7 Close-Knit Towns to Visit in Florida's Emerald Coast
While Florida’s largest cities, such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale, certainly have lively beach scenes, Florida locals will tell you the real secret to a relaxing vacation in Florida lies within the small towns of the Emerald Coast. Turquoise waters, white sands, lively seaside restaurants, and central fishing piers provide both locals and tourists with the perfect setting to relax and enjoy quality time with loved ones. Dreaming of the perfect Florida vacation but having trouble choosing your relaxing paradise? Look no further than these seven laid-back and close-knit coastal communities.
Santa Rosa Beach
Located just east of Destin, Santa Rosa Beach is South Walton’s largest beach neighborhood, close to nature preserves, acclaimed restaurants, and historic homes. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park awaits visitors with ancient dunes, coastal dune lakes, old-growth forests, and aquatic wildlife, while the 15,100-acre Point Washington State Forest offers expansive longleaf pine forests to explore.
In Eden Gardens State Park, travelers can also visit Wesley Mansion, a beautiful home dating back to the 1890s. Those who want to enjoy innovative, southern-style coastal cuisine with a sunset view must visit Vue on 30a, an upscale, waterfront restaurant with meals created by esteemed chef Chef Christopher Mayhue.
Grayton Beach
Having earned the motto, “Nice dogs, strange people”, Grayton Beach is a vibrant coastal community with a unique art scene, beautiful white-sand beaches, and a colorful shopping village. For a truly memorable experience, scuba divers can visit the Underwater Museum of Art, located about a mile from the coast, featuring a number of underwater sculptures created by artists from around the world.
For a laid-back meal and live music, AJ’s Grayton Beach is a weekend favorite where visitors can gather and unwind. Those in search of a peaceful escape and quality family time can visit Grayton Beach State Park, featuring one of the country’s most pristine beaches and four miles of hiking trails that wind through a unique coastal forest ecosystem. Early risers can appreciate the park’s renowned sunrise as well!
Miramar Beach
Visitors might find it hard to believe that Miramar Beach is home to fewer than 10,000 residents, given its lively recreational, culinary, and resort scene. Adventurous travelers can often be found renting jet skis or soaring over the water on a parasail, while tennis enthusiasts will enjoy a match at Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort, home to six championship clay courts. The South Walton area features stunning reefs to explore by kayak or paddleboard, including Dolphin Reef, a popular spot for snorkelers.
Prefer to spend your vacation on solid ground? The Silver Sands Premium Outlets is a paradise for shoppers, with over 100 stores, restaurants, and name-brand outlets to explore. To unwind after an eventful day in Miramar Beach, visitors can enjoy a glass of wine and a savory meal at Vin’tij Food & Wine, a vibrant wine bar.
Rosemary Beach
Rosemary Beach has become popular among tourists for its quaint, cobblestone streets and neotraditional architecture, feeling like a nostalgic trip to the past. Visitors can stroll along Main Street’s brick sidewalks, popping into boutiques and antique shops. The town hall is a prime example of the town’s architecture as well, constructed in the 1990s and featuring high ceilings, stucco walls, and a prominent Dutch West Indies parapet roof.
To enjoy lounging on the beach, visitors can head over to Camp Helen State Park, a 180-acre park popular for swimming, hiking, and fishing. For a taste of classic Southern hospitality, visitors can stay at The Rosemary Beach Inn, a cozy 11-room European-style boutique offering king-sized beds, beach chairs for guests, and even complimentary court time at the Rosemary Beach Racquet Club.
Pensacola Beach
Stretching along the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola Beach is a must-visit destination for those looking to relax in clear waters and enjoy pristine, untouched beaches. Due to its more remote location, it's not uncommon to spot Great Blue Herons and Ospreys wading along the coastline or catch a glimpse of an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin in the water.
The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier is also a popular gathering spot in town, offering panoramic views of the sea and a great place to fish for Bluefish, spotted seatrout, and Pompano. In the summer months, the town remains well connected with its trolley service, offering free rides to tourists and locals alike. For a seaside, tropical-style meal and drink, Laguna’s Beach Bar and Grill serves up casual lunches and dinners with postcard-perfect views.
Navarre
Nicknamed "Florida’s Most Relaxing Place," Navarre lives up to its reputation as a tranquil town with white sand beaches, wildlife refuges, artificial reefs, and a calm fishing pier. Just a 15-minute drive from town, travelers can visit the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, dedicated to rehabilitating marine wildlife like sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins.
The town of Navarre also has a close-knit community atmosphere, regularly hosting events like the weekly Saturday Farmers Market, an annual Christmas festival, and a Christmas Market, where visitors can shop for both souvenirs and holiday gifts. To enjoy a meal at Navarre’s oldest, family-owned restaurant, travelers must dine at Windjammers on the Pier, which boasts beachfront views.
Gulf Breeze
With its family-centered atmosphere, Gulf Breeze is an ideal vacation spot for families, offering plenty of kid-friendly attractions and restaurants. The Gulf Breeze Zoo offers an entertaining afternoon for both adults and children, featuring over 800 animals, narrated train rides, a boardwalk where visitors can spot zebras, rhinos, and antelope, and interactive animal encounters.
Those wanting to see native wildlife in its natural habitat can enjoy a snorkeling tour or dolphin cruise with Frisky Mermaid Tour Company. Families can also enjoy a beachside meal at Crabs We Got 'Em, an open-air restaurant that features a playground on the premises for kids.
Final Thoughts
The Florida Emerald Coast, with its vibrant beachside villages, emerald-like waters, and pristine white sands, will remind visitors of a distant, Caribbean island. Nature preserves, national seashores, and wildlife refuges further add to the area’s natural beauty. Whether you are seeking relaxation or adventure, these seven destinations provide the perfect atmosphere for every type of traveler to unwind and experience Florida’s best-kept paradise.
