These 8 Towns on Florida's Emerald Coast Have Bustling Main Streets
Florida's Emerald Coast is an attractive stretch of white, sugary sand, azure waters, and charming beachfront towns. The area is home to several planned developments, focusing on the town center as the primary source of entertainment, one of the biggest draws for visitors. Many of these towns have bustling Main Streets full of boutiques, restaurants, and scenic views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Towns like Panama City Beach are known as party towns, especially during Spring Break. They are also worth the trip for a shopping and dining destination. These towns on the Emerald Coast offer bustling Main Streets with live events, modern amenities, and excellent lodging options.
Seaside
The charming coastal town of Seaside is known for its pastel-colored homes with a New Urbanist design. The heart of the resort town is the Seaside Town Center, which is packed with culinary delights like the Great Southern Cafe and The Shrimp Shack. You can also visit Airstream Row for a quick bite while strolling through the town center.
Airstream Row is a collection of retro-fitted Airstreams converted into food trucks. Barefoot BBQ and The Meltdown are two delicious options, and they are a perfect pick-me-up while shopping at one of the many shops. Modica Market is a popular gourmet grocery store that has been open since 1989. Seaside's bustling main thoroughfare has much to see and do and is one of the best shopping outlets on the Emerald Coast.
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach, or PCB, is a famous Spring Break and family destination with a vibrant and historic downtown. The district hosts live events throughout the year, like the upcoming Roux Doux Music Experience and the opening of Roger Raepple's Remember at the Panama City Center For The Arts. Front Beach Road is another entertainment district parallel to the gorgeous coastline home to Gulf Marine Park, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and much more.
The SkyWheel is one of the most visited attractions in PCB. The entertainment venue includes a mini golf course and the iconic SkyWheel, a 200-foot observation deck providing panoramic views of the beach town. Front Beach Road has several beachfront hotels, including Bikini Beach Resort. The laidback five-story resort offers 100 rooms, many facing the Gulf of Mexico, and is only a short walk from many attractions and restaurants.
Rosemary Beach
Colorful and charming Rosemary Beach is on Scenic Route 30A and is known for its shopping and dining options. The sophisticated Havana Beach Bar and Grill inside the elegant Pearl Hotel is one such restaurant. The refined bar is designed after Ernest Hemingway's favorite Cuban bar, El Floridita. Boutiques include Tidwell and Son and Cork and Barrel.
Main Street offers several hotels within walking distance of the vibrant Town Center, like the Rosemary Beach Inn. This 11-room European-style hotel has breathtaking coastal views and is close to Barret Square and the Town Center. Walkable Rosemary Beach also has cultural attractions like the Curate Art Gallery.
Destin
Known as the "The world's luckiest fishing village," Destin is a fun and laidback coastal town with many attractions. HarborWalk Village is the main strip and the hub of the entertainment district. It is home to the famous Destin Seafood Festival, ESPN's College Gameday, and a popular nightlife destination with live music.
The Harbor Tavern faces the scenic harbor and is only a short walk from the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. The bustling entertainment district has several day spas, like the Emerald Grande, an ideal way to prepare for a night on the Boardwalk, which is nearly a quarter of a mile long and the best way to soak in the beautiful town of Destin.
Fort Walton Beach
Beautiful Fort Walton Beach is a small town with many cultural and historic attractions. The Downtown Arts and Entertainment District offers live events like the Art Walk and artistic sites like the Heritage Park and Cultural Center. Heritage Park focuses on local history and is an excellent way to learn about the town.
Al's Beach Club is a fast-casual restaurant popular among visitors and locals. The family-friendly eatery is near downtown and a short walk from the Gulfarium Marine Park. Fort Walton Beach is unique because, although less crowded than Destin or Panama City Beach, it has many notable attractions and things to do.
Apalachicola
Apalachicola is a small fishing village famous for its oyster harvesting and historic downtown. In 2011, the district became part of the Florida and National Main Street initiative because of its colorful buildings and seaside charm. Cultural attractions include 49 Palmetto Gallery and the Center for History, Culture, and Art. Docent-led historic tours through downtown open a wealth of historical architecture, like the Dixie Theatre.
The landmark theatre has operated since 1912 and produces live musical events and plays. Another important site is the Chapman Botanical Garden, which honors 19th-century botanist Dr. Alvin Chapman. Enjoying a local seafood dinner is almost mandatory in Apalachicola at several restaurants, such as Apalachicola Seafood Grill.
St. George Island
St. George Island is a 22-mile barrier island near Apalachicola, famous for its serene beaches and the St. George Island Lighthouse near the Town Center. The walkable downtown is fun to discover and comes alive at night at pubs like Harry A's, the island's only restaurant, bar, and nightclub.
Another popular activity is shopping at the many eclectic shops on this tiny island, like Deep Southern Boutique at the Beach and St. George Island Trading Company. The most unique landmark is the SGI Gargoyle statue. Located in the center of town, the stone structure is perched like the island's protector, making for a fantastic photo opportunity.
Santa Rosa Beach
The small coastal town of Santa Rosa Beach is home to Gulf Place Town Center, the communal epicenter of the community. The 25-acre town center has palm-tree-lined streets, walking trails, and outdoor patios. Mere steps from the white sand beach, the center has some of the most popular restaurants in town, like Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar and the Perfect Pig.
Many consider Central Square Records a must-see store. The store specializes in record players and other gifts like mugs and T-shirts at fair prices. Nearby is The Workshop by Ginger Leigh Designs. This is a great location to spend a couple of hours exploring the ornaments, stationary, and abstract paintings by this talented artist.
Whether looking for nightlife, shopping, or just a unique town to visit, the Emerald Coast provides it all. Fort Walton Beach and Niceville are quaint and not as crowded as Panama City Beach or Destin, but they still have much to offer downtown. Most of the downtown areas are a short walk from some of the country's prettiest beaches, a major draw for many.
The downtown areas on the Emerald Coast offer a classic beach feel, especially Rosemary Beach and Seaside, which is part of their allure. St. George Island has an authentic "old Florida" vibe and is one of the prettiest beaches on the coast. These eight towns provide visitors with a lifetime of memories of their bustling Main Streets and attractions.
