill Park, Henderson Beach State Park, and the Emerald Coast Zoo are among the key destinations that make Crestview stand out from nearby beach-centric destinations. The town is also famed for its boozy heritage of distilleries and liquor businesses, such as the wooden Timber Creek Distillery, Peaden Brothers Distillery, and Tom Thumb Liquor’s extensive international selection.
Niceville
20 miles away from Crestview, sitting between Freeport and Fort Walton, is the charming small town of Niceville, home to one of the largest military bases in the world. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Recreation Area, the County Club, and the Turkey Creek Natural Trail are among the key destinations that differentiate the town from other charming Emerald Cost towns. Community events such as the Festival of the Arts, Boggy Fest, and Beer, Bourbon & BBQ annual fest add to the town's charm and make for a memorable family weekend vacation or an activity-rich romantic getaway.
Navarre
Once a hidden gem town nicknamed “Florida’s Best Kept Secret,” Navarre is a unique town for its vibrantly colored waterfront rentals and iconic seafood dining experiences such as the Sailor’s Grill, Scooter’s Fish House, and East Bay Crab House. With the significant increase in popularity as a vacation destination, Navarre developed a new tagline throughout the years as “Florida’s most relaxing Place” for its calming atmosphere of resorts, beautiful gulf coast sceneries, and uncrowded pristine beaches. Catch a peace of mind stargazing on the beach, find cotton candy sunsets, and discover another side to the vacation experience at the nearby Gulf Island National Seashore with preserved wildlife and aesthetically tranquilizing views.
Gulf Breeze
A small town in Santa Rosa County, Gulf Breeze sits on a peninsula between Pensacola to the west and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. The city is famed for its quality of life and family-centric atmosphere, from the top-notch parks to educational facilities where you can learn about American history. Gulf Breeze's best family-friendly destinations include Naval Aviation Museum, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, and Fort Pickens National Park campgrounds. However, the town doesn’t limit its fun to kids and families, as you can enjoy a toned-down nightlife at its popular pubs and restaurants, such as Seville Quarter, The Country Gym, and Islander Lounge’s cocktail bar.
Panama City Beach
A popular resort and vacation destination offering endless aquatic, Panama City Beach is a charming town with some of the world's highest concentrations of bottlenose dolphins. The town boasts a range of shopping opportunities tailored towards tourists and visitors, from gift shops to popular brand names. Retail therapy is one of the main motives for visiting Panama City Beach. Some of the best shopping experiences are at Pier Park, a local business district lined with a vast range of international dining options. The town draws in millions of visitors annually and is ranked as one of Florida’s best beach towns, differentiating it from the many hidden gems on this list of small towns in Florida’s Emerald Coast.
Alys Beach
Finally, back to hidden gems and artistically affluent towns, Alys Beach is one of the smallest and most luxurious beach escapes with extreme artistic detail accentuated through unique architectural designs. The beautiful village is named after Alys Stephens, an interior designer who played a crucial role in establishing the slow-paced town, purchased as private property in 1970. The Stephen family envisioned a white-sand beach town like no other and worked to create a town that stands out from the rest of Emerald Coast towns. Custom minimal white villas, lavish restaurants, and aesthetically calming nature-centric trails give Alys Beach its unique touch. Popular dining destinations in town include Raw & Juicy, Mojito Alley, and Caliza Restaurant.
While many will travel abroad to the Mediterranean and tropical islands in Asia, the ultimate beach escape experiences are no further than Florida's Emerald Coast. Whether you're seeking to zone out and catch a tan under the sun, party your way to peace, or embark on a historically educating trip, this list of the best small towns in Florida's Emerald Coast has something for all interests.
