7 Whimsical Towns to Visit on Florida's Emerald Coast
The Emerald Coast in Florida is a popular travel destination, and for good reason. With porcelain sandy beaches, emerald waters, and charming communities, who could ask for a better place to vacation? The Emerald coastline faces the stunning Gulf of Mexico, so it is no wonder the towns around are so beautiful. Many of them, such as Santa Rosa Beach, are also near huge wildlife preserves, which are the perfect place to take a hike or go bird watching.
While all the towns on the Emerald Coast are undeniably whimsical, each of them has a different vibe. Rosemary Beach, for example, has an upscale atmosphere, with classy dining experiences and cute boutiques. Alys Beach, on the other hand, has a laid-back atmosphere. Whatever you are looking for in a getaway on the Emerald Coast, there is a town for you. Explore the seven most whimsical towns to visit on Florida's Emerald Coast.
Destin
Located on the edge of the Continental Shelf, Destin is a Florida paradise for seafood lovers. Commonly referred to as, "the world's luckiest fishing village," Destin is near the gathering place of several fish. Some of the most common fish you will find in the waters here include blackfin tuna, grouper, amberjack, and king mackerel. Besides enjoying the fish, you can spend time relaxing on one of Destin's beaches.
A few beautiful ones include Henderson Beach State Park and O'Steen Public Beach Access. Enjoy views of the fish by snorkeling on the beach with Emerald Coast Scuba. You might catch a glimpse of rays, fish, nurse sharks, or sea turtles. After enjoying the shores of the Destin beaches, head over to HarborWalk Village to enjoy good food and check out local shops.
Rosemary Beach
Just east of Destin is a charming town known as Rosemary Beach. If you want to experience elegance on Florida's Emerald Coast, Rosemary Beach is the place to go. The town is full of boutiques and upscale dining experiences. Walking around town, be prepared to enjoy European-inspired architecture with cobblestone streets. For amazing views of the Emerald Coast while you are dining, check out the Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar.
If you are a book lover, make sure to stop in at The Hidden Lantern Bookstore. The store has over 12,000 titles of books in different genres. Many of the beaches in Rosemary Beach are private, but there are some that have public access. One is at Camp Helen State Park. The park has one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida and is a site to behold. You can enjoy hiking, canoeing, birding, and swimming at Camp Helen State Park.
Seaside
One of the most whimsical towns to visit on Florida's Emerald Coast is Seaside. Movie lovers might recognize the town as the setting of "The Truman Show." Seaside possesses an unparalleled beauty, with pastel-colored cottages, clear, emerald-green water, and white-sand beaches. Enjoy the scenery by biking through town on the 18-mile Timpoochee Trail. Those looking to spend more time exploring the outdoors should pay a visit to Grayton Beach State Park. Just a mile from Seaside, the park has something for everyone. There are trails that go through the coastal forest to explore and a beautiful beach to swim in.
Closer to town, Seaside also has its own beach with public access. For a break from exploring the outdoors, visit the local theater in town, The Repertory Theatre, and see a show.
Alys Beach
Right on beautiful 30A, Alys Beach is a place known for its graceful architecture and quiet, pristine beaches. This is the perfect town to rent a bike and drive around Florida's stunning 30A area. Unlike many beach towns in the area, Alys Beach has a distinct Mediterranean-style architecture. Walk around with your camera, ready to take stunning photos of beautiful homes and buildings. Some unique landmarks in the town are the Alys Beach Tower and the Caliza Pool.
The architecture adds to the upscale, graceful atmosphere of the town. Around Alys Beach, there are cute cafes and boutiques. A popular café is Fonville Press Market and Cafe. The café has a charming outdoor patio with green and white striped umbrellas, and nearby there are beautiful beaches with porcelain sands to enjoy.
Navarre
The filming spot of the famous Jaws II, Navarre, is home to a tranquil coastline. This town is the perfect spot to snorkel in an artificial reef, go for a hike, or swim in the crystal clear waters. Just a short drive from Navarre's beach is the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refugee. The nonprofit works towards helping animals in the area and operates an educational program. Navarre Beach also has a Sea Turtle Conservation Center. The center has interactive exhibits so people can learn more about sea turtle conservation.
For those looking to explore local cuisine, the Navarre Seafood Market is an opportunity to sample the region's most popular cuisine. If you would rather go straight to the restaurant, check out Juana’s Pagodas and Sailors’ Grill.
Santa Rosa Beach
The magic of Florida's town, Santa Rosa Beach, is in its laid-back vibe and charming community. The town is near many parks and nature preserves that span thousands of acres. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is one of the most unique parks near Santa Rosa Beach. Named for its Coastal dunes, the park has a rare coastal ecosystem of freshwater dune lakes. This is a great spot for hiking because of the variety of ecosystems.
Expect to see beautiful emerald waters, old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunes, and wetlands. Another great park to visit in town is Point Washington State Forest. To learn the local history and enjoy the outdoors pay a visit to Eden Gardens State Park, and afterward explore the historic Wesley House mansion and gardens.
Panama City Beach
Some of Florida's most beautiful beaches are in Panama City Beach. The town has almost 100 public beach accesses and 27 miles of beach. If you find the beaches too loud, visit Shell Island. This is a seven-mile island that has no development and can only be accessed by boat. Nearby, St Andrews State Park also has undeveloped beaches.
The town is also known for its shopping and nightlife. The Pier Park hub is a 900,000+ square-foot Florida shopping center to enjoy. Whether you are looking to relax or have an adventure, you will have a great time in Panama City Beach.
Plan Your Visit
The Emerald Coast has undeniably beautiful white sandy shores and emerald waters. However, the coast also has whimsical towns full of opportunities for adventure and relaxation. In Santa Rosa Beach, you can take a trip to Topsail Hill State Park and see coastal dunes. And in Alys Beach, you can enjoy unique architecture, pristine beaches, and cute cafes. Whatever adventure you are looking for, there is something for everyone in these whimsical towns on Florida's Emerald Coast.
