September 29, 2024

Olympia Travel Tips

Maniac Travel Update

What To Do On The Emerald Coast

What To Do On The Emerald Coast



The stretch of 30A Highway along the Emerald Coast of Florida has been on my list of places to visit for a long time. If you’ve never been or have wondered what to do on the Emerald Coast, it truly is one of the most beautiful places in the country and a must for those who love the beach. Living in Northern Kentucky, I’ve made the drive south many times for family vacations and getaways, but never to the popular neighborhoods along 30A.

If you’ve never heard of this area of Florida, it sits between Destin and Panama City, and is made up of several unique neighborhoods, each with their own personality and charm. Although I had never been to 30A (which is the name of the highway, but many refer to it as its own area), I felt like I had, given how many of my friends and family have visited and shared their photos and experiences. In early March, I decided it was time to check it out for myself.

We typically drive to the Emerald Coast and it’s not a bad 10-11 hour drive. But given I would just be spending three days on 30A, my friend and I decided to fly into the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (one hour from where we stayed) and fly home from Panama City Beach (about 30 minutes from our rental). There are many ways to get to the area and this option worked best budget wise and to optimize our time at the beach.

The three days began on a Saturday morning and took us through Monday; we flew home Tuesday morning. There is so much to do and see (and eat!) along 30A, but we struck a great balance of relaxation, fun activities, and trying delicious local restaurants. If you’ve always wanted to spend time along the Emerald Coast and want to plan your first visit to 30A, check out how we spent three wonderful days in this scenic area of Florida.

1. Spend Time At The Beach

2. Stay In A Great Location With A Pool

3. Eat At A Local Bakery

4. Ride Bikes

5. Visit The Big Chill

6. Eat Local In Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, and Seaside

7. Shop Local

8. Dine With A View

9. Watch The Sunset

10. End A Night With A Burger From Pickles In Seaside

Would I have loved to spend even more time along 30A? Absolutely. Were three days enough to relax and experience this popular area? Definitely. Whether you spend three days or three weeks on the Emerald Coast, it truly is one of the most beautiful places to visit. And with so many things to do on 30A, it’s safe to say that I’ll be back soon.

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