9 of the Most Welcoming Towns on Florida's Emerald Coast
Florida’s Emerald Coast is dotted with distinctive small towns, welcoming visitors with fine, white sands and plenty of sun. The sunshine state's panhandle beaches earned their nickname from the striking color of the gulf waters, and the sugary sand is made up of bits of quartz crystals washed down to the Gulf of Mexico for thousands of years through rivers from the Appalachian Mountains. Deep-sea fishing is a popular pastime in the region, and the area boasts fresh seafood with catches unique to the warm, clear waters, including snapper, grouper, and amberjack. The beaches and gulf waters are not all the area has to offer. Locals along the Emerald Coast are friendly, and the towns are laid-back yet vibrant. There is an array of shopping, dining, and family-friendly activities for all interests.
Destin
Leonard Destin, the founder of Destin, Florida, was one of the fishermen who settled the town in 1845. Destin is dubbed the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village," and it boasts the largest fishing fleet in Florida. Diving and snorkeling are popular recreational activities, as well as golf, tennis, and other water sports. The Destin History and Fishing Museum gives visitors a closer look at the marine history of the area.
The City of Destin's Harbor Boardwalk is about a quarter mile long and lined with seafood restaurants and marinas. Destin's HarborWalk Village is filled with family-oriented activities, restaurants, boutiques, and more.
Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, sits about eight miles west of Destin. The welcoming stretch of downtown with its hip vibe includes a burger joint, a surf shop, and more, and it hosts art walks and farmers markets. Near the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, guests can view turtles, dolphins, seals, penguins, stingrays, and alligators. Visitors can learn about animals and explore Emerald Coast Science Center technology exhibits. For outdoor enthusiasts, the area near the gulf and waterways allows fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Also nearby is the Air Force Armament Museum, the only one of its kind in the world dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting Air Force Armament artifacts and memorabilia.
Grayton Beach
In Grayton Beach, Florida, visitors will feel they are discovering a tucked-away treasure. The narrow streets of eclectic beach cottages and shacks summon old Florida’s Key West conch comes to mind. The Grayton House was built in 1895 and is one of the oldest structures in the area; once called the Washaway Inn, it now sits downtown near the gulf. A short walk from the house is The Red Bar, an iconic local institution known for live music.
One local attraction practicing preservation is the nearly 2,000-acre Grayton Beach State Park, where visitors can fish or paddle Western Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake, or stay in a park cabin. The park also features hiking, cycling, and birding.
Navarre
Welcoming Emerald Coast beach town, Navarre brands itself "Florida's Most Relaxing Place" due to its slow pace and relatively low amount of tourism compared to places like nearby Destin. Visitors can learn more about conservation at the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station and the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. At the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, which is the longest fishing pier in the Gulf of Mexico at 1,545 feet long, guests can rent a fishing pole or dine at the outdoor restaurant.
Outdoor activities in the Navarre area include relaxing on the pristine beaches, diving and snorkeling, fishing, biking, and golfing. Kayaking on the Blackwater River is also a peaceful way to enjoy the scenic nature in the peaceful waterways.
Niceville
Like Navarre, Niceville, Florida, is a place visitors can go to escape the tourism of Destin and surrounding beach towns. Niceville sits along Choctawhatchee Bay, and as the town's name would suggest, it is filled with friendly and hospitable locals. Originally called "Boggy, Florida," it became "Niceville" in 1910. In the 1840s, Englishman William Nathey settled in the town and built a gristmill in the Niceville area in 1857. The millstones, the town's oldest artifacts from the pioneer settlement, are still there today.
Guests can drive to the gulf for some time at the beach or visit Turkey Creek Nature Trail, a local outdoor attraction with swimming spots. The creek itself is ideal for tubing, canoeing, and kayaking. The site also offers a pavilion for gatherings and a nature boardwalk for wildlife watching. Visitors can find a variety of birds, ducks, turtles, and more.
Pensacola Beach
Just across Pensacola Bay from Pensacola, Florida, Pensacola Beach welcomes visitors with a variety of activities for all ages. On a sunny day, it is not unusual to spot parasailers over the beach, and for the fishermen, there are two piers to fish from. The area boasts surfing, snorkeling and diving, paddleboarding, and more. Unique to the area is the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show, showcasing the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron stationed at Forrest Sherman Field Naval Air Station in Pensacola.
The Pensacola Beach Footprints in The Sand Eco Trail allow tourists to visit sites along the coastal barrier island and view plants and wildlife, such as dolphins, birds, fish, reptiles, crustaceans, and many more species.
Rosemary Beach
The distinctive architecture in Rosemary Beach, Florida, features the European Colonial influence of the West Indies and Caribbean and natural color palates and transports visitors to a tranquil retreat along scenic Highway 30A. Upscale boutiques and eateries line the town squares, and picturesque landscaping creates an ideal setting for an active lifestyle. Visitors can participate in activities such as yoga, Pilates, biking, and other outdoor fitness pursuits along the many lovely paths in the community.
Rosemary Beach also has many common areas for guests to enjoy. Outdoor events occur in the parks and green spaces around the town, but visitors can also lounge on the grass and read, play games, and picnic. Area parks include East Long Green Park, which features a knot garden, and Rosemary Beach Butterfly Park.
Santa Rosa Beach
The Santa Rosa Beach, Florida community is home to South Walton County's Coastal Dune Lakes, rare natural occurrences in only a few locations around the globe, including New Zealand, Australia, Madagascar, and South Walton, Florida. The mostly freshwater content sits within just a few feet of the Gulf’s salt water, and when the waters mix, for instance, after a rain, the result is a rare brackish ecosystem that is home to both fresh and salt-water species. Visitors can experience the unique bodies of water by kayak or paddleboard.
Gulf Place Town Center in Santa Rosa Beach features restaurants, shops, and a green space for concerts and other events. The walking and biking path along 30A makes an excellent place for strolling and biking. Established in 1969, Santa Rosa Golf and Beach Club boasts eighteen holes for golf enthusiasts.
Seaside
The colorful beach town of Seaside, Florida, was the location for the 1998 film "The Truman Show." The town welcomes visitors with its polished charm, including a tiny, white post office building with a red door. Another distinctive aspect of the town is the Airstream food trailers lining 30A, dubbed "Airstream Row." Behind the Airstreams is the open-air amphitheater, which hosts live music and performing arts events.
The idyllic town often hosts weddings and gatherings, making an unforgettable backdrop for outdoor activities such as running or biking. Seaside, with its well-established merchants and family-friendly appeal, is a destination for all ages.
Discover Florida's Coastal Charms
The beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, with their glassy blue gulf waters and powdery white sand, are must-see destinations for visitors who enjoy sun and surf. The welcoming towns of Florida's Emerald Coast will also interest nature lovers, as well as those with an active lifestyle. Fresh seafood and friendly locals add to the allure of the beach towns in this region, where there is more to discover than meets the eye.
