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June 22, 2019 By Sixth-Bloom Leave a Comment

Things to do in Seaside Florida

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Here you will find family friendly fun things to do in Seaside Florida as you head along 30A in Florida for an adventure.  The culture and atmosphere are worth the drive and time spent on this coastal highway.  

Thank you to Extended Stay America by making this post possible – all opinions expressed are my own.  

Seaside Florida things to do

Our time spent in the Florida panhandle is always a highlight.  This trip to Destin, Florida we were hosted by  Extended Stay America – the perfect spot to come back and relax, cook dinner in our hotel room (if you want to and save some extra $ while on your family vacation).  An extra plus is each morning on our way out to the beach we were able to take a quick grab and go breakfast they offer – I am also able to wash clothes in the hotel laundry room – which for me as a mom doing a load of laundry (or two) while on vacation doesn’t seem ideal but honestly it’s a life saver because we can pack lighter – especially on trips like we did to Portland Maine – along with the idea of when I come home it’s a lot less work on the back end!  extended stay america in destin florida

As we were on a family vacation to Destin, in March, we decided since it was a cloudy/cooler day that we would take a journey over to 30A Florida.  It’s just a few miles past Destin that you can hop onto the highway and begin the adventure.  We originally were going to rent bikes and travel some of this hidden gem…but I’m glad we opted to drive the highway as a family instead.  We were able to do so much more in our car travels and not be worn out.  No doubt that since we’ve traveled the entire highway we might would decide to rent bikes in one town and spend the day next time, but for this time driving was our best adventure.rental homes in seaside florida on the beach watercolor beach florida seaside florida beaches homes and rentals in seaside family picture on the beach in seaside florida

** I wouldn’t try driving this highway in the prime vacation season – we were there in the off season and it was perfectly fine with very little traffic.  Otherwise during the prime beach and vacation season you’d be bumper to bumper and I don’t find that appealing to my travel adventures! beach rental homes in watercolor florida rental house in watercolor florida

What is 30A?

If you live in the south – truth be told you’ve seen the blue stickers on the back of vehicles that say ” 30A” and you either know what it stands for or you are clueless! 

Well 30A is one of America’s most rewarding coastal drives: Highway 30-A in the Florida Panhandle.  This has become a beach lifestyle “brand” inspired by this highway in northwest Florida.  It’s a scenic – two lane country road that meanders along the shores of the Emerald Coast.  How long is this highway?  It’s a 20-mile beach road located between Destin, Florida and Panama City Beach, Florida.  If you’ve never heard of 30A – you aren’t alone but it’s a hidden beach gem that is becoming more popular each season.  seaside florida beach father daughter on the beach beach house rentals in seaside florida

What are 30A beaches?

The top beaches along this coastal highway are:

  1. Dune Allen Beach
  2. Seagrove Beach
  3. Blue Mountain Beach 
  4. Grayton Beach
  5. Seacrest Beach
  6. Inlet Beach

beach home in alys beach road in alys beach alys beach florida alys beach architecture street path in alys beach row of white homes in alys beach white homes entrance into alys beach florida palm trees in alys beach

As we were planning our day trip I came across the most amazing website that gave us a mile marker by mile marker suggestion. This was insanely helpful as we could know what we were coming up on, we could plan our stops, we knew what we were seeing or the area we were in. alys beach florida houses white houses at alys beach florida alys beach florida beach with little girls feet in the water streets and homes in alys beach florida white homes in alys beach palm trees with blue skies alys beach florida

This takes you through the entire 30A highway where we found amazing restaurants, beaches, state parks, ice cream stops, sights to see, shops and every other stop…like Watercolor, FL to Rosemary Beach, FL to Blue Mountain Beach where we at the most amazing organic cinnamon rolls… and the most charming Alys Beach.  We didn’t have a favorite area…but we did spent quite a bit of time in Seaside Florida – only to get our wiggles out and eat!!  

Things to do in Seaside Florida

Seaside is a small resort community in northwest Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s known for its late-20th-century New Urbanist design, as well as pastel-colored houses featuring porches and white picket fences.  It truly is a beautiful beach community with the yummy and fun vibe of the Seaside food trucks to the shops and green space to run and play.  five daughters food truck in seaside florida palm trees with blue sky in seaside florida five daughters in seaside florida seaside florida shopping seaside food trucks in florida airstream food row in seaside florida

1- Get off the Beaten Path:  Here in Seaside Florida and in Watercolor (adjacent to Seaside) is where we got off of the beaten path the most and found ourselves driving in the neighborhoods and poking along taking in the views.

2- Go to the beaches:  It seems like it should not have to be stated…but go wander the beaches.  When we were there it really was serene, peaceful and the color hues were absolutely stunning.  Clear blue water with a soft hue that was so inviting and as a photographer were simply beautiful.seaside beach beach signs beach walk way homes in watercolor florida beach homes to rent in watercolor florida beach houses for rent

3- Hit up the Seaside food trucks: I’m not here to tell you a favorite or a must have…all I know is that everything we ate was superb.  So I don’t think you can wrong…just pick the food truck in the airstream row that sounds the best to you at the time and I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

4- Run around:  Since we didn’t rent bikes we just walked around and let our little one run in the green space!  I brought bubbles and we found the pavilion around the school area, ate snacks and let her have some freedom from the car and road traveling.

5- Head to the post office: Grab some postcards and mail them to family and friends from the local post office…super friendly and fun!seaside florida post office post office in seaside florida

6- Talk to a Local:  This might be easier for some more than others…just depends if you’re an introvert or extrovert…but I love finding a friendly local to talk to – anywhere we go.  I like to ask what life is like where they live, the culture, the favorite spots they eat and go.  You’ll usually find some gems and the conversations are usually quite easy to strike up as well as interesting as you’ll learn so much of the area you are in.

7 – Relax: Most importantly – relax.great southern restaurant in seaside florida tables and restaurant at great southern father daughter eating at great southern in florida rental bikes in seaside florida great southern food in seaside inside great southern restauraunt girl coloring at the table in seaside florida great southern restaurant great southern restaurant in seaside florida running around the pavillion at the seaside school blowing bubbles in seaside florida road in alys beach

8- Drive 30A:  I can’t shout it from the mountain tops enough – but if you have access to a vehicle and can drive along the entire 30A highway – take your time and stop along the way in these quaint towns, experience their culture and eats.  Enjoy ice cream, cinnamon rolls, lunch and grab dinner…walk along the beaches and enjoy the drive.  It’s gorgeous.  lola's bakery in blue mountain beach organic cinnamon roll blue mountain beach rental bikes in blue mountain beach eating cinnamon rolls at lola's bakery blue mountain beach bike rentals ice cream in blue mountain beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I'm Erin owner and chief editor of Sixth Bloom! A wife and mom living the small town life in Mississippi just outside of New Orleans Louisiana. A retired piano teacher of 19 years, currently a professional photographer and blogger. I love Jesus, my family, coffee, french fries and traveling!

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