The Best Small Towns in Florida's Emerald Coast for a Weekend Retreat
Spanning 100 miles of beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches, Florida's Emerald Coast is known for its crystal clear emerald water and beautiful weather. The upper Gulf shoreline is full of soft, white sand beaches and is colloquially referred to as Florida's Sugar Coast. The coast is bustling with water sports such as snorkeling and fishing, outdoor dining and shows, as well as annual events such as the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival in Fort Walton Beach. There are numerous communities of varying sizes and character, offering a diverse set of vacations for those looking to escape to the Emerald Coast for the weekend.
Seaside
Just a short drive from the Grayson Beach State Park, Point Washington Wildlife State Forest, and the Walton Dunes Beach Access area, Seaside is a small Emerald Coast town surrounded by protected nature. Seaside prides itself on its routine visitors, attracting tourists from around the globe and inviting them back year after year. Directly on the sea, Seaside is best known for its outdoor recreation and infrastructure, with CC Boone offering bonfires directly on the beach. The Court is Seaside's boutique hotel, offering views of its lusciously maintained gardens, the downtown, and the beach. The Repertory Theatre and Seaside Amphitheatre host live shows and events year-round, and the downtown is known for its boutique shops, such as Cabana by the Seaside Style and the Shops of Ruskin.
Mexico Beach
A small community known for its "beach living without the crowds," Mexico Beach is one of the Emerald Coast's best spots for ecotourism. Within a short drive, there are 57 distinct ecosystem types ranging from white-sand beaches to savannas and freshwater springs. Explorers can spend the day paddling Wakulla Springs or Dead Lake, both within a short drive from town. The nearby St. George Island and Econfina River State Parks offer extensive protected hiking trails with starkly different terrain. The Driftwood Inn, El Governor Beachfront Resort, and Gulf View Motel each offer direct beach access and views for a weekend stay. Mexico Beach is also known for its recreational fishing, with people regularly catching King Mackerel, Mahi-Mahi, and Pompano, among countless other species. Alleykat Bay Charters, Charisma Charters, and Charter Boat Miss Mary all offer fishing tours for groups of different sizes and experience levels.
Niceville
Bluewater Bay Marina in Niceville, Florida.
On the shores of Choctawatchee Bay, this small town lives up to its name, as it is regularly regarded as one of the safest cities in the United States. Seeing an average of 343 days of sunshine each year with average gulf water temperatures sitting around 80 degrees, there is never a bad time to visit Niceville. Nearby, the Tarkiln Bayou Preserve and Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Parks offer excellent outdoor recreation for both day and overnight adventures. There are a few hotels in town, including a Holiday Inn and Best Western, that offer affordable and comfortable stays while visiting Niceville. The Eglin Gold Course services the area, offering beautifully maintained recreational facilities on Plew Lake.
WaterColor
Aerial beach view at the Watercolor Community Club in Watercolor, Florida. Editorial credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock.com
A resort town on the Emerald Coast, WaterColor is one of the best spots to sit back and relax on a beach vacation. WaterColor sits on Western Lake, a coastal dune lake where visitors can rent kayaks and paddle boards to explore the water and shoreline. One of the best places to stay is the WaterColor Inn & Resort, with rooms overlooking the shore. WaterColor is known for its blend of small-town charm with upscale luxuries and comfort. Within the resort, the WaterColor Beach Club has three pools, resort dining, cabana rentals, and private beach access. Some of the best spots to visit in town include the famous Old Florida Outfitters, The Wine Bar, and Fish out of Water restaurant.
Navarre
Aerial view of the beach in Navarre, Florida.
Home to world-famous white-sand beaches on Santa Rosa Island, Navarre is an excellent weekend vacation spot for the whole family. Within a short drive are the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, Gulf Breeze Zoo, and the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. Navarre Beach has excellent beaches and water for a day on the sand or floating in the water. Navarre is also primely situated for day trips out on the water for snorkeling, fishing, and diving. A resort town full of excellent places to stay, there is no shortage of hotels and vacation rentals to choose from. The Caribbean Beach Resort by ResortQuest, Navarre Beach Camping Resort, and Beach Colony Resort on Navarre Beach are all primely situated on the beach, but each offers a different vacation feel depending on your group's vacation style.
Freeport
Lone fisherman at Basin Bayou in Freeport, Florida.
Within an hour's drive of four airports, Freeport is an excellently located community along the Emerald Coast neighboring the Eglin Air Force Base. Also situated on Choctawatchee Bay, Freeport has ideal water and waterfront activities, allowing tourists to enjoy both play and rest during their vacation. The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is a 28,000-square-foot conservation center full of exhibits and classes for all ages eager to learn about the region's wildlife. Some of the best places to eat in town include Nick's Seafood Restaurant and Di'lishi Yogurt, Coffee & Smoothies. A visit to Freeport is incomplete without a stay at the Riverwalk Landing, which offers both cottage rentals and RV campsites surrounded by nature.
Apalachicola
Aerial view of Apalachicola, a small coastal community on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida's Panhandle.
With several cultural centers to visit, such as the Raney House Museum, Orman House Historic State Park, and the John Gorrie Museum State Park, along with its historic downtown, Apalachicola has more than a weekend's worth of activities to explore. Commonly referred to as "Oyster Town," this seaside community is known for its fresh seafood and excellent dining at spots such as Half Shell Dockside and The Station Raw Bar. Sitting on the Apalachicola Bay and River, there is endless fishing, boating, paddling, and hiking space to explore from town. Some of the best stays in town include the Gibson Inn and Water Street Hotel & Marina.
Panama City
View of Front Beach Road at sunrise in Panama City Beach, Florida.
One of the more famous small communities along the Emerald Coast, Panama City is full of outdoor and indoor attractions for all members of the family. From the ZooWorld Zoological Park, Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise, and Coconut Creek Family Park, there are more family activities to explore than possible in a single weekend. With 27 miles of world-class beaches, Panama City is also an ideal spot to spend a weekend relaxing and soaking up the sea and sun. For those looking for a romantic getaway, consider a visit to the Serenity Spa, Tootside's Orchid Lounge, or a sunset cruise through the Grand Lagoon run by Island Time Sailing Cruises. With everything from beach houses to campgrounds and extensive resorts, there is no shortage of options for lodging in town. Consider a luxurious stay at St. Andrews Bay or a family-focused outdoor retreat at Camp Helen.
Discover Emerald Coast's Charms
With its world-class beaches, nature reserves, and parks, and close proximity to airports, as well as major Floridian cities such as Tallahassee, the communities along the Emerald Coast are excellent weekend trips for all sorts of tourists. From fast-paced and thrill-seeking outdoor adventures to quiet nights alone on the beach to days spent shopping and dining in the sunlight, there is something for every kind of tourist along this segment of Florida's shores. Given its relatively small geographic area, the Coast makes for an ideal car-based vacation where you can pick up and explore surrounding communities and nature parks to explore the diversity of this region's ecology, culture, and heritage.
